Skip to main content

Weekend Workshop: How to install LED joystick lights on a PlayStation controller

Oops! We couldn't load this video player
Need something to keep you busy this weekend? Look no further. The Weekend Workshop is our weekly column where we showcase a badass DIY project that you can complete with minimal skills and expertise. We’ve dug through all the online tutorials on the web, and gone the extra mile to pinpoint projects that are equal parts easy, affordable, and fun. So put on your work pants, grab your tool belt, and head to the garage — it’s time to start building!

Despite the high level of excitement and thrills offered by gaming systems, the controllers Microsoft or Sony package with their consoles leave much to be desired. Available in either a stock white or black finish, these traditional controllers are, well, plain. Although companies like Mad Catz offer innovative options for gamers to jazz up their controller game, these offshoots tend to be more of a nuisance than a help — and let’s face it, these are always the controllers Player 2 gets to use.

Recommended Videos

Well, thanks to some handy work by Instructables user Calkinsd9, some simple soldering work coupled with the installation of a few LED lights is all anyone needs to do to give their Sony-issued DualShock 3 controller a welcome facelift. In a walkthrough published to the popular DIY site, Calkinsd9 came up with the idea for LED lighted joysticks not just to give his controller some added color but to fix some of its sticking buttons and triggers. Though the builder took the opportunity of opening the controller to fix a few things under the hood, an ailing controller is not required to pull off this project.

To help you get a head start on this project, we’ve sifted through the walkthrough to find exactly what’s required for successfully installing the LED lights. Due in part to the fact the project requires the use of a soldering iron, we highly recommend you understand how to use one (or recruit someone who does) before undertaking the build. With that said, here’s everything you’ll need to get started:

Tools:

  • Soldering iron
  • X-Acto knife
  • Phillips head screwdriver
  • Glue gun

Materials:

  • 30 AWG wire (two different colors)
  • 3mm red LEDs (4)
  • 82-ohm resistors (2)
  • Solder
  • Clear or opaque thumbstick piece (2)
  • PS3 DualShock controller

After assembling the required tools and materials, it’s now time to start on Calkinsd9’s walkthrough. Just follow each of the clearly defined steps and before long, you’ll have your friends green with envy over your new and improved DualShock controller. Happy building!

The entire step-by-step walkthrough for installing LED lights on a DualShock controller can be found here.

Rick Stella
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rick became enamored with technology the moment his parents got him an original NES for Christmas in 1991. And as they say…
Here’s how to get your PlayStation 2024 wrap-up
PlayStation 2024 warp up banner with astro bot.

Every year, PlayStation lets you take a look back at your year of gaming on its platform. Just like in the Xbox wrap-up, you'll get stats like the number of hours played of the best PS5 games, top-played games, Trophies earned, and more. Stats are available as of December 10 and delivered via email so you can get the full picture of your year. This is a great way to learn your gaming habits before the upcoming PS5 games take over in 2025. Here's how to get yours today.
Your PlayStation 2024 wrap-up

To get your own personalized PlayStation wrap-up, simply head to Sony's wrapup web page and sign in to your PlayStation Network account. This year, all wrap-ups will be sent directly to you via email so all you need to do is make sure you are opted-in to receive PlayStation emails. If you already are, then you can sit back and wait for your personalized breakdown to be sent to you.

Read more
PlayStation gets into the streaming handheld game with Project Q
Project Q and PlayStation earbuds

During the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan revealed Project Q. It's a new handheld streaming device that will allow you to stream any game from your PlayStation 5 console using its remote play function or Wi-Fi.

It doesn't have an official name yet, so it's known internally as Project Q. What we do know is that it has an 8-inch HD screen, plus all of the buttons and features of a DualSense wireless controller.

Read more
PlayStation Showcase 2023: how to watch and what to expect
Miles Morales and Peter Parker stand together in Spider-Man 2.

It's been a very long time since the last PlayStation Showcase. While Sony has held tons of smaller State of Play streams over the years, it doesn't often host Nintendo Direct-sized events that give a wide picture of what's coming to the PS5. That'll change later today when the company hosts a proper PlayStation Showcase, just a few weeks before Summer Game Fest.

Details on what we'll see at the event are sparse, even hours ahead of the showcase, but there's a lot we can already predict. You won't want to miss out on this one, so here's everything you need to know so you can catch it when it right when it airs.
When is PlayStation Showcase?

Read more