How To Fix Stick Drift Ps4

How To Fix Ps4 Controller Drift

How To Fix Controller Drift PS4! PS4 Analog Stick Drift Easy Fix!

Have you ever been playing a game on PlayStationÂ® 4 when suddenly your characters start moving across the screen on their own? No, it’s not a demon taking over your controller it’s probably an issue called analog stick drift, which can make playing your PS4â¢ nearly impossible.

At Asurion, our experts help millions of customers get the most out of their tech and resolve their device problems, like finding the best gaming monitors or stopping a PS5 from overheating. Here’s their guide to how to fix PS4 controller driftâand what causes it.

Solution : Clean Your Playstation 4 Controllers Thumbsticks:

To clean your PS4 Controller using isopropyl alcohol, follow these steps:

Taking a cotton swab, soak the tips in alcohol and press them against the thumbsticks by the corners.
Keep turning the analog stick in different directions and make sure the swabs cover every bend and corner of the thumbsticks.
Repeat the process 3-4 times to clean the surface thoroughly.

Solution : Reset Your Ps4 Controller

How to fix stick drift PS4? You can reset your PS4 controller. Here is how to do that:

Then choose Devicefrom the drop-down menu.

Next, select Bluetooth Devices.

Then you can see that all your PS4 controllers are listed here. Choose the abnormal one.

Then press the Optionsbutton on your controller, at the front of the touchpad.

In the pop-up window, choose Forget device.

After that, you have forgotten the malfunctioning PS4 controller. Then you can choose to turn off PS4.

Use a USB cable to connect the inactive PS4 controller to your PC.

Then turn on it and wait for it to boot up.

Then log in to it.

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Calibration Is The First Line Of Defense

Some controllers are more well built than others. Nintendo’s Joy-Cons, for example, aren’t exactly designed to handle much stress. All that protects the joystick component from outside agents, like dust particles or grime, is a thin flap of soft plastic. If that flap is lifted, even briefly during gameplay, all sorts of stuff could get inside the controller and ruin functionality.

What Is Controller Drift

Controller drift is a common issue in the gaming community. Controller drift is the sensitivity fault where the character frame starts to move on its own without you touching it. Controller drift is specifically referred to as the analog stick sending out ghost signals and causing input with any factual information by the user.

Drift can cause a user to start resenting a game. Imagine dueling with Melania in the Elden Ring the boss is only one hit, and your character moves when you do not want it to. Later, it dodges too early so that you are caught by Melania and get hit yourself.

New age controllers have come a long way from the old Atari controllers. The new controllers have complex circuitry that can deliver outstanding functionality.

Current flow and circuit completion are needed for accurate signals to be sent to the system, with it responding respectively in the game. Circuits are completed when a conductive element is brought to connect the ends of the circuit.

This circuit is only completed in a standard controller when a button or analog stick is moved towards the circuit. This connects the conductive element and completes a particular circuit. However, a damaged or displaced button or analog stick might somehow be completing this circuit and sending out signals even in its neutral position.

A small movement would result in a respective current flow and appropriate movement. In normal conditions, there is a 1:1 ratio of current flow to movement.

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Rough Treatment Of Controller

Raging and physical damage can occur during gaming sessions. We have all had our moments during an intense game. Losing a match in the 90th min during a FIFA weekend league has sent a lot of controllers back to their maker.

However, those who do not see that fate usually end up with permanent hardware damage, translating to instances of controller drift.

How To Fix Ps4 Controller Analog Stick Drift

Ensure your controller is turned off, and then follow the steps below until it is working properly.

After trying each fix, test the analog sticks by moving them around in circles and clicking the L3 and R3 buttons .

Reset your PS4 controller. Resetting the DualShock 4 can solve a lot of issues that suddenly pop up. If a soft reset doesn’t work, try a hard reset.

Clean your PS4 controller. Gently wipe around the crevices of the analog stick with a dry microfiber cloth. To get rid of grime, use a cotton swab dipped in a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol. If you see dirt that you can’t reach, you can use pressurized air to dislodge it.

Cleaning your controller every few months prevents build-up that can cause problems with the DualShock 4.

Get your PS4 controller repaired or replaced by Sony. If your controller is relatively new, it may still be under warranty. Go to the PlayStation Repair & Replace page, choose DualShock 4, then follow the prompts to see if you qualify for a free repair or replacement.

Disassemble your PS4 controller to clean the analog stick. To deep clean the controller inputs, you must remove the outer casing and lift the battery to access the motherboard. Use a cotton swab and a mix of water and isopropyl alcohol. Do not use pressurized air on the interior parts.

When taking apart your PS4 controller, be very careful not to disconnect anything other than the motherboard’s battery.

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Before You Open Up Your Ps4 Controller

If youre going to DIY fix your PS4 controller, there are some things you want to make sure youve taken care of first. Resetting your controller can fix some of the issues you might be having, so go ahead and give that a try before doing anything else. In order to reset your PS4 controller, you will first have to go into the settings menu on your PlayStation 4. In the settings menu, click on devices, then Blutooth devices, and then find the controller you are currently using. Hit the option button on your controller and then select Forget Device. Once the controller is disconnected from your PS4, turn your PS4 off. On the controller, insert a pin into the small hole located by the left shoulder button. Press the pin in for 10 seconds. Next, attach your controller with your USB charging cord to the PS4 and boot the console up.

If you are still experiencing problems, its time to open up the controller and do some manual labor. First, clear a well-lit workspace. There are many little parts inside the controller you will not want to lose. Also, it goes without saying, but do this at your own risk.

Thermally Isolate The Structural Joints

How to Fix Stick Drift on PS4 Controller

Only four soldered joints stand between you and success, but these are nearly impossible to solder unless you have access to high-wattage JBC, Pace, or Hakko soldering stations.

These are structural joints meant to securely anchor the analog stick to the PCB. This has the unfortunate side-effect of introducing the tremendous thermal mass of the metal casing housing the gimbal assembly.

These joints act like massive heatsinks, so regular soldering irons cannot supply enough power to maintain the minimum tip temperature necessary to melt solder. This necessitates inordinately long dwell times which, in turn, increases the risk of PCB delamination and/or lifted pads.

If the solder doesnt melt within three to four seconds, flip over the PCB and use sturdy flush cutters to sever these leads from the metal body from the opposite side. This will significantly reduce their thermal mass and make soldering easier.

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How To Fix Ps5 Dualsense Controller Analog Stick Drift

To fix PS5 DualSense Controller analog stick drift, users should:

Ensure that their controller is fully updated.
Users are notified of any new controller updates when they first connect the DualSense. Install them!

Clean the controller.

While being sure to avoid any actions that would void the warranty, carefully cleaning the analog sticks can help alleviate any sticking issues that could cause drift.

Restore the analog sticks.

You can gently pop the analog sticks out of their default position by lifting them slightly. Give them a wiggle and then pop them back in to see if this has fixed the issue.

Use Deadzone functions in certain games.

Configuring the Deadzone allows users to choose how sensitive the analog sticks are. Make them less sensitive to avoid any drifting issues.

Reset the controller and then reconnect it to your PS5.

Use a paperclip or pin to press the reset button located on the back of the controller. Press it in for 10 seconds.

If none of the above works, contacting PlayStation Support for more help and/or a replacement would be my next step.

Clean The Ps4 Controller Joysticks

While this may sound like a naive solution, please hear us out. Almost 90% of the time, the reason for Stick Drift is Dust, Dirt, and Grime. However, when cleaning the PS4 controllers, most gamers are doing it wrong using a compressed Air Can is the best way.

Avoid blowing air through your mouth since that isnt Hygiene-friendly and has a high chance of pushing moisture in, making your issue even worse.

External Contaminants Are Literally Everywhere

Drift isn’t just caused by rough gameplay or bad design, but also by the environment. While dust and grime were previously mentioned, environmental containments might look like greasy, salty snacks, or otherwise the fur shed by a cute pet. Has the controller been improperly stored during a trip, or have unwashed hands used it? Both might cause contaminants to enter unwanted areas. Whatever the case, external agents can easily cause even the best-designed controllers to drift.

The Tony Stark Method

For instances where repair isnt possible, or youre past keeping it clean, there is another alternative. Every game comes with a calibration setting. This is where you can set a dead zone for the analog stick, and this is basically the area where the analog will not respond at all.

This can be set by the user in the game or console settings. All it requires is for the user to go to the calibration menu and set a dead zone until the point where you are experiencing drift on the controller. This may require a few attempts, but it works more often than not.

There is no permanent solution for controller drift in most cases. Like all mechanical devices, we can only prolong their life, but eventually, its best to replace them.

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A Short Outline For Those Diving Into Tech Surgery

Consider a DIY approach as the last line of defense, so it should involve the following steps:

Players should systematically assess the three other options listed in this article:
Is the controller properly calibrated?
Is the controller clean?
Is the controller treated with care?

If these are accounted for and the issues are still persisting, players should decide whether or not DIY is a viable option. Oftentimes, warranties are voided by such work. Yes, DIY is potentially cheaper, faster, and more readily available, but it can lead to consequences.

If the warranty isn’t an issue , players should research tutorials that correct the issue at hand. YouTube is literally drowning in them, so at least one should match specific needs.

Follow the steps outlined in the tutorial…

If it worked, then game on with the knowledge of a job well done.

If it didn’t, then double-check the process, and either correct the potential misstep, or accept that a new controller/external help is required. There’s no shame in this occurring. Not everything can be solved with a set of miniature screwdrivers.

As the famous old saying goes, “Give a man a controller, and he’ll game for a day. But teach him how to disassemble and reassemble its basic components, and he’ll game for a lifetime.”

Use Deadzonetions In Certain Games

While it may look like a hardware issue, the real culprit is the game youre playing. Unfortunately, many games come with preset settings that wont suit every gaming platform, and Playstation is no exception.

So before you even think of troubleshooting your controller, we advise you to try out a couple of games first and check if the drifting issues are constant or tend to occur only when playing a specific game.

Should your DualSense stick calibration issues be isolated to one specific game, then your best bet is to edit your PS4 controller Deadzone settings.

Here is a visual tutorial showing you how to do it :

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Why Does My Ps4 Controller Drift

There are a few reasons your controller may be drifting, all of which fall into two categories: software problems, hardware problems, or a combination of both.

Perhaps youre playing an action game with many fast-moving objects, such as racing or an FPS game.

Or, youve neglected your PS4 controller for some time and let it set there, gathering all the dust in the world and getting it worn out or not properly calibrated.

Solution : Get Your Controller Repaired Or Fixed By Sony

How to Repair a PS4 Analog Stick That is Drifting, Sticking, Jittery/Cleaning DualShock 4 Controller

If youve only recently purchased your PS4 console, theres a chance that its still under warranty which you can claim to get a free replacement of your PS4 Controller. Check the warranty of your PS4 Controller by determining the date of purchase and the duration of the warranty.

Next, head to Sony Playstations official support page, and follow the instructions to claim your repair or replacement of the Controller.

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What Is Stick Drift

Stick drift is simply when the analog stick doesnt return to its original, intended position that can cause many unwanted actions.

Thats all. This is the only reason for you to miss that sweet Headshot in Call of Duty, your car to crash everywhere on its own in NFS, and your build to mess up in Fortnite.

Truly, stick drift can totally messed up the experience of any game.

How Do I Solve The Analog Stick Drift On My Ps4 Controller

Online gaming controllers, such as the PlayStation 4 DualShock are abused during their lifetimes. Most are subjected to vigorous gameplay, while some have been dropped or tossed on occasion. Such controllers can begin to experience analog stick drift whenever the stress becomes too severe.

Although there are several causes for PS4 analogue drift, there are a handful of solutions. Heres everything you require to understand about it. Make sure your console is switched off before following the procedures below to get it operating again.

Your Ps4 Controller Should Be Reset Many problems that arise unexpectedly can be resolved by restarting the DualShock 4. Attempt a hard reset when a soft reset might not succeed.
Your Ps4 Controller Should Be Cleaned Using a wet microfiber towel firmly wipe the analogue sticks nooks. Employ a cotton wipe soaked in a solution of isopropyl alcohol and water to remove dirt. When you see dust that you couldnt even reach, pressured air can help you get rid of it.

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Every Player Will Face A Crossroad Between Avoidance And Effort

Yes, wear and tear are expected to occur with time, even on the sturdiest controllers, but the longevity of the joystick can heavily depend on the games being played. By the law of averages, most games allow for normal or minimal wear upon the joysticks but there are some titles that will put a controller through grueling paces.

Here Is How To Fix Ps4 Stick Drift In Few Minutes

If you are using your Ps4 controller for some time, then its normal for it to have stick drift. I know personally How irritating stick drifts can get. But, dont worry, today we are going to help you solve that Stick drift for your Ps4 controller.

Stick drift on the Ps4 controller can be easily solved by removing any dust particles around the Analog-stick. To remove dust particles: disconnect the controller> Hold the analog stick to one side> Blow away the dust particles with an Air Compressor. Do this until every dust particle has been removed.

If this method doesnt work for you then dont worry we have a different solution for you. So, stay tuned,

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Reset Your Ps4 Controller Dualsense & Bluetooth

Resetting your DualSense should be one of the first things to do when facing joystick drift issues on PS4. Here is how you can do it:

Look on the back of your DualSense for a small hole where the reset button is hidden.
Use a paperclip to gently insert and hold down the button for no less than five seconds.
Wire your controller back into the PS4 and hop on your favorite game to test if the drift is still present.

Furthermore, resetting your Bluetooth is a recommended step to take right after. To turn off and on your PS4 Bluetooth, follow the following steps:

Navigate to your PS4 Settings > Accessories > Controllers > Communication Method and select the Turn Off Bluetooth option.
Confirm the Bluetooth connection is disabled, wait a couple of minutes, and then turn it back on.

Want To Game Longer Game Gently

The best way to postpone drift is to treat the controller like a brand new car every time it’s used. This isn’t a wash and wax situation, but rather mindful attention when operating a cool new DualSense. Tossing it, whether out of boredom or anger, is a bad idea. A good idea, on the other hand, is to treat the joysticks with extreme care. Dutiful kindness may not prevent eventual drift entirely, but it will prolong the golden days.

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