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Connect your controller via USB cable or Bluetooth, then press any button to begin the drift test. We support PS5 DualSense, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers, and most PC gamepads.
Specific test for PlayStation 5 controllers with DualSense-focused troubleshooting guide.
Test Xbox Series X|S, One, and Elite controllers with Xbox-specific calibration tips.
Check your Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons for the infamous drift issue. Free repair info included.
Stick drift (also called analog drift, joystick drift, or controller drift) is a hardware malfunction where your controller's analog sticks register input even when you aren't touching them. If you've ever had your character walk off a cliff on its own, your camera spin uncontrollably, or your aim slowly creep to the side during an intense gunfight—you've experienced stick drift.
This frustrating issue affects virtually every modern gaming controller, from the PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X|S controller to the notoriously affected Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons. In fact, controller drift has become so widespread that it's spawned multiple class-action lawsuits against all three major console manufacturers.
Inside every analog stick is a component called a potentiometer—a small sensor that tracks the position of the stick. As you move the stick, a metal wiper slides across a resistive track, changing the electrical resistance and telling the controller exactly where the stick is positioned.
The problem? These potentiometers are rated for approximately 2 million cycles. That sounds like a lot, until you consider that a single hour of gameplay can involve thousands of micro-movements. Competitive gamers, especially those playing fast-paced shooters like Call of Duty, Fortnite, or Apex Legends, can burn through this lifespan in just 400-500 hours of play—sometimes as little as 4-7 months of regular use.
The potentiometers used in PS5, Xbox, and Switch controllers are primarily manufactured by ALPS Alpine, a Japanese company. All three console makers use nearly identical components, which is why drift affects all platforms equally.
While all modern controllers can develop drift, some are more notorious than others:
Our stick drift test uses the Web Gamepad API to read raw, unfiltered input values directly from your controller's firmware. This is the exact same data that games receive, making our test 100% accurate for detecting drift issues.
Grade A: Your controller is in excellent condition. No action needed—keep gaming!
Grade B: Minor drift detected. You can likely fix this with cleaning (compressed air or isopropyl alcohol) or by adjusting your in-game deadzone settings.
Grade F: Significant drift that will affect gameplay. Consider our repair guide or look into warranty replacement options.
Yes! Many drift cases can be resolved without disassembly. Try cleaning the base of the analog stick with 90% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, blowing compressed air into the mechanism, or adjusting your game's deadzone settings. These methods successfully fix drift in approximately 40% of cases.
Unfortunately, quality control isn't perfect. Some controllers ship with pre-existing defects or develop drift within the first few weeks due to manufacturing variations. If your controller drifts within the warranty period, contact the manufacturer for a free replacement.
Standard warranties typically cover drift: Sony offers 1 year, Microsoft offers 90 days (1 year for Elite controllers), and Nintendo famously offers free Joy-Con repairs regardless of warranty status due to their lawsuit settlement. Always check your specific warranty terms.
The Gamepad API has limited support on mobile browsers. For the most reliable results, use a desktop or laptop computer with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Controller support varies by device and operating system.
Hall Effect sensors are a drift-resistant alternative to potentiometers. Instead of physical contact, they use magnets to detect position, meaning they don't wear out over time. Controllers like the GuliKit KingKong 2 Pro and replacement thumbstick modules use this technology for "drift-free" operation.
Generally, drift under 5% (or 0.05 on our scale) is imperceptible during normal gameplay. Between 5-10% you may notice slight movement in menus or when aiming. Above 10%, drift becomes a significant gameplay issue that requires attention.
Different games have different deadzone settings. A game with a large default deadzone (like many racing games) may mask your drift, while a shooter with precise aiming and small deadzones makes it immediately apparent. The drift exists regardless—some games just hide it better.
Rarely. While most drift is hardware-related, some firmware updates have been reported to introduce or worsen drift-like symptoms. If your controller suddenly developed drift after an update, try reverting the firmware if possible, or contact the manufacturer.
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