How to use the controller tester
Connect the controller, press a button, and it appears with every button, trigger and stick. Buttons light up when pressed, and triggers show how far they are pulled from 0.00 to 1.00. The stick drawings show the live position and a short trail, so you can see jumps or dead spots.
If the page says mapping: none, your browser does not know the button layout of this controller. Buttons and axes still show, but the names may not match the labels on the controller.
How to check for stick drift
- Connect the controller and press any button so it appears.
- Put the controller down and do not touch the sticks.
- Press Measure drift. After 3 seconds you get the largest movement each stick reported while nobody touched it.
| Resting value | What it means |
|---|---|
| Under 5% | Normal. Games ignore this with their deadzone. |
| 5% to 12% | Mild drift. You may notice it in menus or in games with a small deadzone. |
| Over 12% | Clear drift. The stick reports movement on its own. |
The dashed circle on the stick drawing shows the measured drift zone. The Circularity test checks the outer edge: rotate each stick slowly around the rim. A healthy stick traces a near perfect circle. Large gaps or bulges mean the stick cannot reach full range in some directions.
How to fix stick drift
- Recalibrate. On Windows, open Control Panel, Devices and Printers, right-click the controller, Game controller settings, Properties, Settings, Calibrate. On Steam, open Settings, Controller, and run the calibration for your controller.
- Clean the stick. Push the stick to one side and spray compressed air into the gap at the base, then rotate it in circles. Repeat on all sides. Dust inside the sensor is a common cause of drift.
- Update the firmware. Xbox controllers update through the Xbox Accessories app. PlayStation controllers update on the console or with Sony's firmware updater on PC.
- Raise the deadzone in the game settings as a workaround.
- Repair or replace. Drift that survives cleaning usually means a worn potentiometer. Check your warranty first. Replacement stick modules with Hall effect sensors do not wear the same way.
Browser and connection support
| Browser | Buttons and sticks | Vibration |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome, Edge | Yes | Yes, for most Xbox and PlayStation controllers |
| Firefox | Yes | Limited |
| Safari (Mac, iPhone, iPad) | Yes, for MFi, Xbox and PlayStation controllers | No |
Wired USB gives the most reliable results. Over Bluetooth some controllers report fewer buttons or skip vibration, depending on the system.
Using a specific controller? Open the PS5 controller tester, the PS4 controller tester or the Xbox controller tester for button names and fixes for that model.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions people ask most about this test.
How do I test my controller on PC?
Connect the controller with USB or Bluetooth, open this page and press any button. Every button, trigger and stick appears and reacts as you use them.
How do I know if my controller has stick drift?
Put the controller down and press Measure drift. If a stick reports more than about 5% movement while nobody touches it, it is drifting.
Does this work with Nintendo Switch controllers?
The Switch Pro Controller works in Chrome and Edge over USB or Bluetooth. Joy-Cons show up as separate controllers.
Why does my controller not show up?
Press any button after connecting. Browsers hide controllers until you press a button. If it still does not appear, try a different USB cable (some only carry power), another port, or pair it again over Bluetooth.
Is the controller tester free and safe?
Yes. It runs in your browser, needs no download, and does not send any data from your controller anywhere.