DualSense Edge Back Button Boards Replacement

Written By: Spencer Pennington

Comments: 5

DualSense Edge Back Button Boards Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 - 45 minutes

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace the back button boards in your Sony DualSense Edge controller.

If your LB or RB button isn't working correctly, you may need to replace the back button board.

Tools

Step 1

Place the controller on a work surface with the joysticks facing down.
Use a spudger or your finger to slide the Release tab to the left. The front trim should fall to the table.
If the front trim doesn't fall open, make sure the front trim has room to fall down and the Release tab is pushed all the way to the left.
Lift the controller up, leaving the front trim on the table.
During reassembly, insert the front trim at an angle so the top slots in first, then lower the trim into place and snap it onto the controller.

Step 2

Flip the controller over so the joysticks are facing up.
Lift the metal lever that holds the joystick in place until the joystick slides out slightly.
Slide the joystick out from its slot.

Step 3

Repeat this process to remove the other joystick.

Step 4

The rear trim is held in place by fragile plastic clips. Work slowly and gently to avoid breaking the clips.
If you installed the back button paddles included with your controller, remove them before beginning this process.
Insert the flat edge of an opening pick between the black portion of the rear trim and the top cover, near the joystick lever.
Slide the opening pick towards the bottom of the grip to release the clips.

Step 5

Slide the pick around to the rear of the controller and flip the controller over so the buttons are facing down.
Slide the opening pick around the edge of the rear trim to release the clips.

Step 6

Slide the opening along the edge of the trim on the other grip.
Once all clips are released, remove the trim.
If at any point the trim feels stuck, stop and look for any clips that may have re-engaged and release them with the opening pick to avoid damaging them.

Step 7

The L1 and R1 buttons are held in by two clips. If only one clip releases, move your spudger to the other side of the button to release the remaining clip. Don't continue prying on one side after a clip is released, or you risk breaking the other clip.
Insert the flat end of a spudger in the gap between the L1 and L2 buttons.
Use the spudger to pry out the L1 button.
The buttons tend to shoot out in this step. You can place your thumb over the button to prevent this.
Repeat this process to remove the R1 button.

Step 8

Remove the two 6.4 mm screws behind the L1 and R1 buttons.
Use a JIS J0 driver or an official iFixit Phillips PH0 driver, which is designed to be cross-compatible with JIS screws. Using a screwdriver other than an official iFixit driver or a JIS driver may result in stripped screws.

Step 9

Rotate the controller so the grips are pointing towards you.
Use a pair of angled tweezers to lift the right end of the release bar spring off of the white post.
The spring is located below the RB button.

Step 10

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to slide the release bar to the left.
Slide the release bar away from the controller to remove it.

Step 11

Remove the nine screws securing the rear case:
Seven 6.4 mm‑long screws
Two 10.5 mm‑long screws

Step 12

Insert the point an opening pick in the gap along the outside edge of one of the controller grips, near the bottom.

Step 13

Pry with the opening pick to separate the rear case from the front case by releasing the clips that hold them together.
Continue prying along the edge of the controller until one side is separated.

Step 14

Repeat this process to separate the other side of the rear case.

Step 15

If at any point the case feels stuck, stop and look for any clips that may have re-engaged and release them with the opening pick to avoid damaging them.
Hold the main body of the controller with one hand.
Lift the rear case with your other hand. It should lift at an angle.
Pushing slightly towards the L and R buttons, lift the rear case off of the controller and remove it.
During reassembly, make sure the plastic covers for the adaptive trigger assembly adjustment sliders are correctly installed over the sliders.

Step 16

The rear case holds two small plastic covers for the adaptive trigger assembly adjustment sliders. These may have come off during removal. Place them back in the rear cover now to avoid losing them.
Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to lift the cover from the controller.
Slide the flat end of the cover under the plastic tab in the rear case.
Make sure it is placed so it can move freely in its groove. The edge with the notch should be towards the middle of the controller.
If a cover got bent during the rear case removal or reassembly process, apply a small amount of heat with a hair dryer to restore it to its original shape.
During reassembly, you can use a small piece of painter's tape on the outside of the rear case to hold the covers in place.

Step 17

If your battery is swollen or deformed in any way, take appropriate precautions.
Lift the battery and move it to the right, so the connector underneath the battery is accessible.

Step 18

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the low profile connector.
Only pry on the connector. Do not pry on the wires, as that may damage the wires.
Remove the battery.

Step 19

These instructions are for the RB back button, which is to your left. The instructions are identical for the LB back button.
While holding the back button switch down, remove the two 6.4 mm‑long screws securing the back button bracket.

Step 20

While holding the back button switch down, use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to lift and remove the back button bracket.

Step 21

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to lift and remove the back button switch, being careful not to lose the plastic covers on the sides of the switch.
During reassembly, make sure the white plastic covers are in place, seated fully, and oriented correctly.

Step 22

These instructions are for the RB back button board, which is to your left. The instructions are identical for the LB back button board.
Use a pair of tweezers to disconnect the vibration motor cable from the back button board by lifting the JST connector out of its socket.
Only pull on the connector. Pulling on the wires may break them.

Step 23

Use a pair of tweezers to move the back button ribbon cable out from its plastic clip.

Step 24

Use a pair of tweezers to disconnect the back button board ribbon cable by gripping the blue tab and pulling away from the back button board.

Step 25

Insert a pair of angled tweezers under the bottom inside corner of the back button board.
Use the tweezers to pry up the back button board until it comes free of the adhesive underneath it.

Step 26

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to lift and remove the back button board.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Spencer Pennington

Member since: 09/09/23

17064 Reputation

5 comments

where i can buy this back button board ?

Seba -

yeah where are these PCB boards?

Bobby Austin (Fun-Bobby) -

I cant find them either… where to buy

Adam Schafer -

I also need this board. The little button stopped popping back up.

Trynafixit -

In my device the plastic parts under the metal carrier broke. It has a sort of lever action that I'm pretty sure was intended to break.

It would be no good to reassemble it with baking soda and super glue. Aside from buying a scrap controller there doesn't appear to be a way to return it to original.

Any help appreciated.

Luther St. Ama -