Stick Drift Test
Connect your controller, let go of the sticks, and find out in 3 seconds whether they drift.
Getting ready…
Choose Your Controller
How It Works
Your browser reads the controller the same way browser games do. Each stick reports its position as two numbers, left to right and up to down, each from −1 to 1. A healthy stick at rest sits at or very near zero on both.
When you start the test, the page records every stick each frame for 3 seconds while your hands are off. Averaging those readings cancels random sensor noise and leaves only the steady offset. That steady offset is drift.
It works the same over USB or Bluetooth, since both report the same stick position. Nothing is installed, and the readings never leave this page.
Interpreting Your Result
Below 0.08 is a pass. Every stick has a little electrical noise, and this is within what new controllers report.
Between 0.08 and 0.20 is slight drift. Many games ignore stick movement this small, but it can show in games with small or adjustable deadzones. Retest in a few weeks to see whether it is growing.
Above 0.20 is drift you will feel in games: your character creeps or the camera turns on its own. Compressed air around the stick base sometimes helps. A worn sensor needs a repair or a replacement stick module.
If the test says a stick moved, it was touched while measuring. Put the controller on a flat surface and run it again.
Not sure how high to set your deadzone? The controller deadzone test recommends the lowest setting that hides your drift, stick by stick.
Buttons acting up as well? The gamepad tester lights every button as you press it and catches any that are stuck or press on their own.
Testing a DualSense or DualShock 4? The PS5 controller test checks its drift along with every button and both triggers.
Testing a Joy-Con? The Joy-Con drift test draws a single Joy-Con or a pair as they look, and checks their buttons and ZL or ZR along with the drift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is stick drift?
Stick drift, also called joystick or controller drift, is when an analog stick reports movement while nobody is touching it. In games it shows up as a character walking or a camera turning on its own.
What causes stick drift?
Usually wear inside the stick. Most controllers measure stick position with potentiometers whose contact surfaces wear down or collect dust over time, so the resting position no longer reads as center.
How do I fix stick drift?
Start with the free fixes: update the controller’s firmware, blow compressed air around the base of the stick while rotating it, and raise the deadzone in the game’s settings. If the drift comes back, the stick sensor is worn and the stick module needs replacing. Drift is a well-known fault, so check your warranty before paying for a repair.
Does this work with PS5, Xbox and Switch controllers?
Yes. It works with any controller with analog sticks that your browser recognizes over USB or Bluetooth, including Xbox, DualSense, DualShock 4, Switch Pro, Joy-Con and most PC gamepads.
How do I test a Joy-Con for stick drift?
Pair the Joy-Con with your computer over Bluetooth: hold the small sync button on its rail until the lights run, then choose it in your Bluetooth settings. Open this page in Chrome or Edge and press a button on the Joy-Con. A single Joy-Con is tested on its one stick. Pair both and Chrome joins them into one controller, so both sticks are tested together. Chrome applies the Joy-Con’s own factory deadzone, so movement too small to get past it reads as exactly zero.
Why does my controller not show up?
Browsers hide controllers until a button is pressed, to protect your privacy. Press any button after connecting. If it still does not appear, reconnect it or try another USB port or browser.