Stick Drift Test
Is your character walking on its own? Leave the sticks alone, press Measure, and see exactly how much they drift.
How to Use the Stick Drift Test
Stick drift means the analog stick reports movement when you aren't touching it. This test shows each stick live, with a red dead zone circle. If the dot sits outside the circle while you don't touch it, you have drift. The 5-second measurement records the biggest resting value and suggests the smallest dead zone that hides it.
- Connect and press a button. The controller appears on the diagram.
- Let go of both sticks. Put the controller on a table.
- Press Measure stick drift. Wait 5 seconds without touching it.
- Read the verdict. Use the suggested dead zone in your game.
How Much Drift Is Too Much?
| Resting value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Under 0.05 | No drift, normal |
| 0.05–0.12 | Slight drift, a small dead zone fixes it |
| 0.12–0.2 | Clear drift, clean or repair |
| Over 0.2 | Severe, replace the stick module |
Why Do Sticks Drift?
Most sticks use potentiometers: small carbon tracks that wear out with use. Dust and grime also get inside. Newer Hall-effect sticks use magnets and rarely drift.
Fixing Stick Drift
- Run the drift measurement and set the suggested dead zone in your game.
- Clean around the stick with isopropyl alcohol, moving it in circles.
- Update the controller firmware.
- If drift is over 0.15 at rest, the stick module is likely worn and needs repair or replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stick drift be fixed?
Often. Cleaning and recalibrating helps mild drift. Bad drift needs a new stick module.
Does Sony or Microsoft fix drift?
Usually under warranty. Contact their support with your test result.
Why does drift come and go?
Dust moves around inside the stick. That is a sign cleaning may help.
What is a Hall-effect stick?
A magnetic stick with no wearing contacts, so it doesn't drift the same way.
Related Tools
Gamepad Tester
Test buttons, triggers and analog stick drift on any controller.
Controller Trigger Test
Check triggers through their full range, min, max and smoothness.
PS5 Controller Tester
Test a DualSense: buttons, sticks, triggers and stick drift.
Mouse Tester
The all-in-one mouse test: buttons, wheel, chatter and polling rate.