How to Fix PS5 Controller Drift?

Since the PS5 came out, people who have bought it have noticed a problem with the DualSense controller. Like the DualShock 4 that came with the PS4, it looks like the PS5 controller drifts.

Here are a few things you can try to fix your DualSense if it starts to drift.

What Is DualSense Drift?

DualSense drift is when the PS5 detects movement on the screen even though the player isn’t hitting the controller. In Fortnite, for example, your character might move even if you don’t touch the DualSense.

The reason for this is DualSense drift. Basically, the joystick sensors inside the pad are getting old before their time. They wear out quickly, get filled with gunk from your thumb, and can bend over time. A teardown of the PS5 controller shows that DualSense drift was probably unavoidable, since some parts tend to wear out over time.

If you want your DualSense to last, this isn’t the best thing to do. No one wants to spend $70 on a new keyboard if the one they just bought breaks after a few months. DualSense slip can be fixed in a few steps, which is good news.

Fix 1: Adjust the Input Threshold on Your DualSense Controller

The deadzone, which is another name for the input threshold, is the area where the thumbstick doesn’t record any movement. So, if you only have light drift, you might be able to get rid of it completely. But, this fix will only work for some games.

In some games, but not all, you can change the size of the controller’s input level by going into the controller settings. Call of Duty: Black Ops: Cold War has an example of one of these settings.

So, if your right thumbstick has a small DualSense drift to the right, you can increase the size of the dead zone or the input threshold on that stick. This means that the controller won’t notice movement until you move the stick past its barrier.

At the system level, this is not a choice, which is surprising because it would be a simple fix for Sony. It could put this in a controller and console update so that you can change the deadzone from the main controller menu. This might make people happy for longer, and at the very least, it would be a short-term fix.

Fix 2: Thoroughly Clean Your DualSense Controller

If you’ve never cleaned your devices, you should start. When you play games, your hands get sweaty. This makes a mess on your device. It gets into the grooves, under the shoulder triggers, under the face buttons, and just about anywhere else there is a hollow.

This is bad because it means that dirt also gets under the thumbsticks. This is a great place for dirt and grime to live, which can make DualSense drift. So, you have to clean your PS5 keyboard.

The best tools are a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol that is very strong. We think you should get the strongest drink you can find. The higher the concentration, the less water it has, which means that water is less likely to damage the electronics inside.

Before you clean the remote, don’t forget to unplug it and turn it off. If you don’t, it could get even worse. All you have to do is put a bit of alcohol on the cotton swab and gently clean each thumbstick and its housing.

Don’t use a lot of liquid to clean it; just a little bit will do. Make sure you move the stick around in its housing and clean the bearing, as this is the part of the thumbstick that will bring dirt into the controller.

You can also fix DualSense stick slip by blowing off any dust or other debris that might be stuck under the thumbstick. You can do this with either a dust cleaner or compressed air. Try making full loops with the thumbstick as you blow air into the controller.

Fix 3: Lift and Rotate Your Thumbsticks

If you play games that require you to use and click your thumbstick in the same way for a long time, your thumbstick might start to move in that direction.

One way to fix this is to slowly pull your thumbstick out of its housing and rotate it a few times before putting it back in. This will hopefully fix your PS5 controller’s drift by re-centering the device inside the thumbstick.

Fix 4: Reset and Update Your DualSense Controller

Even though the PlayStation 5 controller drift is mostly caused by hardware problems, you should still check for and rule out any program problems that might be to blame. So, if the first three options didn’t fix the problem, reset your DualSense controller. To do this, you’ll need a paper clip or a safety pin.

First, you need to make sure that your device is off. Then, put the paperclip or safety pin gently into the small hole on the back of your DualSense joystick and hold it there for five seconds. After you reset your controller, try to use it again to see if the problem is gone

If turning off and on your controller doesn’t fix the problem, turning off and on your Bluetooth link might. Go to Settings > Accessories > General > Turn off Bluetooth to do this. For this, you will need your USB connection. Lastly, check to see if the firmware on your console and DualSense controller is up to date.

Settings > Accessories > device (General) > DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software is where you can find the software for your device. Your system should update itself, but you can also do it yourself by going to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings > Update System Software.

Fix 5: Return Your DualSense Controller to Sony

If your DualSense controller is still under protection and you have proof of purchase, you should be able to send it back to Sony and get a free replacement. But you only do this if you have no other choice because it’s the nuclear alternative.

The return process isn’t too hard to figure out. You just need to go to the PlayStation.com Fix and Replace page and start your return from there. On that page, you can also track the return and find out when a replacement is coming.

Just choose the DualSense choice, and the site will ask you a series of questions to help you figure out what’s wrong and start your return.

You can always call PlayStation help if you’re having trouble. But keep in mind that it could take a while for your call to get to the front of the line.

How Not to Fix PS5 Stick Drift

Now that we’ve told you some possible ways to fix the problem, you need to know what not to do.

First, you shouldn’t take apart your PS5 controller. If you do that, the guarantee will be void, and you won’t be able to send the DualSense back to Sony to get a new one. You don’t have to take it apart because you probably don’t have the right parts to fix it.

Second, we recommend that you clean your controller, but we don’t think you should take it into the shower with you or hose it down in the yard. You should only use cleaning products that are made for that purpose. But you don’t have to use alcohol because there are other smart ways to use slime or mud to clean.

Third, be careful with your controller. If you lose a game, don’t throw it, or you’ll hurt the controller. Also, you don’t have to press too hard on the thumbstick buttons because they are light and easy to use. You don’t need to smash them up while you play.

It goes without saying that if you take care of your controller, it will last longer. Since this is a problem with the thumbsticks, don’t use them while you’re waiting for levels to load. Doing so can quickly wear out the fragile parts inside.

Does Your PS5 Controller Drift?

If your controller drifts, try the above methods and see if they help. Clean the controller first, and if that doesn’t work, send it back to Sony. In the meantime, you can still play some games because you can change the dead zones.

No one wants a new system to be broken, which is one reason why people don’t like the flagship controller. There are also many reasons to like it, but DualSense drift is a problem that Sony needs to fix as soon as possible to keep its loyal PlayStation users happy.