How Do You Deal With Thumb Stick Drift? (lemmy.world)

submitted 8 months ago by Zahille7@lemmy.world to c/games@lemmy.world

59 comments fedilink hide all child comments

So I like to use Xbox controllers (doesn't matter if it's first- or third-party) because I like the layout, it's just comfortable to me. However I've noticed that on all my controllers in the past few years, the left thumb stick will start to "give out" over the course of a couple months. For instance I'll be pushing it forward all the way, but it won't register for some reason and my character will only move a little bit. Sometimes wiggling it a bit will fix it, sometimes it doesn't. And it's not like I'm squeezing the hell out of the controller or mashing the stick constantly; in fact it's made me try to be more delicate with my controllers, even though I'm just playing the games normally.

Is it just how controllers are, or am I just getting the shit end of the stick?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] Fubarberry@sopuli.xyz 2 points 8 months ago

I can usually fix most cases of joystick drift by taking plastic safe electrical cleaner, and spraying it in around the joystick. Works for sticking buttons too.

I usually use CRC QD cleaner, it's usually $5-10 and is available at Walmart, Amazon, and a bunch of other places. If you use something else make sure it says plastic safe on the can.

[-] Dariusmiles2123@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago

Do you do this without even opening the controller?

I might try this before opening my Ps5 controller if it doesn’t work.

[-] Fubarberry@sopuli.xyz 1 points 8 months ago

Yes, with the controller off, I spray down around the stick. Wait awhile before turning the controller back on so that the spray has time to evaporate.

Someone told me it fixed Joycon drift (which it does), but since then it's fixed a lot of non-joycon controllers as well despite the different thumbstick designs.