Microsoft keeps pushing toward repairability, now with Xbox controller parts

Enlarge / Microsoft does not currently sell an Xbox-branded repair tray with dozens of perfect little slots for screws and components. But there’s nothing stopping them from doing so, I might suggest. (credit: Microsoft/YouTube)

If you’re the type of person who hates the idea of giving Microsoft another $65 for a new controller (or more than $100 for an Elite Series 2) because you know there’s just one part broken, Microsoft has a store for you. It’s small, but it’s something.

Direct from Microsoft, you can now buy a half-dozen Xbox repair and replacement parts for both the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and the standard Xbox Wireless Controller. Each controller has top cases and button replacement sets in black and white, plus the two inner circuit boards that provide charging, input, vibration, and, of course, sockets with new potentiometers installed to fix stick drift.

Parts on their own aren’t that helpful to most of us, though, so Microsoft is also providing written and video guides. The videos are essentially 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 helpful and aimed at all skill levels. “Always push away from yourself when using pry tools, so if you slip you won’t harm yourself” is advice I have refused to accept a number of times.