GearCheckHow to test your controller
- Connect the controller with a USB cable or Bluetooth, then press any button — it appears instantly.
- Press every button. Each one lights up on the picture and in the list, and turns green once tested.
- Squeeze the triggers slowly. The bars should rise smoothly from 0 to 100% with no jumps.
- Rotate both sticks around their full edge. The dot should trace a smooth circle that reaches the outside.
- Run the drift check with your hands off the sticks.
Choose your controller
The tester works with all of them, but these pages use the exact button names and give model-specific tips:
- PS5 controller test — DualSense and DualSense Edge
- PS4 controller test — DualShock 4
- Xbox controller test — Xbox One, Series X|S and Elite
- Switch Pro Controller test — on PC, Mac and Android
Stick drift: what it is and how to fix it
Drift is when a thumbstick reports movement while you aren't touching it, so your character walks or the camera turns on its own. It's caused by wear and dust inside the potentiometers that measure stick position. The drift check measures it precisely:
| Resting value | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Below 0.05 | No drift |
| 0.05–0.12 | Slight; hidden by normal game deadzones |
| 0.12–0.25 | Noticeable; raise the deadzone in game settings |
| Above 0.25 | Severe; clean or replace the stick module |
- Rotate the stick firmly around its edge 20–30 times — this sometimes clears dust.
- With the controller off, spray a short burst of compressed air under the stick's rubber edge while moving it.
- Increase the deadzone in your game's settings (use the slider above to see how big a deadzone hides your drift).
- Check the warranty — many manufacturers replace drifting controllers.
Triggers and buttons
Analog triggers should read 0% at rest and 100% when fully pressed. If a trigger never reaches 100%, a game may not register full acceleration or aim; if it rests above 0%, it can cause constant slow movement. A button that flickers on and off while held usually has a dirty contact.
More tests
Gaming on PC? Check your keyboard and mouse, then make sure your monitor runs at full speed with the refresh rate test.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my controller not detected?
Browsers only reveal a controller after you press a button while this page is open, for privacy. Connect it by USB or Bluetooth, click the page once, then press any button. If it still doesn’t appear, check that the operating system sees it (Windows: Settings → Bluetooth & devices; Mac: System Settings → Game Controllers).
How do I test for stick drift?
Press Check stick drift and let go of both sticks for three seconds. The test measures how far each stick reports from the center while untouched. Under 0.05 is perfect, up to about 0.12 is normal and hidden by game deadzones, and higher values mean the stick will move characters or the camera on its own.
Does vibration work in the browser?
In Chrome and Edge, yes, for most Xbox and PlayStation controllers. Firefox and Safari don’t support vibration yet. On Xbox controllers in Chrome on Windows, the Trigger rumble button also tests the impulse trigger motors.
What does “non-standard mapping” mean?
The browser recognises common controllers and maps them to a standard layout so button names match. Unrecognised controllers still work, but buttons may appear under different numbers. The raw button and axis values are still shown so you can see that every input works.
Can I test two controllers at once?
Yes. Connect both and press a button on each — tabs appear so you can switch between Controller 1, 2, 3 and 4. Tested buttons are remembered separately for each.