Gamepad Tester › Vibration / Rumble Test
Welcome to Vibration Tester — Gamepad Tester
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Vibration / Rumble Test — Free Online Controller Vibration Tester

Vibration Tester: PS5 DualSense, PS4 DualShock, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One & All Controller Rumble Testing — Intensity, Pattern & Duration — Instant, Free & Private

Test both rumble motors on your gaming controller — strong motor and weak motor — independently or together. Set intensity from 0–100%, choose duration, pick a vibration pattern, and feel the result in your hands instantly. Diagnose dead motors, weak rumble, imbalanced feedback, and Bluetooth power issues — no downloads, no installs, no sign-ups.

Live Vibration Control Strong Motor Weak Motor 8 Patterns PS5 DualSense PS4 DualShock 4 Xbox Series X/S Xbox One Switch Pro
Live Vibration Test
Ready
Strong Motor (L)
0%
Weak Motor (R)
0%
Connect a controller then use the test tool below
0%
Strong Motor
0%
Weak Motor
500ms
Duration
Custom
Pattern
0
Fires Sent
Live Vibration / Rumble Test Tool
Vibration / Rumble Test — Interactive Tool
No Controller
Requires Chrome or Edge. Connect your controller via USB or Bluetooth, press any button to wake the Gamepad API, then use the controls below. Safari does not support the Gamepad Haptics API.
Individual Motor Control
Strong Motor — Left Grip Low-Freq · Heavy Rumble
0%
Intensity 50%
Large eccentric mass spinning at low RPM. Produces deep, heavy rumble — used for explosions, crashes, and strong impacts in games.
Weak Motor — Right Grip High-Freq · Fine Buzz
0%
Intensity 50%
Small eccentric mass spinning at high RPM. Produces sharp, buzzy feedback — used for gunshots, footsteps, menu haptics, and fine details.
Duration 500ms
50ms500ms1000ms2000ms3000ms
Isolate Single Motor
Vibration Patterns
Waveform Visualizer
Live Rumble Waveform Red = Strong   Blue = Weak
OldestLatest
Vibration Event Log
——Connect a controller and press Vibrate Now…
Vibration requires Chrome or Edge with a connected controller. All commands are sent via the Gamepad API vibrationActuator.playEffect(). No data is sent to any server.
What Is a Vibration / Rumble Test

What a Rumble Test Checks

A vibration test sends a programmatic rumble command to your controller's haptic actuators and verifies that both the strong (low-frequency) and weak (high-frequency) motors respond correctly at the requested intensity. It confirms that the motors spin, that they stop cleanly, and that they respond proportionally across the 0–100% intensity range.

Why It Matters

Rumble feedback is essential for game immersion — explosions, weapon recoil, crash impacts, and environmental cues all use it. A dead motor silences a whole dimension of the game. A motor that is weaker on one side creates an imbalance that feels wrong. Testing before competitive sessions or warranty claims gives you documented evidence of the fault.

How the Tester Works

Gamepad Tester uses the browser's GamepadHapticActuator.playEffect() API to send dual-rumble commands with specific strongMagnitude, weakMagnitude, and duration parameters directly to your controller in real time.

Strong Motor vs Weak Motor

Strong Motor vs Weak Motor — The Two Rumble Actuators Explained

Every modern rumble controller has two separate DC motors with eccentric weights. They produce completely different sensations and serve different gameplay purposes.

Strong Motor

Low-Frequency — Left Grip

The strong motor has a larger eccentric mass spinning at lower RPM. This produces slow, heavy oscillations — the deep "thump" you feel through the whole controller. It is housed in the left grip of most controllers and is driven at up to 100% intensity by the strongMagnitude parameter.

  • Large explosions and environmental impacts
  • Vehicle engine rumble in racing games
  • Heavy weapon fire — shotguns, heavy cannons
  • Character taking significant damage
  • Low-frequency background vibration (thunder, earthquakes)
Weak Motor

High-Frequency — Right Grip

The weak motor has a smaller eccentric mass spinning at higher RPM. This produces rapid, buzzy oscillations — the sharp "buzz" you feel focused in the right side. It is driven by the weakMagnitude parameter and excels at fine haptic detail.

  • Gunshots and precise weapon impacts
  • Footsteps and subtle environmental cues
  • Menu navigation and UI haptics
  • Tire spin and road texture in racing games
  • Fine vibration for rain, wind, and background ambience
How to Test Controller Vibration

How to Use the Vibration / Rumble Tester

Follow these steps to thoroughly test both rumble motors on any controller in under three minutes.

1

Connect & Wake Your Controller

Plug in via USB or pair via Bluetooth. Open Gamepad Tester in Chrome or Edge (Safari does not support the Haptics API). Press any button on your controller to wake the Gamepad API — the status badge will change from "No Controller" to "Connected". For the strongest vibration signal, use a USB cable rather than Bluetooth, which can throttle motor power on some controllers.

Chrome or EdgeUSB for max powerPress any button
2

Test Both Motors Together

Set both sliders to 100% and duration to 1000ms. Press "Vibrate Now" and hold the controller with both hands. You should feel strong, balanced rumble in both grips. If one side is silent or noticeably weaker, proceed to step 3 to isolate which motor is failing.

Both 100%1000ms durationHold in both hands
3

Isolate Each Motor

Click "Strong Only" to fire only the left/strong motor — you should feel deep rumble concentrated in the left grip. Then click "Weak Only" to fire only the right/weak motor — you should feel sharp buzzing in the right grip. If one of these buttons produces no sensation, that specific motor is dead, stuck, or its power wire is severed.

Strong Only = left gripWeak Only = right gripNo feel = dead motor
4

Test Intensity Range

Set the strong motor slider to 20% and vibrate. Then 50%, then 80%, then 100%. The sensation should scale noticeably with each increase. If 50% and 100% feel identical, the motor coil is partially burnt out and is already running at maximum. If the motor only activates above 60%, the starting threshold is worn — common in older controllers.

20% → 50% → 80% → 100%Should scale linearly
5

Run a Vibration Pattern

Select a preset pattern — try "Heartbeat", "SOS", or "Gunshot" — and press Vibrate Now. Patterns use timed sequences of varying intensity to simulate realistic haptic feedback. If the pattern starts but cuts out early, your controller's Bluetooth connection is throttling power delivery. Switch to USB and retry.

HeartbeatSOSGunshotEngine Rumble
Why Choose Gamepad Tester

Why Choose Gamepad Tester for Vibration Testing

The most complete free browser-based vibration tester — with individual motor isolation, 8 preset patterns, waveform visualization, and a full event log.

Instant — Zero Install

Open Chrome or Edge and start vibration testing in seconds. No download, no app, no account, no email. Works immediately on any device with a Chromium-based browser and a supported controller.

Independent Motor Control

Control the strong and weak motors with separate sliders at independent intensities — from 0% to 100% each. Most testers only let you set both motors simultaneously. Gamepad Tester isolates each motor for precise fault diagnosis.

8 Preset Patterns

Eight realistic haptic patterns — Heartbeat, SOS, Gunshot, Engine Rumble, Impact Burst, Notification Pulse, Earthquake, and Racing — demonstrate how games use motors together to create realistic feedback and help reveal intermittent faults.

Live Waveform Visualizer

A rolling waveform shows the strong motor intensity in red and weak motor in blue across the last 40 vibration ticks. This makes it easy to see whether a pattern is firing correctly or dropping ticks — a sign of driver or power-delivery issues.

Adjustable Duration

Set vibration duration anywhere from 50ms to 3000ms. A 50ms burst tests whether the motor starts and stops cleanly. A 3000ms continuous test reveals progressive weakening — where the motor starts strong but loses power as it heats up.

100% Private

All vibration commands are sent from your browser directly to your controller via the Gamepad API. No motor data, intensity values, or controller information is ever transmitted to any server. Your controller stays entirely under local control.

Vibration Compatibility by Controller
ControllerStrong MotorWeak MotorTrigger RumbleBrowserConnectionNotes
PS5 DualSense✓ Full✓ Full~ PartialChrome / EdgeUSB-C / BTAdvanced haptics need firmware update via Sony app. Basic dual-rumble works.
PS4 DualShock 4✓ Full✓ Full✗ NoneChrome / Edge / FirefoxUSB / BTReliable dual-rumble. No trigger haptics. Best support overall.
PS3 DualShock 3~ Partial~ Partial✗ NoneChrome onlyUSBSpotty — requires driver on Windows. Unreliable via Bluetooth.
Xbox Series X/S✓ Full✓ Full✓ ImpulseChrome / EdgeUSB / 2.4GHz / BTBest vibration support. Impulse triggers via trigger-rumble API.
Xbox One✓ Full✓ Full✓ ImpulseChrome / EdgeUSB / 2.4GHz / BTFull support. Impulse triggers respond to trigger-rumble.
Xbox 360✓ Full✓ Full✗ NoneChrome / EdgeUSB onlyUSB only. Legacy rumble API. No trigger haptics.
Nintendo Switch Pro~ Partial~ Partial✗ NoneChromeUSB / BTHD Rumble not exposed via Web API. Basic vibration works in Chrome.
Switch Joy-Con~ Limited✗ Unreliable✗ NoneChrome onlyBTInconsistent via browser. Native HD Rumble not accessible via Web Gamepad API.
8BitDo Pro 2✓ Full✓ Full✗ NoneChrome / EdgeUSB / BT / 2.4GSolid dual-rumble support. Good third-party choice.
Generic USB HID~ Varies~ Varies✗ NoneVariesUSBDepends entirely on device firmware and driver support.
Frequently Asked Questions

Vibration / Rumble Test FAQs

Why is my controller not vibrating even though it's connected?
There are six common reasons. First, you may be using Safari — the Gamepad Haptics API is not supported in Safari on macOS or iOS; switch to Chrome or Edge. Second, you have not pressed a button to wake the Gamepad API — the browser does not expose the gamepad until a user interaction occurs. Third, Steam's Desktop Configuration may be hijacking the controller — close Steam completely and retry. Fourth, Windows may have vibration disabled in Device Manager or Bluetooth power-saving settings. Fifth, your battery may be critically low — some controllers (especially Xbox) disable vibration below 10–15% battery. Sixth, the vibration actuator may not be supported by your controller model — check the compatibility table above. If none of these apply, the motors may be physically dead.
How do I test if one motor is dead on my controller?
Use the "Isolate Single Motor" section in the tester. Click "Strong Only" — set it to 100% and fire for 1000ms. Hold the controller and feel whether the left grip vibrates strongly. Then click "Weak Only" and repeat — feel whether the right grip buzzes sharply. If one of these produces absolutely no sensation at 100% intensity regardless of duration, that motor is dead. Confirm by testing in a known-working game that uses heavy rumble (like Forza or Halo) — if the game also produces no rumble on one side, the hardware is confirmed faulty. A one-sided dead motor typically means a severed internal wire or a burnt motor coil, both of which require disassembly to repair.
Is it safe to run the vibration test at 100% intensity for a long time?
Running vibration at 100% for occasional testing (a few seconds at a time) is completely safe and is within normal operation range — games regularly push controllers to 100% during intense scenes. However, running continuous 100% vibration for more than 30 seconds is not recommended. The eccentric mass motors generate heat at high sustained loads, which can cause premature wear on the motor bearings and degrade the carbon brushes. For thorough testing, use 3-second bursts rather than sustained runs. For battery-powered controllers, prolonged vibration at full intensity can also drain the battery quickly and cause the controller to throttle motor power to protect the battery — which might appear as progressive weakening during a long test.
Why does my Xbox controller vibrate less strongly than my PS4 controller?
Intensity differences between controller models are normal — motor mass, size, and power delivery vary between manufacturers. Xbox controllers are tuned for a slightly more subdued rumble compared to DualShock 4, which tends to vibrate more aggressively at the same API intensity values. This is a design choice, not a fault. If your Xbox controller used to feel stronger and now feels weaker at the same settings, the most common causes are low battery (Xbox controllers are particularly aggressive about throttling vibration below 15% battery), or a partially worn motor coil that can no longer reach maximum power. Try wired USB and fresh batteries before assuming hardware failure.
Does the PS5 DualSense haptic feedback work with this tester?
The DualSense has two distinct haptic systems: standard dual-rumble motors (compatible with this tester) and advanced linear resonant actuators (LRAs) that produce the next-generation "adaptive trigger" and body haptics unique to PS5 titles. This tester supports the standard dual-rumble motors via the Web Gamepad API's playEffect("dual-rumble") call, which works in Chrome and Edge when connected via USB-C or Bluetooth. The advanced LRA haptics require Sony's proprietary protocol and are not accessible via the standard browser API. To get the best DualSense vibration in this tester, ensure your controller firmware is up to date via the PlayStation DualSense Firmware Updater app on PC.
What is the difference between rumble, vibration, and haptics?
Rumble and vibration are used interchangeably — both refer to the physical oscillation produced by spinning eccentric-mass DC motors inside a controller. Traditional controllers (Xbox One, PS4, Switch Pro) use rumble motors. Haptics is a broader term that includes rumble but also encompasses more advanced actuator technologies. Modern haptic actuators — like the linear resonant actuators (LRAs) in PS5 DualSense and Nintendo Switch Joy-Con HD Rumble — produce more precise, shorter, and more varied vibration patterns than traditional motors. They can simulate textures, surface friction, and discrete impacts that eccentric-mass motors cannot. For browser-based testing, the Web Gamepad API currently exposes both technologies through the same dual-rumble effect type, though the physical sensation differs between motor types.
Why does Bluetooth vibration feel weaker than USB on my controller?
Bluetooth has limited bandwidth compared to USB, and some controllers and OS-level Bluetooth drivers throttle the power delivered to vibration motors over wireless to reduce power consumption and avoid connection instability. This is most noticeable on Xbox controllers over Bluetooth (not the Xbox Wireless Adapter), which can feel noticeably weaker over BT than USB. PS4 DualShock 4 over Bluetooth is generally less affected. For the strongest and most reliable vibration testing, always use a USB cable connected directly to a motherboard port rather than a hub. If your vibration feels inconsistent or weaker than expected, switch to USB before concluding there is a hardware fault.
Is the vibration test free and does it need a download?
The vibration tester is completely free — no download, no installation, no account, and no email address required. It runs entirely in Chrome or Edge using the Web Gamepad API's haptic actuator interface. All vibration commands are generated locally in your browser and sent directly to your controller. No motor data or controller information is transmitted to any server at any point.

Gamepad Tester — free browser-based vibration and rumble testing for PS5 DualSense, PS4 DualShock 4, PS3 DualShock 3, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch Pro, 8BitDo Pro 2, and all standard gamepads. Requires Chrome 58+ or Edge 79+. All haptic commands processed locally.  ·  ← Back to Gamepad Tester