Gamepad Tester › Controller Test

Welcome to Gamepad Tester — Free Online Controller Test

Free Online Tool — No Download Required

Controller Tester! Free Online Gamepad Tester for PS5, Xbox, Switch & All Controllers

Free Online Controller Test: Test Gamepad Buttons, Analog Stick Drift, Trigger Sensitivity, D-Pad, Vibration & Deadzone, Full Controller Diagnostic for PS5 DualSense, PS4 DualShock, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch Pro & All USB / Bluetooth Gamepads — Instant, No Download

The most complete free online controller test tool. Diagnose every part of your gamepad in real time — all 16 buttons, both analog sticks, left and right triggers, the D-Pad, rumble motors, and stick deadzone calibration. Detect stick drift before it ruins your game, find dead buttons, verify trigger analog range, and test vibration motor strength. Supports up to 4 simultaneous controllers. Works via USB or Bluetooth. No download, no driver, no sign-up required.

Button Test Stick Drift Trigger Test Vibration Test Deadzone Check D-Pad Test 4 Controllers PS5 / Xbox / Switch

Live Controller Test

Waiting for controller...

No controller connected

Connect via USB or Bluetooth

—

Player 2 Slot

Waiting for controller

—

Player 3 Slot

Waiting for controller

—

Player 4 Slot

Waiting for controller

—

✕/A

○/B

□/X

△/Y

SEL

STA

↑

↓

←

→

Left Stick X

Right Stick X

Connected

Btns Tested

0.000

Max Drift

Connect a controller and press any button to activate

Controllers

Buttons Tested

0.000

Left Drift

0.000

Right Drift

Left Trigger

Right Trigger

Live Controller Test Tool

Controller Test — Buttons, Stick Drift, Triggers, Vibration & Deadzone

Connect controller and press any button

Press each button — all 16 inputs tracked with raw values

🎮

Connect Your Controller to Begin

Plug in via USB or pair via Bluetooth, then press any button on your controller. The browser Gamepad API will detect it instantly. Works with PS5, PS4, Xbox, Switch Pro, and all generic USB gamepads.

Green = tested and working. Red = currently pressed. Grey = not yet tested. If a button never turns green after pressing, the switch contact may be dirty, worn, or failed. D-Pad may appear as 4 buttons or as axes depending on your controller model.

Analog Stick Test — Move in full circles, check drift at rest

Left Analog Stick ( L3 )

Axis 0 X

0.0000

Axis 1 Y

0.0000

Center — No Drift

Right Analog Stick ( R3 )

Axis 2 X

0.0000

Axis 3 Y

0.0000

Center — No Drift

Release both sticks and check resting values. Healthy sticks read 0.0000 on both axes. Values above ±0.05 are early drift. Values above ±0.10 will cause visible in-game movement. Move each stick in a complete circle to verify full range reaches ±1.0000 at every edge without dead spots.

Trigger Sensitivity — Squeeze slowly from 0% to 100%

Left Trigger — L2 / LT

0.00

0%

Button 6 / Axis 4

Right Trigger — R2 / RT

0.00

0%

Button 7 / Axis 5

Squeeze each trigger slowly from rest to full press. A healthy trigger moves smoothly from 0.00 to 1.00 with proportional pressure. If the value jumps suddenly, skips a range, or fails to reach 1.00 at full press — the trigger potentiometer is wearing out. A trigger that instantly reads 1.00 without analog progression is a digital-only trigger, normal on some older budget controllers.

Vibration / Rumble Test — Test both motors independently

Weak Motor — High Frequency

60%

Strong Motor — Low Frequency

60%

Connect controller to enable

Vibration testing requires Chrome or Edge browser — Firefox has limited Vibration API support. If vibration does not fire, check your controller battery is above 20% (low battery disables rumble on some controllers). Nintendo Switch Pro Controller vibration requires USB and Chrome. If only one motor fires, the other motor is likely mechanically damaged.

Deadzone Calibration — Place controller flat and release all sticks

Left Stick Resting Position

Axis 0 — X

0.0000

Axis 1 — Y

0.0000

Right Stick Resting Position

Axis 2 — X

0.0000

Axis 3 — Y

0.0000

Monitoring resting position — release all sticks...

Drift thresholds: ±0.00–0.02 = Normal hardware noise. ±0.02–0.05 = Minimal drift, unnoticeable in most games. ±0.05–0.10 = Early drift, games compensate with software deadzone. ±0.10–0.15 = Moderate drift — visible in-game movement likely. ±0.15+ = Severe drift — replacement needed.

Controller Event Log

——Connect a controller and press any button to begin logging...

What is a Controller Tester & How Does It Work

What is a Controller Tester?

A controller tester is a free browser-based diagnostic tool that reads every input from your game controller in real time — buttons, analog sticks, triggers, D-Pad, and rumble motors — and displays the data visually without requiring any software installation. It works through the browser's built-in Gamepad API, a web standard supported by Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari that provides direct access to connected gamepad hardware.

Unlike testing your controller inside a game — where game-specific deadzones, input processing, and mechanics can mask hardware problems — a controller tester shows you the raw hardware data exactly as your computer receives it. This means you see drift before your games mask it, trigger wear before it causes aim issues, and button failures before they cost you in competitive matches.

A controller tester is used by gamers verifying a new purchase, repair technicians diagnosing a fault, players troubleshooting unexplained in-game behaviour, and developers testing gamepad input code. It is the single fastest way to distinguish a hardware problem from a software or game-settings problem.

How Does a Controller Tester Work?

When you connect a controller via USB or Bluetooth and press any button, the browser's Gamepad API registers the device. The tester then polls the Gamepad API every animation frame — typically 60 times per second using requestAnimationFrame — reading the current state of every button and axis. Unlike event-based detection, polling captures every state change including brief presses, partial trigger depressions, and sub-frame axis movement. This raw data is displayed on screen in real time: buttons highlight on press, axis values update continuously, and drift appears as resting values away from zero.

How the Tester Works — Step by Step

Controller Connected via USB or Bluetooth

Your OS registers the controller as a HID (Human Interface Device). Drivers load automatically for Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch controllers on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Button Press Triggers Gamepad API

The browser's Gamepad API requires at least one button press to register the device for security reasons. This fires a gamepadconnected event that our tester listens for.

60fps Polling Loop Reads All Inputs

requestAnimationFrame calls navigator.getGamepads() 60 times per second, reading the complete state of all buttons (value 0.0–1.0) and all axes (value -1.0 to 1.0).

Raw Data Displayed Without Filtering

Values are shown exactly as reported by the hardware — no software deadzone, no smoothing. This reveals drift, partial button presses, and trigger calibration issues invisible in games.

All Processing Happens Locally

No controller data is transmitted to any server. The Gamepad API is sandboxed — read-only access to input data only. Your button presses and stick positions never leave your device.

Advantages of Using a Controller Tester

Instant Diagnosis — No Software

Test any controller in seconds without installing drivers, diagnostic software, or manufacturer apps. Open a browser, connect the controller, press a button, and full diagnostics begin immediately. Works on any OS without admin rights.

Detects Drift Before Games Do

Games apply software deadzones (typically 0.10–0.15) that mask early drift. The controller tester shows raw values — drift of 0.05 or 0.07 is invisible in games but clearly visible here, letting you identify and fix stick wear weeks before it impacts gameplay.

Isolates Hardware from Software

If a button works in the tester but not in your game, the problem is in the game's input settings, keybinding, or software — not your controller. This instantly eliminates hours of guessing and incorrect hardware replacements.

Verify Before Purchase or After Repair

Test a used or refurbished controller comprehensively before buying. Verify every button, both sticks, triggers, and vibration in under 3 minutes. After a repair — switch replacement, stick module swap, or trigger fix — confirm the repair was successful before reassembly.

4-Player Simultaneous Testing

Test up to four controllers at once — each in their own slot. Before a local multiplayer session or tournament, verify all controllers are working without swapping between multiple test sessions. Each controller's data is displayed independently.

Raw Analog Data for Accuracy

Trigger values shown from 0.00 to 1.00 with two decimal precision. Stick axes shown to four decimal places. This level of detail reveals partial button actuation, trigger calibration drift, and axis range loss — none of which are visible in binary on/off displays used by basic testers.

Controllers Supported — Common Issues & Fixes

🎮

PS5 DualSense Controller

Sony PlayStation 5 — USB-C or Bluetooth — Full haptic and adaptive trigger support via Chrome

USB-CBluetoothHapticsAdaptive Triggers16 Buttons

Common Issues

🔄

Stick Drift (L3 / R3)

Resting axis value above ±0.05 without touching the stick. Most common PS5 fault — potentiometer wear on thumbstick module.

Fix: Compressed air under stick cap, IPA cleaning, or thumbstick module replacement (Hall Effect upgrade modules available).

🔘

Dead Face Buttons (Cross / Circle / Square / Triangle)

Button press shows 0.00 in tester despite physical press. Worn rubber dome or dirty contact pad under button.

Fix: Clean contacts with IPA on a cotton bud. Replace rubber membrane if cleaning fails.

⚡

Adaptive Trigger Resistance Lost

L2 / R2 triggers no longer provide resistance. The adaptive trigger mechanism ratchet arm has snapped — a known PS5 hardware fault.

Fix: Trigger value still reads 0–1.00 in tester (mechanism is separate). Replace L2/R2 trigger assembly for resistance.

📶

Bluetooth Disconnection

Controller drops connection intermittently. Low battery, wireless interference, or failing Bluetooth module.

Fix: Charge fully, move closer to console, switch to USB-C for stable testing.

What to Test

✅

All 16 buttons including touchpad click

Press every button including touchpad center click (Button 17 on some mappings). Verify each lights green.

✅

Both sticks — drift and full range

Rest sticks and check values near 0. Move in full circles, verify ±1.0 at edges without gaps.

✅

L2 / R2 trigger analog range

Squeeze slowly — should progress 0.00 to 1.00 smoothly even if adaptive resistance is lost.

✅

Haptic vibration via USB-C

Test both weak and strong motors in Vibration tab. Use USB-C for best haptic API support.

🕹

PS4 DualShock 4 Controller

Sony PlayStation 4 — Micro-USB or Bluetooth — Full support on all browsers

Micro-USBBluetoothDual RumbleTouchpad16 Buttons

Common Issues

🔄

Stick Drift — Very Common

PS4 DualShock 4 is notorious for stick drift due to cheap potentiometer quality. Left stick drift affects movement. Right stick drift affects camera.

Fix: IPA spray into stick base, compressed air, or Alps/Kailh replacement thumbstick module.

🔋

Battery Swells / Won't Charge

Li-polymer battery swells, causing face buttons to stick or trigger to feel stiff. Common after 2–3 years of use.

Fix: Replace LIP1522 battery. Verify buttons return to normal values in tester after replacement.

🔌

Micro-USB Port Damage

Port becomes loose or fails to maintain connection. Gamepad disappears from tester slot mid-session.

Fix: Replace micro-USB port via solder. Use Bluetooth as workaround.

🎮

L1 / R1 Bumper Failure

Bumper physically snaps at the hinge point. Button 4 or 5 reads 0 in tester even when trigger mechanism pressed.

Fix: Replace L1/R1 bumper bracket — common part, available from repair suppliers.

What to Test

✅

L1 / R1 bumper registration

Press each bumper firmly and verify Button 4 and 5 turn green. Partially broken bumpers may require hard press to register.

✅

Stick drift at rest

Set controller flat, release sticks. Axis values should be within ±0.05. DualShock 4 often shows drift of 0.10+ on older units.

✅

Both rumble motors

Test weak and strong motor separately. Both should activate clearly. Silent strong motor usually means failed actuator.

✅

All D-Pad directions

Press each D-Pad direction individually. Diagonal combinations should register two button presses simultaneously.

🟢

Xbox Series X / S Controller

Microsoft — USB-C or Xbox Wireless / Bluetooth — Best-in-class browser support

USB-CXbox WirelessBluetoothImpulse Triggers16 Buttons

Common Issues

🔄

Left Stick Drift

Resting left axis drifts. Xbox Series controllers use Alps potentiometers — prone to wear after 400+ hours use.

Fix: IPA cleaning first. Microsoft's extended warranty covers drift — submit warranty claim before self-repair.

📶

Wireless Disconnection / Lag

Xbox Wireless Adapter range issues or USB interference. Bluetooth mode adds 8–15ms latency vs wired. Controller drops appear as slot disappearing in tester.

Fix: Move adapter to USB extender cable away from PC, or switch to USB-C for testing.

🔋

AA Battery Contacts Corrode

Battery door contacts corrode, causing intermittent power loss. Controller disappears from tester slot spontaneously.

Fix: Clean contacts with pencil eraser or IPA. Use rechargeable AA or Xbox Play and Charge Kit.

🎯

RB / LB Bumper Cracking

Original Xbox One bumper design fault — plastic cracks at hinge. Button 4 or 5 fails to register.

Fix: Series X/S bumpers redesigned and more durable. Replace bumper assembly if still failing.

What to Test

✅

Share button (Button 16)

Xbox Series added a Share button not present on Xbox One. Verify it registers if your controller has it.

✅

Trigger analog range LT / RT

Squeeze each trigger slowly. Xbox triggers should move smoothly 0.00 to 1.00. Impulse trigger vibration tested separately in Vibration tab.

✅

Both stick deadzone at rest

Rest sticks and verify values within ±0.05. Xbox Series has better stick quality than Xbox One but drift still develops.

✅

Vibration via USB-C

Test both main rumble motors and (if supported) impulse trigger motors via the Vibration tab using Chrome/Edge.

🔴

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Nintendo — USB-C or Bluetooth — Best tested via USB for full feature support

USB-CBluetoothHD RumbleGyroscope16 Buttons

Common Issues

🔄

Stick Drift

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and Joy-Cons are infamous for stick drift due to carbon pad wear on potentiometers.

Fix: Nintendo offers free repair for Joy-Con drift in many regions. Pro Controller IPA spray often resolves early drift.

📶

Bluetooth Axis Mapping Difference

Some browsers map Pro Controller axes differently over Bluetooth vs USB. Stick values may appear on unexpected axis indices.

Fix: Connect via USB-C for correct standard axis mapping. Chrome handles both connection types correctly.

🔲

D-Pad Reports as Axes Not Buttons

Switch Pro D-Pad sometimes reports as a hat switch (axis) rather than 4 individual buttons depending on browser/driver.

Fix: USB connection and Chrome browser gives most consistent button mapping for D-Pad.

⚡

USB-C Charging Port Damage

Port loosens or fails. Controller not detected in tester when connected via USB — only Bluetooth works.

Fix: Replace USB-C port. Use Bluetooth as workaround noting axis mapping may differ.

What to Test

✅

Stick drift at rest

Place flat, release sticks. Pro Controller drift is most common on left stick. Values above ±0.08 at rest confirm drift.

✅

Home and Capture buttons

Home and Capture (Screenshot) map to Button 12 and 13 on some mappings. Verify both register in button test.

✅

HD Rumble via USB

Test vibration via USB-C connection in Chrome. HD Rumble uses the same Vibration API as standard rumble.

✅

Trigger and bumper buttons

ZL / ZR triggers are digital on Switch Pro (no analog range). Verify Button 6 and 7 show 0.00 or 1.00 only.

🎯

Generic USB / PC Gamepads (XInput & DirectInput)

Third-party and budget controllers — All brands — Use D-Input or XInput mode for best results

USB HIDXInputDirectInputAll Brands8BitDo / Logitech / Razer

Common Issues

🗺

Wrong Button Mapping

Button indices do not match standard layout. A button shows as Button 2 instead of Button 0. DirectInput controllers have non-standard axis and button ordering.

Fix: Use XInput mode (typically toggle on controller). Check raw button indices in the event log.

🔌

Controller Not Detected

Tester shows no controller after connecting. Common with non-standard HID devices, DirectInput-only controllers, or USB hubs.

Fix: Connect directly to USB port, press any button, try Chrome browser, install XInput wrapper if DirectInput only.

⚡

Axis Range Not Full ±1.0

Stick axes only reach ±0.8 or similar. Stick module quality or calibration issue in budget controllers.

Fix: Some budget sticks have limited physical range. Use game-side sensitivity adjustment to compensate.

🔈

No Vibration Support

Vibration tab shows no support. Budget gamepads often lack rumble hardware entirely or use DirectInput-incompatible motor control.

Fix: Not hardware fixable. Confirm controller spec includes rumble before purchase.

What to Test

✅

All physical buttons vs detected buttons

Count physical buttons on your controller. Verify every one registers in the tester. Any button with no response in tester and no response in games is a hardware failure.

✅

Axis range and center point

Move each stick to its extreme in all 4 directions. Check max values reached. Budget sticks may only reach ±0.85 instead of ±1.0.

✅

Trigger type — analog or digital

Squeeze triggers slowly. If value jumps from 0 to 1 instantly — triggers are digital only. If value rises gradually — triggers are analog. Important for racing games.

✅

Connection stability

Watch the event log during testing. Controller slot should remain active. Slot disappearing mid-session indicates USB port or cable issue.

All Common Controller Problems — Master Issue List

Every major controller fault, how it appears in the tester, and how to fix it.

🔄

Stick Drift

Most common fault

Analog stick reports movement while physically at rest. Shows as non-zero axis values in the Stick Drift tab (typically 0.05–0.30+). Caused by potentiometer wear — the resistive carbon strip inside the thumbstick module degrades over time. Affects camera drift in shooters, unwanted movement in platformers, and menu scrolling without input.

Fix Path

1. Compressed air under stick cap. 2. IPA cleaning around potentiometer. 3. Stick module replacement ($3–8 parts). 4. Hall Effect module upgrade (drift-proof).

💀

Dead Button

Stays 0.00 on press

Button press registers 0.00 value in tester even with firm physical press. Caused by worn rubber dome (membrane controllers), oxidised metal dome spring, debris under keycap, or cracked PCB trace. The button may have worked until recently or failed gradually.

Fix Path

1. Clean contact pad with IPA. 2. Replace rubber membrane or dome spring. 3. Reflow solder joint on PCB if trace cracked. 4. Full button switch replacement.

👻

Ghost Input

Registers without press

Button shows pressed (1.00 or non-zero) in tester without physical press. Button may be stuck, debris is lodged under the keycap holding it slightly depressed, or the switch spring has collapsed and the button cannot fully return to open circuit position.

Fix Path

1. Remove keycap and clean. 2. Compressed air around stuck button. 3. Replace switch if spring collapsed. 4. Verify value returns to 0.00 after fix.

📉

Trigger Not Reaching 100%

Max value below 1.00

Trigger fully depressed but tester shows 0.85 or 0.90 as maximum. Trigger potentiometer miscalibrated, mechanically worn at end of travel, or trigger spring weakened reducing physical range. Affects racing games (throttle/brake never full) and shooters with trigger sensitivity settings.

Fix Path

1. Update controller firmware — recalibrates trigger range. 2. Physically inspect trigger mechanism for debris. 3. Replace trigger potentiometer. 4. Check game-side trigger dead zone settings.

📳

Vibration Not Working

No rumble felt

Vibration test fires in tester (API call succeeds) but no rumble is felt. One or both motors may be dead. Can also be caused by low battery (below ~15% disables rumble on PS4/PS5), browser not supporting Vibration API (Firefox), or controller companion software intercepting the haptic channel.

Fix Path

1. Charge controller fully. 2. Switch to Chrome/Edge browser. 3. Close companion software. 4. Test each motor individually. 5. Replace failed motor if only one fires.

❌

Controller Not Detected

Slot stays empty

Controller connected but slot in tester remains empty. Browser Gamepad API requires a button press after connection — ensure you press any button first. Other causes: exclusive HID lock by companion software (Synapse, G HUB), damaged USB port or cable, wrong USB mode (DirectInput vs XInput), or browser not supporting the controller's HID descriptor.

Fix Path

1. Press any button on controller. 2. Refresh page. 3. Try Chrome browser. 4. Close G HUB / Synapse. 5. Try different USB port. 6. Switch XInput/DirectInput mode.

📡

Wireless Drops

Slot disappears mid-test

Controller slot in tester disappears during use. Wireless controller losing signal — low battery, radio interference from USB 3.0 ports (known issue with 2.4GHz receivers), Bluetooth interference, or a failing wireless module inside the controller.

Fix Path

1. Charge or replace batteries. 2. Move receiver to USB 2.0 port (not 3.0 — causes 2.4GHz interference). 3. Move closer to receiver. 4. Switch to USB cable for testing.

🗺

Wrong Button Mapping

Buttons on wrong indices

Physical A button registers as Button 2 instead of Button 0 in the tester. Occurs with DirectInput controllers, non-standard gamepads, or controllers in the wrong input mode. The browser sees raw HID data — button ordering is defined by the controller's own descriptor, not a standard layout.

Fix Path

1. Switch controller to XInput mode if available. 2. Note actual button indices from event log. 3. Use those indices for game remapping. 4. Install XInput wrapper (x360ce) for DirectInput controllers.

How to Run a Complete Controller Test

How to Use the Free Online Controller Tester

Complete full controller diagnostics in under 5 minutes — no download, no install, works in any modern browser.

Connect & Wake Controller

Connect your controller via USB or pair via Bluetooth through your OS settings. After connecting, press any button on the controller — this triggers the browser Gamepad API to register the device. Your controller slot in the hero panel at the top of the page will light up with its name, button count, and axis count. If nothing appears, ensure you pressed a button, try Chrome browser, and close any companion software that may have an exclusive lock on the HID device.

USB or BluetoothPress any buttonChrome recommended

Button Test — All 16 Inputs

On the Buttons tab, press every button on your controller one at a time — face buttons, bumpers, triggers pressed fully, stick clicks, Select, Start, and all four D-Pad directions. Each button turns green when registered. The raw value (0.00–1.00) is shown — triggers and bumpers may be analog and should reach 1.00 at full press. Any button that stays grey after a firm press is either failed or the contact is dirty. Try the D-Pad directions last as they may map to axes on some controllers.

16 buttonsAnalog triggersD-Pad directions

Stick Drift Test

Switch to the Stick Drift tab. Place the controller on a flat surface and release both analog sticks completely. Watch the axis values — they should be as close to 0.0000 as possible on all four axes. Any value consistently above ±0.05 without touching the stick is drift. Then move each stick slowly in a full circle, pushing to every extreme — the dot on the circle should travel all the way to the edge (±1.0000) without gaps or flat spots. Dead zones, flat spots, or values not reaching ±1.0 indicate potentiometer wear.

Rest sticks first±0.05 = early driftFull circle test

Trigger & Vibration Test

On the Triggers tab, squeeze each trigger very slowly from rest to full press. The pressure bar should rise smoothly from 0.00 to 1.00 with proportional pressure — no sudden jumps or early stopping before 1.00. Then switch to the Vibration tab, set both motor sliders to around 60–70%, and click Test Vibration. Both rumble motors should activate clearly. Adjust the weak and strong motor sliders independently to verify both motors function at different intensities.

Slow squeezeShould reach 1.00Both motors

Deadzone Check & Log Review

Switch to the Deadzone tab for a precise drift classification across all four stick axes — values are classified from Normal through Severe with recommended actions. Then review the Event Log at the bottom of the tool — every button press, release, and axis change is recorded with millisecond timestamps. Use this to catch intermittent faults: buttons that occasionally fail to register, or axes that briefly spike and return. Intermittent faults are invisible on screen but appear clearly in the timestamped log.

Drift classificationEvent log reviewIntermittent fault check

Frequently Asked Questions

Controller Test FAQs

How do I test my controller online for free?

Open this Controller Test page in Chrome or Firefox. Connect your controller via USB or Bluetooth, then press any button on the controller to wake the browser Gamepad API. Your controller slot will appear at the top of the page with its name and input count. Use the tabs to run button tests, stick drift checks, trigger sensitivity, vibration, and deadzone calibration. No download, installation, or account required — everything runs locally in your browser.

My controller is not being detected. What should I do?

The most common cause is forgetting to press a button after connecting — the browser Gamepad API requires at least one button press before registering the device for security reasons. If that does not work: try a different USB port or cable; try Chrome browser, which has the broadest Gamepad API support; close any companion software like Logitech G HUB, Razer Synapse, or Xbox Accessories App that may have an exclusive HID lock on the device; refresh the page with the controller already connected; or try switching the controller between XInput and DirectInput mode if it has that option. If your controller appears in your OS device settings but not in the browser, the issue is an exclusive software lock, not hardware failure.

What is stick drift and how do I test for it?

Stick drift is when an analog stick reports movement while you are not touching it — the controller sends a non-zero axis value without any physical input. It is caused by wear on the potentiometer inside the thumbstick module, where the carbon resistive strip degrades and stops accurately returning to the zero position. To test for drift, open the Stick Drift tab, place your controller flat on a table, and release both sticks completely. Watch the axis values — healthy sticks read 0.0000 or very close on both axes. Values above ±0.05 are early drift. Values above ±0.10 will cause visible unwanted movement in games. The fix for minor drift is compressed air and IPA cleaning. Persistent drift requires thumbstick module replacement, which is a straightforward repair costing around $5–10 in parts.

Can I test a PS5 DualSense controller on PC?

Yes — the PS5 DualSense is fully supported for button testing, stick drift detection, trigger sensitivity, and vibration via this controller tester. Connect via USB-C for the best experience — Chrome provides full access to the Vibration API over USB-C, including both weak and strong motor haptics. Over Bluetooth, Chrome still provides good support but haptic intensity may be reduced. The DualSense's adaptive trigger resistance (the changing trigger tension) is a proprietary hardware feature not exposed through the standard browser Gamepad API — the trigger analog range 0.00 to 1.00 is fully testable, but the variable resistance mechanism cannot be activated from a browser tool.

Why does my button work in the tester but not in my game?

If a button registers correctly in this controller tester but not in your game, the problem is almost certainly in the game's software rather than your hardware. Possible causes include: the game's button binding is incorrectly mapped; the game is using a different button index than expected (common with non-standard controllers); the game requires XInput and your controller is in DirectInput mode; Steam Input is remapping the button to something the game does not recognise; or the game has a bug affecting that specific input. Since the tester shows the button works at the hardware level, no repair is needed — the issue is in the game's input configuration.

What is the difference between XInput and DirectInput controllers?

XInput is Microsoft's modern game controller API, used by all Xbox controllers and most modern gaming gamepads. It provides a standardised button layout (A, B, X, Y at indices 0–3, triggers as analog values, etc.) that the browser Gamepad API maps correctly. DirectInput is the older API used by legacy PC controllers, flight sticks, and some Japanese gamepads. DirectInput controllers have non-standard button ordering and axis layouts that vary between manufacturers. In this tester, DirectInput controllers will appear but buttons may be on unexpected indices. The event log shows the actual raw button numbers, which you can use for game remapping. Many controllers (including 8BitDo models) have a hardware switch to toggle between XInput and DirectInput — use XInput mode for this tester.

Why is vibration not working on my controller?

Several factors can prevent vibration from working: browser support — use Chrome or Edge, as Firefox has limited Vibration API support; battery level — PS4, PS5, and some wireless controllers disable rumble below 15–20% charge; exclusive software lock — companion apps like Razer Synapse or Logitech G HUB can intercept the vibration channel; controller type — many budget controllers and Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers require USB connection for vibration API access; and controller capability — some gamepads advertise rumble but use DirectInput vibration commands not accessible via the browser API. If the Vibration API call succeeds (no error) but no rumble is felt, the motor itself may be mechanically damaged.

Does this controller tester work on mobile phones?

Yes — on Android with Chrome browser, connect a controller via Bluetooth or USB OTG adapter and press any button to detect it. Android Chrome has solid Gamepad API support for PS4, Xbox, and 8BitDo controllers. On iOS, Safari added Gamepad API support in iOS 16.4 and later, but compatibility varies by controller model and iOS version. Some controllers work fully on iOS, others partially (buttons register but sticks behave differently). For the most reliable mobile controller testing, use an Android device with Chrome browser and a USB OTG adapter for wired connection.

Can I test an Xbox One controller the same way as an Xbox Series controller?

Yes — Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S controllers use the same XInput protocol and have identical button layouts as far as the browser Gamepad API is concerned. Connect via USB micro-B (Xbox One) or USB-C (Series X/S) or using the Xbox Wireless Adapter. The testing procedure is identical. Note that the Xbox Series controller added a Share button that the Xbox One does not have — if your Series controller has a Share button, it will appear as an additional button index in the tester. Xbox One controllers connected wirelessly via the official Xbox Wireless Adapter work identically to USB connection for the purposes of button and axis testing.

Is this controller test free and does it collect any data?

This controller tester is completely free — no download, no installation, no account, and no email required. It runs entirely in your browser using the standard Gamepad API. No controller input data — button presses, axis values, stick positions, or vibration commands — is sent to any server. The Gamepad API itself is sandboxed: it can only read input data from your controller, it cannot write to it, modify firmware, or access any other part of your system. Everything runs locally on your device for the duration of the session and is cleared when you close or refresh the page.

Gamepad Tester — free browser-based controller test tool. Test PS5 DualSense, PS4 DualShock 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch Pro, and all USB / Bluetooth gamepads. Check stick drift, button response, trigger sensitivity, vibration, and deadzone. No download required. Compatible with Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. All data processed locally — fully private. · ← Back to Gamepad Tester · Mouse Test → · Key Rollover Test → · CPS Test →