Hall stick installation, fixing stick drift & anti-stick drift: PS4 & PS5 controllers

If you want to repair the analog sticks on your PS4 or PS5 controller, installing Hall sticks is the perfect solution to fix stick drift and prevent it permanently. Hall sticks use Hall-effect technology, which operates without mechanical friction, significantly extending the lifespan of your analog sticks and enabling more precise gaming. In this detailed guide, we'll show you how to install your Hall sticks yourself, solder them correctly, and then calibrate them to make your controller feel new again. The installation of TMR Hall sticks is exactly the same as for standard Hall sticks.

We use special tools and high-quality materials that you can conveniently order from our website. Additionally, we'll give you tips for optimal cleaning and fine-tuning so your controller works perfectly. At the end, you'll also find cross-links to other cool modifications like easy-to-install paddles, modkits, or our casing configurator, which you can use to customize and improve your PS5 controller.

Step 1: Preparation – Open the controller and remove the motherboard

First, you need to open your controller and remove the motherboard. This is the foundation for installing the Hall sticks and should be done carefully to avoid damaging any components.

• Carefully open your PS4 or PS5 controller with a suitable screwdriver.
• Remove all screws and lift off the upper casing half.
• Carefully pull out the motherboard on which the analog sticks are mounted. Desolder the cables from the adaptive triggers and vibration motors.
• Secure the motherboard in a PCB holder so it remains stable during work.

Our PCB holder makes working much easier and ensures greater precision during soldering. If you don't have one yet, we strongly recommend using one to avoid damage to the PCB.

Step 2: Obtain the right solder and tools

The right solder and tools are crucial for the Hall stick conversion. We recommend solder paste with a melting temperature of 181 °C. This low melting temperature reduces heat exposure to the PCB and makes desoldering defective analog sticks much easier and safer.

You will also need:

• Our desoldering aid for all soldering irons, specifically designed for desoldering analog sticks. The adapter fits perfectly on the back of the sticks and allows for quick and even heating.
• A professional desoldering pump to reliably suck up excess solder.
• Standard Hall sticks or TMR Hall sticks
• 181 degree solder
• A powerful soldering iron with at least 80 watts of power. We recommend 100 to 120 watts to deliver the necessary heat quickly and consistently.
• Toothbrush and pure alcohol for cleaning the PCB after soldering.

This combination of tools and materials is ideal for performing the Hall stick installation professionally and safely.

Step 3: Apply solder to the solder points

Before desoldering the old analog sticks, you should apply a little of the special solder paste to all solder points. This lowers the melting temperature of the existing solder on the PCB and ensures everything mixes better.

Proceed as follows:

1. Using the dispensing syringe, apply the 181-degree solder to each solder point of the analog sticks.
2. Distribute the solder evenly so that all connections are well wetted.

The lower melting temperature allows you to desolder the sticks more quickly and avoid damage to the PCB due to excessive heat.

Step 4: Desolder the old analog sticks with desoldering attachment and soldering iron

Now comes the most technically challenging step: desoldering the old analog sticks with stick drift. For this, you attach our special desoldering attachment to the PCB at the solder joints of the analog sticks and heat the solder points.

Here's how to proceed:

1. Set your soldering iron to approx. 400-450 °C. This temperature is optimal for quickly and safely heating the solder joints. Let the adapter heat up briefly for 1-3 minutes.
2. Place the desoldering attachment on the soldering tip and hold it against the back of the analog stick where the solder points are.
3. Hold the tip against the solder points for about 30 seconds to a maximum of 1 minute until the solder becomes liquid. Now you can simply pull out the old analog stick modules.
4. Then use the desoldering pump to suck the liquid solder out of the holes. For this, you should use a normal soldering tip with a diameter of approx. 2.5mm.

If the desoldering pump no longer sucks properly, it may be clogged. Briefly reheat the tip and push the pump once to clean it.

If solder residue remains in the holes on the PCB, apply some solder paste again, reheat the area, and suck up the solder again. This way, you'll get the holes completely clear.

Step 5: Thoroughly clean the PCB

After desoldering, there is often a lot of solder residue and dirt on the PCB. These residues can later cause problems when soldering the new Hall sticks. And lead to stick drift again, which is why you absolutely must clean the PCB thoroughly after desoldering the defective analog sticks if you want to install Hall sticks that work perfectly and long-term.

Therefore, clean the PCB thoroughly with:

• a toothbrush and pure alcohol (99% isopropanol)
• alternatively, in an ultrasonic bath with alcohol, which makes sense if you need to clean multiple PCBs simultaneously without much time investment, but it is not necessary for hobby use.

After cleaning, the PCB should be completely clean and grease-free so that the new solder joints hold perfectly and there are no false signals from minimal currents.

Step 6: Insert new Hall sticks

Now you can carefully insert the new Hall sticks into the solder holes. Make sure the pins are straight and correctly seated. Sometimes the pins are slightly bent, in which case you need to carefully straighten them with tweezers or your fingers.

Press the sticks firmly so they are securely seated on the PCB. Make sure they are perfectly flat on the PCB, as slightly crooked Hall sticks will be harder to calibrate later and may be imprecise.

Check that the black buttons on the underside of the sticks are straight and correctly seated by gently pressing them.

Step 7: Solder Hall sticks

To solder the new sticks, we recommend first fixing the corners of the sticks with a thick soldering tip. This ensures the sticks are secure and won't fall out.

1. Heat the corner points of the solder joints and apply some solder.
2. You can also directly apply some solder to the solder points for the triggers and vibration motors, which will make it easier to solder the cables later.
3. Then switch to a thinner soldering tip (1.5mm diameter) and carefully solder the small solder points.

After soldering, you should clean the PCB again with alcohol to remove any residue.

Step 8: Function test and initial calibration

Before reassembling the PCB into the controller, you should test the function of the new Hall sticks.

Connect the controller with the battery inserted to your PC via USB and use our free online controller tester to check and calibrate the sticks.

Check the following points:

• Whether the sticks are centered after calibration (values close to zero, e.g., 0.05 or lower)
• Whether the sticks can be moved in all directions without erratic behavior
• Whether L3 and R3 can be pressed evenly and also trigger when actuated.

Step 9: Reassemble the controller

If the sticks work well in the test, you can reinsert the PCB into the controller.

Carefully reassemble the controller and tighten all screws. Make sure all cable connections are correctly seated and nothing is pinched.

Step 10: Final calibration with our Gamepad Calibrator Software

For perfect adjustment, we recommend using our free Gamepad Calibrator/Tester. This software allows precise adjustment of the stick center and range.

How to calibrate:

1. Start the software and click "Connect". You must use Google Chrome; other browsers are not currently supported.
2. Select your controller and connect it.
3. First, calibrate the stick center ("Stick Center"). You can test this temporarily first; if everything is fine: Check the box to save the setting permanently and press "Start".
4. Now slowly move both sticks up-left, release, then up-right, release, then down-left, and release.
5. Check if the sticks are now perfectly centered (values near zero).
6. Then calibrate the range ("Stick Range"). Slowly rotate the analog sticks once or twice in a circle and save the setting.
7. The sticks should now run smoothly and without erratic behavior on a circle, not a square.

If you are new to the software, you can first perform a temporary calibration before making the permanent setting. This way, you can reset and restart at any time.

Tips and tricks for Hall stick installation and fixing stick drift

• Always use a high-quality soldering iron with sufficient power (at least 80 watts, preferably 100-120 watts).
• Use our desoldering attachment for even heat distribution and quick desoldering. For commercial customers/custom controller companies that perform such modifications regularly, we recommend the professional desoldering adapter as it saves a lot of time.
• Clean the PCB carefully after desoldering to prevent any solder residue from interfering with the new connections.
• Always calibrate the sticks after installation to ensure optimal precision and prevent stick drift.
• If you have calibration problems, check that the sticks are properly and flatly soldered onto the PCB, and that the PCB is well cleaned.

More upgrades for your PS5 controller

If you want to upgrade your PS5 controller even further, check out our PS5 Custom Controller products:

• PS5 Custom Controller Configurator – Create your individual PS5 controller with different colors, paddles, and upgrades.
• PS5 Remapper & Paddle Set Configurator – PS5 DIY kit for self-installation of paddles and many other modifications.
• PS5 Casing Configurator – Design the complete PS5 casing of your controller with many designs and colors.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Hall Stick Installation and Fixing Stick Drift

What are Hall sticks and why are they better than conventional analog sticks?

Hall sticks use Hall-effect technology, which utilizes magnetic fields instead of mechanical contacts for position detection. This eliminates friction, leading to less wear and significantly longer lifespan. They are also more precise and virtually eliminate stick drift.

What tools do I need for Hall stick installation?

You need a powerful soldering iron (at least 80 watts), a desoldering tip or our desoldering attachment specifically for analog sticks, solder paste with a low melting temperature (approx. 181 °C), a desoldering pump, a PCB holder, and cleaning materials such as alcohol and a toothbrush.

Can I install Hall sticks myself, even if I have little experience?

Yes, with the right instructions and appropriate tools, installation is feasible even for hobby modders. It's important to work carefully, avoid overheating the PCB, and properly calibrate the sticks after installation.

How do I know if my sticks have stick drift?

Stick drift manifests as your in-game character or camera moving on its own even when you're not touching the stick. With Hall sticks, you can permanently fix this issue.

How do I calibrate the sticks correctly after installation?

Use our calibration software, Gamepad Calibrator, to set the stick center and range. Follow these steps: calibrate Stick Center, then calibrate Stick Range and save the settings. You can also test your controllers directly there.

Can I also use Hallsticks for PS4 controllers?

Yes, Hallsticks are compatible with PS4 and PS5 controllers. Just make sure to buy the right models for your controller and follow the instructions carefully.

Where can I buy the necessary Hallsticks and accessories?

We offer all necessary Hallsticks, solder paste, desoldering tips and other tools on bitro.de. There you will also find detailed product descriptions and tutorials.

Conclusion

With the Hallstick installation, you can upgrade your PS4 or PS5 controller yourself to fix stick drift and enjoy permanently precise analog sticks with anti stick drift technology. The combination of high-quality tools, special solder paste and correct calibration makes the conversion easy and safe.

Use our step-by-step guide and recommended products to get your controller ready for many more gaming sessions. For even more customization, we recommend our custom controller configurators and modifications, so that your controller is not only technically but also visually unique.

If all this is too complicated for you, you can also simply send us your controller via our conversion service. We are very experienced in converting and repairing PS4 & PS5 controllers and can do this for you without any problems. Here you can find our Controller Conversion Service.

Good luck with your analog stick repair and even more fun playing!