Measure the drift first
Open the controller test, connect the controller by USB or Bluetooth, start the test and press any button so the browser detects it.
- Move each stick in full circles a few times, then let go.
- Put the controller on a table so nothing is touching the sticks.
- Click Record 5-second resting test and leave it alone until it finishes.
- Read how far each stick sat from centre, and whether the reading held still or wandered.
Reading the result
| What you see at rest | What it means |
|---|---|
| Both sticks sit very close to zero and hold still | No meaningful drift. Look at the game's settings instead |
| A small, steady offset that stays inside the reference circle | Normal tolerance. A default deadzone hides it |
| A steady offset outside the reference circle | The stick's centre has shifted. Try calibration |
| The reading jumps or creeps while untouched | Dirt or wear in the stick sensor |
| The stick does not return to the same place after each release | A weak or worn centring spring |
The reference circle on the test starts at 5%. It is a visual guide you can change, not a maker's pass or fail limit.
Calibrate the sticks
Calibration tells the device where centre is. It fixes a steady offset and does nothing for a jumping reading.
- Windows: press the Windows key, type joy.cpl and press Enter. Select the controller, choose Properties, then Settings → Calibrate, and follow the steps.
- Steam: open Steam's controller settings, select the controller and use its calibration option. Steam can also set a deadzone for each stick.
- Nintendo Switch: System Settings → Controllers and Sensors → Calibrate Control Sticks.
- Other consoles: check the maker's support pages. Some offer a reset button or a firmware update in place of a calibration screen.
Raise the deadzone
A deadzone is a small area around centre that the game ignores. If your resting reading is 8%, a 10% deadzone stops the unwanted movement straight away. Look in the game's controller settings for inner deadzone, and raise it just past your resting reading. The cost is a little less precision for very small movements.
Clean around the stick
- Switch the controller off and disconnect it.
- Push the stick to one side and blow short bursts of compressed air into the gap at its base. Repeat from each side.
- Rotate the stick in full circles 20 to 30 times, click it in a few times, then repeat the air.
- Reconnect and run the resting test again to compare.
Avoid spraying liquids into the stick unless the maker recommends a specific cleaner, and do not open a controller that is still under warranty.
Update and reconnect
Install any firmware update offered by the maker's app or the console. Then test over a USB cable. If the drift disappears on the cable, the sticks are fine and the wireless link was dropping inputs, which a fresh pairing or a charged battery usually fixes.
When to repair or replace
A stick whose resting reading wanders, or sits far from centre after calibration and cleaning, has a worn sensor. Check the warranty first, since some makers repair drift after the standard period. Use Download readings report on the test to save your numbers for a support request.
Further reference: Official device or browser documentation ↗
Reviewed October 2026 · How we write our guides · Suggest a correction