How Do You Deal With Thumb Stick Drift? (lemmy.world)

submitted 5 months ago by Zahille7@lemmy.world to c/games@lemmy.world

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So I like to use Xbox controllers (doesn't matter if it's first- or third-party) because I like the layout, it's just comfortable to me. However I've noticed that on all my controllers in the past few years, the left thumb stick will start to "give out" over the course of a couple months. For instance I'll be pushing it forward all the way, but it won't register for some reason and my character will only move a little bit. Sometimes wiggling it a bit will fix it, sometimes it doesn't. And it's not like I'm squeezing the hell out of the controller or mashing the stick constantly; in fact it's made me try to be more delicate with my controllers, even though I'm just playing the games normally.

Is it just how controllers are, or am I just getting the shit end of the stick?

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[-] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 34 points 5 months ago

I used to think that Xbox controllers ALWAYS drift within a year.

Then I started keeping a secret controller away from the kids. It lasted years with no drift. I got a new one and let the kids use my old one.... Drift in a month.

It's not the controllers. You just drop it too much.

[-] fuckwit_mcbumcrumble@lemmy.world 20 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I've never had a controller with drift problems, and I know how I treat my controllers. I've seen people with controllers that drift all the time, and I've seen how they treat their controllers. There's definitely a link.

That said high quality controllers (like first party ones) generally drift less, but not always (see switch joycons). If OP is killing his controller in months then something is going on.

[-] GoodEye8@lemm.ee 3 points 5 months ago

but not always (see switch joycons).

And PS5 one. I've had a lot of controllers over the years and I've never had stick drift, except with joycons and the PS5 controller.

The switch pro controller is probably my most used controller, because it's so ergonomic. I put the switch pro controller through a few thousand hours of smash bros. The stick is visibly deformed from mashing certain inputs over and over. And then a few thousand hours more playing Zelda and monster hunter (and souls games on PC). I wouldn't be surprised if it's had over 10 thousand hours of use. No stick drift on the controller.

I was gifted a PS5 controller because I was planning on getting the PS5. I never got a PS5, but that's a different story. Anyway I decided to break it in to get comfortable with the layout and feel of the controller. Maybe max thousand hours of playtime which I'd consider it very light usage. And the left stick started to drift left. I've looked into it. It might just be an unfortunate speck of dust interfering with the sensor, but cleaning it requires almost complete disassembly and quite frankly it wasn't that good of a controller anyway so it's just collecting dust.

[-] YuzuDrink@kbin.social 3 points 5 months ago

I’ve been suspicious that newer production lines for joysticks have been cutting costs in cheaper materials for a while now. I usually replace the joysticks when they drift, but I’m also quite comfortable to taking things apart and fixing them.

I remember my old PS2 controllers never drifted and that was back when I played hard on them every day after school. These days I hardly have time to play during the week, and they regularly go bad within a year or two.

[-] bob_omb_battlefield@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 months ago

I've had drift issues with my pro controller several times and I think I have less play time than you. Many of these controllers use the same stick component inside.

[-] slaacaa@lemmy.world 5 points 5 months ago

Same conclusion for me.

The way some of my friends use controllers wants me to not have them around my house. Loudly banging sticks against the outer extremities, while for me it never even makes a sound.

I take care of my controllers, and only had very minot stick drift on 5-7 years old X/PS controller.

[-] stardust@lemmy.ca 2 points 5 months ago

I got a 360 controller that is going strong but my Playstation and Nintendo controllers ended up drifting. I think they just don't make them like they used to. My 360 controller is still one of my daily drivers.

[-] altima_neo@lemmy.zip 2 points 5 months ago

I dunno, my old 360 controller is so loose. I wound up getting an xbone controller a couple of years back to replace it.

[-] slaacaa@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

For me it’s the other way around, old X360/PS4 controller had some minor stick drift, but no problem with newet gens

[-] electric@lemmy.world 0 points 5 months ago

It's not physical damage, they really are just crap now. Used controllers for a decade and a half. Early Xbox One controllers lasted for years until the face buttons would become sticky. 360 controller was a tank, only had a loose trigger. All the ones I've had recently just keep getting drift.