How to Fix a PS3 Controller

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This wikiHow teaches you how to fix a PS3 controller. One of the most common problems with PS3 controllers is random button pushes. There is a fairly easy fix to this problem, but it will require disassembling your controller. Other problems you may encounter are dislodged analogue sticks, and water damage.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Fix Random Button Pushes

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  1. There are five screws holding the controller together. There are two on the top and bottom of both sides, and one on the top middle.
  2. You may need to pry open the controller with a flat head screwdriver. Open it from the bottom and carefully tilt it towards the top shoulder buttons.
    • Be very careful that you don't accidentally dislodge the R2 or L2 trigger buttons while removing the back. They can be pain to put back on.
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  3. The battery is the grey square piece on the back of the motherboard. You don't need to disconnect the battery. You can just pull it up out of it's holder and move it to the side.
    • If you do decide to disconnect the battery, pull on the white plastic part that the wires are connected to. Do not pull on the wires.
  4. The motherboard screw is located on the bottom of the motherboard next to the analogue stick.
  5. Carefully pull the motherboard up and tilt it away from the shoulder buttons.
    • Once again, be careful not to accidentally dislodge the R2 and L2 trigger buttons.
  6. The green ribbon is located at the top of the controller front. It's above the hole where the left analogue stick goes. Place a flat head screwdriver under the ribbon and carefully lift it up over the two plastic pins that are sticking up out of the controller. Be careful not to tear or damage the ribbon. You will see a strip of black foam underneath the ribbon.
  7. Over time, the foam strip gets compressed and the connectors on the ribbon aren't able to make contact with the motherboard. This is why the controller is not working properly.
  8. For the best results, cut a strip of thick double-sided tape the same length and width as the black foam strip. Place it under the foam strip. Use scissors to cut off any excess tape from the sides.
    • If you don't have thick double-sided tape, you can cut about an inch-and-a-half of black electrical tape and roll it up into a tube. [1]
  9. With the tape underneath the foam strip, you can now place the foam strip back under the ribbon.
  10. Pull the ribbon over the foam and place the two holes over the pins that are sticking up out of the controller. Make sure it is firmly in place.
  11. Since the controller is open, it's not a bad idea to use a tissue or cotton swap to wipe any dust away from the ribbon.
  12. If you look at the motherboard, you will see a box that is a darker shade of green with some metal connectors sticking out of it. It's above the left analogue stick. This is where the motherboard connects to the ribbon. Use a tissue or cotton swap to wipe the connectors on the mother board.
  13. Carefully place the motherboard back in it's place with the analogue sticks freely able to move through the holes.
  14. Using the same screw you took out of the motherboard, screw it back in at the bottom next to the right analogue stick.
  15. The motherboard has a plastic holder on it's back that holds the battery in place. Place the battery back in the holder.
  16. To replace the controller back, place the the thin part that goes in between the two shoulder buttons at the top of the controller in place. Carefully tilt the back over the R2 and L2 trigger buttons and firmly push it back in place at the bottom of the controller.
    • Be careful not to accidentally dislodge the R2 and L2 trigger buttons.
  17. There are five screws that hold the controller together. Replace the two on the sides, and the one in the middle. Your controller is now fixed. [2]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Fix a Dislodged Analogue Stick

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  1. There are five screws holding the controller together. There are two on the top and bottom of both sides, and one on the top middle.
  2. You may need to pry open the controller with a flat head screwdriver. Open it from the bottom and carefully tilt it towards the top shoulder buttons.
    • Be very careful that you don't accidentally dislodge the R2 or L2 trigger buttons while removing the back. They can be pain to put back on.
  3. The battery is the large grey square on the back of the motherboard. You don't need to disconnect the battery. You can just pull it up out of it's holder and move it to the side.
    • If you do decide to disconnect the battery, pull on the white plastic part connected to the circuit board. Don't pull on the wires.
  4. The motherboard screw is located on the bottom of the motherboard next to the analogue stick.
  5. Carefully pull the motherboard up and tilt it away from the shoulder buttons.
    • Once again, be careful not to accidentally dislodge the R2 and L2 trigger buttons.
  6. There is a D-shaped metal rod that sticks up out of the motherboard. Place the plastic analogue stick back on the metal rod.
  7. Carefully place the motherboard back in it's place with the analogue sticks freely able to move through the holes.
  8. Using the same screw you took out of the motherboard, screw it back in at the bottom next to the right analogue stick.
  9. The motherboard has a plastic holder on it's back that holds the battery in place. Place the battery back in the holder.
  10. To replace the controller back, place the the thin part that goes in between the two shoulder buttons at the top of the controller in place. Carefully tilt the back over the R2 and L2 trigger buttons and firmly push it back in place at the bottom of the controller.
    • Be very careful not to dislodge the R2 and L2 trigger buttons.
  11. There are five screws that hold the controller together. Replace the two on the sides, and the one in the middle. Your controller is now fixed.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Fix Water Damage

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  1. If the controller gets wet, turning off the power immediately will prevent the circuit board from shorting out.
  2. There are five screws holding the controller together. There are two on the top and bottom of both sides, and one on the top middle.
  3. You may need to pry open the controller with a flat head screwdriver. Open it from the bottom and carefully tilt it towards the top shoulder buttons.
  4. The battery is the large grey square on the back of the motherboard. To disconnect the battery, pull the white plastic piece that connects to the motherboard. Do not pull on the wires. Pull on the plastic piece.
  5. This will help the water in the controller evaporate.
  6. To ensure the controller is completely dry wait 24 hours, or longer.
  7. Replace the white plastic part that the battery wires are connected to back in the white plastic connector on the side of the motherboard.
  8. To replace the controller back, place the the thin part that goes in between the two shoulder buttons at the top of the controller in place. Carefully tilt the back over the R2 and L2 trigger buttons and firmly push it back in place at the bottom of the controller.
    • Be careful not to accidentally dislodge the R2 and L2 trigger buttons.
  9. There are five screws that hold the controller together. Replace the two on the sides, and the one in the middle.
  10. To properly test the controller, launch a game that utilizes all the buttons on the controller (like Minecraft). Test every button to make sure they are do what they are supposed to do. If all the buttons are working, the controller is fixed. If there is any random button presses, or buttons not working, the motherboard has a short in it. You will need to replace the controller.
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  • Question
    How do I fix a scratched PS3 disk?
    Community Answer
    Try putting mint Colgate toothpaste on it, just a tiny dab. Gently wipe the excess toothpaste off with a paper towel. You can see some different methods in the article How to Fix a Scratched CD .
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 6
  • Question
    How do I fix an analog stick that sometimes gets stuck in certain positions?
    Community Answer
    Usually, it's just dirty. Open it as described and clean it with some alcohol.
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  • Question
    My dualshock's battery is still unusable after 2 hours of charging. All the lights are blinking for 2 hours but still can't use it. What's the problem and how to fix it?
    Toasterflame
    Top Answerer
    It may be that the battery on your controller has failed. Many repair shops can replace the battery for you. Or, if you are familiar with electronic repair, you can find many guides on this site to mend it yourself.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/7cnXHaHw1qA
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_bblXi2dKg

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