How to Fix Analog Stick Drift on a PS4 Controller | Repair & Get Rid of Jittery Sticking DualShock 4

[@HowToX]

00:00 How to Use This Tutorial 00:55 Will This Work? 01:28 How to Test Your Controller 02:46 Solution 1 04:41 Solution 2 06:18 Solution 3 07:00 Solution 4 08:44 Solution 5 09:31 Solution 6 09:55 Solution 7 11:07 Warnings 12:30 Solution 8 + Take Apart 18:55 Solution 9 22:48 Solution 10 28:19 Solution 11 28:54 Solution 12 33:34 Why No Solution 13? 34:46 Put Back Together

[@jeffkiller8608]

Ty so much!!!! I can’t get another controller rn I don’t rly have anything to my name and I am starting to work 🥲❤️my headphones recently stopped working and this helps me out so much

[@jeffkiller8608]

Helped*

[@khurramsalahuddin939]

I almost had thrown my controller but then stumbled across this video and then all i had to do is blow air into the joystick and just like that it worked like new.Thanks a ton for this video!

[@rileygarraway87]

Thanks for helping solution 2 helped me

[@JJLongway]

I googled how to fix my controller before I went to Walmart! You just saved me $60. I appreciate it🤝

[@HowToX]

Glad to help, and glad it's showing on Google.

[@petervaday1414]

Same, solution 7 worked for me, thank you @HowToX

[@MrRi0T13]

Thank you very much. Within 20 minutes my controller was working like new again. I opened it and cleaned it with rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush. 6 years since I've had the PS4, I've changed 3 controllers due to drift. I wish I had seen your video earlier. Thanks again for the money I saved this time thanks to you

[@meonace]

Bro u guide everything explicit and clearly and without any nonsense. 5 stars

[@mattthemouse1]

_EDIT:_ Solution 5 didn't Work, but Solution 10 did. Solution 5 Did the trick for me! I swear, I was going to lose it if my DS4 controller went the way of my XBOX Series S controller. It had stick drift inside of 6 months and I was seeing that was common. I've had this DS4 for 4 years now and this is the first real issue I've had. Thanks to you, its no longer an issue and I didn't even have to disassemble it! I've found that on many things, the idea that Sony = Quality is a real thing; that's why I got a DS5 controller for my Roommate for Christmas this year to help get her into gaming; the quality was far superior. Once again from the bottom of my heart: *_THANK YOU_*

[@DLJames-gf1xr]

I dont have the money for a new controller, and mine was drifting up and as good as broke. I tried every solution to no avail and almost gave up hope until method 10. I opened a worse controller for practice, then opened up my good one. Followed the directions to a T and my controller works better now than it did before. Thanks so much, you helped a bunch.

[@DimzReacts]

Solution 10 works yet again. I watched a different videos ages ago when I had this problem. This video is far better, I have bookmarked it to make sure I know what to do next time. It didn't take much cleaning at all of the potentiometer. The joystick works flawlessly on the website now instead of shaking around when I would hold it still. Thank you! (I came from the old video btw where u linked this one).

[@yealol1693]

Watch the entire video and did the trick with alcohol. At first it wasn't working and then I gave it a minute and played with the analog in circles. As soon as I said I was about to go buy a new. Boom it all worked out. Thank you man for the video man you saved me another 60 bucks. 👍👍👍

[@sq_z]

The blowing worked. I had ZERO trust in this, but decided to try it anyway, but it worked. I've been trying to fix the drift on my ps4 controller for years now. Decided to randomly try to fix it again today, and was surprised by this awesome solution. Thanks man, appreciate the content.

[@jimejamm]

Fixed my nephews controller because of your video. He had stick drift. Solution 9 worked. THANK YOU!

[@genore1993]

Belive it or not. The flipping it upside down smacking it and pushing the button in actual worked for now. Its a 2 month old controller. Didnt want to open it up. I have done that alot with my old controller though.😅

[@Zeldavidson]

dawg, when i tell u i thought that was bs jus now it WORKED

[@genore1993]

@@Zeldavidson Right? it had been fine for months..... Literally started stick drifting again last nigt! Belive it or not.... Playing rocket leauge.... So every goal i did the same thing. Smack, click, blow, smack... Wroks like a charm again LOL

[@BosskAviation751]

@@genore1993what does smack click blow mean what are the hand movements for that

[@michaelmccollum93]

I have went through every video I could find and when I tell you, smacking it while it is upside down is THEE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY, you have a blessed day, random human ❤️ thank you for your comment

[@genore1993]

@@BosskAviation751 turn controller around so your looking at the back. Hold it at a angle .Click the L3 or R3 while tapping the back of the controller. You can also hold the joystick to one side and literally blow into the joystick.

[@coreytodd1709]

I’ve spent a lot of money fixing this problem with an antique controller for ps4, never again. This was wonderful

[@sikkis4007]

It was the solution 10 for me! There was some sticky shit behind one door. Cleaned it and now it runs perfectly. Thank you so much for your well explained and detailed instructions! Very useful video!

[@maripaananen9395]

Blowing air to the joysticks worked for a little while. Now I fixed two controllers with the 10th solution. Thank you so much! 😁

[@Doodsinho]

Solution 4 actually fixed the drift. I'm shocked, had no faith it would work, cause usually when my things break they demand the hardest solutions imagineable lmao. Thanks, man. I'll keep referring to this vid when I get further problems. It makes so much sense that the problem was being caused by dirt, cause I've always used my DS4 on PC. I've had it for 3 years and have probably used it only like 50 times, and in very short 30 min - 1 hour gaming sessions. I was like "There's no way it's wear", cause the controller still looks brand new from the outside. So I would definitely recommend y'all to try that solution.

[@hugojimenez8670]

solution 10 worked for me for both joysticks, took me like 2 or 3 hours cause I had no previous experience, but it's a really simple process and you explained it very well, thanks a lot!

[@Visua0]

Solution 10 actually worked for me. Thanks a lot for the clear instructions! I only opened 1 door since only 1 direction was having issues. I did have to cut off the 3rd peg to get the door closed, so I'm glad you mentioned even that.

[@Fromurstruly]

I've had my messed up controller for several years and this video fixed it and instead of buying a new controller I should've done this, great video

[@quifix2506]

10 worked for me. This step should really be done by people who have worked on hardware before

[@FiksIIanzO]

Stellar tutorial! Had to disassemble the potentiometer but cleaning both doors and rings worked like a charm! No drifting at all after this one, and I didn't even break anything else! I think. It's supposed to be making this sizzling sound on the inside, right?

[@uganda90210]

Huge thanks, Solved the problem with the help of this video + the L2 fix tutorial: Pressing L2 Causes the Analog Stick to Move For Some DualShock 4 PS4 Controllers. Small thing no mention: displacement of the membrane can also cause this problem. With my controller, the membrane was displaced from the fixing knobs. When I placed it back and blew out the thumbsticks a bit, pressing L2 had no effect on the sticks, and the jitter was reduced to almost zero. Thanks again, Cheers🍺

[@iJobama]

Bought a controller last October after my old one was making weird inputs on the right stick, usually would send me looking at the sky. Even had one previously that would spin my character around anytime I pressed the L2 to ADS. This latest one started doing the same, looking at the sky randomly if I took my thumb off the stick. Didn't really want to buy a new one as they are 1/10 the price of a PS5. Tried the straw trick and blew air in and round the right stick and its fixed my issue for the time being. Just had a nice 3 hour session without it looking at the sky once. Thank you!

[@CaydenGrimes.]

refused to open my controller, tried that with my mast one and everything went perfect until I lost one of my triggers. blowing worked surprisingly! now to keep this Video downloaded for when it inevitably acts up again. thanks man!

[@brianbeard3577]

with the controller upside down-ish, i used the corner of a plastic wrapper like you suggested with the cardboard. Then I blew air with it stil l mostly tilted.... It did the trick . Thanks dude!

[@RobertoMusicHelp]

SOLUTION #7 FOR THE WIN!!!!! I would also suggest taking that same straw that you are blowing with and passing it around the inside of the joysticks instead of the cardboard triangle. It's more flexible and if you cut at an angle, you can make a nice cleaner. Cutting the tip at an angle will also allow more air to circulate when you blow into the straw. Worked like a charm. Here's to NEVER having to buy another controller again!!!! Makes me wonder if something similar to this is what GameStop does???

[@nilfisktun]

Lovely, cleaning out the "box" prying it open as described and cleaning with alchohol fixed my drifting controller! Now i dont need to buy my son a PS5 :D :D

[@tobiasampersand]

Was all ready to crack my screwdrivers out, got to solution 3 and my controller seems fine again! Super helpful, thank you!

[@ling_uini]

Solution 10 was scary but worked and made me feel cool, thank you!!

[@bbear0_o]

Solution 8 did it for me. You saved me 60$ . And also i might now be addicted on opening my other controlers

[@bbear0_o]

update: i have now fixed all 3 of my controllers replacing the film works brilliantly. thank you. im now moving on on joycons XD

[@elena557]

my controller used to make a squeaky noise and got blocked or drifted, after the vacuum and the straw, it worked brand new thank you:))

[@Carzon]

THANK YOU! Had to resort to solution 7 plus using a qtip with rubbing alcohol on the thumbstick doors (did not want to risk breaking anything), and now i am free from the chains of stickdrift!

[@scriptings]

Fortnite

[@ravenwolf]

Solution 10 worked!!!! I was scared to death to try it, but now it's actually better than my other, "good" analog stick - zero jitter. I previously used another video of yours to replace the d-pad, so a huge thank you again! If you added anything, I'd appreciate some tips on where it is and isn't safe to press on the insides of the controller? I was afraid to break some other part while holding it steady to put pressure on the doors.

[@MrAcgolem]

Cool I karate chopped it from the back a few times and pressed the stick in while blowing compressed air all around the stick. It's 97% fixed. before, if I let go of the left stick my character would basically take off running to the left. Now maybe every 10th time I stop it takes a single step left. It's good enough. I may even repeat the process a few more times and I reckon it may get to 100% fixed. Great video.

[@tofufish2004]

Insanely detailed and thorough video. Amazing job

[@industrialinsanity7347]

I took it apart and blew on it then reassembled it and did the patting thing actually worked 😂 now my grandpa can have working controllers!

[@michelusac1798]

Worked great with step 10. Don't hesitate, it's not that hard if you have proper tools. Thank you very much.

[@seeenrulez3450]

Well hot damn, turning the controller over and blowing into the joystick to clear debris actually worked. Thank you for the tip!

[@queenasheeba2953]

Thank you so much! I did solutions 4/5/6 & 7 - which basically cleaned gunk out of the joystick. You just saved me from buying a new controller! Thanks again 👏👏

[@JvMatt]

Solution 10 did it for me. Thank you very much for putting so much effort into this by leaving nothing ambiguous so it would be easy to follow!

[@MatthewThomas-c5y]

I'm with you on the calibration part, for a couple years now I've just had to solder different pots onto the backs of the analogs and manually adjust the resting position if I swap in a new stick, but doing so reduces it's movement so I have to sand the wells a little bit so the stick can still have good reach all around. Also I use a hakko desolder gun with the pump build into it (about $300, cheaper ones don't work so well in my experience) to get the points out, works a lot better then the heat gun but you do need to let the gun rest on the points for a little bit before it melts properly, I count to like 5 and have the temp set to about 425 C before hitting the trigger

[@guidobarzaghi9475]

Solution 10 cracked it for me. Fantastic tutorial! Please do more!

[@moskillz76]

Wow, never thought that Solution 7 with the straw would be the one that would work for me. Thank you so much. I had bad left analog stick jitter on a fairly new controller, Really thought I would need to open it up. Looks like what might have happened was some dust or debris/paint from the stick rubbing against the plastic controller case just got into the sensors.

[@RacingTherapy]

Thank you SO MUCH.. Really, I can't thank you enough I was having a huge stick drift on my PS5 Dualsense were the Left stick was always pushing upwards, then I tried to tap it like you did in the video, then I used a straw and IT WORKED Keep up the great work my friend, LIKED and subbed

[@szalyn8849]

The straw solution worked, thanks a lot

[@TheDjeezus]

Wish I had found your video sooner! I had been trying videos that said to press analogs hard and blow on crevices! Feel dumb now! 3 new controllers later, my solution was resetting them. Now I have 4 working controllers! 😅😅

[@jaimejunior2308]

Solution 10 worked for me it was realy dirty inside the potentiometer, Clear instructions and everything. Thanks a lot man

[@HowToX]

Cool

[@maryanneuduak7078]

​@@HowToXwhich solution do you recommend for the left moving at rest to the left a bit but not too much but it does affect precision. mine is a PS4 console gamepad I tried the all solution to 7 so I'm not sure which one will work when I open it .and it also does this thing when I push up it turn left a lot and I can't go perfectly North anymore

[@HowToX]

There's not really any way to map a specific symptom to a specific solution, so just try the things in the video, which I realize you said you already did.

[@drmontagenpcs]

This is a very USEFULL video Bro congrats. But there's a problem: for people with no experience in electronics, opening and touching these highly sensitive places with tweezers can very easily damage the component and the board. In my opinion, it's best to have an engineer friend replace the analog stick by soldering. But I love all your options Bro.

[@HowToX]

I disagree. Replacing the analog stick is overkill in many cases, and not everybody knows an engineer. The video shows how to do the work carefully.

[@ptravassos]

Great video! Had to go through solution 10. It's a delicate and nerve racking solution, but it worked. Thanks

[@annietmood]

Solution 9 did it for me. Thanks. But then I realize that one of the rubber pads from the d-pad rubber thing has completely tore off, but I suppose that's a much different problem from a much different cause.

[@sultanmuwaffaq6173]

pulling out the umbrella and blowing the parts below it fixed my problem. thank you very very much

[@zakikd50]

Man.. The tapping thing worked like magic 😂😂❤thank you so much

[@user-J8Peterson7]

Maaan You are the God of the Explanation 😊😊😊 Thanks you I'll try with my Controller, he is from 2017 with Console too 😬 I hope it will be cleaned with at least only first few steps 😊😁 Thank You Very Much , dude. Thank you.

[@Theran_1]

this video is amazing!! i have an off brand controller so fixing it was kinda weird, i didnt manage to fix my drift because i think it has to do with the gates getting loose or soemthing and rn i cant order new ones nor install them cuz i have no wielding experience, but its teh 1st time i have managed to pick apart and put together again such "sofisticated" electronic device, ty so much, it ahs been a very informative experience!

[@john00110101]

👍👍👍 Mate!!! You know!! I have sons and advising them to watch a tute (tutorial) once through then restart and slowly go for it!! Maybe even checking the comments for important changes!! Do they listen?? No! Loved you advising the “warnings come at the end of the book” So many of us “Grown Ups” do it too! Great vid! 👏🏻 Meticulous 🫡 and given the youth in your voice x

[@vidjandinevski2244]

The best tutorial on youtube

[@kailomonkey]

Thanks for the video. I just bought a second hand conrotller; it didn't look in great condition but it seems to work okay except the left stick movement forward would stop or veer off to the side too soon. I don't really want to move to opening it up and sadly none of the prior solutions have worked. It very specifically isn't registering any directions properly when pushing up so I think it's a mechanical fault.

[@funguymastev2150]

Solution 9 worked. Thanks. I really did not want to do 10 and above.

[@Memnoch67]

Thank you if I wasnt broke I'd donate to your channel then again i would have bought a new one. I'll keep in touch soon as work picks up. Again Thank you I never forget a good deed.

[@jamessinger1464]

Was playing ffx and just wanted to turn my left stick off and use the dpad. Customizing the buttons fixed me right up. Thanks dude

[@Gin2341]

Changing the default analog sensors to Gulikit TMR magnetic sensors fix all the drifting issues and Dualshock, Dualsense has the best calibration tool available currently

[@kristyns1640]

5 years of issues with my special edition star wars controller. 5 years. and all it took to fix its issues was smacking its ass. or, as my wife put it, burping it. thank you very much for your comprehensive guide 😅

[@nassimh8344]

Thanks a lot, solution 10 worked unbelievably well

[@QNEGRO1]

For cleaning since the SNES days I been using rubbing alcohol, works wonders dries out fast

[@erenderdimyok]

solution 7 save my life. thank you so much

[@Friedrick_Hanz]

YOOOOOO IT WORKED THE TAPPING THANKE YOU IN MANY WAYS SAVED ME ALOT BRO❤❤

[@jankenDE]

Solution 9 did the trick. Thank you! 😃

[@ניבבר-ו7ד]

Thank you it worked!! And also fixed my L2 interference.

[@torofine]

Really nice video! It didn't fully fix my problem, but it is much better now. My problem is that it's harder to move my left stick than on the right stick ( I think it's because there is dust ). I did the solution 10, but it's still not fully solved. Nice video tho! :D

[@farhadmichael441]

Thank you dude,,this is the best explains for solutions,,good luck bro🙏🤘

[@orifujie]

bro i love you. you saved me i owe you SO MUCH you are THE BEST!!! GOAT. GOD.

[@Si1entfn]

How come when I move the stick slightly down I drift to the left?

[@HowToX]

That's just the nature of drift. Debris may be "confusing" the traces inside.

[@chetrusca.126]

Wow this worked and it wasn't hard at all thank you so much

[@joakimnilsson261]

Absolutely brilliant this guide!

[@limbagakazerkynth2958]

Thank you so much you have a new subscriber the solution 10 really works.

[@grimm66666]

Thank you so much you saved me 40+ dollars ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@stephyourhope]

Thanks to this video I skip some part of the vid to see him taking apart of the controller and so I did and switch that little white piece and put it to that other and so put everything together and now everything works well and I'm very happy for it and video helped alot. Also during I thought I broke it, so please be careful. It's fine

[@stephyourhope]

Sorry for bad English

[@stephyourhope]

And I did with solution 11

[@we9691]

Half speed, one eye on screen one eye on the controller. A can of compressed air. Took it apart, sprayed the F out of it. Held it upside down shook it, tapped it. Put it back together, aaand? Wasn't expecting new ofcourse, but its a lot smoother then it was. Those microplastic gotten into my controller. It was full of scraping from the thumbstick itself.

[@ckat609]

I did all of these, even changed the joysticks for new ones and had the same issue. Does that mean the board or something is messed up? Any suggestions?

[@emmajesse56]

The straw thing worked. Thanks

[@marctunc4880]

Number 7 did it for me. Great advise. Thanks a lot.

[@jacksyyuen]

solution 11 with completely replacing the white disk always work for me!

[@FlavourFool]

Thanks for being so helpful and thorough.

[@Netre_YT]

thank you man i dont even kmow how to thank you ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Ribingtv2]

Thank you soo much you helped me a lot the seventh solution helped me thank you bro God bless you

[@brandonyam1177]

life saver fr solution 10 worked a treat

[@bud8254]

I went with the slap and blow method. So far so good.

[@sooraj0609]

Solution 8 worked for me Thank you 😊

[@solosh6041]

Thank you bro so much solution number 6 and 7 helped me in 80% so thank youu

[@slayer-jc4qd]

Yo the straw trying worked great thank you so much

[@awakenkids]

Thanks so much, the reset button worked for me!

[@laimerkingdeguzman4679]

Thanks it worked, great step by step tutorial

[@armanipoe8047]

This is a very good vid,i own a P4 an i go through drifties due to me ping ponging my p4c to my P3 for street fighter 4 ultra and umvc3,that hinders me from playing wwe 2k22 cuz in that game i learned its hell playing that game with drift.It'll register as a effing snap mare if i inevitably have to button mash.Sony i feel purposely makes these delicate deliberately while pushing fighting games in order to squeeze money outta the fighting game community,a theory but it holds weight,thanks though dude.i learned from this.

[@agntprometheus]

Cardboard and canned air seemed to stop it on the Gamepad tester, ill play some and see. Something I noticed is when I move the right stick the left side goes up and down slightly, not sure what's up with that, I'm assuming dust or hair inside it but as long as the drift isn't happening I think that will be manageable, if not I will go to next step and open it up and use some rubbing alcohol and q-tips to clean. Update: Still drifts.. opened it up, blew air in the boxes, cleaned the edges. So far so good on the hardware tester site, time will tell. If this doesn't work I'm just going to get a new controller lol. Any more disassembly and it's starting to cross the value for time line to me, I might still attempt to clean the box plates though, might as well.

[@egonix6700]

Tyyy, solution 8 worked! :D

[@luckgrip252]

I have a fake one and after 2 years of ownership I am watching this video. It's weird how the original has that issue so early in its lifespan

[@sporcukarti3989]

Thank you Bro, solution 5 worked for me. You saved my 30 Euros xd

[@HowToX]

Cool

[@ChanMan-mm7fe]

Yeah, I fucked it up and broke the ribbon cable. Had to get a new controller. Helpful video though. I'll learn from my mistakes! Thank you!

[@osamahadidi9225]

Thank you so much the straw method worked woders saved me 60 bucks

[@bestone3]

So at solution #10, the semiconductor is faded out, the metal got lot of "black dust" from that semiconductor. That's mean it is permanent damaged right?

[@dinesty123]

Thank you so much❤ the straw solution worked