How to Fix Analog Stick Drift on a PS4 Controller | Repair & Get Rid of Jittery Sticking DualShock 4

12 Solutions (some new) for resolving analog stick problems with a Sony DS4 Gamepad. Many involve cleaning from the outside, but also taking the controller apart and cleaning on the inside. Soldering fixes are also discussed. I also show how to properly test the controller, I explain dead zones, and I get honest about the risks involved with self-fixing. Finally, I include teardown instructions, as well as how to put it back together.

Other DualShock 4 repair videos:

7 Ways to Fix R2/L2 Trigger Button:

How to Fix Circle, X, Square, or Triangle:

Other PS4 How-To Videos:
How to Transfer Screenshots from PS4 to PS5 (or to PC):

How to Transfer Data From PS4 to PS5:

References From the Video:

YouTuber Who Shows How to Fix Battery Connector:

YouTuber Who Teachers Soldering:
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Timestamps:
00:00 How to Use This Tutorial
00:55 Will This Work?
01:28 How to Test Your Controller
02:46 Solution 1
04:41 Solution 2
06:18 Solution 3
07:00 Solution 4
08:44 Solution 5
09:31 Solution 6
09:55 Solution 7
11:07 Warnings
12:30 Solution 8 + Take Apart
18:55 Solution 9
22:48 Solution 10
28:19 Solution 11
28:54 Solution 12
33:34 Why No Solution 13?
34:46 Put Back Together

Additional keywords:
Solder, thumbstick, alcohol, disassembly, discs, contacts, debris, dirt, traces, take apart, problem, issue, running, run, sprint, sprinting, slow, slowing, generation model differences, repair, L3 R3, jitter, faulty

#ps4 #controller #dualshock4

[HowToX]

00:00 How to Use This Tutorial
00:55 Will This Work?
01:28 How to Test Your Controller
02:46 Solution 1
04:41 Solution 2
06:18 Solution 3
07:00 Solution 4
08:44 Solution 5
09:31 Solution 6
09:55 Solution 7
11:07 Warnings
12:30 Solution 8 + Take Apart
18:55 Solution 9
22:48 Solution 10
28:19 Solution 11
28:54 Solution 12
33:34 Why No Solution 13?
34:46 Put Back Together

[JJLongway]

I googled how to fix my controller before I went to Walmart! You just saved me $60. I appreciate it🤝

[MrRiT]

Thank you very much. Within 20 minutes my controller was working like new again. I opened it and cleaned it with rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush. 6 years since I've had the PS4, I've changed 3 controllers due to drift. I wish I had seen your video earlier. Thanks again for the money I saved this time thanks to you

[DimzReacts]

Solution 10 works yet again. I watched a different videos ages ago when I had this problem. This video is far better, I have bookmarked it to make sure I know what to do next time. It didn't take much cleaning at all of the potentiometer. The joystick works flawlessly on the website now instead of shaking around when I would hold it still. Thank you! (I came from the old video btw where u linked this one).

[genore]

Belive it or not. The flipping it upside down smacking it and pushing the button in actual worked for now. Its a 2 month old controller. Didnt want to open it up. I have done that alot with my old controller though.😅

[hugojimenez]

solution 10 worked for me for both joysticks, took me like 2 or 3 hours cause I had no previous experience, but it's a really simple process and you explained it very well, thanks a lot!

[Visua]

Solution 10 actually worked for me. Thanks a lot for the clear instructions!
I only opened 1 door since only 1 direction was having issues. I did have to cut off the 3rd peg to get the door closed, so I'm glad you mentioned even that.

[sikkis]

It was the solution 10 for me! There was some sticky shit behind one door. Cleaned it and now it runs perfectly. Thank you so much for your well explained and detailed instructions! Very useful video!

[DLJames-gfxr]

I dont have the money for a new controller, and mine was drifting up and as good as broke. I tried every solution to no avail and almost gave up hope until method 10. I opened a worse controller for practice, then opened up my good one. Followed the directions to a T and my controller works better now than it did before. Thanks so much, you helped a bunch.

[meonace]

Bro u guide everything explicit and clearly and without any nonsense. 5 stars

[jimejamm]

Fixed my nephews controller because of your video. He had stick drift. Solution 9 worked. THANK YOU!

[coreytodd]

I’ve spent a lot of money fixing this problem with an antique controller for ps4, never again. This was wonderful

[mattthemouse]

_EDIT:_ Solution 5 didn't Work, but Solution 10 did. Solution 5 Did the trick for me! I swear, I was going to lose it if my DS4 controller went the way of my XBOX Series S controller. It had stick drift inside of 6 months and I was seeing that was common. I've had this DS4 for 4 years now and this is the first real issue I've had. Thanks to you, its no longer an issue and I didn't even have to disassemble it! I've found that on many things, the idea that Sony = Quality is a real thing; that's why I got a DS5 controller for my Roommate for Christmas this year to help get her into gaming; the quality was far superior.

Once again from the bottom of my heart:
*_THANK YOU_*

[FiksIIanzO]

Stellar tutorial! Had to disassemble the potentiometer but cleaning both doors and rings worked like a charm! No drifting at all after this one, and I didn't even break anything else! I think. It's supposed to be making this sizzling sound on the inside, right?

[quifix]

10 worked for me. This step should really be done by people who have worked on hardware before

[ling_uini]

Solution 10 was scary but worked and made me feel cool, thank you!!

[uganda]

Huge thanks, Solved the problem with the help of this video + the L2 fix tutorial: Pressing L2 Causes the Analog Stick to Move For Some DualShock 4 PS4 Controllers. Small thing no mention: displacement of the membrane can also cause this problem. With my controller, the membrane was displaced from the fixing knobs. When I placed it back and blew out the thumbsticks a bit, pressing L2 had no effect on the sticks, and the jitter was reduced to almost zero.
Thanks again, Cheers🍺

[sq_z]

The blowing worked. I had ZERO trust in this, but decided to try it anyway, but it worked. I've been trying to fix the drift on my ps4 controller for years now. Decided to randomly try to fix it again today, and was surprised by this awesome solution. Thanks man, appreciate the content.

[Fromurstruly]

I've had my messed up controller for several years and this video fixed it and instead of buying a new controller I should've done this, great video

[maripaananen]

Blowing air to the joysticks worked for a little while. Now I fixed two controllers with the 10th solution. Thank you so much! 😁