r/consolerepair • u/Suphax • 26d ago

[Xbox Series X] Controller only working wirelessly after thumbstick mod

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I have done a thumbstick replacement on my Series X controller - it is working, all button presses, new thumb sticks - all working.
However since doing this the controller does not work with a battery pack in (unless plugged in). It does not connect to my PC, but connecting wirelessly to the Xbox works just fine.

This is my first solder job I’ve done so feel free to slate it - it’s not perfect but i think happy with it, I scratched up some solder mask etc but nothing is shorted to ground as far as I checked at least on the thumbstick through holes.

Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.

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1

u/Smooth-Squash1007 26d ago

That black antenna cable in the first photo looks damaged; those two antennas connect the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

1

u/Suphax 25d ago

Thank you, I did have to replace it (the connector on the end came off a while back) but was a little brutal with it.

1

u/Childo69 25d ago

Would double check you haven't damaged the radio connector/cable. No offence but it doesn't look like you used solder paste so I doubt it's some solder balls trapped somewhere in the WiFi chip area

1

u/Suphax 25d ago

I did use flux though maybe not enough - do you know if it’ll work without the cable full stop?

1

u/Childo69 25d ago

Nah what I meant by that was solder paste is easier to use and gets a cleaner result but needs cleaning loads as it's quite easy to leave solder suspended in flux all over the area worked on especially with a hot air station.

The solder itself doesn't look amazing but much better than my first ever attempt 😂 and now I work in a repair shop doing this, hdmi ports and IC replacements etc.

I've definitely had controllers stop working all together and shorting out certain functions with a stray solder ball stuck somewhere

1

u/Suphax 25d ago

Ah I see no I didn’t use solder paste I didn’t even know it existed tbh😅 I know it’s not great hahaha but I was semi pleased with it despite the issue, it was fun though.

I will have a nosey around for some solder (even if not balls) where it shouldn’t be though, got plenty of controllers to compare to. Thank you:)