How to test your controller
- Connect the controller with a USB cable that carries data (some charge-only cables don't) or pair it over Bluetooth, then press any button. Browsers hide controllers until you press something.
- Press every button once. Each one lights up on the diagram and gets a tick in the list, so a dead button stands out immediately.
- Squeeze both triggers slowly: the bars should move smoothly from 0% to 100% without jumps.
- Run the four health tests, then read or share the health report.
Reading the results
Stick drift is the distance between where a stick rests and the true centre, as a percentage of full travel. New controllers normally rest within 1–3%. From 5% the stick is wearing, and from 10% most players see drift in games, because typical in-game deadzones start around 5–10%. A high noise value means the reading jitters at rest, which is often the first sign of a worn potentiometer.
The recommended deadzone is the largest resting reading plus a 2% margin. Set your game's inner (or "stick") deadzone to at least that value and drift should stop moving your character. Keep it as low as you can, because a bigger deadzone makes aiming less precise.
Circularity error compares the edge each stick reaches with a perfect circle. Many healthy controllers report 5–10%, often because they overshoot slightly at the diagonals, which games correct. A high error, or a direction that cannot reach close to full travel, means worn gates or sensors and can cap your top speed in one direction.
The input update rate shows how often the browser received new readings. It depends on the connection and the browser's own polling, so use it to compare wired and wireless rather than as the controller's official polling rate.
Tips for popular controllers
- PS5 DualSense and DualSense Edge: the touchpad click and all buttons register in Chrome and Edge, and rumble works there too. Adaptive trigger resistance and the built-in speaker can't be reached from a browser. If the controller misbehaves, press the reset button in the small hole on the back near L2 for about five seconds. The DualSense Edge's stick modules can be swapped without tools.
- Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One: on Windows, Chrome and Edge can also drive the impulse triggers with the trigger rumble button. Update the firmware with the Xbox Accessories app before judging drift; the Elite Series 2 lets you set deadzones there as well.
- Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch: the original Switch Pro Controller works in Chrome over USB or Bluetooth. Computer support for Switch 2 controllers is still patchy, so if yours doesn't appear here, use the console's own check: open System Settings, go to the controllers section and choose Calibrate Control Sticks.
- Steam Deck: in Desktop Mode, Steam usually presents the built-in controls to the browser as a virtual Xbox-style controller, so results include Steam's own processing. To recalibrate or change the stick deadzone, go to Settings, Controller, Calibration & Advanced Settings in Game Mode.
How to fix stick drift
- Rule out software. Rotate the stick a few times, run the drift test again and update the controller's firmware. Recalibrate where the platform supports it.
- Raise the deadzone in your game or in Steam Input to the recommended value above. This hides mild drift instantly.
- Clean it. With the controller off, blow short bursts of compressed air around the base of the stick while rotating it. Dust under the stick cap is a common cause of early drift.
- Use the warranty. Drift is a known wear fault. Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo repair or replace controllers under warranty, and in the EU the seller must fix faults for at least two years. Opening the controller usually voids this.
- Replace the stick. Out of warranty, a repair shop can fit a new stick module, often upgraded to Hall-effect or TMR sensors that measure position with magnets instead of wearing contacts.
Buying or selling a used controller
Sellers can run every test, click Copy report link and paste it into the listing: the buyer sees the same pass and fail checks with the exact numbers. Buyers should treat a link as a claim, not proof, and run this page themselves on collection. It works on a phone with a Bluetooth controller too. Also check the keys on your other gear with the keyboard tester and mouse test, and see how fast you react with the reaction time test.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my controller for stick drift?
Connect the controller, press any button so the browser can see it, then click Start drift test and put the controller down. After a 3-second countdown the tester measures where each stick rests for 3 seconds and reports the offset from centre as a percentage, its direction and a pass, warning or fail verdict.
How much stick drift is normal?
New controllers usually rest within 1–3% of centre. This tester passes a stick under 5%, warns from 5% to 10% (early wear that in-game deadzones usually hide) and fails it at 10% or more, where most players notice the character or camera moving on its own.
Why isn't my controller detected?
Press a button after connecting: browsers hide controllers until they receive a button press. If it still doesn't appear, try a different USB cable (some only charge), re-pair Bluetooth, close apps such as Steam or DS4Windows that may take over the controller, and note that privacy-hardened browsers (for example Tor Browser) switch the Gamepad API off.
Can I test a PS5 or Xbox controller on my phone?
Yes. Pair the controller with your phone over Bluetooth and open this page in Chrome on Android or Safari on iPhone and iPad. Both support the Gamepad API, so buttons, sticks and the drift and circularity tests work the same way.
Why doesn't the vibration test work?
Rumble depends on the browser. Chrome and Edge support it for most controllers, and on Windows they can also drive Xbox impulse triggers. Recent Safari supports basic rumble for some controllers, while Firefox generally doesn't. If the test runs but you feel nothing, try full strength and a USB cable before assuming a motor is broken.
What deadzone should I set for a drifting stick?
Use the recommended deadzone from the drift test: the largest resting reading plus a 2% margin. Enter it as the inner or stick deadzone in your game or in Steam Input. Keep it as small as possible, because every extra percent of deadzone makes small aiming movements less precise.
What is a good circularity error?
Up to about 10% average error is normal: many healthy sticks overshoot slightly at the diagonals, which games correct. Between 10% and 20% is worth watching, and above 20%, or a direction that cannot reach at least 75% of full travel, points to worn stick gates or sensors.
Can I trust a controller report someone sent me?
A shared report shows exactly what the seller's test measured, but the numbers live in the link and can be edited. Use it to shortlist, then ask the seller to run the test live on a video call or run it yourself when you collect the controller.