Stick drift is a real issue. One minute, your aim is accurate, the next, your in-game character is slowly edging itself forward without any input. If that's the case, you've likely got drift, but don’t panic yet... Most issues can be fixed, and when they can’t, there are some excellent replacement controllers that’ll give you more life and better performance.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through what causes stick drift, how to test and fix it, and what to buy if your current controller’s already on its way out.
What Is Stick Drift and Why It Happens
Stick drift is when your controller’s analog stick moves things on screen even when you’re not touching it.
This annoying issue can make characters walk on their own or menus scroll endlessly, and it usually gets worse over time. Here’s what typically causes it:
- Wear and tear on the stick sensors – Over time, the internal parts (usually potentiometers) degrade from use, making input readings inaccurate.
- Dust and debris inside the stick mechanism – Minuscule particles can interfere with the electrical contacts or prevent the stick from centering properly.
- Moisture or grime buildup – Sweat, oils from your hands, or previous spillages can block up the internal mechanisms, causing the sticks to, well, get stuck off-center.
- Manufacturing flaws or poor materials – Some controllers are just more prone to drifting due to cheaper components or poor design.
- Software or calibration issues – Occasionally, it’s not hardware at all, as your stick might just need to be recalibrated in system settings.
In short, it’s either dirt, damage, or design. And in most cases, it doesn’t fix itself...
How to Test for Stick Drift
Move your hands away from the controller. If the game still moves, you’ve got stick drift.
That’s the quickest way to test. But if you want to be sure (or see how bad it is), there are platform-specific checks you can perform:
Play a game with a free camera or movement stick
- Let go of the sticks. If your character creeps forward or the camera slowly spins, then that's a clear sign that the sticks aren't centering correctly.
Use built-in calibration tools
- Nintendo Switch 2: Go to System Settings > Controllers & Accessories > Calibrate Control Sticks. You’ll see the stick’s position even when untouched. Simply follow the on-screen prompts to verify the control stick functionality.
- Xbox: On Xbox Series X/S, use Settings > Devices & Connections > Accessories, pick your controller, then test stick input.
- PlayStation: There’s no built-in tool, but you can use slow camera movement in a game or connect to a PC for deeper testing. Speaking of which...
Try a controller tester on PC or browser
- Use free tools like Gamepad Tester. I've used it multiple times over the years because it's simple. Just plug in your controller and see if the stick position drifts from center.
Testing is the best way to figure out if it’s a minor issue or a full-blown hardware failure, and it will give you an idea of how much work it’ll take to fix.
Quick Fixes You Can Try at Home
Sometimes all your controller needs is a little cleaning and/or resetting to fix stick drift.
Before you go grabbing tools or a new controller, try these simple fixes first:
Reset and recalibrate:
- Unplug or turn off the controller completely, then reconnect.
- Head into your console’s calibration settings (if available) and follow the prompts to reset stick input zones.
Clean around the joystick base:
- Use a can of compressed air to blast out dust and gunk from the edges of the stick.
- Rotate the stick as you spray to hit all sides.
- For stubborn dirt, gently wipe the area around the stick base with rubbing alcohol.
Update your controller firmware:
- Some newer controllers (like Xbox and DualSense) can get firmware updates through your console or PC, which occasionally fix calibration bugs.
Check for dead zones in software (on PC):
- If you're playing on PC, some software lets you tweak the stick dead zone to “ignore” minor drift. Though this isn't so much a fix, it's more of a workaround.
On that point, none of these are permanent solutions for deep hardware damage, but they might buy you time before more serious measures are needed. However, you may get lucky and fix your controller entirely, though that's likely only going to happen if it's dirt causing stick drift.
How to Clean or Repair the Joystick Mechanism
If quick fixes didn’t work, you'll need to open up your controller and start analyzing the sticks from the inside.
This part is extremely delicate and requires a bit of confidence, as you can end up breaking your controller entirely if you're not careful. But for those at a loss and willing to try just about anything, here's what you can do:
Open the controller (carefully)
- Use a small screwdriver to open your device, depending on your controller model.
- Take the front faceplate off. Note, you may find hidden clips or screws under stickers or grips.
- Take photos as you go if you’re worried about reassembly.
Clean the stick internals
- Use contact cleaner again, but this time with more direct access to the stick’s potentiometers (these are turquoise in a PS5 controller).
- Spray lightly, rotate the stick, and let it dry before reassembling.
Replace the joystick modules
- If the drift is severe, you can buy replacement joystick modules (Stick Module for DualSense Edge, for example).
- In some cases, there will be a release lever, but in others, you may need to desolder the old ones and solder in the new ones. The latter isn't really beginner-friendly, but doable with the right tools and patience.
Try a drop-in Hall effect stick upgrade (if available)
- Some third-party stick replacements use magnetic sensors that don’t drift at all. These are more expensive but worth it for serious players.
Double-check everything before closing up
- Make sure buttons and sticks aren’t misaligned or pinched.
- Once reassembled, test it before fully screwing it down.
Opening up your controller and repairing, cleaning, or even replacing the hardware underneath isn't easy, so for a lot of gamers, this is the point where a replacement makes more sense.
Best Replacement Controllers for Each Platform
The NACON Revolution 5 Pro, NACON Revolution X Unlimited, and the PowerA OPS v3 Pro are all suitable replacements, depending on your gaming platform.
Each one features Hall effect technology that either minimizes or completely eliminates stick drift, at least in my experience.
Unfortunately, though, the options for the Switch 2 are a little more limited when it comes to Hall effect. That said, I've tried the Switch 2 Pro Controller and haven't experienced any drifting thus far, so that controller might be worth taking a look at if you're a Nintendo gamer.
Why we chose the NACON Revolution 5 Pro
The NACON Revolution 5 Pro is one of the best replacement PS5 controllers for stick drift issues thanks to its modular, repairable design.
Unlike most controllers, its thumbsticks are mounted on separate electronic cards, meaning if drift ever develops, you can simply swap the stick modules without replacing the whole controller. NACON also sells official replacement parts, making repairs easy and affordable.
On top of that, the controller uses materials specifically chosen to resist drift, showing that stick longevity was a clear design priority. Combined with its premium build, ultra-comfortable layout, and deep customization options, the Revolution 5 Pro is a great long-term investment, especially for competitive or serious players.
Why we chose the NACON Revolution X Unlimited
For any Xbox players, the NACON Revolution X Unlimited is one of the best controllers you can buy. For stick drift-suffers, it's a real winner thanks to its Hall Effect Magnetic joystick technology that helps to eliminate physical contact inside the stick mechanism, thus removing the main cause of drift entirely.
Add to that its swappable stick caps, adjustable dead zones, and ultra-low input latency (1ms wired, 2ms wireless), and you’ve got a controller built for both competitive play and longevity.
Why we chose the PowerA OPS v3 Pro
The PowerA OPS v3 Pro is one of the best replacement controllers for PC players concerned by stick drift, thanks, once again, to its Hall Effect thumbsticks that use magnets over physical connections.
The controller also features twistable stick height adjustments and software-based deadzone tuning, giving you control over responsiveness and further minimizing the impact of any drift. Add to that its durable build, mecha tactile buttons, adjustable triggers, and robust wireless options, and the OPS v3 Pro becomes a highly customizable and reliable choice for serious PC gamers, especially at under $100.
Final Thoughts on Stick Drift
Stick drift isn’t always the death sentence it feels like. Sometimes, a little cleaning, recalibrating, or firmware updating is all you need to get back to normal. But when the hardware’s truly worn out, it’s worth investing in a controller built to last, especially one with Hall Effect sticks that avoid the root problem entirely.