Stick Drift Test
Find out if your controller has joystick drift. Connect it, leave the sticks alone and press Check drift: the test measures how far each stick sits from center and tells you the dead zone you need.
- Runs in your browser
- Nothing is uploaded
- Free, no sign-up
Left stick
Right stick
No controller found yet. Connect it by USB or Bluetooth, then press any button on it.
| At rest | Verdict | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 1% or less | Excellent | As good as new. No dead zone needed. |
| 1-5% | Normal | Normal sensor noise. Default game dead zones hide it. |
| 5-10% | Noticeable | Slow camera creep in some games. Raise the dead zone or clean the stick. |
| Over 10% | Needs attention | Clear drift. The stick module is worn or dirty; try the fixes below. |
How to test for stick drift
- Connect your controller by USB cable or Bluetooth, then press any button on it. Browsers only show a controller after a button press.
- Move both sticks. The dots should follow smoothly and return to the center cross when you let go.
- Put the controller down on a table and press Check drift. After a 3-second countdown the test measures both sticks for 3 seconds while nobody touches them.
- Read At rest for each stick and the result line. Then slowly rotate each stick around its outer edge a few times to draw the green outer range circle.
- Use the Dead zone ring slider to see how large a dead zone would hide any drift you found.
What the results mean
At rest is how far the stick reports itself from the center while untouched, as a percentage of full tilt. Every stick has a little noise, so small numbers are normal:
- 1% or less, excellent: as good as new.
- 1-5%, normal: ordinary sensor noise. Default game dead zones hide this completely.
- 5-10%, noticeable: you may see slow camera creep in some games. A slightly larger dead zone or cleaning usually solves it.
- Over 10%, needs attention: clear stick drift. Characters walk or the camera turns on its own. The stick module is worn or dirty.
The table under the test marks the row your worse stick falls in, Dead zone shows the smallest dead zone that hides its resting offset (2% above it), and the slider moves to that value so you can see the ring.
Outer range is the average distance the stick reaches at full tilt. Around 100% (often 100-115% on the diagonals) is normal. Circularity error appears once you have rotated the stick all the way round: it is the average gap between the green trace and the outer circle, which is the ideal full-tilt circle. Lower is rounder. Many pads read a little past 100% on the diagonals, which adds a few percent; a large number with a dent in the trace means the stick cannot reach full tilt in that direction. Much lower than 100% in one direction means the stick cannot reach full tilt there, which feels like a sluggish turn in games. A dot that jitters or jumps while you hold the stick still is also a sign of a worn potentiometer.
What causes stick drift?
Most controllers measure stick position with small potentiometers: a wiper sliding over a resistive track. Over time the track wears, and dust, skin oils and debris get inside. The reading at rest then no longer matches the true center, so the console thinks you are pushing the stick slightly. PS5 DualSense, PS4 DualShock 4, Xbox, Switch Joy-Con and Pro controllers can all develop drift, usually after a year or more of heavy use. Newer Hall effect and TMR sticks use magnets instead and are far less prone to wear.
Joystick drift test for PS5, Xbox and Switch controllers
This joystick tester works with any controller your browser can see: PlayStation pads by USB or Bluetooth, Xbox controllers by USB, the wireless adapter or Bluetooth, Switch Pro controllers and most PC gamepads. To check every button and trigger as well, use the full gamepad tester. If your mouse or keyboard is the problem instead, try the mouse tester.
Common problems and fixes
Clean the stick
Turn the controller off. Push the stick fully to one side and spray a short burst of compressed air under the cap, then rotate the stick in circles. Repeat for each direction. A little isopropyl alcohol (90%+) on a cotton swab around the base can help; let it dry fully before use.
Recalibrate the controller
On Xbox and PC, Windows has a calibration tool: press Win+R, type joy.cpl, select the controller, Properties > Settings > Calibrate. On Switch go to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Calibrate Control Sticks. PS5 has no calibration menu, but updating the controller firmware from Settings > Accessories can help.
Increase the dead zone
Most games have a dead zone setting under Controls or Advanced controller settings. Set it a few points above the At rest value this test shows. On Steam you can set dead zones per controller in Controller Settings.
Repair or replace
If cleaning does not help, the stick module is worn. Check the warranty first. Replacing the module needs soldering on most controllers; Hall effect replacement sticks fix drift for good on many models.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my controller has stick drift?
Why does my controller not show up?
Can stick drift fix itself?
What dead zone should I use?
Does this work for PS5 DualSense drift?
Is a little movement at rest normal?
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