Topic: Playstation 4 Controller d-pad issues

Hello all,

I'm having difficulties with my PS4 controller's d-pad, in particular the down button on the d-pad. I don't want to go through the repair process because I'll be without a controller for weeks, which is just not acceptable to me. It's worth noting I'm playing on PC, but I've confirmed it's a hardware issue.

So here's the problem, the d-pad works fine, and then I'll play Rocket League. Part way through playing Rocket League something happens and the d-pad just stops responding. The only thing I use the d-pad for in Rocket League is navigating the menus. Now when it breaks in Rocket League it then breaks everywhere. If I load up another game it won't respond, and it doesn't respond in controller configuration on things like Steam's controller support.

If I take the controller apart and put it back together again it starts working again... until I play Rocket League. For some reason it's only when I play that game that issues are caused. I don't know what I'm doing differently with the controller when I play it, but something is breaking my controller.

I've tried numerous fixes, I've rotated the plastic d-pad buttons, I've rotated the rubber behind the buttons (thinking if either was at fault it would be a different button that would stop working), and in both cases it is still always the down button. This makes me think it's the thin plastic board thing with the graphite sensors that are faulty. I've tried the graphite pencil fix, but that's made no difference.

Any and all assistance is appareciated, or if you know a better place to get some support on this matter that would be appreciated as well. It's also worth noting I've had the controller roughly 6 months without issue, it only recently started behaving this way.

@AmazingSully heya, two things to try/check seeing as you are already taking it apart (not sure if it would be covered by warranty anyway now that you've done this, then again they might not notice unless you've chewed the screws up with the driver when youve opened it)

1. On the rubber bit that sits between the buttons and the flexible plastic circuit board thing. Clean the black pads that make contact with the flexible plastic with isopropyl alcohol on an ear bud. I think they should be matte rather than glossy (could be the other way around) but they become glossy when they are dirty/overused. Either way clean them off with the IPA and an ear bud until they are matte again. Even if they look matte, just give them a clean. Also just clean the bit they touch on the flexible plastic bit.

2. On the underside of that assembly, where the flexible plastic circuit board makes contact with the main rigid circuit board. Make sure the contacts are lined up properly and pushed down against the board. It will be difficult to see when the two parts are assembled but maybe stick something like a rolled up bit of tape on top of the plastic contacts (above where it clips in) so it pushes the other side with the contacts down onto the board firmly so it keeps a solid connection.

^i haven't actually done that on a DS4 but I've done a DS3 that had like a felt strip that was pushing these contacts down. I wrapped some tape around it to make it thicker and it kept the contacts pressed down and fixed my controllers non responsive buttons. Not sure if there's something similar in the DS4 that tape could be wrapped around but hopefully you notice somewhere sensible in that same area that you can add some tape that will keep the flexible plastic firmly down against the main board to form a solid connection

Hey @ralphdibny

It's definitely not the black pads that make contact with the flexible plastic. I've completely rotated that around and it's still always the down button. I'll clean them anyway, but really don't think that's the issue.

Your 2nd thing to check though sounds like it's the issue. I did notice that the little plastic sheet slightly lifts off of whatever it's sitting on, I had just assumed that was because I had taken it apart, so maybe it's moving around while I'm using the controller? I'll see if it helps, thanks.

@AmazingSully no worries and fair enough! That's just the logical troubleshooting steps to take on it. That's as far as I've had to troubleshoot a controller so yeah I hope it helps and good luck with it! Let us know if it doesn't work too and whatever you might end up doing to fix it. I'm always keen to expand my knowledge

Might be worth running a fresh IPA (isopropyl alcohol, not Indian pale ale 😂) soaked ear bud across those contacts between the Flexi plastic and circuit board too just to clean them (not one that's covered in black stuff that you've cleaned off of the rubber contacts!)

The plastic sheet might not be moving around loads, it's just might not have a firm connection which results in the intermittent responsiveness of the button presses

@ralphdibny (and anyone else who might find this post in the future), I just wanted to let you know that the plastic sheet was indeed the issue. It was slightly moving inside the controller and misaligning when I played Rocket League (no idea why only during that game, but meh). I simply took a thin strip of tape and taped it taught so that it doesn't move around anymore and I haven't had an issue since yesterday. Thanks for your help.

@AmazingSully ahh brilliant that's great to know! 👍