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Motherboard Removal

Motherboard Removal

Sam Omiotek

Sam Omiotek and 2 other contributors

Last updated on March 4, 2025

30 minutes - 1 hour
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 on a Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense controller.

This is a prerequisite-only guide! This guide is part of another procedure and is not meant to be used alone.

What you need

Tools

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  1. Motherboard Removal, Unclip the right end of the middle trim: step 1, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal, Unclip the right end of the middle trim: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • Disconnect and power down your controller before you begin.

    • Insert an opening pick underneath the middle trim at the bottom-right corner of the controller to release the clips securing it to the case.

  2. Motherboard Removal, Unclip the lower-right edge of the middle trim: step 2, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Removal, Unclip the lower-right edge of the middle trim: step 2, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Removal, Unclip the lower-right edge of the middle trim: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Slide the opening pick along the lower-right edge of the middle trim to release the clips securing it to the case.

  3. Motherboard Removal, Unclip the left end of the middle trim: step 3, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal, Unclip the left end of the middle trim: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Insert an opening pick underneath the middle trim at the bottom-left corner of the controller to release the clips securing it to the case.

  4. Motherboard Removal, Unclip the lower-left edge of the middle trim: step 4, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Removal, Unclip the lower-left edge of the middle trim: step 4, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Removal, Unclip the lower-left edge of the middle trim: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Slide the opening pick along the lower-left edge of the middle trim to release the clips securing it to the case.

  5. Motherboard Removal, Remove the middle trim: step 5, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Removal, Remove the middle trim: step 5, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Removal, Remove the middle trim: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • Use your fingers to lift up the bottom edge of the middle trim to release the remaining clips.

    • Lift the middle trim over the joysticks to remove it.

  6. Motherboard Removal, Remove the L1 button: step 6, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Removal, Remove the L1 button: step 6, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Removal, Remove the L1 button: step 6, image 3 of 3
    • With one hand, grip the controller and use your thumb to hold down the left trigger.

    • With your free hand, insert the flat end of a spudger between the L1 and L2 buttons.

    • Use the spudger to gently pry the L1 button away from the controller and remove it, holding your finger over the button so it doesn't eject.

  7. Motherboard Removal, Remove the R1 button: step 7, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Removal, Remove the R1 button: step 7, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Removal, Remove the R1 button: step 7, image 3 of 3
    • Repeat the previous step to remove the R1 button.

  8. Motherboard Removal, Remove the rear case screws: step 8, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal, Remove the rear case screws: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.4 mm screws securing the bottom corners of the lower case.

  9. Motherboard Removal: step 9, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.4 mm screws behind the L1 and R1 buttons.

  10. Motherboard Removal, Separate the rear case: step 10, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Removal, Separate the rear case: step 10, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Removal, Separate the rear case: step 10, image 3 of 3
    • Be gently when releasing the rear cover clips—they're delicate and can easily break.

    • Use the point of a spudger to release the two clips on either side of the headset jack.

  11. Motherboard Removal: step 11, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Removal: step 11, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Removal: step 11, image 3 of 3
    • Tight plastic clips secure the left and right edges of the rear case.

    • Insert the flat end of a spudger between the front and rear shells near the bottom of the left edge.

    • Slide the spudger along the left edge and gently pry the shells apart to release the clips.

  12. Motherboard Removal: step 12, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Removal: step 12, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Removal: step 12, image 3 of 3
    • Repeat the previous step on the right edge to release its clips.

  13. Motherboard Removal: step 13, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal: step 13, image 2 of 2
    • Lay your controller upside down so the joysticks are on your work surface.

    • Hold the controller down with your fingers and use your thumbs to lift the rear case away from the controller to fully separate it.

  14. Motherboard Removal, Remove the rear case: step 14, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the rear case.

  15. Motherboard Removal, Disconnect the battery: step 15, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal, Disconnect the battery: step 15, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the battery from the motherboard.

    • Grip the connector, not the wires, when disconnecting.

  16. Motherboard Removal, Remove the battery: step 16, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal, Remove the battery: step 16, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the battery straight out of the battery bracket.

  17. Motherboard Removal, Remove the lower microphone: step 17, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal, Remove the lower microphone: step 17, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    • Grab the lower microphone ribbon cable pull tab with your fingers or a pair of tweezers and disconnect it from the motherboard.

  18. Motherboard Removal, Remove the battery bracket: step 18, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal, Remove the battery bracket: step 18, image 2 of 2
    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 6.4 mm screw securing the battery bracket.

  19. Motherboard Removal: step 19, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal: step 19, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the battery bracket out of the motherboard.

  20. Motherboard Removal, Disconnect the right trigger assembly: step 20, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal, Disconnect the right trigger assembly: step 20, image 2 of 2
    • Grip the right trigger assembly ribbon cable pull tab with a pair of tweezers or your fingers and pull up to disconnect it from the motherboard.

    • Do not completely remove the ribbon cable yet.

  21. Motherboard Removal: step 21, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal: step 21, image 2 of 2
    • Grip the right trigger assembly ribbon cable pull tab with a pair of tweezers or your fingers, and pull up to disconnect it from the trigger assembly.

    • Remove the ribbon cable.

  22. Motherboard Removal, Disconnect the left trigger assembly: step 22, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal, Disconnect the left trigger assembly: step 22, image 2 of 2
    • Grip the left trigger assembly ribbon cable pull tab with a pair of tweezers or your fingers and pull up to disconnect it from the motherboard.

    • Do not completely remove the ribbon cable yet.

  23. Motherboard Removal: step 23, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal: step 23, image 2 of 2
    • Grip the left trigger assembly ribbon cable pull tab with a pair of tweezers or your fingers, and pull up to disconnect it from the trigger assembly.

    • Remove the ribbon cable.

  24. Motherboard Removal, Disconnect the upper microphone: step 24, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal, Disconnect the upper microphone: step 24, image 2 of 2
    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to grip the upper microphone ribbon cable pull tab, and pull up to disconnect it from the motherboard.

  25. Motherboard Removal, Disconnect the touchpad: step 25, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Removal, Disconnect the touchpad: step 25, image 2 of 2
    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to grip the touchpad ribbon cable pull tab, and pull it straight out of the motherboard connector.

  26. Motherboard Removal, Lift out the motherboard: step 26, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Removal, Lift out the motherboard: step 26, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Removal, Lift out the motherboard: step 26, image 3 of 3
    • Carefully guide the joysticks through the front case and lift the motherboard out.

    • Do not completely remove the motherboard. There are four soldered wires tethering the motherboard to the vibrator motors.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Sam Omiotek

Member since: 02/25/19

83,736 Reputation

290 Guides authored

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