How to Fix Stick Drift PS5 (Without Losing Your Mind)

Alright, let’s get straight to the point. If your PS5 controller is randomly moving characters or the camera without you even touching the sticks, you’re probably dealing with stick drift. Super annoying, right?

So, here’s the good news, you can totally fix PS5 stick drift. You don’t always have to buy a new controller or send it off for repairs. Depending on how bad the drift is, there are a few ways to fix it yourself at home. Some are super easy, and others need a bit of patience (and maybe a tiny screwdriver).

What Even Is Stick Drift? (And Why It Happens)

Stick drift is when your analog sticks move on their own even though you’re not touching them. It happens a lot on the left stick, but sometimes the right one gets it too.

So why does it happen?

Well, a few reasons:

• Dust or dirt gets stuck inside the controller, especially around the stick sensors.
• Wear and tear. Over time, the components inside (called potentiometers) get messed up from too much use.
• Moisture or sweat can sneak in and mess with the internals.
• Calibration issues. Sometimes your controller just loses its mind a bit and needs to be reset.

Method 1: Reset Your PS5 DualSense Controller

Let’s start with the easiest fix. Sometimes your controller just needs a quick reset.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Turn off your PS5 completely.
2. Look on the back of the DualSense controller. You’ll see a tiny hole near the L2 button.
3. Grab a paperclip or a SIM card tool and press that button inside the hole for about 5 seconds.
4. Turn your PS5 back on and reconnect the controller with the USB cable.

That’s it. Test your sticks now. If they’ve stopped drifting, sweet! If not, keep reading.

Method 2: Clean Around the Analog Sticks

Sometimes the problem is just dust or gunk buildup. Even a tiny bit can mess with the sensors and cause drift.

What You’ll Need:

• Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher)
• Cotton swabs (Q-tips)
• A can of compressed air (optional)

Steps:

1. Turn off the controller and disconnect it from your PS5.
2. Use the compressed air to blow out any loose dust around the analog stick.
3. Dip a Q-tip in a small bit of isopropyl alcohol.
4. Gently rub the base of the analog stick, moving the stick around as you clean under it.
5. Let it dry for a few minutes before testing it.

This works more often than you’d think. If you’ve never cleaned your controller before, this could 100% be the fix.

Method 3: Recalibrate Using PS5 Settings

Sometimes your sticks just get miscalibrated, and that makes them act weird. You can’t exactly calibrate them like on a PC, but you can kinda “retrain” them.

Here’s how:

1. Go to Settings > Accessories > Controllers on your PS5.
2. Adjust things like Stick Sensitivity and Deadzone.
3. Try increasing the deadzone, this helps ignore slight movements from the stick.

Now, this won’t fix a totally broken stick, but for minor drift, this can help a ton.

Method 4: Open It Up and Clean Internals (Advanced)

Okay, if none of the above worked and you’re still dealing with drift, it’s time for the big move, taking your controller apart.

⚠️ Warning: Doing this might void your warranty. So only go this route if you’re cool with that and kinda handy with small tools.

What You’ll Need:

• A small Phillips screwdriver
• Spudger or flat plastic tool
• Isopropyl alcohol + Q-tips

Steps:

1. Unscrew the back of the controller (there are four screws hidden behind the L1/L2 buttons and under the grips).
2. Gently pry it open using the spudger.
3. Locate the analog stick modules on the board.
4. Use alcohol + Q-tips to clean around the green potentiometers (the tiny boxes on the sides of each stick).
5. Dry it out completely before putting it back together.

This can fix deep dirt or corrosion issues. But yeah, it’s kind of a project. Still, if you’re desperate, it’s worth trying.

Method 5: Replace the Stick Module

This one’s the last resort, replacing the analog stick entirely.

If you’ve got soldering skills (or don’t mind watching a bunch of YouTube tutorials), you can buy replacement analog stick modules for the DualSense controller online. They’re usually like $10-$15.

You’ll need:

• Soldering iron + desoldering pump
• New analog stick module
• Patience. Lots of it.

It’s not easy, but it works. This method actually fixes the root of stick drift when the components are just too far gone.

Extra Tips to Avoid Stick Drift in the Future

Once you fix it, you definitely don’t want it coming back again. Here’s how to avoid stick drift in the future:

• Wash your hands before gaming. Seriously, it helps.
• Don’t eat chips and then grab the controller (grease = death).
• Keep your controller in a case or drawer when not using it.
• Use compressed air once a month to keep it clean.
• Try not to press the sticks in super hard all the time.

Controllers aren’t cheap, so a little care goes a long way.

Final Thoughts

PS5 stick drift is annoying as hell, but luckily, you’ve got options. Whether it’s a quick reset, a simple clean-up, or a full-on repair job, there’s usually a way to fix it without dropping $70 on a new controller.

Just start with the easy stuff and work your way up. Most people don’t need to open the controller or replace anything; cleaning and resetting usually does the trick. And hey, even if you end up having to replace the analog sticks, it’s still better than buying a whole new DualSense.