Shoot Compressed Air Into The Controller Port
Before you start jamming things into the inside of the PS4 controller USB socket, you want to try and blast any dust and debris out of the hole by shooting some compressed air in there.
Take the compressed air can. Ensure the long nozzle is attached. Now, aim the nozzle into the USB Socket.
Tilt the nozzle to a 45-degree angle while aiming along the long axis of the USB port. And be keep the nozzle tip 1-2 cm away from the port. You want to do this so that the compressed air has a chance to escape and push and dust and dirt out the other end of the USB port.
Now, give the air can a short blast. Do not keep shooting air into the USB port for a long period of time. Air under pressure forces moisture too condense. And you dont want that. So just give it a short sharp blast.
Then give it another short blast from the other end of the USB Socket.
Keep Your Controllers Clean
Ideally, you want to prevent your controllers from becoming a health hazard in the first place. Here are some things you can do:
- Wipe down your controller after each use, preferably with an antibacterial wipe.
- Wash your hands before you pick up your controller.
- Dont eat while you play, especially chips or other finger foods.
- Clean the nooks and crannies regularly to avoid having to do a full deep clean.
Unfortunately, accidents do happen. If you spill something on your controller and it affects the button actuation, follow one of the videos or iFixit guides we included above. Its worth an attempt before you shell out the cash for a new controller.
While youre at it, your laptop could probably use a good cleaning, too.
Take A Toothpick And Start Cleaning The Port
Now comes the tricky bit
Take a toothpick, remember they have to be very fine, and insert it slowly into the USB port.
You may notice a very thin sheet of metal suspended in the middle of the USB port. This is the actual connector that fits into the USB cable.
Do not bend this.
Try to clean around the wider areas in the USB port. Use a digging motion to scoop the dirt out of the port.
Alternitivly, lightly move the toothpicks point around the edges within the USB port to help dislodge any dirt.
Then, every so often, take the controller in hand, turn it upside down, and tap it gently to try and dislodge any of the dirt.
But please take it slow and be gentle. Too much force will damage the mechanisms inside the port.
Do not try to clean behind the thin strip of metal inside the USB port. The gap is about 1 sheet of 100 GSM paper wide. You can try to run some thin paper through there. But anything wider will force the strip out of alignment.
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Can You Clean A Ps4 Without Taking It Apart
You can clean immediate dust from the surface and ports of your PS4 as well as your controllers. However, if dust has built-up inside the console, and is causing it to overheat, it needs taking apart to clear it out.
If you have keyboards that need deep cleaning, you can look at our guide how to clean a mechanical keyboard next.
Unscrew The Back Cover
You will need to remove the three screws at the top back of the PS4. They might be covered by stickers which you can remove with a knife or a flathead screwdriver.
The best way to remove the screws without damage is with a T9 Torx security bit screwdriver. If you cant get your hands on one of those screwdrivers, you can use a 2mm flathead screwdriver instead. But just note that this will strip the screws.
Keep the screws in a safe place and gently remove the back cover by gently lifting it from the back, near the power unit, first.
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Wipe With Water Or Alcohol
If the disc is still dirty after the above step, issue a deeper clean with water or alcohol. Dampen a cloth in water or diluted isopropyl alcohol and wipe the disc from the center to the edges, moving in straight lines. Dry the disc afterward with a separate dry, microfiber cloth.
Be Safe
Dont soak the disc. When you dampen the cloth in a liquid, wring it out extremely well. Soaking the disc could cause permanent damage.
Clean With Cotton Swabs
Wearing gloves, soak a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol. Flatten the cotton bud, so the end is flat. The gaps around buttons, all around the thumbsticks , and trigger buttons , are just a few examples of the small crevices where it can now fit.
Move the thumbsticks around to reveal the entire base when cleaning them. Make sure the base is completely clean by wiping it down in every area.
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Wiping Down The Controller
How To Clean The Ps4 System
How To Clean Your Playstation 4 and DualShock 4
Note: This guide only assist in cleaning the exterior of the console and controller, not the inside of it.
Compressed Air ….
Cleaning the System
Step 1.
You want to begin by unhooking all cords from the console, and putting it on a clean, hard surface.
Step 2.
Take your can of compressed air and shoot a short burst of air thorughout the middle indent around the console. Do the same to both USB ports on the front, and the other ports on the back. Then take your compressed air and shoot a continuous burst across the top of the console to blow off most of the dust build-up.
Step 3.
Gently use your microfiber cloth to brush away any dust build-up from the shiny side of the Playstaion 4. Make sure you brush all the dust towards the left side, so that you don’t get any in your light sensor. You then want to do the same to the matte side, this time brushing all dust off towards the right side. Take your microfiber cloth and fold it in half, then lightly glide it around the entire middle indent of the console.
Step 4.
Make sure to wipe away any dust where your console will be laying, Gently place your console back down, and rehook all the cords back to the system. Then take your microfiber cloth and wipe off any finger prints that you may have left.
Step 5.
Step 1.
Unplug the charger cable from the top of the controller, and any headphones plugged into the bottom.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Step 5.
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When To Clean A Ps4
You should clean your PS4 externally every month to prevent dirt and dust from building up on and inside your PlayStation. If you dont protect your PS4 from dust, it will become a problem.
Symptoms of a dust issue include a noisy fan, overheating, and hardware failure. If youve noticed this happening with your console, it might be time for a deeper internal clean so it works better.
However, the bad news is that cleaning the original PlayStation Four internally can void the warranty. So only do this if your warranty is up and youre okay with the potential consequences, like a broken PlayStation. To repeat our main advice, keep on top of dust control so that you dont end up in this predicament.
How To Open A Ps4 Controller To Clean It
You can follow the five steps below to get inside a PS4 controller to clean it.
Having looked at the steps to disassemble the controller, let’s now look at the steps to clean each part.
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Dealing With The Details
After a general sweep of the controller, its time to deal with the dirty details. For this process, youll want to ditch the water and be sure to have isopropyl alcohol, cotton swabs, and toothpicks handy. Unlike water, isopropyl alcohol isnt electrically conductive, so if a little slips into the guts of your controller, youre fine.
Starting with the cotton swab, soak it in isopropyl alcohol to fully saturate the tip. Then, work your way around the controller, be sure to wipe off the face buttons and under section of the thumbsticks. Once finished, leave the controller to dry naturally. Alcohol evaporates quickly, and you dont want to leave lint on a controller you just cleaned.
Before ditching your cotton swabs, soak a new one in alcohol and use it to clean the micro USB, headphone, and EXT ports on the controller. Youll want to be very gentle here, as pressing down too hard will leave some cotton lodged in the port.
After everything is dry, use dry toothpicks to shallowly dig around the creases of the controller. That includes getting around the touchpad, cleaning between the triggers, and picking around where the controller body meets. You can also pick around the speaker grille on the front, but be careful not to bury any crumbs stuck inside further.
Cleaning Seam And Thin Gaps
Dust and debris accumulate in the seam and thin gaps in the controller sticks. For cleaning these parts, here is what you need to do.
A wooden toothpick or Q-tip dipped in alcohol can also be used to eliminate any dirt accumulated in the thin gaps and seam of your PS4 controller.
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Use Isopropyl Alcohol To Dislodge Stubborn Grime
Isopropyl alcohol is a relatively safe cleaning agent. It helps break down grime that can be easily dislodged, making it an effective cleaning solution that evaporates when youre finished.
One of the most effective ways to use rubbing alcohol is to dilute it 1:1 in water, and then apply it with a misting pump. Give your solution a good shake, mist the controller lightly, and then clean it with a soft cloth. The alcohol should help remove any lingering dirt and kill bacteria in the process.
For really stubborn grime, soak a Q-tip in alcohol and apply it to the soiled area. The alcohol will cut through whatevers causing the dirt to adhere to the controller, and then you can simply wipe it away.
You can also use antibacterial wipes that are already soaked in alcohol. Since there are so many uses for isopropyl alcohol, its a good idea to always have some around.
Why Is My Ps4 So Loud
Usually, a PS4 will make loud noises if the fan is dirty and dusty.
Another reason it could be loud is because its overheating, so make sure you keep it in a well-ventilated area.
A few more reasons could be:
- Youre playing graphic-intensive games which overrun the PS4.
- Your hard drive is failing.
- The cooling fans are running.
- There are loose screws within the console.
- The heatsink is damaged.
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Cleaning The Front And Rear Covers Of The Ps4 Controller
The front and rear covers of the PS4 controller are prone to collecting fingerprints and other smudges. Luckily, it is relatively easy to clean them if you follow the steps below.
Next, you can proceed to clean the PS4 controller’s motherboard. You should be extremely careful with this part, as you can easily damage it.
When Should I Clean My Ps4
You should clean your PS4 when its out of warranty and is showing signs that its full of dust. This includes noise from the fan, overheating and eventual hardware failure. Thats why its important that you take time to give your PS4 some TLC every so often. Theres no specific guidance on how often to clean it, just as and when necessary. Although one clean should last at least a year.
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Can I Clean A Ps4 Myself
You absolutely can, but be aware that if your PS4 is still under warranty, you will void it by cleaning the internals. A PS4 shouldnt have gathered enough dust to require cleaning while its still under warranty, so contact customer service instead to get it looked at. If youre too nervous to clean your PS4 yourself, you can try asking local repair shops if theyre willing to do it for you.
Cleaning Your Xbox Controller
The beauty of the Xbox One controller is that it has a very simple clamshell design, meaning there’s really only one seam where the two plastic halves come together. That means there’s only one crack to dig with your toothpick and wiping it down is also easier due to the lack of touchpad.
The only real challenge will come at the top where the Xbox One Controller has a more complicated series of bumpers, triggers, and connecting ports. Spending some additional time here with your toothpick and cotton swab will be necessary as a result.
On the plus side, wiping down the smooth plastic surface on the Xbox One Controller will be easier than the other two, so this shouldn’t result in an overall increase in cleaning time. Just remember to be as thorough as you were before.
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How To Clean A Ps4 Controller’s Chassis
If you want to keep the exterior of your PS4 controller clean, here are some steps to follow:
What Causes The Dirt
We like to think that we are clean people, but no matter what we do, after a week of heavy use there is dirt on our controllers. It seems like it is caused by sweaty palms combining with the dust and dirt in the air which forms some nasty looking gunk. It is usually located in a line around where we grip the controllers as well as on the triggers and shoulder buttons. Grime also collects in the crease where the two halves of the controller meet.
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