Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
15
Time Required
45 minutes - 1 day
Sections
1
- Nintendo Entertainment System Controller Maintenance
- 15 steps
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BackNintendo Entertainment System Controller
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Introduction
What you need
Step 1
Nintendo Entertainment System Controller Maintenance
- Unscrew the six 13 mm screws with the Philips screwdriver.
Unscrew the six 13 mm screws with the Philips screwdriver.
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Step 2
- Lift the controller back plate straight off of the controller then set aside.
Lift the controller back plate straight off of the controller then set aside.
Step 3
- Unwind the cable from plastic poles.
Unwind the cable from plastic poles.
Step 4
- Gently remove the circuit board from the controller face. Use a non marring object to lever up board if it is stuck.
Gently remove the circuit board from the controller face. Use a non marring object to lever up board if it is stuck.
Step 5
- Remove the indicated rubber pads.
Remove the indicated rubber pads.
Step 6
- Remove all plastic buttons. Clean the buttons and controller with soap and water.
Remove all plastic buttons. Clean the buttons and controller with soap and water.
Step 7
- Inspect each rubber pad for tears or cracks and making note of any tears.
Inspect each rubber pad for tears or cracks and making note of any tears.
Step 8
- Clean all pads with rubbing alcohol; focus on cleaning the black conductive circles on the underside of the pads.
Clean all pads with rubbing alcohol; focus on cleaning the black conductive circles on the underside of the pads.
Step 9
- Once clean, apply thin layers of rubber cement to any deformation. Allow cement to dry and apply multiple layers as needed. Do not over apply rubber cement as it can cause the pads to warp as it dries.
Once clean, apply thin layers of rubber cement to any deformation. Allow cement to dry and apply multiple layers as needed. Do not over apply rubber cement as it can cause the pads to warp as it dries.
Step 10
- Inspect all solder points for loose connections.
Inspect all solder points for loose connections.
Step 11
- Clean the input contacts with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol on a Q-tip
Clean the input contacts with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol on a Q-tip
Step 12
- Read the iFixit soldering guide and do not attempt this step if you are not confidant in your ability to do so safely.
- Ensure that all 91% isopropyl alcohol has evaporated. If necessary perform any soldering away from the area in which you cleaned the controller.
- Re-solder any loose wires on the circuit board.
Read the iFixit soldering guide and do not attempt this step if you are not confidant in your ability to do so safely.
Ensure that all 91% isopropyl alcohol has evaporated. If necessary perform any soldering away from the area in which you cleaned the controller.
Re-solder any loose wires on the circuit board.
Step 13
- Allow any recently soldered points to cool back to room temperature before performing this step.
- Glue the cord onto the circuit board to prevent future loosening of the wires.
- Leave slack on both sides and allow glue to harden.
Allow any recently soldered points to cool back to room temperature before performing this step.
Glue the cord onto the circuit board to prevent future loosening of the wires.
Leave slack on both sides and allow glue to harden.
Step 14
- Reverse steps from 6 through to 2 to reassemble controller.
- Before replacing screws make sure the controller back fits tightly to the controller face.
- If needed trim excess glue from around the cord to ensure a good fit.
Reverse steps from 6 through to 2 to reassemble controller.
Before replacing screws make sure the controller back fits tightly to the controller face.
If needed trim excess glue from around the cord to ensure a good fit.
Step 15
- Plug in your repaired controller and try all buttons and actions to test controller function and responsiveness
Plug in your repaired controller and try all buttons and actions to test controller function and responsiveness
Thank you for using our step by step controller guide. Enjoy your NES games!
If the controller isn’t working after this guide, re-check the soldering points, and redo as necessary. If this still doesn’t fix the controller you may have to get a new wire.
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Author
with 11 other contributors
Andrew Churchill
Member since: 09/22/2015
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Team
Colorado Springs, Team 1-6, Mcmichael Fall 2015
Member of Colorado Springs, Team 1-6, Mcmichael Fall 2015
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2 Guides authored
Jeff L - May 20, 2020
Reply
Hi There,
Just wondering if you knew “where” I could purchase a special set of silicone buttons for a wireless Nintendo NES controller? The buttons are sticking and when I remove the cover, the silicone buttons were stripped and no longer functional. I know how to replace all of the parts - just not sure where I can actually find the part that I need.
I am not sure if you know what the “NES wireless controller” looks like “internally” but it has 4 buttons together - not just 2 like the original NES controller. The silicone button assembly looks very similar to the silicone button assembly of the “controller buttons” portion (or the arrows portion that actually allows you to “move” when playing a game.
Any assistance you could provide for me to find the right part to fix my son’s controller would be GREATLY APPRECIATED !!
Thank you
Jeff
