Controller Test Online

Connect your controller by USB or Bluetooth, open this controller test in Chrome or Edge, then press any button to let the browser detect the gamepad. Press each button, move both sticks, and squeeze both triggers while watching the live indicators. A working controller should show immediate button changes, smooth trigger values, centered sticks at rest, and no unwanted stick drift.

Leave both analog sticks completely untouched and watch the X/Y values. In a clean stick drift test, the values should settle near 0.00 and the on-screen stick should stay centered. If either stick moves while untouched, increase the deadzone slider to see how much compensation is needed. Small drift can often be hidden in game settings; large drift usually means cleaning, calibration, repair, or replacement.

First, make sure your controller is properly connected via USB cable or paired via Bluetooth. Then press any button on the controller to activate it—browsers require a button press to recognize gamepads for security reasons. If it still doesn't appear, try a different USB port, use Chrome or Edge (best Gamepad API support), or check if another application is blocking controller access.

Stick drift is when your analog stick registers movement even when you're not touching it. This is caused by wear on the potentiometers inside the stick mechanism, dust or debris affecting the sensors, or calibration issues. Stick drift is common in heavily-used controllers and is the most frequent controller defect. Our test helps you measure the severity of drift and determine if your controller needs repair.

Our test can detect trigger input values (how far the trigger is pressed) on DualSense controllers, but the adaptive trigger resistance feature is a haptic output that cannot be tested through a browser. The resistance you feel is controlled by the game or application. For DualSense-specific testing and tips, check our dedicated PS5 Controller Test page.

To test for stick drift, connect your controller via USB or Bluetooth, then leave both analog sticks completely untouched. Watch the stick position indicators on screen—if the X or Y values show any movement when you're not touching the sticks, your controller has drift. Our stick drift tester shows exact drift values so you can measure severity. Minor drift (under ±0.05) can usually be compensated with in-game deadzone settings, while significant drift (±0.15 or more) typically means the controller needs repair or replacement.

A deadzone of 0.10-0.15 (10-15%) is typical for most games and controllers in good condition. If your controller has slight stick drift, raising the deadzone to 0.20 or higher can mask minor hardware wear. However, a higher deadzone reduces precision; aim for the lowest setting that prevents unwanted movement. Use our deadzone slider to find the exact threshold where your stick drift disappears.

Our controller tester works on mobile browsers that support the Gamepad API (Chrome for Android), but Bluetooth pairing on mobile can be inconsistent depending on the controller model. USB OTG connections are more reliable. iOS (Safari) does not currently support the Gamepad API. For best results, use Chrome or Edge on a Windows or macOS desktop.

To test an Xbox controller on PC, connect it via USB or pair it via Bluetooth (Windows Settings > Bluetooth). Open this controller tester in Chrome or Edge, then press the Xbox button or any face button to activate detection. All buttons, triggers, and analog sticks will appear in the readout. The Xbox controller typically maps as a 'standard' gamepad, giving the most accurate button labeling.