How To Fix Gamecube Controller Drift

If you lot're a Nintendo Switch owner, chances are good you've already heard near Joy-Con drift. This is really function of a much bigger result. Controller drift may be most talked virtually on the Switch, but information technology can be a trouble on whatever gaming controller with 1 or more than analog sticks. This includes the PlayStation five and Xbox Series X|Due south controllers. While these may not have the same numbers of cases of controller migrate, it's still a problem people are running into. Fortunately, we tin aid you fix it.

What Is Controller Drift?

Controller drift is the term we utilize to describe when a controller acts as if it has a heed of its own. A character in a game might constantly walk to the left or right, or your photographic camera might ever be moving.

Different things can cause controller drift, from software glitches to dust and debris gathering inside a controller. As for drift in the Nintendo Joy-Con controllers, it is often acquired past article of clothing and tear where the analog stick meets its contact within the controller.

Nintendo engineers say that, much similar tires on a auto, this type of wear is unavoidable. Basically, if you use your Joy-Con controller heavily, you lot'll eventually have to deal with some sort of drift. This is generally the case with other controllers as well.

How to Set up Nintendo Joy-Con Drift

You lot might non be out of luck just because you're experiencing phantom inputs or Joy-Con drift symptoms. If the problems seem minor, y'all may exist able to solve them past recalibrating your controller. All of these options will also work with the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

Open up "System Settings" on your Switch, then go to "Controllers and Sensors" and select "Calibrate Control Sticks." Follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate your controller.

How To Fix Controller Drift Nintendo Calibrate

If recalibrating didn't resolve the problem, you can endeavor updating the controller.

Open up "System Settings," get to "Controllers and Sensors," and so scroll down until you lot meet "Update Controllers." This will update whichever controllers you're using with the Switch at the time.

How To Fix Controller Drift Nintendo Update Controller

If neither of the above options worked, you lot could be dealing with either wear of the analog sticks or dust inside the controller. For grit, try using a tin can of compressed air to accident out the inside of both analog sticks.

If you've tried all the above options and you're yet experiencing drift, information technology may be time to send your controller in to Nintendo.

Supersede or Repair Your Nintendo Joy-Con for Free

Nintendo is aware of the Joy-Con drift problem. The company has ready a repair program for the controllers, which is easy to use, depending on where you live. This entire process is free of charge.

Be careful sending in limited edition Joy-Con controllers for repair. Nintendo doesn't guarantee that you'll get dorsum the same controller y'all sent in, then if you lot send your matching controller from a express edition Switch, you lot may never see information technology again.

To request a repair, head to the Nintendo Joy-Con repair site. Note that this grade is only for those residing in the The states or Canada. If you live elsewhere, yous'll need to find a local repair center on the Nintendo website.

Make full out the form with your information. Once this is consummate, you'll get a shipping label to ship your Joy-Con controller or controllers to Nintendo for repair.

Nintendo is sending out the newest version of its Joy-Con analog sticks when information technology does repair. The visitor says these newer versions are sturdier but may not be fully immune to drift.

How to Fix PS4 and PS5 Controller Drift

The DualSense controller for the PlayStation 5 and DualShock 4 controller for the PlayStation 4 aren't as susceptible to controller drift every bit the Joy-Con, but it can still happen.

Fixing DualSense Drift Problems

Resetting your PS5 DualSense controller can solve drift issues. Power off your PS5. On the back of the DualSense, there is a tiny pigsty on the correct. Press this with a paperclip or pin and hold information technology down for 5 seconds.

This will disconnect information technology from your PS5. Reconnect and see if your problems persist. You tin can as well try diggings the analog sticks with canned compressed air. If you see dust flying out, it's a good sign that the controller needed to be cleaned.

If you're but experiencing drift in certain games, you can run into if they have a "dead zone" setting in the options. Recent "Call of Duty" games accept this choice, as an example. Increasing the dead zone will stop drift if it's only occurring in that game.

Fixing DualShock iv Drift Issues

The DualShock iv has been around for several years at this point and still hasn't seen widespread drift problems. That said, the standard fixes tin can help here.

You can reset your PS4 DualShock controller using the same method as the DualSense higher up. If this doesn't work, try cleaning the analog sticks and hitting them with some compressed air to clean out the inside.

How to Fix Xbox One / Xbox Serial X|S Controller Migrate

The Xbox I controller and the Xbox Series 10|S controllers are very like, and so much so that y'all can actually use the newer controllers on the older console besides as a Windows PC. Fixing controller drift on either controller is a like process, though information technology seems to happen more often on older Xbox One controllers.

First, try the same canned air flim-flam outlined above for other controllers. This can assistance get rid of dust and droppings.

Xbox controllers are more than prone to sticking, which is an easier problem to solve. Using a cotton swab or cloth, employ rubbing alcohol to the base of the analog sticks, rotating the stick equally you go and so yous can get the booze under the controller casing.

This can interruption downwards and remove any sticky residue or dust on the analog stick. Yous may accept to repeat this multiple times.

Frequently Asked Questions

i. I paid to repair my Joy-Con(s). Tin I go a refund from Nintendo?

Yes. Now that Nintendo is providing complimentary repairs, the company is providing refunds to customers who paid for repairs before free repairs were available. To get your refund, call 1-855-548-4693 in the Usa and Canada. For other countries, you tin find the number to telephone call on the Nintendo website.

2. I take drift on my Switch Pro Controller. Will Nintendo repair information technology for free?

Drift seems like less of an issue on the Pro Controller, so Nintendo isn't providing free repairs. If you think the problem is with your Switch and not your controller, you can visit Nintendo's repair page.

3. My Xbox controller has drift issues. Will Microsoft repair it?

Microsoft doesn't have a repair program similar Nintendo, but if your controller isn't working and is under warranty, you lot can request a replacement via Microsoft.

iv. My PS5 or PS4 controller has migrate issues. Will Sony repair it?

Sony offers express repair services for the DualSense and PS4 controllers. To troubleshoot issues or request a repair, visit Sony's Prepare & Replace page.

If you've just had enough of your Nintendo Switch and want to become rid of it, read on to learn how you can reset information technology for resale. If your problems revolve more than around battery life, find out how to get a longer battery life on your Nintendo Switch.

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