Stick Drift Test
Connect your controller, let go of both sticks, and find out in 3 seconds whether either one drifts.
Getting ready…
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 both sticks every 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.
Nothing is installed and nothing leaves your device. The whole test runs inside 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.
Mouse acting up as well? The mouse double click test finds a worn switch that turns one click into two.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is stick drift?
Stick 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 two-stick controller your browser recognizes over USB or Bluetooth, including Xbox, DualSense, DualShock 4, Switch Pro and most PC gamepads. A single Joy-Con has only one stick, so the test cannot check it on its own yet.
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.