Introduction

Follow this guide to replace, upgrade, or customzie the thumbstick covers (aka joystick covers) on your Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026).

Soldering is required to complete this repair. The capacitive touch wire for each thumbstick cap is soldered to the mainboard.

If you're new to soldering, check out our in-depth guide on soldering and desoldering connections.

If you suspect there's a problem with the thumbstick modules themselves, you may need to replace the main board (which the thumbsticks are soldered to). Check out this guide if you want to replace the main board.

What you need

Step 1 Before you begin

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Before you begin: step 1, image 1 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Before you begin: step 1, image 2 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Before you begin: step 1, image 3 of 3

Let your controller's battery drain below 25% before starting this repair.
Unplug all cables and accessories from the controller, including the Steam Controller Puck.
During your repair, it can be helpful to lay the Steam Controller on a clean, soft cloth for stabilization and to prevent scratches.

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Step 2 Remove the back cover screws

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the back cover screws: step 2, image 1 of 2

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the back cover screws: step 2, image 2 of 2

Tool used on this step:

TR6 Torx Security Screwdriver

$5.99

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Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove the seven screws securing the back cover.
To reach some of the screws you'll need a skinny, long-shank screwdriver.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

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Step 3 Remove the back cover

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the back cover: step 3, image 1 of 2

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the back cover: step 3, image 2 of 2

Remove the back cover.

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Step 4 Remove the battery

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the battery: step 4, image 1 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the battery: step 4, image 2 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the battery: step 4, image 3 of 3

If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions. Never reinstall a swollen battery—replace it with a new one.
Lift the right edge of the battery to remove it.
During reassembly, first slide the left side of the battery into place so its connector is fully seated. Then, press the right side into place to secure it.

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Step 5 Remove the mounting bracket screws

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the mounting bracket screws: step 5, image 1 of 2

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the mounting bracket screws: step 5, image 2 of 2

During the rest of your repair, don't forcefully push the controller down onto your work surface—you may damage the thumbsticks and trackpads.
Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove the four 7.4 mm‑long screws securing the battery mounting bracket.

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Step 6 Remove the mounting bracket

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the mounting bracket: step 6, image 1 of 2

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the mounting bracket: step 6, image 2 of 2

Remove the battery mounting bracket.
During reassembly, make sure the three alignment pegs on the mounting bracket go into their holes on the board.

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Step 7 Disconnect the rumble motors

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Disconnect the rumble motors: step 7, image 1 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Disconnect the rumble motors: step 7, image 2 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Disconnect the rumble motors: step 7, image 3 of 3

Don't pull on the rumble motor's delicate wires—they're easily damaged. Be careful not to pinch the wires with your tweezers, and only pull on the connector itself.
Firmly grip the short edges of one rumble motor connector with a pair of tweezers and pull straight up to disconnect it
Grip the tweezers as close to the tip as possible to get a better hold on the connector.

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Step 8

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

Repeat to disconnect the other rumble motor.

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Step 9 Disconnect the interconnect cable

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 9, image 1 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 9, image 2 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 9, image 3 of 3

Be careful not to damage any of the small, surface-mounted components on the main board.
Use a spudger to lift the hinged locking flap on the interconnect cable ZIF connector, located on the bottom edge of the main board.

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Step 10

Use tweezers to grip the cable by its plastic pull tab and slide it out of the socket.

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Step 11 Remove the main board screws

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the main board screws: step 11, image 1 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the main board screws: step 11, image 2 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the main board screws: step 11, image 3 of 3

Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove the three 7.4 mm‑long screws securing the main board.
When reinstalling the screws, raise the controller so the thumbsticks aren't pressed against your work surface—pressure on the thumbsticks can cause improper alignment and seating.

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Step 12 Remove the main board

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the main board: step 12, image 1 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the main board: step 12, image 2 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the main board: step 12, image 3 of 3

Pull the main board down so the top corners clear the triggers.
You should be able to remove the board without removing the triggers. If you're having trouble, check out this guide to remove them.
Remove the main board, guiding the thumbsticks through their cutouts.
During reassembly, make sure the two rumble motor wires don't get trapped underneath the board. Use the four alignment posts to ensure the board is properly positioned.

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Step 13 Rubber piece information

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Rubber piece information: step 13, image 1 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Rubber piece information: step 13, image 2 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Rubber piece information: step 13, image 3 of 3

The rubber piece above the status LED may have been dislodged when removing the main board.
If the rubber piece is out of place, remove it and set it aside.
During reassembly, place the rubber piece so the two tabs are on the bottom and towards the back.

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Step 14 Lift the thumbstick covers

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Lift the thumbstick covers: step 14, image 1 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Lift the thumbstick covers: step 14, image 2 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Lift the thumbstick covers: step 14, image 3 of 3

As you remove the thumbstick covers from the thumbsticks, note that they're still tethered to the board with a wire.
Hold the mainboard steady and firmly lift both thumstick covers straight up to separate them from their modules.
During reassembly, the capacitive touch wires should wrap around the thumbstick modules. Place and rotate the covers on their modules until they slide into place. Firmly press down on the covers until they bottom out.

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Step 15 Remove the protective coatings

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the protective coatings: step 15, image 1 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the protective coatings: step 15, image 2 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Remove the protective coatings: step 15, image 3 of 3

The solder joints for the capacitive touch wires are both covered with a dab of clear, protective glue.
Use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat each pad until it becomes soft.
For tips and warnings on heat gun use, check out this guide. For best practices when using a hair dryer, check out this guide.
If you're using a heat gun, hold it at least 4–5 inches (10–12 cm) away from the board and apply heat for only for short periods of time to avoid melting the plastic components on the thumbstick modules.
Use pointed tweezers to slowly peel up and remove both dabs of glue.

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Step 16 Desolder the capacitive touch wires

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Desolder the capacitive touch wires: step 16, image 1 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Desolder the capacitive touch wires: step 16, image 2 of 3

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Desolder the capacitive touch wires: step 16, image 3 of 3

If you're new to soldering, check out our guide on desoldering and soldering connections for helpful tips and tricks.
If your soldering iron has a temperature setting, set it to 350 °C (~650 °F).
Use tweezers to grip one of the capacitive touch wires close to its solder connection.
Press the tip of your iron against the solder connection until it melts, then lift the wire away with the tweezers.
Be careful not to touch the adjacent plastic cover on the thumbstick module with your iron.

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Step 17

Repeat to desolder the second capacitive touch wire.

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Step 18 Solder the capacitive touch wires

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Solder the capacitive touch wires: step 18, image 1 of 2

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement, Solder the capacitive touch wires: step 18, image 2 of 2

Heat the pad with your iron and feed a small amount of solder onto the pad to form a bead.

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Step 19

Steam Controller (2nd Generation) Thumbstick Covers Replacement: step 19, image 3 of 3

Use tweezers to hold the replacement thumbstick cover's capacitive touch wire on the solder bead, so the wire is facing the direction shown in the diagram on the board.
Press the tip of your iron onto the bead until it melts, making sure the wire gets covered with solder for a solid connection.
Repeat the last two steps to solder the second capacitive touch wire.