Stick drift, a phenomenon in which a controller’s joystick moves input without the player’s input, is a prevalent problem among gamers. Stick drift on your PS5 Dual Sense controller can be really annoying and interfere with your gaming experience. Fortunately, there are a few actions you may do in 2024 to address the problem.
What is Stick Drift?
When the joystick detects movement even when it is not being touched, this is known as stick drift. In games, this may lead to unexpected character or camera movement. It is frequently brought on by grime, debris, or internal mechanism wear and tear in the controller.
Make sure the analogue sticks are clean
Debris or dirt is one of the most frequent reasons of stick drift. The analogue sticks are readily clogged with dust, which causes drift over time.
What you will require:
- Alcohol by isopropyl (90% or more)
- Swabs of cotton
- A gentle cloth
Actions:
- Disconnect the DualSense controller and turn off the PS5.
- Take a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and dip a cotton swab into it.
- Rotate the analogue stick while gently rubbing its base with the brush to make sure all sides are covered in alcohol.
- Before turning the controller on again, let it a few minutes to air dry.
If need, repeat this procedure a few times.
Restart the Controller
Resetting the DualSense can occasionally resolve software-related problems that may be the source of stick drift.
Actions:
- Find the controller’s tiny reset button on the back.
- For five to ten seconds, press and hold the reset button with a paperclip or tiny pin.
- Reconnect the controller to your PS5 when it has reset, then see if the drift problem still exists.
Update the firmware for the PS5 controller
Sony upgrades the DualSense controller on a regular basis. Updating the firmware on your controller might improve performance and resolve issues.
Actions:
- Use a USB connection to link your DualSense controller to the PS5.
- Navigate to Settings > Accessories > Controllers to see if there are any firmware upgrades available.
- Install any updates that are available by following the prompts on the screen.
Modify the Game Settings’ Dead Zone
Stick drift might be caused by a game’s sensitivity settings if it only occurs in certain games. You may change the dead zone in many games, which is the region where the stick won’t register movement.
Actions:
- In the game where stick drift is an issue, open the settings menu.
- Seek out the Controller or Input Settings area.
- Expand the damaged stick’s dead zone. This might lessen or get rid of undesirable movements.
Align the Analogue Sticks Again
The analogue sticks’ neutral position can be reset by recalibrating the controller.
Actions:
- Navigate to Settings > Accessories > Controllers on your PS5.
- To recalibrate the sticks, look for a recalibration option and follow the on-screen directions.
- Keep an eye out for any controller recalibration features in upcoming PS5 software upgrades since this step may change based on firmware changes.
Change the Analogue Sticks or Contact a Repair Expert
In the event that none of the aforementioned fixes resolve the stick drift, hardware problems such as deterioration of the controller’s potentiometers may be to blame.
Choices:
- DIY Replacement: Although installing new analogue sticks yourself necessitates technical expertise and can breach your warranty, you can purchase replacements online.
- Sony’s Technical Support: If your controller is still under warranty, contact Sony for a repair or replacement. Even if it’s out of warranty, you may still be able to get it repaired for a fee.
Future Stick Drift Prevention
- Make sure you store your controller correctly: Avoid dropping your controller, as this might harm internal components, and keep it in a dust-free environment.
- Employ coverings for controllers: Silicone coverings can improve grip and lessen dust accumulation, shielding your analogue sticks from debris.
- Frequent cleaning: To avoid junk building up over time, wipe down your controller after every game session.
In summary
Stick drift is an annoying problem, but you may be able to resolve it on your PS5 DualSense controller without having to pay for costly repairs if you follow these steps. There are several ways to solve the issue, including cleaning, firmware updates, and changing in-game settings. If the problem continues, you might want to consider having your controller fixed by a professional.
