DualSense Controller v2 Adaptive Trigger Replacement (2025)

• 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.

• Slide the opening pick along the lower-right edge of the middle trim to release the clips securing it to the case.

• 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.

• Slide the opening pick along the lower-left edge of the middle trim to release the clips securing it to the case.

• 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.

• During reassembly, position the middle trim into place and press along all edges to engage the clips securing it to the controller.

• Insert the flat end of your spudger into the gap above the L1 button.

• Cover the button with your thumb to prevent it from ejecting across the room.

• Pry the spudger upward to remove the L1 button.

• Insert the flat end of your spudger into the gap above the R1 button.

• Cover the button with your thumb to prevent it from ejecting across the room.

• Pry the spudger upward to remove the R1 button.

• Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.5mm screws securing the bottom corners of the lower case.

• Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.5mm screws behind the L1 and R1 buttons.

• Use the pointed edge of a spudger to unclip the two clips on either side of the headset jack.

• Use your hands to carefully pull the rear case off of the controller.

• During reassembly, make sure the red and black vibration motor wires are not pinched between the front and rear case.

• Lift the battery out of its bracket and reposition it to the right for better access to the battery connector.

• Don't strain the battery cables.

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• Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the battery from the motherboard.

• Don't pull on the wires to disconnect the battery.

• Remove the battery.

• Use the pointed end of your spudger to remove the lower microphone from its bracket next to the battery.

• During reassembly, make sure the end of the microphone's ribbon cable is slotted into the bracket.

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• Grab the lower microphone ribbon cable pull tab with your fingers or a pair of tweezers and disconnect it from the motherboard.

• Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 6.5mm screw securing the battery bracket.

• Lift the battery bracket off of the motherboard.

• Grip the right trigger assembly cable with a pair of tweezers or your fingers and disconnect it from the motherboard.

• Use the pull tab to disconnect the cable. Don't pull on the cable itself.

• Don't completely remove the ribbon cable yet.

• Grip the right trigger assembly cable with a pair of tweezers or your fingers, and disconnect it from the trigger assembly.

• Use the pull tab to disconnect the cable. Don't pull on the cable itself.

• Depending on your model controller, the ribbon cable may block the motherboard from coming loose. If so, remove the cable from the trigger assembly.

• Grip the left trigger assembly cable with a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect it from the motherboard.

• Use the pull tab to disconnect the cable. Don't pull on the cable itself.

• Don't completely remove the ribbon cable yet.

• Grip the left trigger assembly cable with a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect it from the trigger assembly.

• Use the pull tab to disconnect the cable. Don't pull on the cable itself.

• Depending on your model controller, the ribbon cable may block the motherboard from coming loose. If so, remove the cable from the trigger assembly.

• Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the upper microphone from the motherboard.

• Use the pull tab to disconnect the cable. Don't pull on the cable itself.

• If you're not replacing this microphone, don't remove it from the frame.

• Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the touchpad cable from the motherboard.

• Use the pull tab to disconnect the cable. Don't pull on the cable itself.

• Carefully guide the joysticks through the front case and lift the motherboard out.

• Don't strain the four soldered wires tethering the motherboard to the vibration motors.

• Use the pointed end of your spudger to lift the center of the light guide out of the controller.

• Remove the light guide.

• Use your Phillips driver to remove the two 6.5mm screws securing the midframe to the front case.

• Carefully lift the midframe and motherboard up and out of the front case.

• Be careful not to strain the vibrator motor wires.

• During reassembly, feed the touchpad's ribbon cable back through its rectangular opening in the midframe.

• Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 6.5mm screws securing the adaptive triggers to the midframe.

• The adaptive triggers are loose and will fall out of the midframe.

• During reassembly, verify the conductive membrane is properly aligned by checking the screw holes and alignment posts.

• Proper alignment of the conductive membrane is essential for button functionality.

• Lift the midframe off of the adaptive triggers.

• Be careful not to pull the vibration motor wires out of the motherboard.