DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement

Written By: Mohamed Ahmed

Comments: 5

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 40 minutes

Introduction

If your DualShock 4 controller consistently fails to charge, use this step-by-step guide to replace a faulty ribbon cable as it is typically the root of the problem.

Before following this guide, disconnect your controller from the PS4 console.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Check the model number on the back of your controller. This guide was written using model CUH-ZCT1U. If you have another model, the guide procedure and replacement parts may differ slightly.
If you have the second generation DualShock 4, model CUH-ZCT2U, use these guides.

model:cuh-zct2e

كيف يمكن ان افكها

Mhmod -

Step 2

If you need to stabilize your controller during this repair, lay it on a soft surface such as a microfiber cloth.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 6.4 mm-long screws securing the rear case.

to re-torque these PH00 screw... i found 19Ncm to be about the max. (since 27Ncm was too much)

Dreamcat 4 -

Step 3

Use an opening pick to pry each corner of the L1 button from the front case.
Cover the button to prevent it from ejecting out of your workspace.
Remove the button.

Step 4

Use your opening pick to pry and remove the R1 button, just as you did for the L1 button.

Step 5

Six plastic clips secure the rear case to the front case. The next four steps demonstrate how to release these clips before you can open the controller.
Insert your opening pick at a downward angle between the front case and rear case, halfway between the handle and the action buttons.
Slide your pick toward the handle and pry up to release the first clip.
Repeat this procedure on the other side of the controller to release the second clip.

Step 6

Two more clips secure the rear case near the extension port and the headphone jack.
Insert your opening pick between the front case and rear case at either side of the ports.
Twist your pick to unclip this section of the rear case from the front case.
If the rear case feels stuck, insert and twist your pick from different angles.
Don't open the controller yet, as it's still held together by two very delicate clips near the triggers.

Step 7

The final two clips are very delicate, and must be disengaged from inside the controller. If you break them, don't worry—it won't affect this repair or your controllers functionality.
Locate the clips by looking through the gap above the R2 or L2 buttons.

Step 8

Insert the point of a spudger through the gap above the R2 button and push the retaining clip outward.
While pushing the clip outward, slowly pull the rear case away from the front case until you feel them separate.
Don't fully open the controller until each of the R2 and L2 clips have been disengaged.
Repeat this procedure for the clip near the L2 button.

Step 9

Press the R2 button and slide the rear case over it.

Step 10

Press the L2 button and slide the rear case over it.

Step 11

Flip the rear case over the top of the controller and lay it down, being careful not to strain the interconnect cable.

Step 12

Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the interconnect cable by pulling its blue pull tab straight out of the socket.
During reassembly, reconnect the cable with its blue pull tab facing the outside of the controller.

On the model CUH-ZCT2E the circuit board is mirrored so that the connection is on the left side. When reassembling the blue tab should be facing inwards.

Konrad Skeri Ekblad -

Step 13

Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.4 mm screws securing the light guide bracket to the rear case.

No screws in mine - lift one side then the other - asymmetric clips.

Louis Kleiman - 18/11/23

Step 14

Remove the black spacer and white bracket from the light guide.

Step 15

Peel both foam pads from the light guide.

Step 16

Grab and lift the light guide from its alignment pegs on the rear case.
Remove the light guide.

Step 17

Push the light diffuser through the inside of the rear case and remove it.

Step 18

Use your thumb to hold down the clear plastic cover to create space to remove the ribbon cable.
With the cover held down, use tweezers to remove the faulty ribbon cable.

Conclusion

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

One comment

One other thing I would recommend is before you install the new ribbon cable, I installed a layer of Polyamide/Kapton Tape on both sides of the cable before installing and flexing/bending - this in theory reduces the severity of the bends, which I'd say is what causes the wires to break internally. It doesn't have to necessarily be Kapton tape, just any tape to provide some structural support against crushing/creasing would help :)

Aadi Bhamidipati -