How to use the gamepad tester
- Connect the controller by USB or Bluetooth, then press any button on it. Browsers only show a controller after a button press.
- Press each button: it lights up in the grid, named the Xbox or PlayStation way depending on your controller.
- Squeeze both triggers slowly. The bars should fill smoothly from empty to full.
- Move each stick in full circles. The dot should reach the outer ring in every direction.
- Let go of both sticks, press Measure drift and do not touch the controller for 2 seconds.
- Press Test vibration to check the rumble motors, where your browser supports it.
What the drift result means
Each stick is drawn with a small dashed circle in the middle: the dead zone. A healthy stick at rest sits inside it. Measure drift averages where each stick rests for 2 seconds and gives a verdict per stick, with the offset from the centre on a scale where 1 is the edge of the stick's range.
| Verdict | What it means |
|---|---|
| No drift | The stick returns to the centre. Nothing to do. |
| Slight drift: fine with a dead zone | The stick rests a little off centre. Games with a normal dead zone ignore it; you may notice it in games with a very small one. |
| Drift: the stick does not return to the centre | The offset is about as large as a typical dead zone, so games will read movement you are not making. |
| The stick moved. Let go and measure again. | The stick was touched or shook during the measurement. |
Run the drift measurement a few times. Drift that comes and goes, or grows after you flick the stick, is an early sign of a worn stick module.
Controller not detected
- Press a button after the page is open. If nothing appears, unplug the controller, plug it back in and press a button again.
- Use a data cable. Some USB cables only charge and the computer never sees the controller.
- Steam Input and DS4Windows can hide the real controller or add a second, virtual Xbox controller. If you see the wrong buttons, two controllers or none, close Steam and DS4Windows and try again.
- Generic controllers often have an X/D mode switch or button combo. X mode (XInput) usually gives the correct button layout in the browser.
- iPhone and iPad support MFi, Xbox and PlayStation controllers, and since iOS 16 the Switch Pro Controller and Joy-Con. Other controllers may not appear at all.
Pairing by Bluetooth
- PS5 DualSense: with the controller off, hold Create and the PS button until the light bar blinks.
- PS4 DualShock 4: hold Share and the PS button until the light bar flashes.
- Xbox Wireless Controller: turn it on, then hold the small pair button on top until the Xbox button flashes quickly.
- Switch Pro Controller: hold the small sync button on top, next to the USB-C port, until the player lights run.
- Then on Windows 11 go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device > Bluetooth. On a Mac use System Settings > Bluetooth, on iPhone Settings > Bluetooth, and on Android the Bluetooth section of Settings.
- A PlayStation controller has to be paired again each time you move it to another device, for example after playing on the console.
Vibration
Vibration works in Chrome, Edge and other Chromium browsers, and in Safari on recent Macs. Firefox and browsers on iPhone and iPad do not let web pages use the rumble motors, so the test says Vibration is not available in this browser. That is a browser limit, not a broken controller.
When drift is a warranty case
Stick drift is a wear fault of the stick module. If the controller is still within the manufacturer's warranty or the store's return period, a Drift result in normal use is a good reason to claim a repair or replacement. Write down the offset, take a screenshot of the result, and contact the manufacturer or the store. Outside the warranty, raising the dead zone in the game's settings hides slight drift; real drift needs a new stick module.
Questions
How do I test my controller for stick drift?
Connect it, press a button, let go of both sticks and press Measure drift. After 2 seconds each stick shows No drift, Slight drift or Drift, with the offset.
Does the gamepad tester work with PS5 and Xbox controllers?
Yes. DualSense, DualShock 4, Xbox and Switch Pro controllers work by USB or Bluetooth, and most generic controllers too.
Why does my controller not show up?
Browsers only reveal a controller after you press a button on it. If it still does not appear, check the cable or Bluetooth pairing and close Steam or DS4Windows.
Why can't I test vibration?
Firefox and browsers on iPhone and iPad do not support controller vibration. Use Chrome or Edge on a computer.