How to test your controller
- Connect the controller to your computer via USB cable or Bluetooth.
- Press any button: for privacy reasons browsers only reveal controllers after the first input.
- Press every button and move both sticks. Tested buttons get a green border.
- “Test vibration” checks the rumble motors (Chrome and Edge).
Detecting stick drift
Stick drift means an analog stick reports movement even though you're not touching it. In games your character walks on its own or the camera slowly turns.
How to check: let go of both sticks and watch the blue dot. It should sit right in the center, inside the dashed circle (dead zone). Values up to about ±0.05 are normal. If the dot sits clearly outside or wanders, you have drift; the test marks it with ⚠.
How to fix stick drift
- Calibrate: on Windows via “Set up USB game controllers” (Win + R →
joy.cpl) or in Steam under Settings → Controller. - Increase the dead zone: many games and Steam Input let you enlarge the dead zone to hide slight drift.
- Clean it: push the stick fully to one side and clean around the base with compressed air or a little isopropyl alcohol.
- Warranty / repair: manufacturers often replace drifting controllers under warranty. Replacement sticks with Hall effect sensors practically never drift.
Controller not detected?
- Press a button first. Without input the controller stays invisible to the browser.
- Try another USB cable; many cables only charge and don't carry data.
- PS4/PS5 controllers via Bluetooth: hold Share/Create + PS until the light bar flashes, then pair.
- Apps like DS4Windows or Steam can redirect the controller. Close them for testing.
- Safari has limited controller support; use Chrome, Edge or Firefox.