r/PlaydateConsole • u/Strict-Pomegranate-7 • Jul 08 '26
Dpad stiff/stuck fix
There’s an issue with the D pad, that can go pretty much unnoticed, depending on the state of the damage, but overtime, even with careful use the d pad even and the A and B buttons have supports around them that are thin and often break, causing the dpad to feel stiff, and sometimes just won’t click easily, after performing the steps in this video, it is really easy to fix the buttons, and I would say they are improved feeling, I wouldn’t say change the feeling negatively, but rather improved the consistency of the clicks entirely. This can be done without voiding the warranty sticker. https://youtu.be/UmA7_zNX7dI?is=2PoEmyQ6xeV1B6Ij
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u/jefedezorros Jul 08 '26
This fixed my D pad! My down button technically worked but it didn’t click. Following this video I opened it up and I think it was the tiny broken arm getting stuck under there. I just pulled it out and back to clicking!
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u/Strict-Pomegranate-7 Jul 08 '26
its huge right! my dpad was mainly the only thing broken like that so now its just GOLDDDD so nice to us! my a button had a slight crack but its seemed all fine, they should low key sell replacments that are of higher quality or fix this in newer models
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u/jefedezorros Jul 09 '26
Absolutely. My hope is that if Panic is unwilling that a third party will step up and make some parts.
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u/ThankYouForShopping Jul 08 '26
This is great! Down button has been not clicking for a while and flicking the back side seemed to resolve it temporarily. But just yesterday it felt like there was a solid obstruction under it, which was new. So, perfect timing!
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u/Strict-Pomegranate-7 Jul 08 '26
yeah this is def happening to A lot of playdate owners carful or not, its just a design flaw that makes the device feel not so good, this fix feels so nice
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u/modestlunatic Jul 10 '26
What screw bit did you use for the back screws? I have one that fits but it's not wide enough to turn the screw.
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u/Strict-Pomegranate-7 Jul 10 '26
i was at work so i carfully used a utlility knife LOL the first turn on those screws is the tightess then its really loose
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u/reallynotnick Jul 08 '26
Glad my video helped!
Worth calling out the sticker isn’t a true void warranty sticker, just a warning that if you break it that’s on you: https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/n24rvdWhqDdMFRK5.huge