If you're a fan of PlayStation 4, your console controller (controller) must be used often. Although it is easy to get bacteria, this object is rarely cleaned. In fact, if the console controller has been in use for a long time and is starting to look dirty, you should clean it! Fortunately, the procedure for cleaning this item is very easy, both on the outside and on the inside.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Wiping the Console Controller Clean
Step 1. Mix water with rubbing alcohol
Fill a spray bottle with 1,000 ml of water. Pour in rubbing alcohol (or isopropyl alcohol) until the bottle is half full. Put the cap on the bottle tightly, then shake it to mix the water and alcohol.
Spray into the sink several times to make sure the spray bottle is working properly
Step 2. Wipe the console controller with the mixture using a microfiber cloth
Spray a piece of microfiber cloth 2 to 3 times with the disinfectant solution. Wipe all parts of the console controller. Once one side of the cloth looks dirty, turn it over and wipe it with the other side.
You can also use a soft washcloth or a lint-free cloth. However, a microfiber cloth absorbs dust better and reduces the risk of scuffing the exterior of the console controller
Step 3. Pour 100% pure rubbing alcohol into a small container
Fill a small container with rubbing alcohol and place it near the console controller. If you can't find pure rubbing alcohol, look for something close to 100%.
Step 4. Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol, then squeeze
Make sure the cotton tip is flat after squeezing it with your fingers. Wear cleaning gloves (nylon or latex) when doing this to prevent the alcohol from getting on the skin.
The kneaded cotton should be small enough to fit into the hard-to-clean crevices of the console controller
Step 5. Glue the cotton between the buttons and the gap on the console controller
Wipe the entire console control area with a cotton swab to get rid of any dirt. Do the same for the buttons, including the D-pad section. There's no need to worry about alcohol getting into the button gap – this liquid will evaporate on its own.
- Use a toothpick to clean any gaps that the cotton can't reach. Be careful and don't poke too hard as this could damage the buttons.
- If you're having trouble clearing the button gap, focus on the surface.
- Wipe the buttons with a clean cloth or towel when you're done.
Step 6. Clean the rubber on the top and bottom of the analog controller using a new cotton swab
Dip another cotton swab in rubbing alcohol, then squeeze. Use this cotton swab to clean the top of the analog controller, including the edges. After that, clean the bottom area of the console controller. When cleaning, move the analog controller so that all parts are within reach.
- Use a toothpick to clean the gap at the bottom of the analog controller that connects it to the console controller.
- Use a new cotton swab to clean each analog controller.
Step 7. Clean the gap that is on the top button
Remove any dust that is in the top button gap by scraping it off with a toothpick. After that, use a new cotton swab to clean all the gaps in that section.
Do not push the toothpick into the gap in the top button
Step 8. Clean all the gaps surrounding the touchpad
Pick up any dirt stuck in the crevices of the touchpad with a toothpick. Wipe with a clean cloth or towel when you're done. After that, dip a new cotton swab in rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining dust on the edges of the touchpad.
Step 9. Clear the “Options,” “Share,” and “PlayStation” buttons
Dip a new cotton swab in rubbing alcohol. Hold the cotton swab horizontally, then use it to clean the buttons all the way to the crevices.
The “Share” button is to the left of the touchpad, the “Options” button is to the right, and the PlayStation button is at the bottom
Step 10. Clean the gaps in the console controller handle with a toothpick
Position the tip of the toothpick in the slots of the console controller. Hold the toothpick parallel to the gap, then move it along the groove. Do this until all the dust that is stuck is gone.
Step 11. Gently insert the tip of the new toothpick into the speaker hole
Twist the toothpick while striking the hole several times. This will help get rid of any dirt stuck there. Be careful not to insert the tip of the toothpick violently.
To prevent damage to the inside of the console controller, do not insert the toothpick too deep
Step 12. Clean the console controller connector with the tip of a cotton swab dipped in alcohol
After dipping it in the alcohol, rub the end of the cotton swab into the hole in the speaker plug. Don't press too hard – just rub the cotton ball gently. To clean the “EXT” connector and micro USB port, first squeeze the cotton ball with your finger. After that, rub the inside of the connector by moving the cotton to the right and left.
Don't worry about the residual alcohol – it will go away on its own
Method 2 of 2: Cleaning the Inside of the Console Controller
Step 1. Remove the 4 screws that are on the back of the console controller
Flip the console controller over, then remove all the screws by turning them counterclockwise with a small flat-blade screwdriver. Use a 10-13 cm screwdriver for best results.
Replace hard-to-turn screws. The material used is a screw plus a flat head
Step 2. Insert the tip of a small flat-blade screwdriver into the control slot of the console, then pry it open
Press the tip of the flat-head screwdriver into the frame joint on the controller side of the console. Keep prying it open. Continue until the frame is fully exposed.
Be careful when prying the console control frame so as not to damage it
Step 3. Remove the rear chassis of the console controller
Pull the rear frame from the bottom that is between the two analog controllers. Gently remove the back of the console controller by gently rocking it. Be careful that the buttons don't pop out.
Spray the console controller's rear frame with some cleaning fluid, then wipe it with a dry cloth if it looks dirty
Step 4. Pull out the white ribbon cable from the connector gap
After opening the console controller housing, be careful not to damage the cable tape. Remove the tape from the connector slot with your hands, then separate the rear frame from the console controller.
Step 5. Remove the black support under the battery by pulling it up
Press the battery connector so that it can be removed. Use a small flat-blade screwdriver and gently shake the connector to remove the battery. After that, lift the black support up. Keep pulling and shaking it until it loosens.
Be patient – letting go of this part can take a while sometimes
Step 6. Pull out the circuit board
Remove all the small screws in the center of the circuit board using a small flat-blade screwdriver. After that, remove the blue ribbon cable at the top. Gently pull the circuit board out by pulling it up.
Be careful not to damage the wires connecting the circuit board to the battery
Step 7. Separate the engine and front frame to reveal the inside
Grasp the front frame and engine control console. Separate it by pulling it gently and don't jerk it.
Remove the L2 and R2 buttons before separating the two halves to give yourself extra space
Step 8. Release the buttons and analog controller
Analog controllers can be easily removed from the housing. To remove the button, pull on the rubber supporting it and place it on a clean, flat place.
You've now released the button with a green triangle, a red circle, a blue cross, and a pink square; D-pad; 4 buttons top; PlayStation button; and analog controllers
Step 9. Clean each button with a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol
Pour the water and rubbing alcohol into a small bowl. Dampen a microfiber cloth with the mixture, then rub each button separately.
You can use a lint-free towel or a soft washcloth. However, microfiber cloths are much more effective at picking up dirt and reducing the risk of scratching the surface of the keys
Step 10. Dry each button with a microfiber cloth
After cleaning, gently wipe each button with a dry microfiber cloth. After that, place it on a clean surface for 5 minutes.
Regular washcloths and towels can also be used. However, these objects can sometimes scratch the surface of the buttons on your console controller
Step 11. Reassemble the console controller
Put all buttons in their original position. After that, place a rubber backing on it and press the analog controller into the hole on the circuit board. Insert the end of the analog controller into the hole in the front frame and screw in the circuit board. Install the black support on the circuit board, then insert the battery. Now, all you have to do is attach the rear frame and tighten the screws.
- Reattach the cable tape that was removed when disassembling the console controller.
- Keep the console control frame facing down when reinstalling the buttons.
