Sony'southward DualShock 4 is a really good controller that tin can double as your full-time PC gamepad as well. If you have an aging DS4, you may accept noticed that information technology does not agree a charge every bit long as it in one case did. When it gets to that signal, many choose to buy a new i. While the DualShock is non the most expensive gamepad on the market, it's not exactly cheap either at $lx a piece.

Unless your DS4 has other things incorrect with it, it doesn't brand much sense to buy a new one when changing the battery is a cheap and easy set up. Recently, I found 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, we'll show you how to save over lxx% by replacing your DualShock bombardment yourself.

What Yous Will Need

The merely tools you will demand for this repair are a Phillips #00 screwdriver and a nonabrasive prying tool. Yous may already have a screwdriver, only if not, yous can choice one upward for around $three on Amazon. A nylon spudger will work for prying. The cheapest we found was one from iFixit for about $2.

Y'all will also demand a 3.7V bombardment. You will need one of two types, depending on your DualShock4's model number. While the battery type is the same, the connectors are different, so make sure y'all get the right one. For controller model number CUH-ZCT1E or CUH-ZCT1U, you need the large connector type. Units listed as CUH-ZCT2 or CUH-ZCT2U have the smaller plug. The model number is printed on the sticker on the back of the controller (see image in Step #ane below).

Generally, you can find generic batteries for effectually $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 2-pack on sale for a pair of early model controllers for $xiii from The Perfect Function (discover the batteries on Amazon or Ebay).

Earlier Getting Started

We recommend you are working in a controlled workspace. The buttons and springs for the L2 and R2 triggers have a tendancy to fall out, particularly the R2. The springs are modest and tin can be hard to observe, then be careful.

When prying the controller autonomously, you will hear loud snapping sounds. Practise non be alarmed. Nothing is breaking, merely do accept it boring.

On some DualShock 4s, the ribbon cablevision for the controller's lightbar has a blue plastic strip on one side. On these two one faced inward and the other faced outward, then exist mindful which style information technology is inserted earlier disconnecting. If it does not have this strip, bank check carefullly to be sure of the orientation before removing, then you lot become it back in the same mode.

With all the prep piece of work done, replacing your DualShock 4 bombardment takes 5 reasonably unproblematic steps (or nine if you include reassembly). And then permit'southward get started.

Stride by Step

Step #i: Remove the 4 screws on the back of the DualShock. They are pretty small, so place them somewhere they are non going to coil away or get lost.

Step #two: With the front of the controller facing you, press in on both sides of the left-manus grip correct at the seam to requite yourself a gap. It takes quite a chip of force per unit area if the controller has never been taken apart before.

Step #three: Once yous have a gap, slip the spudger in and pry upward a fleck correct at the seam's curve. Utilize the thumb of your other paw to keep the seam open while you jimmy the spudger up toward the left analog stick. Proceed prying and using your thumb to hold the gap every bit it widens. This procedure takes a fair corporeality of pressure. Repeat the process on the correct grip.

Footstep #4: One time the elevation and bottom halves of the DualShock accept broken free, yous tin can separate them easily. Be careful every bit in that location is a ribbon cable connecting the ii halves going from the lightbar to the circuit board. To make things easier, disconnect the ribbon cablevision past pulling straight up and abroad from the motherboard. Note the orientation of the connection then you tin can replace it the same style it came out.

Footstep #v: Unplug the old battery by gripping the sides of the connector and rocking it dorsum and forth while pulling. They are pretty snug, then it might take a fleck of coaxing. Plug the new battery, making sure it fully seats into the socket. Place the battery back into its cradle then perform steps one through four in reverse order.

Our replacement batteries were shipped fully charged, just that may non always be the case. If information technology seems the controller is not working, plug it in via the USB charging cablevision first before taking everything apart again. As long as the lightbar comes on and you lot can control your console while plugged in, the battery but needs to accuse to be able to use it wirelessly.

We already had the tools lying effectually for this quick repair, so the full to prepare two DualShock four controllers was a mere $xiii. Fifty-fifty if you cannot find the batteries on sale and y'all have to buy the tools as well, the price of replacing the battery on i controller should not run more than than $20.

That'southward a pretty good deal over paying retail for a new DS4. It's an extremely easy fix that only takes about 15 minutes of your fourth dimension, and the satisfaction of doing it yourself is its own reward. If this DIY put you in the mood for another projection while yous are cooped upwards at dwelling, check out our guide on how to upgrade your PlayStation 4's hard drive.