Dual sense or PS5 controllers have distinct features that other controllers lack. Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers are examples.
This makes the controller elusive and fascinating. I’ve owned the controller a while and like it. To future-proof a controller or console, you must clean it.
Because dirty buttons won’t work, I made the same error as a novice player, and my R1 button stuck after a while. Like every player, I believed my controller was broken. I tried several different approaches to repair it.
I eventually figured out how to solve the controller’s sticky buttons. As a fellow PS5 user, I’ll explain the process in three phases.
So keep reading till the end to get your desired fix.
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Your controller buttons can be very sticky if the buttons are clogged up with dirt. If you are not cleaning the controller from time to time, eventually, the controller will be clogged up with dirt. Also, if you spill the liquid inside the controller, your buttons can get sticky.
Controller buttons are quite important for having an immersive gameplay session. If your controller’s buttons are not working, you will most likely be stuck with a gameplay that is not enjoyable. And you are at a disadvantage if you play in a multiplayer session where precision is very important.
Because in a multiplayer session, everybody will have the best equipment out there to compete with the best. Now, if you go with a broken controller to compete with them, you are most likely to lose, and rage quit. Don’t ever play FIFA with a broken controller, advice from a gamer to gamer.
But if you are thinking, hey, I can still play a solo campaign. Yes, you can, but try playing Elden ring, bloodborne, or any souls-borne genre game with a broken controller. I mean, these games are pretty much a living hell in gameplay without the parry button, which is usually the R1 button. You are most likely to break your finest controller because out of frustration playing these games. So in a borderline, you have to fic your controller, or the gaming experience will be pretty frustrating.
You can have a sticky controller button for many reasons.
Here are the reasons you can get a sticky button on a PS5 controller:
- Dust.
- Grease
- Water damage.
- Button smashing.
- Sweaty hands.
- Not giving the controller a break.
Dust: One would be that your controller is very dirty. Meaning you don’t clean the controller regularly. Which can kill your controller a lot sooner than expected. Because if you do not care about the stuff you have, eventually, they will bite you back. And it is not even that hard to clean your controller regularly. So if you expect your controller to last longer than usual, do clean the controller.
Sweaty hands: Another biggest reason why your controller buttons are sticking is because of grease. Grease and the electronics don’t mix, not at all.
PlayStation 5 controller is prone to grease, and mostly because it is white, you will see the grease immediately. One of the biggest reasons your controller can get sticky is your natural oil. Some people have oily skin and hands like me, and we tend to throw all over it in our stuff. So yes, after a gaming session, if you are not cleaning the buttons or the outer layer of the controller, the natural oil can enter the dual sense controller and end up sticking to the buttons. And the easiest way to get rid of it is to clean the controller.
Grease: If you don’t have sweaty hands like mine, you are building up grease by eating chips or any kind of munchies with excessive oil in them. Like chicken fry or Pizza!
So yes, if you are eating a lot while gaming, you are most likely building up a lot of grease by not cleaning your hands while playing. Very wrong move. Eat before your gaming session or take a break and eat, then game!
Water damage: Your controller is most likely sticking because you have spilled any drink or liquid all over your controller. Gamers usually drink a lot of beverages while gaming. To be honest, I do that as well. Nothing wrong with it. But you have to be extra careful while doing so. Because if you are not, then you might spill the drink all over your controller resulting in sticky buttons or, worse, a controller with liquid damage.
You are very lucky if you have spilled a drink and the controller is still working. Because in a normal scenario, after liquid damage, it is very unlikely that your controller will work. Most controllers will die right away. Worsen up your battery backup.
So yes, consider yourself very lucky if your controller is still working after liquid damage because you can fix the controller very much. As the water or the liquid enters your controller, it jams the button pads resulting in sticky buttons or unresponsive buttons. And by cleaning the buttons, you will get your controller fixed!
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You can easily fix the controller buttons that are sticking to regular cleaning. And when it comes to the R1 button, it is easier than ever.
Usually, the R1 button sticks because of the dirt building up inside it. Then your natural oil plays a role, plus the grease you eat from the food. The R1 and L1 buttons are the most vulnerable to it. Because they are known as the shoulder buttons. So your hand actually holds these buttons more than any other buttons in the controller. However, cleaning and fixing the L1 and R1 buttons are quite easier.
Because you can take out the whole button without taking apart the controller, all you have to do is take out the controller button, clean it and then place it right back in! Easy right?
Before going into the troubleshooting steps, grab a sharp tool that fits and enters inside the gap between the R1 button and the controller. Also, grab some q tips, a fabric, and rubbing alcohol. All these are required to clean and fix the controller. So before opening up the button, make sure to have all the products ready.
Just follow the steps down below, and your R1 button stickiness will go away in no time.
Here are the steps to fix the PS5 controller R1 button sticking:
R1 and L1 buttons are the only buttons that you take out without ripping the whole controller apart. And this is why it is easier to replace and clean them if you face any issue with the buttons. Before disassembling the controller, you must disconnect and turn off the PS5 controller.
Here are the steps to take out the R1 button from the PS5 controller:
- Grab the sharp tool.
- Insert the tool inside the gap between the button and the body of the controller.
- Pull the button down and towards you.
- Take out the button when you hear the tick.
Usually, a flat screwdriver would go inside and do the job quite easily. If you face difficulties getting a sharp tool, I suggest a screwdriver. Now follow the next step, which is to clean the button and the controller.
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Now that you have taken apart the controller, it is time to clean the button and the inside of the controller. Grab the q tip and the rubbing alcohol.
Here are the steps to clean the PS5 R1 button:
- Take the q-tip.
- Pour some rubbing alcohol.
- Clean the button with the q-tip.
- Insert the q-tip inside of the controller.
- Clean the R1 button rubber pad with the q-tip.
- Grab the cloth.
- Pour some rubbing alcohol into it.
- Clean the whole controller.
While cleaning up the controller and the R1 button, make sure to dry it up before inserting them back in. Leave the button and the controller under a fan for an hour to completely dry it out.
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After cleaning and drying up the controller, it is time to put the button back inside the controller.
Here are the steps to insert the R1 button inside the controller:
- Grab the R1 button.
- Put it inside the controller.
- Push the button till you hear a click.
- Ram the button at least 15 times before connecting it with your PS5.
If you hear the click, that means the button is right back inside the controller. To check the controller to see if the stickiness is gone or not, connect the controller with your PlayStation 5 and boot up a game. Press the R1 button to see if the sticky-ness is gone or not. If you clean the controller and the button properly, there is no way the stickiness will be there.
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Final Thoughts
If you clean your controller on a regular basis, you will not face these issues in the future. Because cleaning is the only way, you can get rid of sticky buttons.
Hope this guideline answers your queries. And if you still have any queries, make sure to get in touch with us.
