PS5 DualSense stick drift: how to fix it

Simple steps to confirm and fix stick drift on a PS5 DualSense controller at home. Also covers when to use warranty, when a repair makes sense and when to replace it.

Start with what Sony recommends: update the controller software and reset the controller with the button on the back. If the stick still moves on its own, clean gently around the stick and raise the deadzone in your game. If drift continues, contact PlayStation Repairs while the controller is in warranty, or get a quote before paying for a repair.

• 1. Confirm it is drift: Leave the sticks untouched and watch the PS5 menu or a game's camera. If the cursor or camera keeps moving on its own, it is drift.
• 2. Update the controller: On your PS5, go to Settings › Accessories › Controller (General) and select DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software. Updating the PS5 system software also brings controller updates.
• 3. Reset the controller: Switch off the PS5 and pull the cable out of the controller. Flip the controller over: beside the Sony logo there's a tiny hole with the reset button inside. Push a pin in and keep it pressed for 5 seconds or more.
• 4. Reconnect with the cable: Connect the controller to the PS5 with the official USB cable and press the PS button. Test again to see if the drift has stopped.
• 5. Blow out dust: With the controller off, use short bursts of compressed air around the base of the stick while slowly moving it in a circle. Do not open the controller.
• 6. Clean gently around the base: Still gritty? Wet the tip of a cotton bud with a little isopropyl alcohol, damp but not dripping, and run it around the gap where the stick meets the controller. Wait until everything is completely dry before you switch the controller back on.
• 7. Raise the in-game deadzone: Many games let you set a stick deadzone in their controller settings. A slightly bigger deadzone hides small drift, though it will not fix a worn stick.
• 8. Use warranty if you can: If the controller is still in warranty, use the PlayStation Repairs tool on playstation.com/repairs or contact PlayStation Support India. Keep your bill from an authorised seller ready.