Sony's DualShock iv is a really good controller that tin can double equally your full-fourth dimension PC gamepad as well. If you have an aging DS4, y'all may have noticed that it does not hold a accuse equally long as it once did. When it gets to that indicate, many cull to buy a new i. While the DualShock is not the almost expensive gamepad on the market place, it'south not exactly cheap either at $60 a piece.

Unless your DS4 has other things wrong with it, it doesn't make much sense to purchase a new one when changing the battery is a cheap and easy fix. Recently, I constitute that both of my controllers were not property a charge for very long and couldn't justify the expense of replacing them both.

In this guide, nosotros'll bear witness you how to save over 70% by replacing your DualShock bombardment yourself.

What Y'all Volition Need

The only tools you lot will need for this repair are a Phillips #00 screwdriver and a nonabrasive prying tool. You may already take a screwdriver, merely if not, you can selection one up for around $3 on Amazon. A nylon spudger volition work for prying. The cheapest we found was one from iFixit for well-nigh $2.

Yous will besides demand a 3.7V battery. You will need one of two types, depending on your DualShock4'due south model number. While the battery blazon is the aforementioned, the connectors are unlike, so make sure you lot get the correct i. For controller model number CUH-ZCT1E or CUH-ZCT1U, you need the large connector type. Units listed as CUH-ZCT2 or CUH-ZCT2U take the smaller plug. The model number is printed on the sticker on the back of the controller (come across image in Pace #1 below).

Generally, you can notice generic batteries for around $15. Stock DS4 batteries are 1000mAh. Most of the generics on the market are of higher capacities, which is fine. I happened to score a 2000mAh two-pack on sale for a pair of early on model controllers for $13 from The Perfect Function (find the batteries on Amazon or Ebay).

Earlier Getting Started

Nosotros recommend you are working in a controlled workspace. The buttons and springs for the L2 and R2 triggers have a tendancy to autumn out, particularly the R2. The springs are small and tin exist hard to find, so be conscientious.

When prying the controller autonomously, you will hear loud snapping sounds. Exercise not be alarmed. Nothing is breaking, just do take information technology slow.

On some DualShock 4s, the ribbon cable for the controller's lightbar has a bluish plastic strip on 1 side. On these ii i faced inward and the other faced outward, then be mindful which manner it is inserted earlier disconnecting. If it does not have this strip, check carefullly to be sure of the orientation before removing, so you lot go it back in the same way.

With all the prep work done, replacing your DualShock iv bombardment takes five reasonably simple steps (or nine if you include reassembly). And then let'southward get started.

Footstep by Step

Step #1: Remove the four screws on the back of the DualShock. They are pretty small, so place them somewhere they are not going to roll abroad or become lost.

Pace #two: With the front end of the controller facing you, press in on both sides of the left-mitt grip right at the seam to requite yourself a gap. It takes quite a flake of pressure if the controller has never been taken apart earlier.

Step #3: Once you take a gap, slip the spudger in and pry up a fleck right at the seam's curve. Utilise the thumb of your other hand to keep the seam open up while you jimmy the spudger up toward the left analog stick. Keep prying and using your thumb to hold the gap as it widens. This process takes a off-white corporeality of pressure. Repeat the process on the correct grip.

Step #four: Once the elevation and lesser halves of the DualShock have broken gratis, you can dissever them easily. Be careful equally there is a ribbon cable connecting the two halves going from the lightbar to the excursion lath. To brand things easier, disconnect the ribbon cable by pulling straight up and abroad from the motherboard. Note the orientation of the connection so you can supercede information technology the same fashion it came out.

Step #five: Unplug the onetime battery past gripping the sides of the connector and rocking it back and forth while pulling. They are pretty snug, so it might take a bit of coaxing. Plug the new battery, making sure it fully seats into the socket. Place the battery back into its cradle and then perform steps ane through four in reverse order.

Our replacement batteries were shipped fully charged, but that may non e'er be the case. If it seems the controller is not working, plug information technology in via the USB charging cablevision commencement before taking everything apart again. As long as the lightbar comes on and you tin can command your console while plugged in, the battery only needs to charge to be able to employ it wirelessly.

Nosotros already had the tools lying around for this quick repair, then the total to set up two DualShock 4 controllers was a mere $13. Even if y'all cannot find the batteries on sale and you accept to buy the tools every bit well, the cost of replacing the bombardment on one controller should not run more than $20.

That's a pretty expert deal over paying retail for a new DS4. It's an extremely easy fix that simply takes about 15 minutes of your time, and the satisfaction of doing it yourself is its own reward. If this DIY put you in the mood for another project while you lot are cooped upward at domicile, check out our guide on how to upgrade your PlayStation 4's hard bulldoze.