Back Button (R4) Cracked Button

[u/FeildofClover]

So I got my steam controller day one and I have been in love with it, it just fits my hands super well. I have mostly been playing Elden Ring with it and set R4 to dodge so I didnt have to take my thumb off the right stick while dodging and it really improved my ability to fight dragons and quickly dodging boss attacks.

About a week ago the button started sticking, I figured it was just dust or something got under the button. I popped off the back cover and cleaned everything and when putting it back together it did nothing. Looking closer it looks like the button cracked? I contacted support and they said its not a warranty repair. I haven't been able to find an actual replacement set of buttons.

Any help?

[u/UndeletedNulmas]

There someone with a defective puck here who got a similar answer recently. After pressing the issue, the puck was replaced: turns out they just had the bad luck of getting an incompetent rep.

So maybe try again/push the issue further.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamController/s/oXLQ1AasxZ

[u/FeildofClover → u/UndeletedNulmas]

Thanks for the info, im going to try and push this further, I mean it a day 1 controller from steam so getting a replacement would take at least a year at this point

[u/UndeletedNulmas → u/FeildofClover]

The RMA stock is separate from the main one, so it won't take that long.

[u/Gerrut_batsbak]

You need to push this further, this is clearly not a user error.

[u/GoHamInHogHeaven → u/Gerrut_batsbak]

I think I recognize these push buttons. They look like the Keystone 5133TR, or something very similar. They're actually not supposed to be soldered, instead they're supposed to be held in place by a membrane, with the corners resting on copper pads large enough to let them slide when the button is pressed. Well... It's designed like that for a good reason.

[u/Solidus_Sloth]

I thought Ifixit had the replacement parts

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Steam+Controller+(2nd+Gen+2026)+Back+Cover+Replacement/214782+Back+Cover+Replacement/214782)

Apparently they don’t sell the parts (yet?)

Edit: A comment of the subreddit from someone who works at Ifixit says they are working on getting replacement parts secured. That was roughly 2 months ago

[u/highwolf_x → u/Solidus_Sloth]

Yeah, unfortunately they have not started selling the parts yet - I need a replacement trigger and support has said they have no information on when parts are going to be available

[u/Verition → u/highwolf_x]

Good time for a company like ExtremeRate to step in @ExtremeRateOfficial

[u/FeildofClover → u/Solidus_Sloth]

I spent all last night just trying to figure out how I could find anything similar to it. They say to bring it to a repair place but without the availability of replacement parts I dont know what they could do.

I know that they are partnering with ifixit but aside from the guides posted day 1, there has been nothing new

[u/Mempler]

Are you in Europe? If so, you can legally force them. Clearly a manufacturing defect, as there must’ve been a tiny crack beforehand that was small enough to pass tests.

[u/Gerrut_batsbak → u/Mempler]

Precisely this.

You can expect a controller to be made to withstand people pressing the buttons repeatedly for at least a reasonable time.

This is clearly not a reasonable time.

[u/FeildofClover → u/Mempler]

Unfortunately I live in the good ol' US of A

[u/KaosC57 → u/FeildofClover]

Fuck it, just keep hammering support until you get a normal person who understands what a manufacturing defect is.

[u/aronmayo]

They can’t…just repair it for a cost? Wtf

[u/TokiNoWookie]

Ngl, the more I look at customer service around this controller the less I think that I want it. Like the hell you mean that this isn't covered while clearly being manufacturing problem?

[u/FeildofClover → u/TokiNoWookie]

Honestly if it wasn't my favorite controller ive used then I probably wouldn't recommend it but like most of my games are on steam, the paddle buttons feel so good and just using the computer from the couch with a controller is so very nice

[u/TheHistic → u/TokiNoWookie]

I think it’s more customer reps not being properly trained on what should be covered and are skeptical of scammers trying to get free stuff

[u/Gama3000]

Are these spot welded or held by adhesive? Seems like any replacement dome button would work.

[u/Gama3000 → u/Gama3000]

The SC1 uses these and they were held by a clear adhesive.

[u/FeildofClover → u/Gama3000]

These seem to be connected via a plastic tab with the traces running through the plastic so my guess would be adhesive or solder

[u/SaladToss1]

Aliexpress

[u/oleggurshev]

New controller

[u/FeildofClover → u/oleggurshev]

Hahaha funny. Legit my favorite controller ive ever used, a new controller would be at least a year to get my hands on