How To Fix Xbox Controller Drift (2024)

You pick up your Xbox controller to play your favorite game, but notice your character moving on their own, even when you’re not touching the joystick. This wee-little moment of joy is known as “controller drift” and it can make games...unplayable. Basically, controller drift happens when the joystick sensors wear out over time and fail to return to their neutral position when released. This sends erratic inputs to your Xbox, causing game characters or cursors to move without any stick directional input from you.

The issue has become somewhat of a global problem (well, not like 'climate change' level global, more like 'bad-sitcom' global issue) with Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S controllers. But don’t worry, controller drift can often be fixed easily without having to buy a pricey replacement Xbox controller. In this guide, we will walk you through some home remedies to fix stick drift for good.

Cleaning The Joystick

Before you start disassembling, and possibly breaking, your Xbox controller, take some time to confirm it's the real deal. If your shooter crosshairs or RPG hero is moving around the screen without touching the sticks, then yeah, you probably have drift, which blows.

Start by turning off the controller to save battery, then grab a can of compressed air (here's a really good one). Aim the nozzle around the base of each joystick and blow away. Then rotate the sticks around to get all angles, blasting any gunk hiding in the crevices.

We're talking about sticky dust balls, skin flakes, pet hair, anything that can squeeze between the base and stick rings. That junk getting lodged in the sensors underneath is most likely causing the drift disaster, so yeah, blast it all out. Flip over the controller and repeat for both sticks from the other side as well.

Once you hit it from every outside direction possible, it's time for deep cleaning. Use something thin, like a guitar pick or a tiny tweezer, to gently lift the ring around each Xbox stick base. See even more buildup under there, right? Carefully hold up the ring and blow out all the compacted debris stuck below. Make sure you spin the sticks all around during this too, to make sure every bit of nastiness gets dislodged from the sensor contacts.

If the drift disappears, then congratulations friendo, you have just saved yourself from further repair hassle. If not, going to the next step might help.

Recalibrating The Controller

Go to Settings > Devices & Connections > Accessories on your Xbox console or the Xbox Accessories app on Windows 10 or 11 PCs. Select your controller, then choose Calibrate (this makes the system re-learn what counts as "center" for the sticks). All you need to do is follow what pops up.

When it prompts you to release and center the whack-stick (cool nickname, huh), gently roll it around before letting the stick go back in the middle. Get it nice and recentered. You might have to do both sticks if the gunk was extensive. But the app will guide you through recalibrating each one. Just repeat the center process when prompted.

We practically gave this thing an electronic exorcism. So, when the circles go green for each recalibrated analog stick, you should hopefully have success eliminating the drift. Boot up a game and try moving around. But, if the drift persists even after this, then more in-depth fixes or replacements may still be needed.

Updating Controller Firmware

Controller firmware is basically low-level software coordinating between all the analog and digital signals. When it's outdated, tracking response and deadzone accuracy can get wonky. So updating to the latest firmware is always worth a shot before further fixes.

On Xbox, head back to Settings, then Devices & Connections, select Accessories. Scroll down to your misbehaving controller and kick off a fresh firmware check and install. Windows users can also open the Xbox Accessories app to force an update check.

Let that new firmware code load up, and hopefully optimizations inside eliminate any electrical gremlins messing with your joystick. Next, load up a game real quick and check if the drift has vanished (yes, it's like a standard testing thing now). If it still haunts you, then we've got to bring out the big guns.

Adjusting The Deadzone

In the controller settings, there's a "deadzone" option that defines how far you have to move an analog stick before it starts actually registering input (kind of like a buffer zone). Crank up the deadzone higher for whichever stick is drifting, and it'll essentially "ignore" subtle movements in that bigger range. If the drift is minor enough, a widened deadzone might just neglect that phantom sliding.

You can tweak these deadzones under Ease of Access settings on Xbox itself. Windows users can also change them per game by poking around in the control options. Now, this is just a temporary software band-aid, not a true fix, and sacrificing precise aim or movement isn't always worth it. But adjusting deadzones can definitely help ease drift issues while you gather replacement parts or save up for a new controller.

Replacing The Thumbstick Module

If you've tried cleaning and software recalibration, and then neither of them worked, there's a decent chance that the underlying potentiometers measuring directional input may be permanently damaged from all the heavy use. In case you're good with tech and don't mind messing around with some screws and stuff, then you should definitely consider manually replacing the joystick.

This is only going to cost you a few bucks and some DIY repair effort, which is much better than replacing an entire $70 controller. Search online for Xbox replacement thumbstick modules and order a matching set for either Xbox One, Series X, or Elite models. You can also prep yourself with some YouTube repair videos (again, here's a really helpful one) to safely pop open your controller casing and remove the busted sensor sticks once the new ones arrive.

Speaking of DIY, you're going to need an Xbox joystick repair kit, a soldering kit, and a soldering aid for this as well. You could also call in like a professional who does this for a living, but getting it done within the cost of a new controller is going to be a hit or a miss.

Knowing When To Replace

Fixed Xbox controller drift before by replacing the modules? Tried recalibrating a million times? Still sliding around games like a hockey puck? The hardware might just be unsalvageable now, friend. There's no shame in retiring your worn-out soldier. After years of intense gaming, controllers sadly get damaged beyond practical repair. Analog sensors degrade, buttons stick unpredictably, bumpers break off...it happens, we get it.

Now which new Xbox gamepad to grab? You've got some amazing options, really. Standard Xbox Core controllers are cheap and good quality. Fancy tactical ones, from Scuf and Razer have cool features like rear paddles. To be honest, you can't go wrong either way.

In fact, if money isn't much of a problem, snagging the premium Xbox Elite Series 2 controller is an excellent investment too. Tons of customization for button mapping, hair trigger locks, changeable sticks, and overall pro performance. That hardware will easily last you a solid five years.

Avoiding Future Damage

Once you’ve fixed the controller drift with either cleaning, recalibration, replacement, or deadzone tweaks, there are a few things you can keep in mind to prevent any future damage:

• Avoid eating while gaming to prevent debris buildup.
• Safely store your Xbox controller when not in use.
• Charge the controller properly and avoid completely draining your battery.
• If you're a hardcore gamer, consider having a 'controller rotation' system where you keep swapping out controllers. This way, there's not too much wear being put on a controller at once.
• You can also use KontrolFreek thumbstick covers for that added height and grip + protection.

FAQ

Does opening my Xbox void factory warranty?

If your Xbox controller is still under the standard one-year manufacturing coverage, be warned - cracking it open yourself to fix drift will 100 percent void any existing warranty in place (yes, even if it is just for cleaning). Microsoft wants their authorized folks doing any repairs on retail units that are new.

If your sticks just started drifting recently, contact Microsoft support first about a free replacement option before you dig in. BUT, if you're facing out-of-warranty drift issues? Grab that toolkit and dismantle that controller right away! (Just kidding, do it with some caution).

What's up with the dents and bumps on my sticks?

Don't freak out if you notice circular dents or raised plastic crowning forming on the tops of frequently used Xbox thumbsticks. That's just normal wear-and-tear from your thumbs rubbing the same spot for hours. And while it's not the prettiest sight for your eyes, these slight physical deformities won't impact function at all. Simply swap out sticks for cheap if appearances bother you over time.

Can other controllers drift too?

Oh-ho-ho, the dreaded drift definitely isn't limited to just standard first-party Xbox controllers. Popular third-party Xbox and PC gamepads from Scuf, Razer, PowerA, and others can also suffer the same worn analog sensor issues over time. Same cleaning and replacement repair procedures apply, though.

My controller feels "loose" after replacing thumbsticks - why?

Popping brand-new replacement sticks in can make your Xbox controller feel a little hollow or loose at first. The old modules have years of worn-in use, making them feel tightly integrated. Cheapo knock-off parts can also have looser tolerances. Stick to reputable brands for proper snap and precision. Just a few extra bucks can get you that quality build. Once you've got that bit sorted out, a few days of breaking them in should help you big time.