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PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement

Introduction

This guide takes you through the process of installing the start/select button on the PlayStation Vita.

What you need

  1. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement, Case Separation: step 1, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement, Case Separation: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Power off and remove the memory card.

    • Using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, remove the four 6.4mm screws on the back casing.

    Edit

  2. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Using your fingernail or a spudger, pry open the accessory port cover on the top of the device.

    • Using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, remove the two 5.4mm screws hidden beneath the accessory port cover.

    Edit

  3. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the two 5.4mm Phillips #00 screws on the bottom of the device near the charging port.

    Edit

  4. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Beginning at the sides of the device, use a plastic opening tool to separate the front and rear cases.

    • Continue working your way around the device gently prying it open.

    • There are still wires holding the front and rear cases together. You may damage the connections if you yank the cases completely apart.

    Edit

  5. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Gently separate the two cases, minding the battery and the touch screen controller connectors holding the two cases together.

    Edit

  6. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Using a spudger, free the touch screen controller flex cable by gently prying up the connection.

    Edit

  7. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Free the battery cable by gently prying up on the connection with a spudger.

    Edit

  9. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Separate the front and rear cases.

    Edit

  10. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement, Wireless Card: step 9, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement, Wireless Card: step 9, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement, Wireless Card: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Using the pointy end of the spudger, disconnect the three antenna cable connectors on top of the wireless card.

    • Deroute the antenna cables so that they are out of the wireless card casing. Rest the wires out of the way.

    Edit

  11. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Hook the spudger beneath the tab on the wireless card casing and release the tab.

    • Peel up and remove the wireless card casing.

    Edit

  12. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the two 4.4mm Phillips #00 screws on the wireless card.

    • The wireless card will naturally pop out at an angle.

    • Pull out the wireless card.

    Edit

  13. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement, Right Shoulder Button: step 12, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement, Right Shoulder Button: step 12, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement, Right Shoulder Button: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • Pry up the right shoulder button casing with a spudger and set it aside.

    Edit

  14. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the translucent, plastic right shoulder button cover.

    Edit

  15. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Release the right shoulder button flex cable socket by using a spudger to gently pry open the tab.

    • Using tweezers, slide the flex cable out of the socket.

    Edit

  16. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Using a spudger, gently peel up the right shoulder button from the light adhesive connecting it to casing.

    Edit

  17. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement, Right Button Board: step 16, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement, Right Button Board: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Using the pointy end of a spudger, detach the antenna cable on the right button board.

    • Remove the antenna cable.

    Edit

  18. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Using a spudger, pry up and release the ZIF socket on the right button board.

    • Gently pull the flex cable out of the socket. Rest the flex cable out of the way.

    Edit

  19. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 18, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Release the tab on the small flex cable socket by prying up the tab with a spudger.

    • Using tweezers, gently pull the flex cable out of the socket. Rest the flex cable out of the way.

    Edit

  20. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 19, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the two 5.0mm Phillips #00 screws from the metal bracket securing the right button board to the motherboard.

    • Remove the metal bracket, using a spudger as necessary to lift it out.

    Edit

  21. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement: step 20, image 3 of 3

    • Use a spudger to free the right button board by prying up from the bottom right corner of board.

    • Gently lift the right button board out.

    Edit

  22. PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement, Start/Select Button: step 21, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement, Start/Select Button: step 21, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Vita Start/Select Button Replacement, Start/Select Button: step 21, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Using tweezers, peel the start/select button off the back case.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

4 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 3 other contributors

Brittany McCrigler

Member since: 03/05/12

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1 Guide Comment

So I hit a roadblock at step 11, it seems some of these devices have security screws with no specific bit (or at least not one I could find) on the network card, so if you plan on attempting this repair please check your network card before doing so as you may need to perform some extra steps (such as cutting at the thing with a dremel if you're comfortable with that...) before moving forward. Here's what I'm referring to

Celestial Nomad - Reply Share

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