Repairing Guides

how to repair controller drift

by Abbey Mraz Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How to Fix Controller Drift

  • Reset Your Controller. Many of the issues you encounter with your controller can be fixed by resetting it using the...
  • Wipe Your Controller. The next method you should try is cleaning your controller’s surface. Dust and grime are mortal...
  • Clean The Internals of Your Controller. It’s possible the real culprit for the analog stick drift is an...

Once you've gathered those items, here's how to perform the fix:
  1. Apply isopropyl alcohol to a cotton swab. ...
  2. Pry back the thumbstick, and carefully wipe the rounded surface with alcohol. ...
  3. Rotate the thumbstick incrementally, carefully cleaning the entire thing.
Apr 18, 2022

Full Answer

How to get rid of controller drift?

To perform this fix, you’ll need:

  • Isopropyl alcohol
  • Cotton swabs
  • Prying tool
  • T-8 or T-9 safety Torx
  • Shim of your choosing or replacement thumbstick pads

How to stop controller drifting?

  • Open your drifting Joy-Con and be careful to remember where each screw goes.
  • Cut out a small square of either foam or cardboard. ...
  • Use some adhesive to attach this square cut out to the back of the metal casing. ...
  • Screw the Joy-Con casing back into place.

How to fix controller drifting without opening?

  • First, you need the following items: 70% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 3-4 Cotton Swabs
  • Remove the batteries from your Xbox controller.
  • If you are using an Xbox Elite controller, make sure the controller is powered down.
  • Pour some isopropyl alcohol on tip of a cotton swab.
  • Make sure to use a generous amount and let the cotton soak all of it.

More items...

How can I Fix my controller problem?

Turn over the controller to find the reset button, which is a tiny hole located next to the screw beside the L2 button. Press the reset button with a thin pin, paperclip, or something else. Hold it for 5 seconds and release. Try to charge the controller again.

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Summary

It’s annoying to encounter the PS4 controller drift issue. How to fix PS4 controller drift? This post from MiniTool gives solutions to you and also introduces the reasons for the PS4 controller drift issue. Now, keep on your reading.

Solution 1: Reset Your PS4 Controller

How to fix stick drift PS4? You can reset your PS4 controller. Here is how to do that:

Solution 2: Clean Your PS4 Controller

How to fix PS4 controller drift? Use a dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe the gap of the analog rocker. To remove dirt, use a cotton swab dipped in a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol. If you see unreachable dirt, you can use compressed air to remove it.

Solution 3: Contact Sony

If your controller is relatively new, it may still be under warranty. Go to the PlayStation Repair and Replacement page, select DualShock 4, and follow the prompts to see if you are eligible for free repair or replacement.

Solution 4: Disassemble the PS4 controller to Clean the Analog Stick

To perform a deep cleaning of the controller input, you must remove the casing and lift the battery to access the motherboard. Use a cotton swab and a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol. Do not use pressurized air on internal components.

Solution 5: Replace the PS4 Analog Stick

If you want, you can try to replace the analog joystick and potentiometer (the sensor of the analog joystick). In addition to the parts that can be purchased online, you will also need a soldering iron. Unless you want to do it yourself, buying a new controller is a cheaper and simpler solution.

Why does my controller drift?

Naturally, the most common reason why controllers run into drift, sooner or later, is because they are prone to wear and tear. Take the DualSense, for example. The joystick component, responsible for the longevity of your controller and preventing drift, has an operating life of about 2 million input cycles. That translates to about 400 hours of Call Of Duty gameplay .

How to prevent stick drift?

The best way to prevent stick drift is to make sure your controller isn't passively exposed to stuff that might be floating in the air. Put it in a cupboard that's clean inside, to make sure your controller is basically living in a quarantine zone from The Last Of Us.

What does drift mean on a Nintendo Switch?

The Nintendo Switch has a handy calibration function in its settings, which will help the controller figure out where the stick's neutral point really is. A neutral point simply translates to the resting position of the stick. Drift causes your controller to think the neutral point is floating around.

What protects the joystick from dust particles?

All that protects the joystick component from outside agents, like dust particles or grime, is a thin flap of soft plastic. If that flap is lifted, perhaps while you play, all sorts of stuff could get in your controller and give Link an excuse to fall off a mountain.

Can a controller survive a nuclear blast?

Controllers are simply not built to last indefinitely. However, no one is expecting them to survive a nuclear blast. It's unfortunate that many users consistently run into Joy-Con and DualSense drift, especially considering both the PS5 and Nintendo Switch are relatively new consoles.

Can dust get into a controller?

Believe it or not, grime and dust can get into your controller and ruin your game time. This can easily happen without you realizing. Perhaps you are packing your controller along with your games before a trip, and you shove everything in an old bag.

Do controllers get more expensive?

Controllers keep getting more expensive as console generations go by, and yet, if you own a DualSense or a pair of Joy-Cons, chances are you came across drift more than once. But don't fret, there are some things you can do in order to mitigate the situation.

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