If you love playing the Playstation 4, then the controller gets used a lot. Although it often comes in contact with germs, it is quite easy to forget to clean it. If your controller has been used a lot and the dirt is starting to show up, it's time to clean it. Fortunately, whether you want to clean it on the outside or inside, the procedure is relatively simple.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Clean the Controller
Step 1. Mix 1 part water with 1 part isopropyl alcohol
Fill a 1-liter spray bottle about a quarter full with water. Then pour the alcohol up to about half the total. Screw the cap tightly and gently invert the bottle a couple of times to mix the solution.
Spray the sink a couple of times to make sure it's working properly
Step 2. Rub the controller with the solution using a microfiber cloth
Dampen a clean cloth with two or three sprays of the disinfectant you made. Scrub the entire surface of the controller. Once the clean side of the cloth becomes dirty, turn it over to the other side.
You could also use a soft cloth or paper towel that doesn't leave lint. However, microfiber cloths are more effective at capturing dirt and reduce the risk of scratching the shiny parts of the controller
Step 3. Pour 100% isopropyl alcohol into a small container
Fill a small bowl and place it next to the controller. If you can't make up for 100% isopropyl alcohol, get a type that has a similar alcohol concentration.
Step 4. Wet a cotton swab in the alcohol and then squeeze it out
Make sure the tip is flat after squeezing it with your fingers. Always wear special cleaning gloves (nylon or latex) to prevent your skin from coming into contact with alcohol.
After squeezing the cotton, it should be flat enough to fit into the tightest spots on the controller
Step 5. Slip the cotton between the buttons and the slots on the controller
After you have threaded the cotton, move it around, up and down, to remove the dirt. Keep doing this until you clean every button, including those on the D-pad. Don't worry if alcohol remains between the cracks, as it will evaporate.
- Use a toothpick to remove any dirt you can't reach with the cotton swab. Just be careful not to push it too hard to avoid damaging the buttons.
- If you have trouble cleaning the gaps between the buttons, focus on the surfaces.
- Rub the buttons with a clean cloth when done.
Step 6. Rub around the nubs and analog stick bases using a new cotton swab
Dip another cotton swab in the alcohol and squeeze it out. Clean around the rubber top of the analog sticks, including the edges. Then, start cleaning the base. As you scrub the base, move the sticks to expose more surface and clean more thoroughly.
- Use a toothpick to get under the controller tab, where it connects with the sticks.
- Switch to a clean cotton swab to clean the space between sticks.
Step 7. Clean inside the gaps between the front buttons
Loosen the dirt inside the slots by gently pushing it out with a toothpick. Then use a new cotton swab dipped in alcohol to thoroughly clean around the spaces between the front buttons.
Don't push the toothpick too deep into the slots, past the tab
Step 8. Scratch off the dirt all around the touchpad
Remove any dirt stuck in the crack using a toothpick. Rub it with a clean cloth when done. Soak another cotton swab in the alcohol and wipe the edges of the touchpad to pick up any remaining dirt.
Step 9. Rub the "Options", "Share" and "Playstation" buttons
Dip a new cotton swab into the alcohol. Hold it horizontally as you scrub the surface of the buttons and the crevices around it.
The "Share" button is located on the left of the touchpad, the "Options" button on the right side and the "Playstation" button below
Step 10. Scrape away the dirt along the entire gap between the controller parts using a toothpick
Insert the tip of the toothpick into the slot. Hold it parallel to the slot and drag it around the perimeter of the controller. Keep doing this until all the dirt is removed.
Step 11. Gently insert a new toothpick into the speaker grille holes, inside and out
Rotate it as you insert it into the holes. This should remove any dirt stuck in the grill. Be careful not to twist the toothpick too hard.
To avoid damaging the internal parts of the controller, do not insert the toothpick past the tip
Step 12. Clean the controller ports using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol
Once the cotton swab is wet, twist it into the headphone output socket. Avoid forcing - just press a little. For the "EXT" ports and micro USB ports, squeeze the cotton swab with your fingers. Then scrub inside the doors, moving it from side to side.
Don't worry about excess alcohol - it will evaporate on its own
Part 2 of 2: Cleaning the Inside of the Controller
Step 1. Remove the screws from the back of the controller
Turn the controller upside down. Remove all screws by unscrewing each counterclockwise with a Phillips # 0 flathead screwdriver. Use one that is 10 to 13cm long for best results.
Replace the screws if you find it difficult to unscrew them. The screws are of the Phillips M2X6 flat head type
Step 2. Insert the flat tip of a small screwdriver into the slot and pry to open the controller
Firmly press the screwdriver anywhere in the gap between the controller parts. Begin to pry until you can open it a little. Continue to press the screwdriver all the way around the controller until it is fully open.
Be careful when levering to avoid damaging the controller
Step 3. Remove the back of the controller
Separate the pieces by pulling on the indent at the bottom, between the two analog sticks. Remove the back by gently shaking the controller. Make sure the buttons stay in place.
Spray the back of the controller with detergent and wipe it with a dry cloth if it is dirty
Step 4. Unplug the white ribbon cable connector
Once you open the controller, be careful not to break the cable. Gently remove the connector from the slot and set the other piece of the controller aside.
Step 5. Remove the black piece under the battery by pulling it straight up
Disconnect the battery connector by pushing it out. Use a small flat screwdriver to wiggle the connector gently until it pops out, then remove the battery. Pull the black piece up. Keep moving and gently pulling it until it gives in. Https://youtu.be/byO3HOA3nzU? T = 1m51s
Try to proceed with patience - it may take a while before you take it off
Step 6. Remove the electronic board
Unscrew the small screw in the center of the board using a Phillips # 0 flathead screwdriver. Remove the electronic board by gently pushing it upwards.
Be careful not to break the wires connecting the card to the battery
Step 7. Separate the two parts of the controller pieces to reveal the inside
Grab each piece of the controller. Gently pull them apart, taking care not to pull too hard.
Detach the L2 and R2 buttons before separating the two pieces, so that you have a little more space
Step 8. Remove buttons and analog sticks
The sticks can be detached easily. To remove the buttons, pull out the rubber mounts that hold them in the controller and place them on a clean, flat surface.
You should now have a green triangle, a red circle, a blue cross and a pink square; a D-pad; the 4 back buttons; the "Playstation" button and the analog sticks
Step 9. Clean each individual piece using a 1 part water and 1 part alcohol solution
Pour the prepared solution into a small bowl. Wet a microfiber cloth with the solution and gently wipe each piece individually.
You can also use a soft, lint-free cloth. However, a microfiber cloth is more effective in capturing dirt and reduces the risk of scratching the pieces
Step 10. Dry each piece with a microfiber cloth
Once all the pieces are clean, gently wipe the surface of each with a dry microfiber cloth. Then arrange them on a clean surface and leave them there for about 5 minutes.
A normal cloth is also fine. However, keep in mind that it can scratch the surface of the pieces
Step 11. Reassemble the controller
Insert each key element into its slot. Then put the rubber housings on them and firmly push the analog sticks into the holes of the electronic board. Insert the sticks through the holes in the front piece and screw the board back into place. Press the black plastic piece back onto the board, then replace the battery as well. Now you can reattach the larger pieces of the controller, then finally screw all the screws back into place.
- Be sure to reconnect all cables as you reassemble the controller.
- Hold the front of the controller face down as you reattach the buttons.
