Over time our controller buttons wear out even when we don't realize it.

Most common problem is the R2 trigger, it still works in most game but in certain game the spoiled R2 trigger can result in unplayable games. By R2 trigger spoiled I mean when we fully depress the R2 trigger, we don't get the full press input as in pristine new controller, in racing games this will result in you cannot fully accelerate (you may not realize this), in some games the gun doesn't fire at all with the trigger.

Here's what what I encountered so far, please share your encounter here to help others.

The Crew (racing game)
Problem: spoiled R2 caused player unable to fully accelerate, hence getting the wrong impression that the game is too tough or the AI too fast for you to catch up (can't even pass the game prologue). I see many players giving up on the game in online comment without realizing it's their controller problem.
Solution: Go to game setting and adjust the trigger sensitivity to maximum to compensate for the trigger problem.

Hell Divers (shooting game)
Problem: spoiled R2 caused player unable to fire primary weapon
Solution: Go to game setting and choose "professional" for controller method.

GTA V (action game)
Problem: spoiled R2 cause player unable to fire their weapon, also caused player unable to fully accelerate while in driving mode.
Solution: Go to PS4 setting to remap the button configurations, switch between R1 with R2.

FIFA (soccer game)
Problem: spoiled R2 cause player unable to run fast
Solution: remap the button assignment

WWE2k18 (wrestling game)
Problem: spoiled R2 can't reverse the wrestler
Solution: Try to change button mapping in PS4 setting, or repair the controller/buy new one

There are methods to repair the R2 trigger on youtube without buying a new Dual Shock controller.
Most possible solution:
1) Adjust in-game setting (check if got trigger sensitivity to adjust)
2) Adjust PS4 console accessibility setting, remap the R1 and R2
3) Open up your dual shock controller, fix the silicon button padding (refer youtube videos)
4) Or just buy a new controller as a last resort

This post has been edited by iGamer: Nov 6 2017, 01:06 PM

Yes, When my players cant run in FIFA, I thought I sucks.

I don't play football game, so the game use R2 triger to control the player running speed?
Any in game solution like setting changes?
Please share.

This post has been edited by iGamer: Nov 6 2017, 12:20 PM

can remap the buttons la, but I changed the controller anyway.

There are youtube video to repair the R2 trigger, some just realign the silicon rubber, some use silicon gum to repair the worn out part.

WWE 2K18... when my superstar cant reverse move and I tot I suck

This post has been edited by danger46: Nov 6 2017, 12:35 PM

R2 button to reverse the wrester? Any in game setting solution besides replacing controller? Thanks for sharing.

ya R2 is to reverse and you cant change the button layout lol

In PS4 setting, accessibility setting supposedly can remap controller button (affect all games).

Metal Gear Solid Phantom Pain, with the R2 being faulty, it is hard to choke the enemy,

Did you manage to solve this problem? Through in-game setting or subsequent patch from game developer perhaps?

first item on my controller to wear out is the L stick
I had a mountain of controllers wit broken L stick during the PS2 era, since mostly are cheap & fake controllers

PS4 already had one with looser & inaccurate L-stick, character will move slowly even the L stick is in neutral position
instead of fixing, bought a new one, now 2nd one also feel the L stick is a little bit loose already, after 1 year+ using it.

I guess I'm too ganas with the controllers.

What's broken is the potentionmeter's sensor wheel - which is made of a very thin electric film.



99% of the time the cause of analog stick drift, press L3/R3 to sprint duck not actuating is because of this film wearing out.

I've fixed several of my DS4's by changing out the sensors sourced from unused DS4s. This is the ONLY legit fix out there, all the stupid stories of "lubing" your stick or changing the analog cap does not work. Once you get a drift/unresponsive analog stick, the sensor is pretty much almost dead.

I'll have to agree with TC, almost all my PS3 controller broke on R2 and L2 button, its like they intentionally made it like that so it can easily break.

Hahahaha.

I once played the SWBF2 FPS using a controller with a broken L2 and R2. Literally, a broken left and right arm.

I couldn't aim, and even if I could aim, I couldn't shoot. If I could shoot, I couldn't aim. ROFL.

It was a lost cause. Hitting last place in every match.

Till sadist mode activates. I use the pump shot gun method and reload after aim, reload after every shoots. Push back the L2 R2 back into default position. At the end of the game I was rank top 5 something. No one kares about a cripple score but it was a good moment surviving a dying controller.


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No that's typical assumption. They didn't intentionally make it so they can be broken easily.

The spring on the L2/R2 triggers are prone to breaking or losing its tension because it MUST adhere to the controller's L2/R2 design. In order for the triggers not to be harder to press and depress, the spring as a result needed to be that small and flimsy.
Unless people want Xbone controller triggers which are significantly larger and has a bigger housing space for a bigger spring, then this is the way it is. You cannot beat physics.

One other thing, because of how little space the L2/R2 electrical film sensor has (again, because everyone cannot fathom larger triggers for some weird reason), a membrane needs to be used as the actuator. The electrical film is so thin so of course it's prone to wearing out and membrane isn't the toughest type of silicone in the world.

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Nov 6 2017, 08:05 PM

Understand if its design decision, just that I had in my mind PS2 controller, the button for R1 and R2 are the same size (maybe R2 is a bit bigger). Hoping they could make a controller like that. Now I'm so scared of breaking R2/L2 button, every time I realize that if this particular game need to continuously use L2/R2, I will try to remap it to L1/R1.

The trigger give better control over racing game acceleration, R1 or L1 do not offer that level of control. Xbox controller trigger is the best for racing game.

thats ok... for me its trying to play the game and analog stick somehow randomly moves opposite direction i kena many times in division & titanfall. gunning down target then WTF!?!??! WHERE AM I?! hahahah.

I lied. My R2 didn't broke down. I just sucks that's all. Sekian kthxbye.

This. When I try to aim I always accidentally pressed L3 to move the left analog thus the constant shoulder switching throwing me off of my aim. Which I could change that - remapping it to something else but there's no option for that.

hahah. during the tough gun battle. really life or death. hahah. in TF2 ok can respawn... but in division. bye bye loot!