PS4 Controller Problems

[Urban732]

Hey Y'all, 

          So I'm having problems with the d-pad on my PS4 controller. My down button is losing the pump that I would usually feel if I press it. It was suggested that I apply rubbing alcohol on the inside of the affected area, but in the moment I don't own a screwdriver that can open up the controller. Is there an alternative tool I could use to unscrew the controller? Also, are there safe ways to prevent D-pad defects?

Thank you

[Kosheh]

Also, are there safe ways to prevent D-pad defects?

Yeah, don't mash the dpad like you're trying to kill bugs under it 

- if you're thinking about opening it in the future, you'll need a small Philips 00 screwdriver. Make sure it's a good-quality one - you don't want to strip the screw heads and destroy things. You've also got to be really careful that the thing doesn't explode all over your floor (not literally; I mean screws, springs, and ribbons are going to pop out and spill everywhere)

- get a cotton swab and some isopropyl alcohol (70% is fine, you can get it from the drugstore. 91% is fine too, but whatever you do, do NOT get rubbing alcohol [hydrogen peroxide]) and dip the swab in some of that isopropyl alcohol. Then, just go nuts on your dpad, cleaning along the edges of it. You'll probably get a lot of black gunk on it. This is good - that's dead skin stuck between the dpad and the rubber contact that's causing you some grief (and mushyness) 70% alcohol dries a lot faster than water plus it's mostly alcohol, so it's not going to corrode anything or ruin the contacts. 
Back when there were game cartridge cleaning kits, the "special solution" they came was was just a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and something else (water?) - but the active ingredient was the isopropyl alcohol.

- there's also a chance that you've somehow punctured the aforementioned rubber pad with your herculean strength, which is just going to cause more issues (such as dropped inputs) which the only solution that doesn't involve buying an offbrand silicon pad (then doing the repairs yourself and breaking your controller) would be to just get a new controller.


but yeah, just hit it with that alcohol. you might wanna hit it with a swab or 2.

[Maxpphire]

If you use isopropyl alcohol on anything thats plastic or rubber, make sure you clean it off with water afterwards, it will corrode it over time.

[Urban732]

Also, are there safe ways to prevent D-pad defects?

Yeah, don't mash the dpad like you're trying to kill bugs under it 

- if you're thinking about opening it in the future, you'll need a small Philips 00 screwdriver. Make sure it's a good-quality one - you don't want to strip the screw heads and destroy things. You've also got to be really careful that the thing doesn't explode all over your floor (not literally; I mean screws, springs, and ribbons are going to pop out and spill everywhere)

- get a cotton swab and some isopropyl alcohol (70% is fine, you can get it from the drugstore. 91% is fine too, but whatever you do, do NOT get rubbing alcohol [hydrogen peroxide]) and dip the swab in some of that isopropyl alcohol. Then, just go nuts on your dpad, cleaning along the edges of it. You'll probably get a lot of black gunk on it. This is good - that's dead skin stuck between the dpad and the rubber contact that's causing you some grief (and mushyness) 70% alcohol dries a lot faster than water plus it's mostly alcohol, so it's not going to corrode anything or ruin the contacts. 
Back when there were game cartridge cleaning kits, the "special solution" they came was was just a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and something else (water?) - but the active ingredient was the isopropyl alcohol.

- there's also a chance that you've somehow punctured the aforementioned rubber pad with your herculean strength, which is just going to cause more issues (such as dropped inputs) which the only solution that doesn't involve buying an offbrand silicon pad (then doing the repairs yourself and breaking your controller) would be to just get a new controller.


but yeah, just hit it with that alcohol. you might wanna hit it with a swab or 2.

So I figured out that the rubber is punctured. I gotta get a new replacement. PS4 controllers are so sensitive. Thanks!