Steam-Controller-Guide

Steam Controller (2015) Soldering Guide

Follow the Teardown Guide first to get the board out.

Desoldering the battery contacts can help if you don’t have good holder so the board stays flat on the surface it’s on
Be careful not to rip pads off, if something isn’t loose try heating it up more, adding extra solder / flux can help
Sometimes solder wick is better than using a desoldering pump / desoldering iron
Use a fine soldering tip to clean the holes and when soldering wires
Use solder wick, isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs to clean up residue
Use flux to improve solder joints

Try a desoldering pump / desoldering iron on the legs
If that doesn’t work, try separating the potentiometers from the module so they can be desoldered separately
Prying upwards from the bottom of the joystick module can also help but be careful not to damage the board

Try a desoldering pump / desoldering iron on the legs
If that doesn’t work, try adding extra solder, heating it up with a soldering iron and pulling the antenna out with pliers / tweezers while it’s hot

Use a hot air gun if possible
If you don’t own a hot air gun or it doesn’t work try covering the port in solder, heating it up with a soldering iron and pulling the port off with pliers / tweezers while it’s hot
- Use a knife soldering tip as it has a big and flat surface that’s easier to heat up the port with