PS5 controller drift: What to try before joystick repair

How do you fix stick drift on a PS5 controller?

Try a reset if your controller isn't working properly, as PlayStation recommends for general controller problems. Restarting your PlayStation console could clear a minor software fault. If you're using the DualSense with a computer, turn that off instead of the console.^{1, 3}

1. Unplug the official cable

   Find the small reset hole beside the Sony logo on the controller's back.¹

2. Press with a pin

   A similar tool works, too. Keep the reset button held for at least 5 seconds.¹

3. Reconnect to the console

   Use the official cable supplied with the controller. Then press the PS button.¹

How do you clean and test PS5 controller stick drift?

Start cleaning with a damp cloth to remove grime from the controller, then use 90% isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab around the thumbstick dome. To check for drift, connect it to a computer and use a tester. You'll see the inputs the controller is receiving.³

After a repair, use the tester to check that the fix worked.³

Which updates should you try for PS5 stick drift?

Start with the controller's software update, which is most likely to address a problem specific to the controller. Connect it to the console with a cable. If drift continues, update the console's system software. Finally, update any games where you notice drift.³

For the controller update, open Settings, then Devices, then Controllers, then Update System Software. On the console, choose System Software Update and Settings. If an update is available, choose Update System Software, then Update Using Internet.³

When should you take a drifting controller to a shop?

Take a drifting controller to a repair shop after the checks if you lack the intermediate soldering skills needed for joystick replacement. Persistent drift likely points to a worn module. In iFixit's replacement method, the module is cut apart so each piece can be desoldered on its own with a soldering iron.⁴

A hot air station makes the module easier to desolder. Before opening the controller, unplug it. Turn off the controller before you begin.⁴

To reach the joystick, lift off the rear case with the controller upside down and its sticks against the work surface. The battery is then disconnected and lifted out of its bracket. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 6.4 mm screw that holds the bracket in place.⁴

What does a replacement DualSense joystick cost?

A DualSense joystick replacement part costs $14.99 at iFixit, read October 7, 2026, for a drifting or unresponsive stick. Each part replaces one joystick. Ask what a shop would charge to install it before treating the part price as your repair budget.⁵