Why do modern joysticks drift?

A common reason for why controllers run into drift problems is that they are prone to deterioration, which will naturally occur with use. In more recent years, the life cycle of technology has shortened dramatically to promote further purchases, thereby further exacerbating the issue.

Why is joystick drift so common?

The main natural cause for controller drift is dust and other debris. Things like food particles, pet fur, and dead skin can accumulate inside your controller and cause it to drift. The other reason your controller might start developing drift is natural wear and tear.

How do I stop my thumbstick from drifting?

Why is my controller joystick drifting?

It might be the case that there's dirt stuck in your controller. To clean your controller, you'll need compressed air, cleaning alcohol, and a cotton swab.

Do all controllers get stick drift?

The overall build quality of controllers vary from brand to brand. Some are much more prone to developing drift in a shorter timeframe than others (cough Joy-Cons cough). So the way drift develops is the same for all controllers. The main natural cause for controller drift is dust and other debris.

The REAL Science Behind Controller Drift

Can you avoid 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. Additionally, we recommend not snacking while gaming. While this may be tempting, you could get bits of food stuck in your control.

Is stick drift inevitable?

Overall, the main takeaway is that controller drift will happen eventually, especially if you've had a controller for a while. Ultimately, the best solution is to buy a new controller, but this isn't always practical, so be sure to problem-solve and take care of any other controllers that you have.

Do new Joycons drift?

It's been a problem ever since the Switch came out and still hasn't been fully fixed in the new OLED model (although Nintendo says it's made some “improvements”). While you can send your Joy-Cons away for a free repair at Nintendo (or just buy a new set), the sticks will inevitably start drifting again.

Can resetting controller fix stick drift?

Resetting your PS4 controller will often fix stick drift.

Why does my left joystick keep drifting?

This is easy to fix by recalibrating your control sticks in the Switch settings. Go to the Home page and select System Settings > Controllers and Sensors then scroll down to Calibrate Control Sticks. Follow the onscreen instructions to recalibrate your control stick.

Why are longer joysticks better?

Short Thumbsticks are designed for quicker movement speed. Tall Thumbsticks are designed to have more angle to play with and more precise aiming.

Is a little stick drift normal?

There are multiple causes of stick drift. Sometimes it can be caused by damage—like dropping it—for example. Other times it can be caused by normal wear and tear. Fortunately, a lot of the time, it is simply caused by a buildup of debris in the sensor.

Are pro controllers prone to drift?

Joy-Con drift is the most common form of drift for Nintendo. But although drift may be less common in Pro Controllers, they are not immune to it by any means.

Why won t my controller drift go away?

Compressed air should help clear out any debris that's causing controller drift. One important tip: Always keep the can level when spraying the joysticks as turning it sideways could send moisture into your controller and cause further damage.

Can fake Joy-Cons damage your Switch?

Although these Joy-Con are much cheaper than the official ones, they can possibly damage your Nintendo Switch console as they aren't officially licensed by Nintendo. The controllers do act like any other Joy-Con thought with it having normal rumble capabilities and a motion censor.

How long do Joy-Cons last?

The Joy-Con controllers take approximately three and a half hours to fully charge. When fully charged, the battery for the Joy-Con controllers can last approximately 20 hours. This may be shorter depending on the software application and functions being used.

Are the OLED Joy-Cons better?

The OLED Switch works with older Joy-Cons, and its Joy-Cons are the same. Convenient! And also a bummer they're not upgraded.

Does drifting take skill?

It is true that drifting requires skill, technique, and precision—but it is also true that anyone can learn how to drift with the right coaching.

Is drifting faster at turning?

1. Is drifting really fast? That depends. Around a corner it is not the fastest way, as a straight line will propel you faster, since there are no interruptions, but drifting can be as fast as around a corner as driving around a corner in a traditional way.

Can drift be fixed?

Since the issue is widespread, Nintendo actually offers to fix Joy-Con drift for free (and has allegedly fixed the issue on newer Joy-Cons). This is currently the only "official" method of dealing with drift, though check below for some ways you can address the issue yourself.

Is drifting always slower?

That depends. Around a corner it is not the fastest way, as a straight line will propel you faster, since there are no interruptions, but drifting can be as fast as around a corner as driving around a corner in a traditional way.

Which controller has no drift?

GuliKit KingKong 2 PRO Controller is the first controller with electromagnetic joystick in the world to solve drifting completely. Generally instead of carbon film material, the stick uses permanent magnet materials and linear Hall technology to achieve precise positioning in games.

Do PS5 controllers suffer from drift?

New generation, same old controller drift problems. The PS5 DualSense controller is full of impressive features and next-gen bells and whistles, but even these can't save the controller from the age-old problem of drifting.