Help! My PS5 Controller’s Down Arrow is Stuck – Any Fixes?

You might want to try blowing into the D-pad or using a vacuum to get rid of any debris that's causing a short. If that doesn't work, disassembling the controller for a thorough cleaning might help. If all else fails, you might need to consider replacing the controller or its internal parts.

I noticed something interesting too: when I press the down arrow, it sometimes sends a signal for right. That could indicate something is messed up within the D-pad. You might really want to open it up and have a look.

Those D-pad buttons use rubber membrane contacts, so if something conductive is between the membrane and the board, it can cause issues. Checking out a teardown guide on sites like iFixit could be really helpful. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, any decent electronics repair person should be able to help with this. If it still doesn't work after cleaning, you might need a new controller.