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How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U)

How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U)

Clay Eickemeyer

Clay Eickemeyer

Last updated on December 27, 2023

No estimate
Moderate
Prerequisite Only
This guide is only intended to be used as a prerequisite for other guides. It's incomplete by itself.

Introduction

Go to step 1

Follow this guide to remove the motherboard in your DualShock 4 model CUH-ZCT1U.

What you need

Parts

Tools

Show more…

  1. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Check your controller model: step 1, image 1 of 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.

    Edit

  2. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Unfasten the rear case: step 2, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Unfasten the rear case: step 2, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
    $3.99
    Add To Cart

    • 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.

    Edit

  3. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the L1 button: step 3, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the L1 button: step 3, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the L1 button: step 3, image 3 of 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.

    Edit

  4. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the R1 button: step 4, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  5. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Unclip the rear case: step 5, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Unclip the rear case: step 5, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Unclip the rear case: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  6. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U): step 6, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U): step 6, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U): step 6, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  7. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U): step 7, image 1 of 1

    • 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.

    Edit

  9. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U): step 8, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U): step 8, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U): step 8, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  10. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the rear case: step 9, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the rear case: step 9, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the rear case: step 9, image 3 of 3

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

    Edit

  11. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U): step 10, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  12. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U): step 11, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U): step 11, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U): step 11, image 3 of 3

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

    Edit

  13. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 12, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 12, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 12, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Add To Cart

    • 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.

    Edit

  14. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Disconnect the battery: step 13, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Disconnect the battery: step 13, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Add To Cart

    • Use tweezers or your fingers to grab and disconnect the head of the battery cable from the motherboard.

    • Only pull on the head of the connector—don't pull on the cable itself.

    Edit

  15. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the battery: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the battery.

    Edit

  16. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the reset button extension: step 15, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the reset button extension: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Grab and remove the reset button extension from its recess in the battery bracket.

    Edit

  17. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the battery bracket: step 16, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the battery bracket: step 16, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the battery bracket: step 16, image 3 of 3

    • Locate the two clips securing the battery bracket to the motherboard.

    • Insert the point of your spudger into the opening behind the right bracket clip.

    • Depress the clip to disengage it from the motherboard.

    • Lift up the right edge of the battery bracket.

    Edit

  18. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U): step 17, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U): step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the point of your spudger in the opening behind the left bracket clip.

    • Depress the clip to disengage it from the motherboard.

    • Remove the battery bracket.

    Edit

  19. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Disconnect the touch pad: step 18, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Disconnect the touch pad: step 18, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Disconnect the touch pad: step 18, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Add To Cart

    • Use the point of your spudger to flip up the locking flap securing the touch pad cable ZIF connector.

    • Use tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the cable using its blue pull tab.

    Edit

  20. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Unfasten the motherboard: step 19, image 1 of 1

    • Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the 6.4 mm screw securing the motherboard.

    Edit

  21. How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the motherboard: step 20, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the motherboard: step 20, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Motherboard in Your DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U), Remove the motherboard: step 20, image 3 of 3

    • Be careful not to strain the vibration motor cables. Follow this guide to re-solder the vibration motors if they break off the motherboard.

    • Lift the motherboard from the midframe.

    • Guide the analog stick covers through their cutouts in the front case.

    • Flip the motherboard over the bottom of the controller, leaving the vibration motor cables attached.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

Author

Clay Eickemeyer

Member since: 09/19/22

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