How To Fix A Stuck Xbox Joystick

It is very rare for a new console to release without some kind of issue. The best nosotros equally early on adopters can hope for is that they are minor, possibly fixed with some tweaks in the settings menu, and non as severe every bit the infamous reddish band of expiry that plagued the early version of the Xbox 360. Unfortunately, Sony's PlayStation 5, or more specifically the DualSense controller, has been gaining a lot of negative attention for a fault in the joysticks. The effect of joystick migrate is well-nigh identical to the one seen with Nintendo's Joycons, in that case chosen Joycon migrate, except that it is showing up much sooner in the controller's life.

If you're noticing issues with your DualSense joysticks, there are a few methods y'all can endeavor to repair it yourself. A globe-trotting joystick substantially renders your games unplayable, and getting information technology repaired or replaced tin can exit you with no fashion to enjoy your panel for days, and the cost of a new ane can be steep. Before going through whatever of that, here's how to fix joystick drift on PS5.

What is joystick migrate?

If you're unfamiliar with the term, joystick drift is when your controller behaves equally if you're pressing one or both of the joysticks in a specific direction even when you lot are non touching the controller. In-game, it tin manifest as your character spinning or walking in one direction constantly, or cycling through menu options out of your control. This happens with DualSense controllers because the sensors underneath the stick are either being triggered by something or are failing on a software or mechanical level. The erstwhile two you lot may be able to solve on your ain with these tips, while the latter you cannot.

What NOT to do

First off, donotendeavor to open up your DualSense controller. Even if you lot practice so as carefully every bit possible, opening it upward will void your warranty, meaning that if none of the other fixes here work, you won't fifty-fifty be able to render it for a new one. In that location'southward also no reason to get inside unless the trouble is mechanical, in which case you wouldn't have the parts to fix information technology anyway, so set your screwdriver aside for now.

Also, and we'll mention it once more when we get to the cleaning department, but make sure to clean your controller properly. Past that nosotros mean don't saturate it with water, or get it wet at all really. This is an electronic device, after all, and you can easily cease up doing more harm this way. Rubbing booze in small quantities, properly practical, is more than enough.

Finally, and this is a expert dominion to follow no matter what, be kind to your controller. We all have moments of gamer rage sometimes, merely never take it out on your controller. One bad toss or drop tin permanently harm the interior or exterior. Even being too crude with the sticks can cause issues to crop upward faster.

Reset your DualSense

Let'due south outset out with the easier fixes to hopefully solve the joystick drift issue quickly and easily. Resetting your DualSense isn't done by turning it off and on; there is actually a hidden reset button that volition completely refresh your controller. Look on the back of your DualSense for a small hole where the reset button is hidden. You will need something like a paperclip to gently insert and hold down the push button for five seconds. After it has restarted, wire your controller back into the PS5 and encounter if the drift is still nowadays.

Reset your Bluetooth

If resetting the controller doesn't work, y'all can attempt cycling the Bluetooth on and off. This is less likely to exist the cause of migrate just is withal worth a attempt merely in instance there is some interference. To turn off your Bluetooth, go into Settings > Accessories > Controllers > Communication Method and then hitTurn Off Bluetooth. One time the connection is disabled, wait a few moments and so turn information technology back on and examination information technology out.

Update your PS5 and controller

Consoles are updated about ofttimes shut to launch to ready problems and bugs just similar this, so it is possible your controller or panel may have missed one that will remove the drift. Your controller will prompt yous to update if you lot hardwire it into your PS5. To make sure your PS5 itself is on the current patch, go intoSettings > Organization > System Software Update and Settings > Update Arrangement Softwareand choose Update Using Internet. Your console will and so check to encounter if it has the latest update and utilize information technology if it does not. If yous practise get an update, wait for it to install, reboot your panel, and encounter if the drift is gone.

Clean your joysticks

Cleaning your controller regularly should be a normal part of your routine to make sure it stays functional, only considering how new the system is you may not have done so yet. It is all too piece of cake for dust, grime, and oils from our hands to seep in and cause havoc inside our controllers in a short amount of time. If the wrong-sized slice of debris ends upwardly in the incorrect identify under your thumbstick, it can hands cause information technology to drift.

The best, and safest, way to clean your controller is with a cotton swab, some rubbing booze, and compressed air. Earlier you get into cleaning it, just make sure your DualSense is turned off. Requite it a in one case over with the compressed air, spraying in short bursts as your spin the thumbstick in a total circle. Next, use your cotton wool swab and but a dab of alcohol and run it along the edges of your analog stick's base. Allow information technology dry off for a few minutes and then give it a shot.

Arrange the dead zone

This isn't so much a complete solution equally it is a pocket-sized, and conditional, remedy. Some games allow you to fix what is chosen a "dead zone" in the controller settings. This is the range of movement y'all can move the stick where the game won't register whatsoever movement. If the migrate is not too extreme, y'all could fix it in specific games by adjusting the expressionless zone and then that the amount the controller is naturally drifting isn't picked upwardly by the game. The downside is that this is going to go on a case-by-case ground depending on the game. Not all games offer information technology, and unfortunately, you tin't adjust the expressionless zone on the PS5 itself to employ to all games.

Return it or transport it in for repairs

A Dualsense Controller laying on a wooden table.

If all else fails, you're left with no choice but to either replace or repair your DualSense controller. Depending on the retailer y'all purchased your controller or console from, or if you did or did non buy any kind of warranty, your best option is to attempt and go a replacement from that same retailer. If all is in order, y'all shouldbe able to bring it in and get a replacement on the spot.

If you can't get a replacement from the retailer, or you purchased information technology straight from Sony, then you will need to go to the official PlayStation Fix and Replace site. Sony offers a i-twelvemonth warranty on the DualSense, but it does take a few drawbacks. Afterwards confirming that you have attempted to resolve the upshot with the troubleshooting steps they provide, which we covered in this guide as well, you will need to pay to box and transport your faulty controller to them. Once they receive it, Sony estimates a seven- to ten-business organisation-day timeframe for them to repair it, and then at that place'south the wait for it to actually get dorsum to you likewise. All in all, you could be without your DualSense for over ii weeks, only it will be repaired and is cheaper than buying a replacement yourself.