Welcome to PC Gamepad Test — Gamepad Tester
Free Online Tool

PC Gamepad Test — Free Online PC Gamepad Tester

Test Any USB or Bluetooth Gamepad on Windows, Mac & Linux — Free PC Gamepad Tester for Xbox, PS5, PS4 & Generic Controllers, No Download Required

Test any PC gamepad directly in your browser on Windows, Mac, or Linux — no software to install, no account needed. Detect dead buttons, analog stick drift, trigger sensitivity problems, and connection failures in seconds. Works with XInput, DirectInput, and HID gamepads across all major browsers.

Live Input Windows 10 / 11 macOS Linux XInput DirectInput USB & Bluetooth Generic HID
Live PC Gamepad Test
Simulating
Windows
macOS
Linux
L-Stick X 0%
L-Stick Y 0%
LT 0%
RT 0%
Connect a PC gamepad to go live
What Is a PC Gamepad Test

What It Tests

A PC gamepad test checks that every input on your controller registers correctly through the browser Gamepad API. It reads all buttons, both analog sticks across both axes, the left and right triggers, and the D-pad — reporting live values from 0.00 to 1.00 for every single input at up to 60 polls per second.

Why Test on PC

PC gaming uses multiple input APIs — XInput for Xbox-compatible pads, DirectInput for older or generic devices, and raw HID for everything else. A controller that works perfectly on console can show drift, dead zones, or missing buttons on PC due to driver mapping differences. Testing before you play confirms all inputs are wired correctly on your specific OS.

How It Works

Gamepad Tester uses the W3C Web Gamepad API, which all modern browsers expose on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Your OS translates the raw USB or Bluetooth HID data through its controller driver — XInput, HID, or DirectInput — and the browser surfaces that data as a standardised array of button values and axis readings that this tool visualises in real time.

Live PC Gamepad Test Tool
PC Gamepad Tester — Interactive Demo
Auto Simulation
All Buttons — B0 to B17
Analog Triggers
LT — Left Trigger0%
RT — Right Trigger0%
Analog Stick Axes
Controller Info
Controller—
Connection—
Buttons—
Axes—
API Mapping—
Total Presses0
Active Inputs0
Input Log
Live Events
Waiting for input...
Connect any USB or Bluetooth PC gamepad and press any button to switch from simulation to live input
PC Gamepad Testing by OS

PC Gamepad Test on Windows, Mac & Linux

The Gamepad API works across all three major desktop operating systems — here is what to expect on each.

Windows 10 / 11

PC Gamepad Test on Windows

Windows provides the best gamepad support of any desktop OS. Xbox controllers connect via XInput natively — no drivers needed on Windows 10 and 11. PS5 and PS4 controllers connect via USB or Bluetooth using the HID driver that Chrome and Edge expose through the Gamepad API. Generic DirectInput pads may require Joy.cpl calibration before values appear correctly.

XInput nativeHID for PS padsJoy.cpl calibrationChrome / Edge best
macOS

PC Gamepad Test on Mac

macOS supports USB and Bluetooth gamepads through its HID framework. Xbox controllers require the Xbox Accessories driver or a third-party driver for full support. PS5 DualSense and PS4 DualShock 4 connect over USB or Bluetooth without extra software in Chrome. Safari on macOS added partial Gamepad API support in version 16.4, but Chrome or Firefox give more consistent results for testing.

HID frameworkChrome / Firefox bestSafari partialUSB most reliable
Linux

PC Gamepad Test on Linux

Linux supports gamepads through the kernel's joystick and evdev subsystems. Xbox controllers work via the xpad driver included in most modern kernels. PS4 and PS5 controllers connect over USB without additional drivers on Ubuntu 20.04 and later. Bluetooth gamepad support can vary by distribution and kernel version — USB is the most reliable connection method for Linux gamepad testing.

xpad driverevdev subsystemUSB most reliableChrome / Firefox
How to Test PC Gamepad

How to Use the PC Gamepad Tester

A complete PC gamepad test takes under three minutes — follow these steps for any controller on Windows, Mac, or Linux.

1

Connect Your Gamepad to PC

Plug your gamepad into a USB port or pair it via Bluetooth in your OS settings. On Windows, confirm the controller appears in Device Manager or Joy.cpl. On Mac, check System Information. On Linux, run ls /dev/input/js* to confirm it is detected by the kernel before opening the browser.

USBBluetoothDevice Manager checkJoy.cpl on Windows
2

Wake the Gamepad API

Open Gamepad Tester in Chrome or Edge, then press any button on your controller. Browsers require at least one button press before the Gamepad API grants access — this is a security requirement built into the W3C spec. The demo will switch from Auto Simulation to Live Controller mode the moment your press is detected and the controller info panel will populate with your device name and button count.

Press any buttonChrome / Edge bestSecurity requirement
3

Test All Buttons

Press every button on your gamepad — face buttons, bumpers, D-pad, system buttons, and stick clicks (L3/R3). Each button in the B0–B17 grid should light red and return to grey cleanly on release. A button showing 0.00 when pressed is dead. A button staying lit after release is stuck. Review the input log for any ghost presses or double-registrations.

Face buttonsBumpers L1/R1D-padL3 / R3 stick click
4

Test Analog Sticks & Triggers

Move both analog sticks through their full range and confirm the axis bars respond smoothly from −1.00 to +1.00 and return to near 0.00 at rest. Values drifting above ±0.05 at rest indicate stick drift. Slowly squeeze each trigger from 0% to 100% — the fill bars should increase linearly with no skipping. Any trigger reading above 0% when untouched indicates a weak spring or worn potentiometer.

Full stick rotationRest value near 0.00Trigger 0–100%Drift detection
5

Check the Input Log

Every button press is timestamped and logged. After completing your button and stick tests, review the log for any unexpected entries — presses you did not make, buttons firing twice from one press, or inputs that appear and disappear rapidly. These intermittent events are often invisible during gameplay but cause dropped inputs and ghost actions in competitive scenarios.

TimestampsGhost input checkDouble registrationIntermittent contacts
Why Choose Gamepad Tester

Why Use Gamepad Tester for PC Testing

The most complete browser-based PC gamepad test available — works on Windows, Mac, and Linux with any XInput, DirectInput, or HID controller.

No Install — Any OS

Works directly in your browser on Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS, and Linux — no app, no extension, no driver software, and no admin rights required. Just open the page and press a button.

100% Private

All input is processed locally in your browser using the Web Gamepad API. No button press, axis value, or controller metadata is ever transmitted to any server. Your data never leaves your PC.

Real-Time at 60fps

The polling loop reads your controller at up to 60 times per second — the same rate used by game engines. Every button press and axis movement appears the instant it happens, with no perceptible delay.

XInput & DirectInput Support

Works with both XInput (Xbox-standard) and DirectInput (older PC gamepads) controllers. If your OS recognises the controller, the Gamepad API will read it — covering the full range of PC-compatible gamepad hardware.

Timestamped Input Log

Every input event is recorded with a millisecond-level timestamp. Essential for diagnosing intermittent drops, ghost inputs, double-registrations, and wireless polling jitter — issues that are invisible during normal play.

Controller Info Panel

Displays your controller's name, connection type, button count, axis count, and API mapping string the moment it connects. Useful for verifying that the correct driver is in use and that the browser is reading the expected number of inputs.

PC Gamepad Compatibility
Controller Windows macOS Linux API Type Connection Notes
Xbox Series X/S✓ Full~ Driver needed✓ xpad driverXInputUSB / BT / WiFiBest PC support overall
Xbox One✓ Full~ Driver needed✓ xpad driverXInputUSB / BTXInput native on Windows
Xbox 360✓ Full~ Partial✓ xpad driverXInputUSB onlyUSB only, no BT
PS5 DualSense✓ Full✓ Full✓ FullHIDUSB-C / BTChrome / Edge recommended
PS4 DualShock 4✓ Full✓ Full✓ FullHIDMicro-USB / BTWidest cross-OS support
PS3 DualShock 3~ SCP driver~ Partial~ VariesHIDUSB onlyNeeds SCP Toolkit on Windows
Nintendo Switch Pro✓ Full✓ Full✓ FullHIDUSB-C / BTNo analog triggers
Logitech F310/F710✓ Full~ Partial✓ xpad/HIDXInput / DirectInputUSB / BT (F710)Switch on gamepad for XInput
Generic USB HID~ Varies~ Varies~ VariesHIDUSBDepends on firmware mapping
Frequently Asked Questions

PC Gamepad Test FAQs

How do I test a gamepad on PC?
Connect your gamepad to your PC via USB or Bluetooth and confirm it is detected by your operating system. On Windows, open Device Manager or press Win + R and type joy.cpl to verify the controller appears. Then open Gamepad Tester in Chrome or Edge and press any button on your controller — the tool will detect it automatically and begin displaying all button states and axis values in real time. Press every button, move both analog sticks through their full range, and squeeze both triggers to confirm all inputs register correctly. The entire test takes under three minutes.
Why is my PC not detecting my gamepad?
The most common causes are: a charge-only USB cable that lacks data wires (try the cable that shipped with your controller), exclusive-mode applications like Steam Big Picture that block other programs from reading the controller (close them and retry), incomplete Bluetooth pairing (unpair and re-pair the controller), or missing drivers for older DirectInput pads on Windows. If the controller appears in Device Manager but not in the browser, try reloading the page and pressing a button immediately after the page loads. On macOS, use Chrome or Firefox — Safari provides only partial Gamepad API support.
Does this PC gamepad tester work on Windows 11?
Yes, Gamepad Tester works fully on Windows 11 in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. Windows 11 includes native XInput support for all Xbox controllers and exposes most HID gamepads through the browser Gamepad API without any additional drivers. Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5 DualSense, PS4 DualShock 4, Nintendo Switch Pro, and most USB HID gamepads are all detected and read correctly on Windows 11 without any extra software.
Can I test a PS5 or PS4 controller on PC?
Yes. Both the PS5 DualSense and PS4 DualShock 4 are fully supported on PC through the HID driver that Windows, macOS, and Linux all include natively. Connect via USB-C (PS5) or Micro-USB (PS4), or pair via Bluetooth in your OS settings. Open Gamepad Tester in Chrome or Edge and press any button. All face buttons, bumpers, triggers, analog sticks, D-pad, and system buttons will be detected and displayed with live values. Note that the DualSense touchpad click registers as a button on PC but pressure and touchpad position data are not exposed through the standard Gamepad API.
What is the difference between XInput and DirectInput on PC?
XInput is Microsoft's modern controller API, used by all Xbox-branded gamepads and most controllers released after 2005. It standardises the button layout to a fixed mapping that games can reliably read without configuration. DirectInput is the older API that preceded XInput and supports a wider variety of controller layouts — including flight sticks, racing wheels, and older generic gamepads — but requires games and software to map buttons manually. The Web Gamepad API reads both through the operating system's driver layer, though XInput controllers typically produce cleaner, more consistent axis and button data in the browser.
How do I test analog stick drift on PC?
Connect your controller, open Gamepad Tester, and press a button to activate the Gamepad API. Place the controller on a flat surface and do not touch the analog sticks. Watch the axis readouts for the left and right stick X and Y axes — at rest they should read near 0.00. Any value consistently above ±0.05 when you are not touching the stick indicates drift. Move each stick to the full edge of its range and release it — it should snap back cleanly to near 0.00 without oscillating. Drift that persists after cleaning the stick base with isopropyl alcohol usually means the potentiometer or Hall-effect sensor needs replacing.
Does the PC gamepad tester work without a controller connected?
Yes — when no controller is detected, Gamepad Tester runs an animated simulation that cycles through buttons, analog stick movements, and trigger inputs so you can see exactly how the tool works before connecting your PC gamepad. The moment you connect a controller and press any button, the tool switches from simulation to live input automatically. The controller info panel populates with your device name, button count, and axis count so you can confirm it has been detected correctly.
Can I test a Logitech or third-party PC gamepad?
Yes. Any controller that your PC operating system recognises and exposes through the HID or XInput layer will be detected and tested by Gamepad Tester. Logitech F310 and F710 controllers have a physical switch on the bottom to toggle between DirectInput (D) and XInput (X) mode — switch to XInput for the most reliable results in Chrome. Generic USB gamepads from any manufacturer are supported as long as the firmware reports itself as a standard HID gamepad device. Controllers that present as a keyboard or mouse will not appear in the Gamepad API.
Is the PC gamepad tester free?
Yes, the PC gamepad tester is completely free with no account, no registration, no email address, and no usage limits. All input processing happens locally in your browser using the W3C Web Gamepad API. No button press data, axis readings, or controller metadata is ever transmitted to any server at any point. You can test as many controllers as you like on any operating system, as many times as needed, with no restrictions.
Which browser works best for PC gamepad testing?
Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge provide the best and most consistent Gamepad API support for PC gamepad testing across Windows, macOS, and Linux, and are the recommended browsers. Firefox also supports the Gamepad API reliably on all three operating systems. Safari on macOS added partial Gamepad API support in version 16.4 but has more limited controller compatibility than Chrome or Firefox. For the most accurate analog stick and trigger readings, use a wired USB connection — Bluetooth connections introduce a small polling interval that can affect the smoothness of axis value updates.

Gamepad Tester — free browser-based PC gamepad testing on Windows, macOS and Linux. Supports XInput, DirectInput, and HID controllers including Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Logitech, and generic USB gamepads. All data processed locally. Compatible with Chrome 58+, Edge 79+, Firefox 55+, Safari 16.4+.