How to Take Apart an Xbox One Controller

For easy repairs, securely unbox your Xbox One controller.

What to Know

• Find a clean, bright, well-lit area and get a T-8 safety Torx wrench. Carefully pry off and separate the grip cover with a prying device.
• Remove the battery cover, using a T-8 safety Torx bit to remove all of the screws. Remove the assembly from the front case.
• Remove the analog sticks, d-pad ring and d-pad, as well as other interior components.

This article goes through how to repair an Xbox One controller, including any potential snags and specialized equipment that may be required. Even though Xbox One controllers are often considered one of the finest video game controllers on the market, they occasionally break down.

How to Take Apart an Xbox One Controller

Before you can disassemble your Xbox One controller, make sure that you have a clean, well-lit area to work in. If you don’t already have them, you’ll also need the following equipment:

• T-8 safety Torx
• Prying tool

You can use a driver or a socket wrench, but it must be a T-8 safety Torx. You may distinguish between a regular Torx and a safety Torx by the tiny hole at the end of the tip of a safety Torx. A normal T-8 Torx will not fit into Xbox One controller screws without this tiny hole.

For the prying tool, a thin instrument of any kind will work. If you have access to one, use a plastic instrument rather than steel to avoid harming the housing of your controller.

Here’s how to take apart your Xbox One controller:

1. Using a prying tool, gently lift the right or left grip cover.
2. When the covers have started to peel apart, you may carefully remove them by hand.
3. Repeat the process with the other grip cover.
4. Remove the battery cover.
5. If your controller has never been opened, the sticker within the battery compartment will be in place. To get to the concealed screw, use a Torx bit or cut through the sticker.
6. Remove the screws in a similar manner, beginning with the battery compartment’s concealed screw. Apply even pressure and seat the T-8 safety Torx bit carefully to avoid stripping the screw.
7. Remove one of the screws with a Torx bit or driver from one of the grips.
8. Remove the second screw from the same grip.
9. Remove the final two screws, then repeat the procedure on the other grip. The controller will come apart if you do this.
10. You now have access to the rumble motors, triggers, and other screws that you can leave alone unless you need to replace crucial circuit board components. Remove the assembly from the front case and turn it around to get to most of the other pieces.
11. You may clean the buttons, analog sticks, and d-pad ring from this vantage point.
12. To reassemble the controller, simply reverse these steps. Replace the controller assembly in the front case, return the rear casing to its position, and tighten all fight screws before snapping back into place the grip covers and battery cover.

Performing Xbox One Controller Repairs

You can try to repair your Xbox One controller after you’ve successfully taken it apart. Certain issues may be resolved by simply cleaning the parts, while others demand the replacement of components.

Some components need more expert skills like soldering to be removed and replaced. Some of those fixes are better left to the experts, depending on your skill level.

Other repairs are considerably easier, such as repairing or replacing the d-pad ring. If your d-pad isn’t working properly,

Try this quick fix:

1. Remove the spring steel d-pad ring gently with a prying tool or tweezers.
2. Replace the d-pad ring. Remove the arms from the d-pad ring and press down firmly. If that doesn’t work, you may need a new d-pad ring.

Why Take Apart an Xbox One Controller?

If your Xbox One controller isn’t working properly, and you’ve already updated the firmware and run through some basic troubleshooting such as checking the batteries, taking it apart is typically the next step.

Here are some remedies for problems with your Xbox One controller that necessitate disassembly, as well as instructions for what to do after you’ve taken it apart:

• Malfunctioning d-pad: Take care not to snap the tabs of the spring assembly when you’re removing it. To increase the pressure, carefully pry up the tabs on the spring assembly while pushing down. If necessary, replace it.
• Drifting analog sticks: Clean or replace the analog stick components as needed.
• Inoperable audio jack: Verify that the jack is firmly seated and making contact, and replace it if necessary.
• Sticking buttons: After removing the circuit board assembly from the controller housing, use canned air and other techniques to clean out any gunk or other buildup.

Conclusion

After disassembling the controller and taking a look at the various components, you may be able to identify the problem and fix it yourself. However, some issues may require replacement parts or soldering, which is best left to the experts.

In any case, taking apart your Xbox One controller is a good way to familiarize yourself with its inner workings and may help you troubleshoot future issues.