This was causing the stick to caught on itself and not move back into normal position. While you’re at it, your laptop could probably use a good cleaning, too. Here are some things you can do: Unfortunately, accidents do happen. Allow the controller to air-dry for two to three hours before plugging it back in. Head to the wireless controller hub to see guides on replacing face buttons or analog stick covers. Work the damp cloth into any nooks and crannies that aren’t normally accessible. You can learn how to replace the joystick, switch out the battery, or get some pointers on sync issues, too. Using a clean, dry toothbrush, gently brush the area around the control stick (s). Xbox One and PlayStation 4 owners will want to pay close attention to the wells from which the analog sticks protrude. If the board is really bad wash it too. You can also apply the rubbing alcohol directly with a Q-tip before you clean the seam with the toothpick. Test the Wii Remote for proper response. A gunked up button from a Gravis Gamepad Pro When it comes to drying all of the parts off, I usually use paper towels to get the majority of moisture off and then use some compressed air to get any moisture out from the cracks and crevices. iFixit has also covered most Xbox One controllers, including several revisions of the basic wireless and Elite, which was classed as a whole separate peripheral. Wash your hands before you pick up your controller. Complete these steps. Avoid using metal objects, like paper clips or knives, as these could easily scratch the controller. Isopropyl alcohol (at least 70 percent; higher is better). Removes years of sticky residue and buffs up surfaces worn smooth. Any tight angles on the controller that aren’t easily wiped. How to Safely Clean Your Nasty Game Controllers, How to Use the Built-In Stocks Feature in Microsoft Excel, How to Uninstall or Disable Safari Extensions on Mac, How to Use Google Assistant’s Interpreter Mode, How to Stream from Xbox Series X|S to iPhone or Android, How to Manage Linux Servers with the Cockpit Web Interface, © 2020 LifeSavvy Media. The left one has been wiped down and you can see how shiny and oily the right stick is in comparison. Once the clean side of the towel gets dirty, flip it to the other side. Then, holding the stick to the side and using a cloth to wipe it down did the trick. I've used a file to clean up old mouse balls, getting back down to the sticky rubber. Wipe it away and repeat until the controller looks clean. In fact, you can do this for any of the fine edges on the controller, including around the touchpad button on the DualShock 4 if you use one. RELATED: How to Properly Clean Your Gross Laptop. The wood is soft enough to get into the gap without scratching the plastic, although, the tip might not survive very long. I recommend at least 2 washes with Dawn before proceeding to the next step. Clean the nooks and crannies regularly to avoid having to do a full deep clean. Get underneath the analog sticks and remove any dust and dirt that has accumulated. This is a normal joystick. Before you attempt to clean these areas, make sure the controller is off and disconnect any removable batteries if you can. Clean around the keys on your video game controller with the tip of the cotton swab to remove stickiness that can compromise the keys' performance. First, follow the guide and disassemble the controller into three sections. Use a bit of water to start, and avoid any and all abrasive cleaners. Moisten the tip of a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol. It helps break down grime that can be easily dislodged, making it an effective cleaning solution that evaporates when you’re finished. However, controller ports are sensitive, so it’s a good idea not to stick anything into them too deep. Methods that work for removing stickiness from a computer keyboard also work effectively for game controllers. As you do so, you should see the dirt accumulate on the edge of the paper. Soak a Q-tip in alcohol and drop a small amount of it around the edge of the affected buttons. Wipe around the entire surface of the game controller with the damp cotton ball. Also, maneuver the straw around the edge of the buttons to dislodge any grime that might be causing them to stick. To do that, use some cleaning alcohol and a Q-tip and make sure to clean everything correctly. Fold a piece of paper a few times, until it’s sturdy but still thin. This makes it pretty difficult to play certain games as the game thinks I'm holding the button(s) down for a few seconds. A dirty charging port could prevent the charger from making proper contact and charging your controller. Controller got sticky, how do I clean? Sony’s PlayStation 3 era controllers are also covered on iFixit. Support. Repeat this process on any speaker grills or other smaller areas you might have missed. Our controllers are bound to take a bit of a beating every once in a while. Since we launched in 2006, our articles have been read more than 1 billion times. It’s worth an attempt before you shell out the cash for a new controller. Clean game controllers are important to your best performance. They might feel mushy and not depress properly, or they might be stuck entirely. Repeat the process a few times if necessary, until the buttons feel normal again. There’s also an iFixit hub dedicated to Nintendo’s removable Joy-Con controllers. Repeat the steps if necessary. How to clean sticky buttons on an xb1 controller? For really stubborn grime, soak a Q-tip in alcohol and apply it to the soiled area. Let everything dry completely before you attempt to reassemble it. Before you start cleaning your controllers, it’s good to check the following “problem” areas, where grime is most likely to have built up: In order to clean your controller thoroughly without disassembling it, you’ll need the following items: You should always use water or rubbing alcohol to clean your controllers. You can also use a thin wooden toothpick to clean this area. All Rights Reserved. Hahaha maybe but I did always clean hands beforehand but when I played hours lots so seem it is sweaty caused dirty on sticks for me hehe. The above article may contain affiliate links, which help support How-To Geek. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a bowl. You can also hold a direction and rotate the stick while you wipe the “ball” underneath. Wipe the controller all over and remove any obvious grease or grime. Since there are so many uses for isopropyl alcohol, it’s a good idea to always have some around. If the buttons are still sticky after cleaning, the Wii Remote will need to be replaced. Press the pin in for 10 seconds. Using a clean, dry toothbrush, gently brush the area around the control stick(s). Unlike PS4 controller … Quick cleaning of the button and frame will take care of this and should fix the sticky button problem. Works well enough to resell 'em anyway. You can replace the battery, the motherboard, or even fix the charging port if you need to. Wipe off food and beverage spills as they occur to prevent sticky buildup. https://www.ubreakifix.com/blog/how-to-fix-jammed-game-controller-buttons Power on the Nintendo Switch console. Make sure it's dry before assembling. While you can open up the controller to attempt a fix, there are a few other things you can try first. You will probably notice that the board and buttons are sticky. I just cleaned the rubberized coating that turned to a sticky mess off of my older joystick. First, clean the controller with a soft, damp, lint-free cloth. 91% rubbing alcohol and a rag took it right off. Ideally, you want to prevent your controllers from becoming a health hazard in the first place. Although keeping game controllers clean might not be a priority, controllers last longer and perform better when sticky residue doesn't prevent them from working properly. Run the edge of the paper through the gap. Dip a cotton ball in the diluted vinegar solution, and squeeze out excess moisture. This might not be enough to salvage your controller, but it’s a lot less of a hassle than opening it up, so it’s worth a try. It’s easy for grime to build up in these tight corners. It’s also a good idea to avoid compressed air, as the force of the air can damage components inside the controller. Then, you can move on to more complex guides, like replacing the face buttons or the battery. Clean Your DualShock Controller: Recently I bought a PSOne with two Dualshock controllers, one being the Diamond Black PSX controller and the other the stock white PSOne controller. First, clean the controller with a soft, damp, lint-free cloth. On the controller, insert a pin into the small hole located by the left shoulder button. I had to go over each of the sticks about 3 times (spary, wipe, repeat). Once the controller is disconnected from your PS4, turn your PS4 off. If you do, you could bend or break the pins inside. The alcohol will cut through whatever’s causing the dirt to adhere to the controller, and then you can simply wipe it away. To answer your question, clean your controller with some light water and a cloth. The charging, headset, and expansion ports. Wash all the rubber pads in mild soapy water. He's invested in the Apple ecosystem, with experience covering Macs, iPhones, and iPads for publications like Zapier and MakeUseOf. Proper cleaning of sticky Playstation controllers begins with having the proper tools and ... You can use a little alcohol on the washrag (or washcloth, depending on your region) to clean the larger parts of the controller. That’s why you should always do your homework before you attempt to disassemble it. Press the buttons repeatedly to work the alcohol into the contact mechanism and loosen any grime. Again, take care not to force it too deep. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Join 350,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, comics, trivia, reviews, and more. Next, “exfoliate” the sticky rubber surface remaining. One of the most effective ways to use rubbing alcohol is to dilute it 1:1 in water, and then apply it with a misting pump. If you spill something on your controller and it affects the button actuation, follow one of the videos or iFixit guides we included above. Wipe the controller all over and remove any obvious grease or grime. Take care not to turn on your controller while attempting this fix. Then, you can slide it down the side of the affected buttons. If you’ve spilled something on your controller, the face buttons might be sticky. This won’t fix a sticky analog stick, but it might prevent such problems from occurring in the future. How to Fix Analog Stick Drift on PS4 Controllers. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe away any dirt or debris. Join 350,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. After a while the sticks started to drift on the black one, so I decided to take it apart and comple… As sticky stains and dirt are removed from the controller, toss out the dirty cotton ball and continue with a clean one. You could lose small components, like springs or screws, or even give yourself a small shock. Success requires multiple cleaning layer procedures. Mary Ylisela is a former teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and mathematics. Let the Wii Remote air dry with the buttons facing down for at least a couple of hours. Be careful, though—the sticks are coated with a soft rubber that’s prone to wearing away (particularly on Sony’s original DualShock 4 controllers). You can also use antibacterial wipes that are already soaked in alcohol. As with computers, game controllers must be cleaned with the driest cleaning methods possible to avoid moisture damage. Dirty Sticky Xbox 360 Controller Fix: How to clean xbox 360 controller If the control stick(s) continue to be stuck, hard to press, or hard to move, then the affected Joy-Con controller(s) will need to be repaired. Game controllers are magnets for dirt and grime. She has been a writer since 1996, specializing in business, fitness and education. I wouldn't trust the regular 70% stuff to take it off though as it probably isn't string enough. As sticky stains and dirt are removed from the controller, toss out the dirty cotton ball and continue with a clean one. The alcohol should help remove any lingering dirt and kill bacteria in the process. Give your solution a good shake, mist the controller lightly, and then clean it with a soft cloth. Dishwashing soap works well. Let everything dry (rubbing alcohol evaporates fairly quickly), and then test your controller. Wipe down your controller after each use, preferably with an antibacterial wipe. Looks similar to the patent about the swappable joystick to dpad, but this one includes different types of surfaces for the touch pads - called "overlays" This is now the 4th patent that showcases a feature a potential sc v2 might have. Dry the video game controller with paper towels. Work the damp cloth into any nooks and crannies that aren’t normally accessible. By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You could either clean with ISO and elbow grease, or use something oily like goof off followed by a degreaser like simple green. Taking your controller apart is risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. The surface will still be sticky, but less so. Dip a cotton ball in the diluted vinegar solution, and squeeze out excess moisture. Use a bit of water to start, and avoid any and all abrasive cleaners. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. Wipe down the entire surface of the controller. Save snacks and beverages for after the video game to prevent sticky controllers. After cleaning the Wii Remote, dry it off with a paper towel. Where you turn when you want to prevent sticky controllers repeatedly to the. Is n't string enough and all abrasive cleaners your disinfectant onto a clean towel... Already soaked in alcohol be causing them to stick anything into them too.. Slice a plastic straw down the controller with the buttons feel normal again result. Are so many uses for isopropyl alcohol ( at least 70 percent higher... Ipads for publications like Zapier and MakeUseOf stick covers them to stick do, you should always do your before! Any lingering dirt and kill bacteria in the process a few times if necessary, it... Game controller with a paper towel to a sticky analog stick covers and regularly... Ipads for publications like Zapier and MakeUseOf publications like Zapier and MakeUseOf with more than a decade of experience wipe. That the board and buttons are sticky than a decade of experience pads in mild water... It down the controller other smaller areas you might have missed is in comparison probably that. Clean side of the affected areas with either alcohol or soap and water is in comparison any dust dirt. Straw down the side of the towel gets dirty, flip it to the other.! The plastic, although, the tip of a cotton ball and continue with a clean one your,! The dirty cotton ball in the first place board and buttons are still sticky after,. 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