Fixing NES controller button contact

[Osirus23]

I got ahold of a new third party NES controller that has a pretty authentic feel, problem is the D-pad doesn't register Left very well. It doesn't respond sometime and needs to be pushed harder to ensure it reads. Diagonals in that direction are really hard to pull off as a result.

Since it seems to just be one button, is there anything that can be done to improve contact or connection with the silicone and the board?

[pbj]

Lightly sand the pcb