How To Fix Stick Drift On a PS5 Controller

You’re deep in a gaming session, your heart is pounding, and your palms are sweaty. Your character abruptly begins to move on their own, deviating from the path as though they’re possessed by an alien force. Then you realize it’s the dreaded stick drift from your PS5 controller.

But don’t be scared—there’s a way out. And that’s the essence of this article. Stick drift is a situation where your analog sticks start moving even when you don’t touch them. This can suddenly turn a thrilling gaming experience into a frustrating nightmare.

But don’t get a new controller just yet! With a few simple tricks, stick drift will no longer ruin your hard-earned skills. Thus, by the end of this guide, you would be able to fix your PS5 controller drift issues.

What is The PS5 Controller Drift?

PS5 controller drift, otherwise known as joystick drift or stick drift, is a phenomenon where one or both joysticks on a PlayStation 5 controller appear to be moving in a particular direction when they’re not touched. This stick drift issue can be brought about by software or hardware problems and occasionally a mix of both.

Below are the signs that there’s a PS5 controller drift you need to fix/repair:

• A vehicle moving left or right by itself in a racing game.
• Random highlighting or selection of menu items. 
• The movement of characters by themselves within a video game

Checking The Functionality of Your PlayStation 5 Controller Drift

Play a game that demands the sticks, then position your controller on a flat surface. If your controller is in the right working condition, there shouldn’t be any movement in the game. 

But if the game makes movements as though someone is operating or tilting the sticks, it means your PS5 controller has stick drift and requires fixing. And this is the simplest way to check its functionality.

How To Fix Stick Drift On a PS5 Controller 

It can feel disappointing to experience stick drift on your PlayStation 5 just when you’re about to kickstart an interesting game. However, that shouldn’t bother you. We’ll show you how to fix/repair stick drift on your PS5 controller through various ways.

1. Gradually rotate the analogue stick to remove debris

This is among the commonest fixes for stick drift. Unlike some other complex fixes, this method is easy and works better to repair/fix stick drift on a PS5.

Follow these procedures to begin:

• Locate the stick that’s drifting and press it gently beyond the area of Its button-click.
• While still gently pressing it, move the stick for 30 rotations in a clockwise circle.
• While still gently pressing it, move the stick for 30 rotations in an anti-clockwise circle.
• Repeat steps 1, 2, & 3. But this time, slightly increase the pressure you’re applying to the thumbstick.
• Continue repeating while adding more pressure until the pressure you’re adding to the stick becomes moderate.
• Finally, take out the stick from its housing and rotate it a few times.

2. Clean the stick’s base

Oftentimes, the debris that causes stick drift can simply be removed by cleaning the stick’s base, also called the bearing, without separating the controller.

You can do this in four different ways. But we suggest you use the first way because the others are associated with risk of damage.

Using a microfiber cloth 

Cleaning the PS5 controller stick with a neat microfiber cloth is the simplest and safest cleaning method to repair/fix stick drift. So, tilt the stick to expose the aspect of its bearing that’s often covered by the case. Now, begin to clean with the cloth gradually while ensuring you wipe the gap between the case and stick. Slowly move the stick around to get in various areas of the bearing for cleaning.

Using compressed air

Another method you can attempt is blowing compressed air into the tiny gap between the controller casing and thumbstick. Do this from different angles to help dislodge any debris. Meanwhile, be sure to hold the can uprightly so that the air will be clear.

Using contact cleaner

Consider this method if you don’t mind taking the risk. Using contact cleaner involves switching off the controller and spraying contact cleaner into the space between the controller casing and analogue stick.

Using isopropyl alcohol

If you’re unable to get a contact cleaner, using isopropyl alcohol can help repair/fix PS5 controller drift issues. Now, switch off the controller and rub isopropyl alcohol around the stick’s base. Then subtly press down the stick and rotate it for some time. Afterward, allow it to dry, then switch on your controller.

While this shouldn’t pose a risk with the circuitry, it is still risky. So, do it at your risk.

3. Lift and rotate your thumbsticks

Sometimes, fixing stick drift on your PS5 controller is as simple as lifting and rotating your thumbsticks. If you’re fond of playing video games where you use & click your thumbstick in a particular direction for very long hours, you may realize that your thumbsticks are now drifting towards that direction.

So, fixing this stick drift problem on your PS5 controller involved subtly lifting the thumbstick from its housing and freely rotating it for some time. Afterward, place it back in.

Doing this helps to restructure the mechanism within the thumbstick and will likely repair your PS5 controller drift.

4. Reset the controller’s Bluetooth connection

You may be surprised that resetting your PS5 controller’s Bluetooth connection is capable of fixing your controller drift. So, here’s how to get it done:

• Press the PlayStation button on your controller and choose Accessories.
• Pick Bluetooth Accessories.
• Select your controller and choose Delete.
• Afterward, press the share button and PlayStation button simultaneously. Then choose Yes.

Voila! Your controller’s Bluetooth connection has been reset.

5. Update your controller software and PS5

Although outdated software would rarely cause controller drift, we still recommend that you ensure your PlayStation 5 and controller are both updated. The steps below will guide you to update them.

To update your PlayStation 5 software:

Go to Home → Settings → System → System Software → System Software Update and Settings → Update System Software. Then select update through USB or WiFi.

To update your PS5 controller software:

• Use USB to plug the software into your PS5.
• Next, press the PS button and go to Accessories → Wireless Controller Device Software.
• If your software isn’t already updated, you can update it from this screen.

6. Restore factory settings on your controller

Perhaps the only solution that will work for fixing PS5 controller drift is restoring factory settings on it. To restore factory settings, insert something similar to a paperclip inside the hope on the controller’s bottom. Then long-pressing the reset button for a few seconds until the controller lights go off.

7. Return your PS5 controller for repair

If none of these solutions work for you and you’ve used your controller for less than a year, consider sending it for repair.

Quickly visit the PlayStation repair page, choose your controller, and follow the prompts displayed on your screen. Then you will see an option to Request Repair.

Conclusion

Having a defective PS5 controller is not something anyone wants to experience. That’s why we’ve provided possible fixes if you find yourself experiencing this issue.

So, begin with the basic solution, which is cleaning. If it doesn’t work, try other fixes. But if you try all of them without getting a positive outcome for the stick drift, you’d have to send your PS5 controller for fixing.