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[Twilight Gap]

controller has deteriorated further since my last post here.

x and R2 buttons don't always register
left stick gets stuck at half speed and doesn't always register clicks
left stick sometimes randomly clicks
L2 doesn't stay "activated" when i'm holding it

absolute joke for a console that i bought in june. $40 isn't low enough to buy a new one but i don't have a choice it seems.

 

[Massa]

controller has deteriorated further since my last post here.

x and R2 buttons don't always register
left stick gets stuck at half speed and doesn't always register clicks
left stick sometimes randomly clicks
L2 doesn't stay "activated" when i'm holding it

absolute joke for a console that i bought in june. $40 isn't low enough to buy a new one but i don't have a choice it seems.

The PS4 comes with a 1 year warranty.

 

[lostsupper]

Sorry, just quoting myself from another thread where I didn't get any help so maybe here someone might have some advice. It's not directly tied to the battery life (I too think it's too damn short) but since it's related to the controller and it's build quality, maybe I'll get luckier here:


So guys, I wonder if anyone could help. Since I feel it doesn't warrant a thread, and is something I noticed while playing GTA5, might as well place it here in case anyone knows/has the same problem.


I noticed a while back that the shooting felt off from the beginning, nothing like the ps3 version. I had to literally pull the R2 stronger than usual to make the weapons shoot. I decided to try out another controller (it's almost new, 2 months and not much use) and the trigger works perfectly. I only have to pull it a little more than halfway, and the gun starts shooting. It's especially noticeable on first person view. There's a point where, if you press the trigger hard enough, it will send you to a aiming position without it being full ADS.

For that to happen on my "bad" controller, I have to press it all the way down, and even then, a lot of times nothing happens. The guns don't shoot. I tried it with other games and while not as severe, something's up. I noticed it on Destiny too, with automatic weapons like VoC and Last Word not going full auto, stopping after 2-3 shots, like the R2 isn't connecting properly.

My question is: anyone else here has had this specific problem, and if so, how to fix it? This is the controller that came with the console, so it's exactly, ironically, 1 year old.The trigger still has some friction, and it always springs back into place like normal. What I notice is that it does seem to have bad contact, unless pushed hard enough, and it has less friction than normal, but I guess that's the way it goes with wear and tear. Same with the analogues but that is normal.

Any suggestions? My ps4 has 3 yr warranty, is the controller under it as well? Or does that only apply to the console itself? I live in Europe, so we have 2 yr warranty for electronics, so I should try to send it back? Will they make a fuss about it?

I really didn't want to make this my first thread, as I don't think it's relevant for the majority but if someone has the same problem and has a solution/advice I would be thankful.

All the buttons in the DS4 contact the board via a conductive rubber pad. The R1 and R2 triggers contact the pad with a thin, sharp ridge of plastic. Over time, the ridge cuts into the rubber and wears a groove. The ridge slides into the groove and doesn't compress the conductive pad enough to register the button press.

It happens to R2's first because it's the default "fire gun" button. It gets more use than any other button.

You can order a full set of conductive rubber pads from Ebay for $3.99. You'll need a 00x40 screwdriver to take apart your DS4, but it's only a ten-minute operation.

 

[Ateron]

I've been playing a lot with my PS4 the last week, man... that LED light:

-Keeps glowing on my screen
-Doesn't really need to be this big
-What is the purpose of it, like why would you look at it when you are playing
-Probably not a big energy waster, but still WHYYY!?

I know this is beating the dead horse, but that light + battery life are Achilles Heel in a otherwise pretty awesome controller.

I would argue that build quality is the ultimate achilles heel of DS4. Never before had a problem with any sony controller, so far I've had 2 ds4, one with a squeaky L2 trigger (fixed it tonight with the pencil method (it works!) and the second with the R2 fucking up, for some weird reason I have yet to understand, as it's not broken but doesn't respond properly. I had a third that I returned (and they exchanged it right away at the store for the newest I own, the one with the squeaky, but now fixed L2) after 3 days cause it had a sticky R1. Sony fucked up on the build quality to cut costs and it shows. And I'm the kind of guy to always take care of my console, controllers, tv. not a scratch or dust or anything. Its the first time this happened to me, and in 3 controllers I had 3 problems. Either I'm the most unlucky fucker out there, or there's something up. Considering the amount of complaints everywhere online, I'd say it's the latter. Battery consumption/light should be at the bottom of Sony's priorities. Fix the trigger problems, and ripped sticks first.

 

[Ateron]

All the buttons in the DS4 contact the board via a conductive rubber pad. The R1 and R2 triggers contact the pad with a thin, sharp ridge of plastic. Over time, the ridge cuts into the rubber and wears a groove. The ridge slides into the groove and doesn't compress the conductive pad enough to register the button press.

It happens to R2's first because it's the default "fire gun" button. It gets more use than any other button.

You can order a full set of conductive rubber pads from Ebay for $3.99. You'll need a 00x40 screwdriver to take apart your DS4, but it's only a ten-minute operation.

Thanks! I will definitely try that method if they don't want to exchange the controller. I have a suspicion they will try to claim it wasn't handled properly and the fault lies with me, if they do that I will try to fix it. I only haven't tried it because I'm afraid of opening the controller and screwing thing up, on top of nullifying the warranty. IF they decide I can't have a free one then I have nothing to lose, -cause as it stands, the controller is useless - if I fuck up, no harm done. Thanks again for the explanation

 

[OmegaDL50]

Playstation 3 Dualshock had a 1800Mah battery

PS4 Dualshock is 1000Mah which is why it has such ridiculously shorter charge life in comparison.

Throw this into your controller and it will fix the problem

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JFQ045Q/?tag=neogaf0e-20

 

[Twilight Gap]

The PS4 comes with a 1 year warranty.

how's the turnaround?

 

[Alric]

Charge whilst playing? Own two, charge one whilst playing?

It's what I do.

This is what I do, but I hate it. I hate having to switch controller every day because the battery lasts me one maybe 2 days worth of playing.

 

[Illucio]

The Charge isn't bad, and you can now dim the light bar on the controller. I like the charge on the controller because it gets me up and allows me to take a small break while it's charges.

I like the way it is, but if you want something different look up 3rd party controllers.

I think the PS4 controller is perfect, I just wish the rubber on the left stick would stop peeling off. D:

 

[DontBeThatGuy]

the batterly life does suck, and I'm also in the process of getting one replaced because of how screwed up it is(torn stick cover, weird issue with pressing left stick to run in COD, sticky buttons)

 

[SirPenguin]

controller has deteriorated further since my last post here.

x and R2 buttons don't always register
left stick gets stuck at half speed and doesn't always register clicks
left stick sometimes randomly clicks
L2 doesn't stay "activated" when i'm holding it

absolute joke for a console that i bought in june. $40 isn't low enough to buy a new one but i don't have a choice it seems.

Just wanted to say I ran across this post while googling my issue - my X button doesn't always register. I seem to notice it the most in the Store, and it seems to not register when pressing it a specific way

It's certainly not the end of the world, but man, this is a brand new console and controller, so it's pretty lame to have these types of build quality issues. I think I'll stick with it and then activate a warranty swap in 6-9 months

 

[Intel_89]

Kind of a random question, but a friend of mine has a controller with a sticky left analog (sticky as in if you press forward and let go the character keeps moving until you pull the analog slightly back), is this an easy thing to fix or is he better off getting a new one? Thanks.

 

[Noobcraft]

Kind of a random question, but a friend of mine has a controller with a sticky left analog (sticky as in if you press forward and let go the character keeps moving until you pull the analog slightly back), is this an easy thing to fix or is he better off getting a new one? Thanks.

If it's still under warranty (less than a year old) he should just get it replaced by Sony.

 

[AkelisRain]

I have had my PS4 since launch, my pad is finally starting to deteriorate on the thumb sticks. I was playing ufc with a buddy and started to notice my face button becoming sticky. I look down and noticed to what looked like the color was fading off. Turns out the rubber was melting on the thumbs sticks and I was tracking it all over the pad. Was very hard to clean with isopropyl alcohol.
My left stick is about to tear off. I want to replace the sticks but I want original oem but it's hard to know if they are defective or no t.

 

[KORNdoggy]

In my lifetime of electronics i have never owned something with such a pathetic battery life. I don't even understand how the controller even uses that much energy. It is seriously ruining my enjoyment with he console. Can't even play GTA for longer than 3 hours without it dying.

3 hours? wtf? that's awful. i was getting 10 hour out of my 2 pads from launch while having some long MGSV sessions. the fact there is so much variation in battery life is weird.

 

[devonraynor]

battery, analog sticks that peel off (both my launch and magma red are having this problem)
Yeah i would pay 100 euro/dollar for a proper one...

 

[TI82]

PS4 controller is by and far the best controller I've ever held. The QC just sucks.

 

[glaringradio]

3 hours? wtf? that's awful. i was getting 10 hour out of my 2 pads from launch while having some long MGSV sessions. the fact there is so much variation in battery life is weird.

I refuse to believe you were getting 10 hours out of a launch controller. I barely manage 3 - 4 hours on mine. Just gave up and got a super long USB cable and only use it wirelessly to play games on my phone.

 

[KodaRuss]

The battery on my two launch DS4s has gotten terrible. I charge one while the other is in use and it seems like I am switching them out constantly now. Might look at getting another because it is definitely getting worse and worse.

Both of the controller's thumbsticks have started to fray/crack a lot now as well.

 

[KORNdoggy]

I refuse to believe you were getting 10 hours out of a launch controller. I barely manage 3 - 4 hours on mine. Just gave up and got a super long USB cable and only use it wirelessly to play games on my phone.

not trying to convince anyone. believe what you like. it's what i get out of my 2 launch pads. i played from 2pm to midnight, no breaks bar toilet and food. ran out past midnight so switched to my other pad.

 

[Lothars]

I refuse to believe you were getting 10 hours out of a launch controller. I barely manage 3 - 4 hours on mine. Just gave up and got a super long USB cable and only use it wirelessly to play games on my phone.

I get 10 hours out of my launch pad as well, I don't think it's that uncommon.

 

[mcz117chief]

I refuse to believe you were getting 10 hours out of a launch controller. I barely manage 3 - 4 hours on mine. Just gave up and got a super long USB cable and only use it wirelessly to play games on my phone.

yup, 4 hours max here too.

 

[visiblemode]

Charge whilst playing? Own two, charge one whilst playing?

It's what I do.

That's what I do too. That said, I have to agree that it shouldn't be necessary to buy multiple controllers. Even though I happily started with 2 to begin with, not everyone wants to do that and I think that's fair.

Further, it makes me wonder how sketchy a really long local multiplayer session could get. You'd need a lot of controllers and a lot of charging wires/ports for a large group to play for hours. I know it's less common now, I'm just thinking back to how those old 4 player split-screen Mario Kart 64 sessions would have gone with this kind of battery life.

 

[Intel_89]

If it's still under warranty (less than a year old) he should just get it replaced by Sony.

It isn't, he's set on buying a new one if I'm willing to give him a tenner for the old one that doesn't work properly, hence why it would be nice to know if this can be solved with a quick clean up or not. A spare PS4 controller would be nice.

 

[RiverBed]

Kind of a random question, but a friend of mine has a controller with a sticky left analog (sticky as in if you press forward and let go the character keeps moving until you pull the analog slightly back), is this an easy thing to fix or is he better off getting a new one? Thanks.

Before you get a new one, open up the one you have and see if it can be fixed. Sometimes, it's just dirt, maybe there is something loose or it came out of its hinges/place. It's fairly easy to unscrew one open. Look at a youtube video if needed.

Cheers.

 

[Metfanant]

like it's bad, but it's not 3 hours bad. something might be wrong with your controller.

it's still awful and needs to be fixed though. turn off the damn light if that's doing it Sony

absolutely this ^^^

it is really bad, but i can get around double that, maybe more out of a full charge

 

[TimeEffect]

Launch controller thumbstick has finally tore. time to get Xbox sticks.

 

[soxxx]

Its mind boggling considering the Wii U Pro Controller lasts 70 hours....

 

[Intel_89]

Before you get a new one, open up the one you have and see if it can be fixed. Sometimes, it's just dirt, maybe there is something loose or it came out of its hinges/place. It's fairly easy to unscrew one open. Look at a youtube video if needed.

Cheers.

I've done that with several other controllers (Gamecube, PS2, etc) and I never had trouble before, I might give it a shot even if I end up wasting money on it in vain.

 

[outunderthestars]

I get maybe 4 hours out of mine, even with the dumb light turned down.

 

[Intel_89]

Its mind boggling considering the Wii U Pro Controller lasts 70 hours....

The Pro Controller doesn't have a built in speaker, nor has a track pad, a mostly useless light thingy or motion controls whatsoever. Still, 4 hours is bad.

 

[ZOONAMI]

Playstation 3 Dualshock had a 1800Mah battery

PS4 Dualshock is 1000Mah which is why it has such ridiculously shorter charge life in comparison.

Throw this into your controller and it will fix the problem

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JFQ045Q/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Seriously terrible reviews on that.

 

[DarthWalden]

Honestly it wouldn't be so bad if I could just use eneloop but having to tether myself tO a source of power after a few hours is really annoying.

 

[mechphree]

They should make a re-design and get rid of that dam light. It hasn't panned out and really is just a battery drainer. At the very minimum they could offer the option to cut it off via the system OS.

 

[Extra Sauce]

The fact that the controller's useless light reflects on my TV screen adds insult to injury. What the fuck Sony?

 

[VincentMatts]

like it's bad, but it's not 3 hours bad. something might be wrong with your controller.

it's still awful and needs to be fixed though. turn off the damn light if that's doing it Sony

Theres nothing wrong with his controller. Mine does the same thing, its pathetic.

 

[Kodros]

Theres nothing wrong with his controller. Mine does the same thing, its pathetic.

It really depends on the game. If you have a game that rumbles non stop, like Infamous, it dies super quick.

 

[depths20XX]

Love the feel of the controller overall but it does have some superfluous design choices. Wasn't the light thing a holdover from when the camera was going to be bundled with the console? It's basically pointless now. The track pad thing also seems pretty unnecessary.

 

[Bad_Boy]

Love the feel of the controller overall but it does have some superfluous design choices. Wasn't the light thing a holdover from when the camera was going to be bundled with the console? It's basically pointless now. The track pad thing also seems pretty unnecessary.

Most games ive played have supported the light and trackpad. Not in the sense of the camera, but light flashing lights in gta5. Im sure it will get more use when morpheus drops. The trackpad is probably my favorite controller feature along with the speaker.

 

[CyberPunked]

The battery is horrendous. I started playing Demon's Souls on PS3 a couple of weeks ago, and was amazed at how much better the DS3 battery was. I've been about 10 hours without a charge, and it's still going!

 

[outunderthestars]

They should make a re-design and get rid of that dam light. It hasn't panned out and really is just a battery drainer. At the very minimum they could offer the option to cut it off via the system OS.

I'd like the option to turn it off as well.

 

[RealityCheque]

I've got 2 launch controllers and aside from the shitty sticks peeling, battery life has never been a problem. I get 5 hrs at least from a charge.

 

[Vinc]

They do need to make a more reliable controller. The quality of the materials is horrendous. Just crack one open and look at the trigger springs they use, it's crazy. They're the same finicky tiny springs they used for dualshock 3s, and the triggers understandably lose some resistance after pressing them normally for any period of time exceeding a few months.

 

[Tigress]

I've got 2 launch controllers and aside from the shitty sticks peeling, battery life has never been a problem. I get 5 hrs at least from a charge.

My PS3 and Xbox 360 controllers have me spoiled. I consider that a pretty shitty battery life (it's about what my ds4 gets too and I consider it pretty bad as I have run out before the day is done and that never happens with my Xbox or PS3 controller).

I have two launch ones too and they both have problems aside from the shitty battery life. They still work though can be annoying when gaming when buttons stick but I refuse to spend 60 more on shitty controllers until they at least make better quality ones or at the very least have a cool looking one I want. Or I absolutely have to cause they just get unusable.

 

[Superflat]

Had mine for about a year now, but no problems with build quality with regular play (I use it as my PC controller as well). Sometimes the 3.5mm headphone jack can be finnicky with contact.

But the battery life was disappointing from day one, and at this point it only lasts a few hours before I have to plug it in; it's a big disappointment in that regard. I would buy a new controller with a improved battery in a heartbeat.

 

[Pearson]

oh to have 3 hours to game in 1 session. the stuff dreams are made of

 

[Iorv3th]

Had mine for about a year now, but no problems with build quality with regular play (I use it as my PC controller as well). Sometimes the 3.5mm headphone jack can be finnicky with contact.

But the battery life was disappointing from day one, and at this point it only lasts a few hours before I have to plug it in; it's a big disappointment in that regard. I would buy a new controller with a improved battery in a heartbeat.

They either use different batteries and not the same one for every controller. Or the batteries are just widely different in their ability to hold a charge. Or people are not able to accurately post how long they hold a charge. I use mine almost every day and have never had it die on me once. I can use the thing for 6 hours or more and have never had it die. I don't really sit down and play for longer periods than that in one sitting though and very rarely that long. But 3-4 hours isn't uncommon and never had a problem, never even had it close to dying. Launch controller too.

 

[GrayFoxBH]

Change lightbar to low and disable speakers, helps a lot. Still, really bad battery.

 

[Paganmoon]

Charge whilst playing?
Own two,
charge one whilst playing?
It's what I do.

Reading this with line breaks, it's like poetry...

 

[Ape]

Change lightbar to low and disable speakers, helps a lot. Still, really bad battery.

yeah this does help. everyone should do this, idk why theres speakers on the controller. doesn't add anything imo, just kills the pathetic battery life faster.

im getting about 4 hours right now. i charge my ps4 controller about 4 times for every time my xbone controller needs a charge, but i am using recharchable AAs in the xbone so they might have a larger charge capacity than normal.