Here’s Why PS5 Joysticks Drift (and Why They’ll Only Get Worse)
Mere months have passed since the PS5’s hotly anticipated launch, and already there’s a class-action lawsuit brewing over joystick drift on Sony’s high-tech DualSense controllers. Who could have seen this coming? Well, as it turns out, everyone. Everyone should have seen this coming. Because for all its exciting new tech, the DualSense uses off-the-shelf joystick hardware with a long history of predictable, preventable issues. And now we’ve investigated those issues in excruciating detail.
Sony isn’t the only company to use off-the-shelf joystick modules, but, like Microsoft, they’ve made it difficult to repair this consumable component. Joysticks have a known life expectancy-it’s listed right in a product sheet from the manufacturer. In this video, we head back inside a DualSense controller to see what is failing, and how.
You can read more about joystick drift in our blog post on iFixit.com:
www.ifixit.com/News/48944/heres-why-ps5-joysticks-drift-and-why-theyll-only-get-worse
Links to other videos we reference in this video:
XQGaming: How to Repair Xbox One Analog Stick Input
seworld.info/will/g6fVvJi0q552sGA/video
My Mate VINCE: Xbox One Controller - Trying different ways to FIX Stick Drift
seworld.info/will/j6u9yd6ye2lo2Z8/video
SOSS GAMING: How to Replace Xbox One Controller Analog Joystick - Fix Stick Drift & More
seworld.info/will/qY-9xJfWZ3R62KM/video
SOSS GAMING: How to Replace Xbox One Controller Analog Joystick - NEW METHOD [...]
seworld.info/will/i6fc35XTfotruXU/video
CYBER DIVER: 【SCUF/PS4コントローラー】【修理/分解】 勝手に動くスティックを新品に交換して修理する方法
seworld.info/will/eojPmcaunmSAzXE/video
#PS5, #PS5Drift, #iFixitTeardown
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A few notes: We started this investigation due to reports of PS5 DualSense controllers drifting, but as we mention at 0:58, these findings apply to most modern joysticks! 3:14 that carbon pad has been scratched with a dental pick. The actual wear to the pads will look different, this was a demonstration since we didn't have a drifting DualSense. 3:50 sprinkling goldfish crackers into your joystick will not fix drift. Don't try this at home. Don't miss Margot the puppy desperately trying to eat Cheez-Its at 5:47
@Matthew Lawton Also, if they made them defective on purpose they would lose money because they have to replace your controller for free if it fails in the first two years.
@Matthew Lawton first of all: all thumbsticks are soldered no matter the brand of the controller, and secondly: you don't need to desolder the whole thumbstick to fix the drift (as they have shown in the video, and as I did multiple times with success).
@Deepish Moog Or you can just fix it instead of buying a new one. This is an extremely easy fix, the intimidating part is to learn to disassemble and reassemble the controller.
@Murilo Araujo You could also have just calibrated the pads, I did that for my 360 drifting controllers and it never drifted again years later.
@patratcan there is an issue, just not specific to the ps5, it happens to most controllers these days. Switch, Xbox etc
Still rocking a 360 gamepad from the legend days- just revived my old Xbox and can't be happier I did it- I just freaking updated my cloud with gamesaves
Nintendo Switch users: First time?
Finally someone explaining this problem correctly. GG
Maybe they should add calibration just as a regular feature you can pull up in the setting?
Is there any way to make these more reliable at all?
Wow, certainly the best, most logical & precise vid ive yet seen describing joystick drift/breakdown. Nice one guyz!!!
So what you are basically saying is that xbox is better
Joysticks should be somewhat modular at this point, replacing a whole 60$ controller just bc the bumper broke is anticonsumer
I'm also curious to see the durability of the DualSense in the long run; will they fall apart like the DualShock 4?
fine, but you didn't explain how this is avoidable? What is the alternative? If there is none and this is "reasonable wear and tear" then there is no "villain".. Although I must say, it's strange that my first PS4 controller that came with the console (several years old) works great and is played with daily, while all other controllers I bought with time got stick drift.
Any joystick can drift, My PS4 joystick who has been with me for 6 years and still continues to work flawlessly: (*_*) Σ(ಠ_ಠ)
Don't worry about these bugs. Sony will correct all of them soon!
Companies must be going cheap on making these products nowadays. Even a GameCube controller from nearly 20 years ago has a working joystick.
“why doesn’t sony make affordable controllers?” sony: short controller lifetime make money go brrrrrr 💰
Xbox: if it ain't broke, don't fix it Sony: let's add all of these features that developers are definitely (not) going to use.
This is why I always wait till problems get fixed b4 I buy a new console
Sony down bad rn
Thanks SEworld for recommending this to me *after* I ordered mine lmao 😐
I play video games quite alot. Tons of fps and racing games, and since last gens release (xb1 ps4) I haven't gotten any stick drift. And I usually use the original controller that comes with the console. I had both. And now ps5, no issues. Weird. 😬
oh Wow, the PS5 is huge (or you're a very small human) ... i didn't realize it was that big.
So buy a mouse and keyboard. Got it.
Mymatevince SPOTTED!
And this is why you don’t buy wave one consoles Imagine buying a $1000 ps5 from a scammer and the controller starts to drift in a week
Fixing drifting controllers could literally be an industry itself! Would be crazy to see Sony and Microsoft goes after drift fixers, would expose there shady capitalism even more. Note: Capitalism is fine, but there is sometimes they go way to far.
Don't forget Nintendo, out of the three big guys Nintendo needs drift fixed the most
So guess who wins for most reliable controller?
Check scuf gaming, they make controllers, maybe they do the exact same thing.
They don’t drift, I’ve had mine a while and none of my friends, who’ve had them since launch, have had ANY drift at all. BS.
So the short answer seems to be: Parts wear out, and parts that move a LOT wear out faster. I mean from what I can tell the part itself is a good quality, but yeah, nothing like that is gonna last forever. I feel like a modular replacement system would be the most apt solution, but fitting that into a standard controller housing might be tricky at best.
Squirt wd40 in it... done.
Mine isn’t drifting yet, but it’s whatever. They’ll give us a replacement or allow us to send it in for repair eventually.
Me who doesn’t even want a ps5: *hmm interesting*
let’s just bring back the original nes controllers. those thing just worked.
Dualshock 3 never had a problem
New technology please
Wouldn't this video be more informative with the title "Here's Why All Current and Last Gen Controller Thumbsticks Drift" or "PS5 Thumbstick Drift Is Identical To All Other Thumbsticks Since 2013"? We shouldn't be pretending this is a PS5-only issue if it affects every console on the market since 2013.
Wait ps5 is real thing? I thought it just a myth
I clean my PS5 controllers with Monster Energy Ultra Violet. It extends controller-life indefinitely and results in 69% more headshots.
Unbelievable. My great grandma's Kenmoore PlayStation 5 controller is 80 years old and still kicking.
PS4>PS5
Is it possible to replace the problematic parts, with higher quality parts? Essentially 'performance' upgrades? If so would be nice if you guys could possibly do a video on that
Can you prevent the drift? I mean my ps4 controller I’ve had for years and it’s mostly fine (except for its battery life lol)
fml
My xbox 360 sticks are still like new but my ps3 switch and ps4 are all in some way broken 🤔
Buy a PC
First day of playing on PS5 and controller already drifting to the right when playing warzone
My old ds4 had this same issue, cleaning the sensors would help but everyone I changed it it would last less and less working properly, until I just had to get a replacement.
You always have to clean your controller all the time to prevent drift because I’m starting to notice some black dust on the side of the controllers so I have to clean it immediately
Didn't even know ps5 controllers had drifting issues thank god mine hasn't had a problem as of yet
I'm currently studying this and okay clearly the flaw is obvious but how would they prevent wearoff on this kind of a mechanical system. Since you in the beginning mentioned that it would be easy to avoid if i recall correctly. However in any case its unfortunate that in this priced mechanic there is a system so heavily strained while being one of the weaker links. Oh okay, so just make them replaceable. That would make some sense, but would make them even easier to break and over all lesser quality. And also more likely to be seriously damaged, on a deeper level than just drifting. Which would still end up in you having to buy a new controller.
reject Dualsense return to Dualshock 2
I actually thinking about quitting games because of these overpriced controllers that made by Microsoft and Sony. These rubbish drift about after 2 weeks. The playstation 2 and Xbox 360 contollers still worked after 2 or 3 years....so WTF is going on? We don't pay THAT much of money to buy a controller that's as same quality as the one from the cheap market~ Cheap controller works about that long as well and only cost $5 or $10 so why i have to buy the Original controller? You tell me, Sony and Microsoft..
I'm glad the only thing drifting for me is my cab in crazy taxi on the original og xbox , now that says a lot about how well the controllers were built back then lol .
Shame that the modular controller designs from some years back never really took off, it was touted as a way to customise your controller to your liking, which is of course a great feature, you could have PS stick arrangement on XB or vice versa, as well as more specialised setups for specific games or accessibility needs, but aside from those awesome benefits, the ability to just buy a replacement stick module that just snaps into place when one inevitably experiences drift and other such issues would be extremely consumer-friendly. If only... 😕
Imagine buying off a scalper with no warranty. I have had my joycons repaired for free 3 times with Nintendo. Each repair comes with a fresh 12 months warranty.
So, why does my 24 year old ps1 controller not drift but my 2 year old ps4 controller does? Let's just use the potentiometers for all the ps1 controllers.
Excellent video! I love iFixit!
you can make your controller with these pots and arduino as hobby..
More proof that xbox still makes the better controller
These problems must be rare or I just have better luck. Never had a controller drift ever 🤷♂️
Im all for the innovation, I really am, but this just can't happen. People are really getting sick and tired of paying for faulty equipment. If you can't fix your past problems, stop what you're doing and fix them. This is a next level controller that people enjoyed, which is now ruined by a common problem that should've been taken care of long ago. Im disgusted with Xbox for the lack of innovation, but at least it's all functioning properly at the moment.
I just learn to solder and replace the sensor. That’s it
The only real question to me : do they break more easily than ps4 controllers or not ? But I'm not worried. I've been playing video games for a very very long time and never completely broke a controller. Even my 1st nintendo64 controller still works. Not in great shape, but it works. ... If the quality is on par with the dualshock4, it's all good. My ps4 controller is still like new and it's my favorite controller ever.
I want hot swapping for joystick modules!!
I wish they'd start using hall effect, using pots in controllers have always been problematic, going all the way back to the VCS/2600 paddle controllers.
Hate to brake it to you, but playstations manufacturers warranty does not cover the controller.
And what about the Astro c40. It seems like a good controller en you can easily swap the sticks. Its an expensive controller, but if it lasts for 2 years why not.
I just did surgery on two Dualshock 4's. Both successful. Pretty ridiculous that these expensive pieces of tech are so prone to failure
Show me the mooooneeey, show meee the moneeeeey
"SIE strives to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction, therefore we will begin to offer a full refund for all gamers who have purchased Cyberpunk 2077 via PlayStation Store. SIE will also be removing Cyberpunk 2077 from PlayStation Store until further notice." Kind of a funny situation, I have to say :D
Motion gimmicks, touch and haptic feedback are only used to add costs to controllers that are certainly going to fail in a short span, just like joycons. All of this for some irrelevant, childish and non impressing gameplay mechanics, wich most of the times are'nt even implemented by the developers. I wish controllers droped gyroscope and went back to the basics, with ergonomic design and durable materials.
My 360 controller still works. But tbh i dont play much
The same issue has been going on for joycons for years but no actual lawsuit, yet ps5 controller sticks that use the same sticks as the ps4, Xbox and switch controller = lawsuit. Weird
ALPs parts lmao, I used to fix my 360 pad with it 10 years ago
This is why I wait a year a least. Unless you do reviews why spend 500 on a system that has no games yet and has hella glitches.
It still doesn't explain why they are failing so quick. My PS3 and PS4 controllers have probably 1000+ hour of play on each, they are still working. Why is this new joystick design so much less durable?
I agree the parts should have been upgraded on both the xbox and the playstation controllers
Lol "they don't last forever" gtfo my ps2 AND ps3 controllers have been working flawlessly for over a decade. Sony is learning how to be pieces of crap to their consumers like apple has been doing for a very long time
You failed to offer a 4th solution. Grow a pair and learn how to play with a keyboard and mouse.
I realize this issue isn't exclusive to modern consoles, but I never had any drift issues on any of my Xbox 360 controllers, and neither did any of my friends or family (pool of about 50 controllers total). About 1 out of 4 controllers for the Xbox One or Nintendo Switch within that same pool of people have had drift issues. I'm sorry, but unless the same joystick module was used in the Xbox 360, the problem is ABSOLUTELY caused by manufacturers choosing an interior module.
Between the controller issues and thermal issues I’m considering getting the new Xbox instead of the PS5 and I’ve been a loyal Playstation customer since the 90s
would it be possible to use hall sensor like those present in the big sim joystick in those gamepads to reduce wear and tears?
Did the Dualshock 3 and SIXAXIS use better modules? Because they had a much wider degree of movement, felt more sensitive, and mine at least were super robust. It always felt like a downgrade going to the DS4 even though all the media were just like: "nOw iT FItS mY fAT HanDs"
It's ok, you're still able to use your old DS4 on your PS5 oh wait
Joystick drift seems to be simply a thing that happens with all joysticks eventually, brand or model aside.
Why us it worse in the DualSense though than seemingly it was in the DS4?
I have had my controller since near launch and I’ve used it pretty regularly, but I haven’t had any problems with it.
Steve from TronicsFix warned us of this during the early PS5 unboxing phase.
It’s been 23 days since I got it and now it’s got drift
mine started drifted but I reset my console a couple times and it’s fine now
Controller trash
Switch owners: first time?
Here's why I'll save you 5 minutes of your time. The reason the controller is crap is not a coincidence, sony built them like this so that they can make a profit selling controllers. They want your money and they will get it somehow, if they aren't getting money from you via ps plus subscriptions then they'll be getting it a different way in the form of part replacements like the controller.
LMAAAAAAAAAOOOOOO is this a joke??
We, as a species and civilization, need to move on to hall effect ministicks
Programmed obsolence at its finest
thanks for explaining how to destroy a ps5 controller
Remeber you are spending 60-120$ for these things. Buy a mouse. This shits embarrassing.
Interesting, I still use the original Xbox 360 controller, which has been working flawlessly for the past 15 years, wonder what components they used back then.
I own ps5 and this was informative. Although I don’t experience this now i have in past