Although you may go many months without note any grime on yourfavorite Xbox controller , it ’s in all probability littered with dust and deal oil after only a few week playingthe best Xbox Series X games . Controllers are not anexpensive accessory , and apparently a essential for performing , so you would be wise to take good care of them so they remain authentic when all theupcoming Xbox gamesarrive .

If you ’re having troubles with the console itself , check out our template on the mostcommon Xbox Series XTC trouble .

How to clean your Xbox controller without taking it apart

Most Xbox controller cleanup job need nothing more than an international sweep . Still , even if your control seems comparatively clean , you should give it a full cleaning . exertion and dust can well build up in the scissure of your accountant , and although you may not see the buildup , it ’s almost sure there .

Step 1 : take up by using your can of compressed line to blow away any surface dust , preferred hairsbreadth , or human hair from the face of your restrainer . If you have an atmosphere compressor , you could also use that to make clean surface dust , but be careful . Too powerful of an line flow may push git and rubble deeper into your controller .

Step 2 : With the large bits out of the way , give your controller a rub down using your microfiber textile . The destination is to remove thing like debris from your accountant before using the microfiber fabric , as the more junk that gets stuck in your fabric will make it less effective . If you ’re having a arduous time , you may conflate a little bite of water with your isopropyl alcohol inside a spray bottleful ( the goal is a 50/50 mix ) .

whole step 3 : Lightly dampen your microfiber cloth with the spray and run over the controller again , pay up nigh care to the inner space between button and the bottom of the thumbsticks .

Step 4 : After you ’re done , leave your controller to dry naturally . The remnant moisture will take out lint from towels , composition towel , and tissues , so it ’s good to allow the melodic phrase do its study rather than dry out off your controller manually .

Step 5 : With the Earth’s surface cleaned , it ’s time to move on to the detail . Grab a cotton swab and gently dunk it in your isopropyl alcohol ( no extra water this time ) . You do n’t want the swab to be dripping , just saturated enough so that inebriant covers all of the cleansing Earth’s surface .

Step 6 : Gently pick your controller ’s buttons , thumbsticks , d - launch area , and triggers , being indisputable to gently cover these surfaces with alcoholic drink . You do n’t require to drown them , but you do want enough on there to clean house off any residuum . echo as many times as necessary .

Step 7 : Leave your comptroller to dry out naturally . Rubbing alcoholic drink dry very cursorily , so you should n’t be waiting too long .

stride 8 : Take a dry toothpick and mildly skin the furrow of the restrainer . Although you may not see it , there ’s probable fossil oil from your hired man that ’s find a dwelling in the creases of your restrainer .

stone’s throw 9 : Repeat this process on the sharpness of the d - digs and on the textured surface of the thumbsticks . You may need to go over the thumbsticks a few clip . The textured annulus at the top has a knack for trap and hiding the oil from your bridge player .

Step 10 : You may desire to check under your battery covert , too . During our teardown , we even found oil color buildup there , despite using a comparatively newfangled controller .

How to take apart an Xbox One controller

If you still have more clean to do , you ’ll need to take apart your Xbox controller . Although the cleaning process above employment for Xbox 360 and Xbox One controller , we ’re going to cover how to take apart an Xbox One restrainer specifically . It should go without saying , but this is an advanced process , so attempt it at your own risk of exposure .

gradation 1 : First , take the batteries out of your controller . In addition to withdraw the risk of electrocuting yourself , there ’s a hidden screw in the battery bay that you ’ll want accession to .

Step 2 : Remove the grip spread over by depress one of the triggers and use the possible action to wedge your moldable pry cock into the controller . Do n’t go too deep , though . The goal is to gently pry the handgrip cover forth from the dead body , not damage any of the inner element . Work your way around the edge of the grip , sway back and forth with a little number of forcefulness .

Step 3 : With them removed , you ’ll feel four screws , two on each handle . Unscrew them using a TR8 morsel , being careful not to strip them . If you ’ve never used this eccentric of bit , it ’s for Torx heads , which search like a star with six stop . It ’s impossible to remove these screws with a Phillips - head screwdriver , and although you may be able to jibe a flathead screwdriver inside , you ’ll almost certainly peel the screw before remove them .

Step 4 : Carefully remove the screw and come out them in your magnetised share tray corresponding to their billet on the controller ( top remaining fuck goes in the top left of your tray , for example ) .

footmark 5 : Finally , grip the front of the controller and lightly poke at the sticker in the battery bay laurel . You ’ll regain a modest hole . Puncture it with your screwdriver gently to reveal another screw .

measure 6 : At this item , this screw is the only thing hold your controller together , so be indisputable to grip the body when removing it . Once it ’s out , you may freely remove the back by pulling down and back . The front should come right off .

pace 7 : Between the two , you ’ll bump the bones of the controller . Everything is still held in blank space , just with a little more room . Again , white around the buttons and thumbsticks using a cotton swab soaked in rub alcoholic drink . This is moderately well-fixed to do , as there ’s a shaping cover internally that hold the buttons in blank space .

What to do if your Xbox One controller has a button jammed

If you have a button jammed , the most likely culprit is a rogue crumb that ’s solve its manner between the controller face and the clitoris . If you ’re capable to go through the cleaning process draft above , you ’ll be able to bump anything stuck beneath the controller ’s buttons . If not , though , there ’s a trouble inside your restrainer .

Once you take the comptroller apart , you ’ll be capable to really focus your cleaning on the button that is mess up up . If you ’re still have trouble with any of your buttons , then the issue might be with the connection digs on the motherboard . In that case , we recommend seeking out a professional repair service .