Controller Calibration: Guide & Live Checker

Not sure what's wrong yet? Start with the full gamepad tester.

When does a controller need calibration?

Calibrate when the checker shows one of these:

• The stick rests a bit off-center, and the value stays the same every time. A steady offset can often be fixed. A wandering one usually can't.
• The stick can't reach the edge of the circle in one or more directions.
• A trigger stops short of 100%, or doesn't fall back to 0%.
• You just replaced a stick or a trigger part. New parts often need new calibration values.

Calibration won't fix everything. If the value jumps around or keeps creeping, the sensor is worn. Then you need cleaning or a new stick. See the stick drift test.

Step 1: Check your controller before you calibrate

1. Connect the controller and press any button.
2. Let go of both sticks. Write down the X and Y values for each.
3. Roll each stick slowly around the edge. Note if any side falls short of the circle.
4. Pull each trigger fully. Write down the top value.

These are your "before" numbers. You'll compare them after calibrating. Or press Start calibration above: the 16-second wizard measures all of this for you, shows a table of results, and lets you save it in this browser.

Step 2: Try a simple reset first

A reset clears glitches that look like calibration problems. It doesn't remove your console pairing on Xbox, but it does on PlayStation.

Test again with the checker. If the problem is gone, you're done.

Step 3: Calibrate on your system

Nintendo Switch (Pro Controller and Joy-Con)

Nintendo has a built-in tool. Go to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Calibrate Control Sticks. Press the stick you want to fix, then follow the steps on screen. You'll move the stick to the edges and let it rest in the center.

Windows (any controller that uses DirectInput)

1. Press the Windows key, type joy.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Select your controller and click Properties.
3. On the Settings tab, click Calibrate and follow the wizard.

This only changes values for older games and apps that use DirectInput. Most modern games, and all Xbox controllers in XInput mode, ignore it.

Steam (any controller, in Steam games)

Open Steam > Settings > Controller, select your controller, and look for the calibration and stick deadzone options. Steam's calibration and deadzone settings apply to games that run through Steam Input. They don't change the controller itself.

Xbox controllers

Microsoft doesn't offer stick calibration for Xbox controllers. What you can do:

• Update the firmware with the Xbox Accessories app.
• On an Elite controller, adjust stick sensitivity curves and deadzones in the same app.
• Raise the deadzone inside your game.

PS5 and PS4 controllers

Sony doesn't offer a calibration tool for the DualSense or DualShock 4. Your options:

• Reset the controller (Step 2) and update its firmware.
• Use your game's deadzone setting.
• Some community-made tools can write new calibration values into DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers. They're unofficial. They can work well, but follow their instructions carefully, because a mistake can make things worse.

Step 4: Set the right deadzone

If a small offset remains, a deadzone hides it. A deadzone is a small zone around the center that the game ignores.

The trick is to use the smallest deadzone that stops the drift. Too big and your aim feels slow and sticky. Set it a little above your resting value from the checker. For example, if your stick rests at 0.05, try a deadzone of 0.07 to 0.08. Our deadzone test measures this for you, and the wizard above suggests a value too.

Step 5: Check your work

Run the checker again and compare with your "before" numbers:

• Resting values should be closer to 0.00.
• Each stick should reach the edge all the way around.
• Triggers should reach 100% and fall back to 0%.

If nothing improved, the problem is likely wear, not calibration. Read how to fix stick drift, then re-run the drift test.

Controller calibration FAQ