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How to Help Sticky Keys for a PS3 Controller

Over time, the buttons on a PS3 controller become sticky -- they stay down when pressed instead of popping back up. The most common cause is dirt from sweaty and unclean hands, which seeps into the cracks around the buttons. This can be resolved by cleaning around the buttons. If your analog stick has become sticky, causing characters to constantly run in one direction, this is probably because the controller was placed upside down for too long. This keeps the stick pushed toward one direction. The best solution for that problem is to store the analog stick properly.

Things You'll Need

Cotton swab
Rubbing alcohol
Water
Lint-free cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Dilute the rubbing alcohol in the water. Mix together 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol with 1 tablespoon of water.
- 2
  Dip the very tip of the cotton swab into the alcohol and water mixture. Do not dip the entire swab. You want just a small amount of liquid on the tip of the cotton swab.
- 3
  Rub the tip of the cotton swab around a button and inside the cracks. The tip will not go far into the cracks. Do not force it.
- 4
  Repeat Step 3 with each button, the D-pad and the analog sticks. Dip the tip of the cotton swab into the liquid again when it becomes dry.
- 5
  Wipe down the entire controller with the lint-free cloth.
- 6
  Set the controller somewhere out of the way, with the analog sticks facing up. Leave it to dry for 12 hours or more. It must be completely dry before using.

Video Game Accessories