How to Fix PS4 Controller Drift? 5 Effective Fixes
Have you ever been playing a PlayStation 4 game when all of a sudden your characters begin to move across the screen by themselves? At that time you should know how to fix ps4 controller drift.
If your PS4 controller is broken because of analog stick drift, there are a few possible causes. The most frequent one is dust or debris inside your controller.
This article explains the root cause of PS4 controller drift (also known as analog stick drift) and offers solutions. Learn more by reading on!
Causes of PS4 Controller Drift
Analog stick drift is probably to blame if your character or the camera keeps moving when you aren’t touching the controller. PS4 controller drift can be due to one of two things:
- Clean up your analog stick.
- It’s either the potentiometer or the analog stick that’s broken.
Use on a regular basis will cause general wear and tear. Before disassembling the controller, you should investigate getting it replaced or repaired if cleaning the controller is unable to solve the issue.
How to Fix PS4 Controller Drift? 5 Ways
Make sure your controller is off, then perform the procedures listed below to get it back in working order.
Reset Your Controller
Your controller may occasionally work again after a quick reset.
- Switch off your DualShock controller by unplugging it.
- On the back of your controller, close to the L2 button, is where you’ll find the reset button.
- Push and hold the reset button for at least five seconds using a small tool (like a paperclip).
- Press the PS button while the controller is connected to the console using a USB cable.
- Your controller is re-paired when the light bar changes to blue. Turn off your PS4 and try the pairing procedure again if it doesn’t work the first time.
Read More: How to Take Apart a PS4 Controller?
Clean Your PS4 Controller
Use a dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe the analog stick’s crevices. Use a cotton swab dipped in a solution of water and isopropyl alcohol to remove grime. Utilize pressurized air to remove any dirt that is out of your reach.
Cleaning your DualShock 4 controller every few months helps to prevent buildup that can result in issues.
Get Your PS4 Controller Repaired Or Replaced by Sony
Your controller might still be covered by warranty if it is a recent model. Go to the PlayStation Repair & Replace page, choose DualShock 4, then follow the prompts to see if you qualify for a free repair or replacement.
Disassemble Your PS4 Controller to Clean the Analog Stick
You must take off the outer casing and lift the battery to gain access to the motherboard and the controller inputs for thorough cleaning. Use a cotton swab and a solution of water and isopropyl alcohol. On the interior parts, avoid using pressurized air.
Be very careful not to disconnect anything other than the motherboard’s battery when disassembling your PS4 controller.
Replace the PS4 Analog Sticks
You can try replacing the analog sticks and the potentiometer (the sensor for the analog sticks) if you have the required tools and are willing to put in the work. A soldering iron is required in addition to the parts, which you can buy online. A new controller is the more affordable and convenient option unless you want to do it yourself.
Your PS4 controller’s warranty will be nullified if the outer casing is removed, so only open it if the warranty has already run out.
Final Words on How to Fix Ps4 Controller Drift
Almost all gamers have encountered stick drift at some point.
Stick drift may still be an issue with your PS4 controller, in which case you should probably give up. Even though taking it in for repairs is an option, doing so is probably more expensive than visiting the store or waiting for a sale.
Related Post: Can You Connect A PS4 Controller To A Switch?
FAQs
How Do You Stop Stick Drift?
The best way to prevent stick drift is to make sure the controller isn’t passively exposed to stuff that might be floating in the air.
How Do I Fix Corrupted Data on a PS4?
Delete the problematic game and reinstall it to fix a PS4 with corrupted data. If the error occurs while downloading a game, go to Notifications > Options > Downloads, highlight the greyed-out corrupted title, and select Options > Delete. Other options include software updates and disc cleaning.
How Do I Fix the HDMI Port on a PS4?
Make sure the HDMI cable can connect properly and is fully seated in the port before trying to fix a PS4 HDMI port. Try hooking up your system to a different HDMI port, an alternative HDTV, or a different HDMI cable to troubleshoot the problem.
