Xbox Series X controller barely registering left analog stick when its pressed up.

Maximilian Vale · Apr 30, 2022

About 3 days ago, I started to notice that whenever I pushed my left stick to move up, sometimes, very briefly, it would register as if it was half the movement range I actually moved the stick to and then fix itself. Over the days, now it sometimes doesn't even register that I am pulling it up and unless I move it to a side or move it back, which is naturally extremely annoying because its not as sleek as it should be and it just feels off. It honestly does not feel like something would be broken, its certainly not a drift since it does not move on its own, and the button presses still register most of the times so its not broken, it sounds more like a dirty sensor more than anything, but I could be wrong.

I play on PC, so I checked its Update, changed the battery, forcibly restart and turn it off. From the outside, I placed a bit of Isopropyl Alcohol with a qtip around the left stick and blew some air by the sides to see if that would remove any dirt. Nothing. Opened the controller and on the base piece of the left stick put some more alcohol and blew it again, waiting for it to dry, cleaning the inside area before anything.

Nothing.

I don't know what to do or if this is the problem. Any help would be appreciated. And please, don't just tell me to take it to a technician, I don't have the money for that. If there is anything I can do on my end, I will.

:)

Ricardo Lechuga

Hi Maximilian! My name is Ricardo an independent advisor ready to help you with this situation!

This is a support community forum so we can't recommend steps to self repair your devices, as that could lead to a bigger malfunction, we can only suggest that you take it to a technician

But what you could try is to test it on a different Pc and see if the problem persist, if it doesn't is most likely that the issue is your settings, maybe something you changed or installed recently

If it does then is for sure a hardware issue and the best is to replace it or take it to a professional

SenS Alpha

I am also having issues with my controller analog stick. Mostly it happens when I play Overwatch and the stick "sticks". I am hoping it will be fixed with the controller design for the Xbox Series X.

ZDragonNinjaZ

While in your ready to install list, hover over any game, then press down on the left thumb stick (keep it pressed) then press RB+LB+X at the same time. Just remember you have to keep the left analog stick pressed down while you click RB+LB+X. That should
do the trick.

NewBlacksmurf

I want to assume that you're describing a "drift" in the controller analog stick.

My very first controller experienced this after playing a lot of BF4. In order to run, you had to press down the analog stick, many times while holding the analog stick in a certain direction to keep moving.

If this is present the PC settings will show as if you're holding it down in a slight direction at all times when left sitting. You could attempt to have the controller replaced..... myservices.xbox.com

PARAMEDlC

I've found when my controller has had similar issues, It's due to the Analog stick being a bit loose, As it sits the smallest amount to the left, Barely noticeable, But in game, It's impacts on whatever i'm doing

With using it on the computer, Some games have a dead zone on the sticks, So it's not having an impact.

Your best bet would be to keep the controller with the problems for your pc, And the controller that works well on the xbox for that.

Xbox Series X controller barely registering left analog stick when its pressed up.