How to Fix Controller Drift

Certain games require you to use your controller’s thumbsticks more than others.

This means that, from time to time, the sticks on your joystick can get damaged, which will make them drift away by themselves.

If you have gaming experience, then you know that controllers, whether we talk about Xbox, Nintendo Switch or PlayStation controllers, never last forever.

So, many users that have been playing one game or another on their console have mentioned that they have experienced drifting out of nowhere.

This is way more common than you believe, but worry not - we are going to show more than one DIY fix so you can get rid of this annoying issue.

Continue reading to learn more about:

• How to fix controller drift on Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PS4/5;
• Why do so many gamers have the same problem with their controllers?;
• Best ways to fix the problem of drifting on gaming controllers.

What Are the Causes of Controller Drifting Issues?

Drifting is caused when the thumbstick is not responding correctly due to many different reasons.

The most common reason is frequent use - you can’t expect things to last forever!

Other reasons for thumbstick drift include thumbsticks not being positioned correctly, analog drift about to finish its life cycle, and little system bugs that can be fixed by yourself.

Let’s take a closer look at this matter:

1. Nintendo Joy-Con drift issues: Nintendo Switch Joy Cons can experience damage in the entire analog stick module due to their small nature. Nintendo offers free repair for Joy Con controllers if your console is still under warranty;
2. Xbox One and Xbox Series drift issues: Xbox One and Xbox Series controllers can collect a lot of dust, which alters the direction of the sticks, causing analog sticks drift;
3. PlayStation drift issue: DualSense drift is a problem that Dualshock 4 and 5 controllers have! Dualsense controller systems have experienced control sticks drifts since the beginning of Sony’s incursion into the gaming world.

Whether you fix a hard or a light drift, it is utterly important to take care of your wireless controller if you want to avoid these scenarios in the near future.

How To Fix Controller Drift: 5 Proven Methods

Whether you can fix Joy-Con drift, DualSense controller drift or Xbox drift, there are 5 methods that can certainly work for you.

Try these fixes one by one, and you will be able to fix Xbox, Nintendo Switch or PS wireless controller drift problems in no time.

Fix #1: Change Batteries

If your wireless controller does not have enough battery life, then drifting on the analog stick will happen!

In this case, we are talking about just a small bug on your wireless controller, so there’s nothing to worry about.

Try touching the controller to remove the batteries, change them, and then search for a game where you need to use the sticks.

Then, launch the game, and see if the joystick works. As surprising as this might sound, this happens all the time.

Fix #2: Adjust Input Threshold

Input threshold is a feature that PS and Xbox controllers present in some games.

In order to change it, go to your console’s System Settings while on a game, and look for the Input Threshold Option of the stick.

Then, move the stick around, calibrate it, and see if the drifting stopped.

Sometimes, changing your controller settings is more than enough to fix controller drift problems

Fix #3: Update Your Controller’s Firmware

PlayStation and Xbox controller drift bugs can also be caused because your controller is not updated to the latest version.

You must either update system software, or update your controller’s firmware.

Since your controller might not be working right, we recommend you disconnect it from the wireless network, use a USB cable, plug it into your console, and on the home menu, look for Settings.

Then, go to Devices, and see if you must install the latest firmware or not.

If so, simply update the controller, and the analog stick problem should disappear.

Fix #4: Deep Clean with Isopropyl Alcohol

Another great solution for analog stick drifting is to clean your controller. Dust can build up easily whether you frequently use your controller or not.

Use a plastic cap to protect the other parts of the controller while you use a cotton swab to start rubbing alcohol around the stick.

If you have a compressed air gun, use it, but be careful.

Wear and tear is almost unavoidable, but if you properly clean your controller, then the chances of experiencing drifting will lower.

Fix #5: Replace Potentiometer and Other Controller Parts

If nothing of the aforementioned solutions seems to work, then it is time to get a new controller, or get yours repaired.

Only try to repair your controller at your own risk - you will need a pry tool, a desoldering tool, and other things that you might not have at home.

If you don’t want to damage your controller’s sticks or circuit board even more, then get it to a specialized technical service, and let them do the trick.

Wrapping Up: How to Fix Analog Stick Drift

Controller drifting is one of the most annoying things that can happen.

Sadly, most times, the solution to this matter passes through manually repairing the hardware of your device.

This means that you need a prying tool and overall controller design knowledge in order to do this by yourself, which is risky.

Other than that, try using isopropyl alcohol and checking if the drifting is caused by factors that can easily be repaired at home.

For more console care guides, check out Hypenoon’s blog posts.

FAQ

Can You Fix Stick Drift On Nintendo Switch?

Yes! You can set up a Nintendo Switch Joy Con official repair with Nintendo and they will help you solve this problem easily.

How Do You Fix Xbox Drift Problems?

According to Microsoft, the best way to fix Xbox drift is to take them to a specialized Microsoft technical service. Sometimes, soft solutions might work, but this isn’t always the case.