Xbox One Controller Stick Drift - Not Mechanical

CptShort97 · Jun 23, 2019

So I bought a new standard xbox controller in January, and it’s been giving me minor grief pretty much since day one. Sometimes I plug it in to charge, and random buttons won’t be responding. Removing the Micro-USB and then connecting it again fixes the
problem. It also very occasionally has sync issues but re-syncing does the trick. I have learned to deal with these weird problems.

Yesterday however I started noticing some stick drift whilst playing Halo: Reach. On BOTH sticks and BOTH always perfectly upwards. It hasn’t been dropped, there’s no misalignment of the sticks (as was the case last time I had this issue, that controller
was 2 years old too).

What’s especially weird is HOW the drift occurs though. It doesn’t simply drift idly whenever I’m not touching the stick. It’s on a delay. I’ll let go, it stays still as it should. A few seconds go by with no input, THEN suddenly one of the sticks starts
to wander (The right more often than left but it changes seemingly at random) but NEVER both at the same time. Sometimes it doesn’t drift at all, sometimes it seems like it’s okay but then pressing a button elsewhere on the controller initiates a drift ( X,
A and Y the biggest culprits). Sometimes I can even pull the stick slightly down from the centre and it STILL drifts UP.

Some more background info: It’s not under warranty, I’ve checked. I haven’t taken it apart or anything, just used it in a bunch of different games to try and diagnose the issue (it seems to happen in every FPS I’ve tested). I’ve tried re-syncing, power cycling,
updating the firmware and restoring factory settings to no avail.

So my question is, since this doesn’t APPEAR to be a standard mechanical fault, is there another possible cause and, therefore, a fix? Or is it definitely still busted somehow and needs throwing away? My personal hunch is some sort of electrical/software
problem given its history of odd behaviour but I’m no expert. If It needs replacing I’ll be hugely disappointed as it’ll be the 3rd controller I’ve had to replace in the last year for various reasons.

Please advise because I’m completely stumped.

:)

XBF Crystal P

Hi there Cpt,

Thanks for reaching out here in Xbox Forums. I understand there is an issue with the Xbox One Controller.
I recommend to take a look at the following troubleshooting resource:
Troubleshoot your Xbox One wireless controller.

Try this out and let us know the results.

R4VER

Adjust your deadzone sensitivity on fps and other games that allow you to do so, the greater the deadzone the more input is required to move or aim, im having the same issue with 2 of my controllers, one left analogue, the others on the right.

Its likely to be a fault with the analogue control module, either its lose or faulty, all sorts of fixes on Youtube, probably be easier getting a new controller, im going to need to buy my 5th soon myself. Hope the deadzone fix helps you out till that point.

Cerebral Paul

With the issues with the buttons and all and sync issues I'd say it'd be easier to replace it at this time.

If you feel comfortable you could always open it to see if anything is visibly out of whack, all your issues could be caused by circuits completing when they shouldn't be etc. You can find videoes on youtube.

but like I said, easier to just replace.

iBakez

FPS is the worst for controllers developing drift as you are constantly pushing down on the sticks and thus loosening the springs/mechanism inside.. also click to sprint is a killer for sticks!

ChiefJoboo

Stick drift is a common thing with all controllers, even playstation ones. The problem is the springs in the sticks that control the Y and X axis of movement wear down over time and there's not really a really good alternative to those springs at the moment.
If they could find a better way to design the sticks so that they wouldn't use these kind of springs that would be a revolutionary step in controller mechanics.

Sorry.

Xbox One Controller Stick Drift - Not Mechanical