If you're the type of individual who dislikes the idea of providing Microsoft another $65 for a new controller( or more than $100 for an Elite Series 2)because you understand there's just one part broken, Microsoft has a store for you. It's little, however it's something.
Direct from Microsoft, you can now purchase a half-dozen Xbox repair work and replacement parts for both the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and the basic Xbox Wireless Controller. Each controller has leading cases and button replacement sets in black and white, plus the two inner circuit boards that provide charging, input, vibration, and, obviously, sockets with brand-new potentiometers installed to repair stick drift.
Parts by themselves aren't that helpful to most of us, though, so Microsoft is also supplying writtenand video guides. The videos are basically full teardowns of each controller. The Elite Series 2 requires a plastic pry tool (aka spudger), a T6 and T8 screwdriver, and tweezers. The videos are practical and targeted at all skill levels. "Always press far from yourself when using pry tools, so if you slip you won't damage yourself" is recommendations I have actually refused to accept a number of times.
At $ 35, the drift-fixing "Replacement PCBA and Motor Assembly" (i.e., controller sub-board, or "daughterboard") for the basic Wireless Controller is definitely cheaper than buying an entire brand-new controller, but it's also a task requiring some wire-running perseverance. Repair shop iFixit sells the majority of the very same parts, including some individual components, like joystick modules, for those with a solder iron and the will to use it. iFixit's stock is less specific (they're presently out of controller sub-boards), but they use a life time assurance on numerous parts.
Microsoft's offering of official parts follows its contract to expand parts and repair work options after a 2021 contract with activist shareholders. Ever since, the business has posted its own teardown and repair work videos for Surface Laptopsand began offering parts for Surface gadgets. The business's pivot to offer more at-home service choices likewise comes a couple of years after it closed its retailers.
Disclosure: Kevin Purdy formerly worked for iFixit. He has no monetary involvement with the business.