Buying new controllers when your controller stops working can get expensive. One first culprits you should suspect should be the controller’s battery. Fortunately, batteries are cheap and easy to replace. We have the guide you need to make that job a snap.
Products used in this guide
Note: This How-to is specific to the DualShock 4 1st Generation. It will work with both types of the controller, but make sure you have the right battery. The general rule of thumb is that if you can see the light shining through your touchpad then you have the newer generation of DualShock 4, and you should use this battery. If you don’t see the light on your touchpad then you need the other battery in the list.
Big thanks to the team over at iFixit for figuring all this out. They are a great bunch and make some excellent content. A word of warning; this will likely void your warranty on the DualShock 4, so if you are still in the Warranty time, you are better off sending it back. If you are outside of your warranty, continue at your own risk.
How to Replace the battery
- Use the small crosshead screwdriver from the set to unscrew all the screws on the back of the DualShock 4. (keep them very safe)
- Squeeze the left handle on the bottom to allow you to push one of the small plastic pry bars into it.
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Pull down on the pry bar to pop open the cover.
Source: Android Central - Move the pry bar all the way around the front of the controller to loosen the case.
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Use the pry bar on the back near the Start and Options button. Be careful; three little pieces will come out as you do. These will need to go back in before the end.
Source: Android Central - Very carefully lift the top of the DualShock off of the bottom, taking care not to break the small ribbon on the inside.
- Check the orientation of the ribbon to make sure you put it back correctly.
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Remove the ribbon to separate the two halves. The connector is delicate so be careful
Source: Android Central - Now you can see the battery locate its connector.
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Using a pair of tweezers carefully lift the connector out of its socket. Make sure you don’t damage the connector on the DualShock 4.
Source: Android Central - Place the battery into the slot and attach the connector back into the socket, making sure to put it in the right way.
- Reverse this entire step by step guide to putting the DualShock back together. Make sure you put the three small pieces back into place, as well as making sure to close the body together firmly.
While this is an easy enough replacement, there are moments you need to be extra careful. You really don’t want to have to pull the whole thing apart again because you forgot one of the trigger springs. If everything went well though, you should have a fully working DualShock 4 controller once again.
Our top equipment picks
These are the mandatory or core equipment selections. Optional or ancillary equipment will follow.
Not much to say about this except it isn’t an official replacement. This kind of breakdown is done at your own risk, but the risk is minimal. If it can extend the life of your DualShock though, it’s worth spending the $12 instead of the $50 to replace the whole controller.
There are two types of DualShock 4 these days, the newer and the older. The newer one arrived with the PS4 slim and the PS4 Pro and has a thin light that shines on the top of the touchpad. It’s a little different from the old one so needs a specific battery: this battery.
Additional Equipment
While you may already have something like this, a small set of screwdrivers and plastic pry bars is extremely helpful when you are thinking of fixing technology yourself. These screwdrivers will work with just about any piece of hardware, so keep a set handy.
21pcs Precision Screwdriver Set
($8 at Amazon)
This is the perfect little set for taking apart electronics. Whether it’s your DualShock 4, phone, or toaster, these are great.
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