These days, gaming controllers carry a lot stronger punch and may provide a deeper degree of immersion in a game than they did in the days of the original Nintendo controller, which we all admit has a certain charm to it that we all find endearing despite its seeming lack of complexity.
One of the most important ways games does this is by including controller vibration at critical moments during the game.
But what takes place if the vibrating mode on your PS4 controller becomes permanently engaged? Even if everything else about the controller functions fine, the continual thumping sound it makes would be very unpleasant and would reduce the controller’s battery life.
Fortunately, there are a few solutions to choose from.
How to fix a PS4 controller that won’t stop shaking
If the vibrations on your PlayStation 4 controller won’t stop, try the standard troubleshooting steps, such as turning the controller’s power on and off and, if you’re using a wireless controller, unpairing and repairing it. If nothing of those solutions works, you may try turning off the vibration settings or resetting the whole controller using objects found about the home.
Sometimes the controller vibrating is awesome, such as when you feel raindrops falling on your head in Returnal, when you feel a cat purring as you pet it in Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut, or when you watch an in-game character having a telekinetic effect on your controller after you set it down on the floor in Metal Gear Solid.
However, it is well knowledge that games with a significant amount of vibration are not to everyone’s taste and that playing certain games may significantly decrease the amount of time the battery life on your controller lasts.
Some players even report that turning on the vibration makes it more difficult for them to hit their targets.
If turning the controller on and off quickly does not resolve the issue, you will need to detach and then reconnect it.
If it does not solve the problem, then it is time to look at some of the options.
Turn off the game’s vibration settings
You should be able to go in there and turn off the vibration settings in the same way that you can manage the audio settings and the brightness settings. The menu layouts for each game are going to be different since each game has its unique option.
If you’ve noticed that some games appear to activate the continuous vibration more often than others, you may want to consider turning it off for just that one game.
Those settings should be saved, but if you start a new campaign, you may need to go in and reset it per campaign. If you do this, make sure you back up your settings beforehand.
Turn off the console’s vibration settings
If the issue does not seem to be exclusive to a single game, go to the settings menu of your PlayStation and deactivate the vibration feature completely.
This information is located in the settings menu, which can be accessed from the home screen of your device.
Simply keep pressing the up button until the menu that contains, among other things, the icons for notifications and chats appears.
To access the settings menu, go to the far right of the screen by clicking on the appropriate symbol. The PS4’s configuration options are not denoted by a gear icon as they are on many other mobile devices and gaming consoles. Instead of a gear symbol, the PS4’s settings menu is represented by a suitcase.
Once you locate it, proceed with the following steps: Vibration may be enabled on devices by going to the Controllers menu.
To remove the checkmark from the box, use the X key. It is expected that this will switch off any vibration effects that were going to be sent to the controller.
It is possible that it will not function if you are unable to exit the vibration mode.
Reset the Controller
Did you know that your PS4 controller allows you to do a hard reset at any time? It is recommended that you power off both the PS4 console and the controller before continuing with this procedure.
After that, turn the controller over and look for a little hole next to the L2 button. You’ll find it there.
The button that is buried within the hole may be accessed by applying light pressure with an object such as a paperclip, bobby pin, or SIM card ejector.
Keep your finger on the button for about five and six seconds, then let go. Take away the thing that’s poking you, and count to 10.
Once that is complete, you will need to track down a micro USB cable and then connect it to both your PlayStation 4 and your controller.
Turn everything on, and then press the PS button on your controller when everything is powered up.
You will know that the console and controller have successfully re-paired once the light bar begins to illuminate. At this point, you are free to disconnect the controller from the console.
Your problems with vibration should now be resolved.
For Level 10 Tinkerers
At this point, a lot of people are going to be tempted to either go out and get a brand new controller or utilize an old one that they already have laying around.
That is not only permissible but also the best approach to go.
If, on the other hand, you are interested in doing some do-it-yourself projects, you should get the necessary materials and make an effort to repair the component within the controller that is causing the vibration.
What do you need to replace the motors that make the PS4 controller shake?
- New rumble motors
- Screwdriver with a #000 Phillips’s head
- Soldering iron and solder
- A metal spudger
Follow these instructions after you have gathered all of your materials and if you are under the age of 18, the consent of a parent or guardian.
- Remove the four screws that are located on the underside of the controller. Because of their small size and propensity for being misplaced, you will want to make sure that you have a secure location in which to store them before proceeding with the Phillips’s head. A cupcake liner is an excellent option, and they are often available in a variety of colors.
- To remove the rear of the controller, get a metal spudger and work it into the opening so that it can be wiggled out. If you do not have a spudger, you may pry gently with anything else; however, you should be aware that you will most likely do some damage to the plastic.
- Remove the faulty rumble motor from the motherboard by desoldering its connections. Because the rumbling motors are located in the grips, all you need to do is touch your hot soldering iron to the red and white connections that you can see. You will then be able to detach the wires from the motherboard after this process, which will remelt the connections.
- To get access to the fifth and final screw, you will need to remove the battery. It is expected that you will be able to use the same screwdriver that you used for the previous four screws. To ensure that it stays protected, toss it in the cupcake liner along with the other components.
- To get access to the motherboard, you must first remove the front plastic component of the controller. You have now removed almost all of the outside components of the controller.
- Applying pressure in a downward direction and pressure in the direction of the aperture should be sufficient to pry the rumbling motors out of their sockets. Because this may need a good deal of effort, you should begin slowly and gradually increase the amount of force you use until they come out.
- When installing your new rumble motors, it is important to pay attention to which way the motors should face right and left. Because of this, we strongly suggest that you take images as you go so that you can ensure that everything is lined up correctly at the end.
- Start doing things in the other direction. Rumble motors were installed, the front face was reattached and secured with screws, the battery was changed, and a fast solder joint was created between the wires leading to the rumble motors. Allow it to cool, and after it has, replaces the rear plate and secure it with the screws.
Power restoration and the problem with the constant vibration will, sooner or later, be addressed and resolved.
Either you did it well and it is working as it is intended to, or you did not do it properly and the rumbling motors do not work at all. Either way, it is one of two things.
However, at least it does not continue to vibrate constantly.
