Controller drifting on its own
The stick moves when you are not touching it. That is a worn part, and it is replaceable.
Mon to Sat 10 to 6
What causes it
- A worn potentiometer inside the thumbstick module, which is the cause in almost every case
- Dust in the stick housing, which produces the same symptom temporarily
- A deadzone setting that has drifted in software
- Physical damage from a drop
What to do right now
- Recalibrate in the console settings, which occasionally resolves it
- Note whether it drifts constantly or only after a while
- Avoid pressing harder on the stick, which does not help and wears it faster
- Keep the controller if it is otherwise fine, because the module is the only worn part
What you are seeing.
The same complaint covers several different faults. Find the line that matches and you have already narrowed it down.
- The character moves with your hands off the sticksThe classic. A worn potentiometer in the thumbstick module.
- It only drifts in one directionSame fault. The wear is uneven, which is why it favours one axis.
- It drifts sometimes and not othersEarly stage. It does not recover and it gets worse.
- Recalibrating helps for a day or twoConfirms wear rather than a software fault. Calibration masks it briefly.
- Both sticks driftTwo modules rather than one, and worth saying when you book.
- It started after a drink was spilled on itDifferent cause, and it needs cleaning rather than a module swap.
Work out which one it is.
Drift is one of the few faults where the diagnosis is nearly always the same, so the question is what to do about it rather than what it is.
If none of these is clearly yours, that is what the free diagnostic is for. It costs nothing and it is the step that stops people paying for the wrong repair.
What we check at the bench.
- Whether the drift is mechanical or a calibration issue
- The module itself, and the other stick while we are in there
- Buttons and triggers, because they wear on the same timeline
- Battery condition, since a controller in for drift is often due one anyway
What it costs.
Priced on the controller repair page. Replacing the module costs a fraction of a new controller and it is a permanent fix rather than a temporary one.
Whatever it turns out to be, you get the price before anything is opened, and there is no fee if we cannot fix it. Every completed repair carries a 360-day warranty on the part we fitted and the work we did.
Common questions.
Replacing the module fixes it properly. Cleaning and calibration buy weeks, which is why we do not sell them as a repair.
On most controllers, yes. The module is a small part of what a new controller costs.
If the controller is inside the manufacturer's warranty, go to them first. Several handle drift free and we will say so.
Usually same day, subject to the module being in stock for your controller.
A worn potentiometer inside the thumbstick module, which is the cause in almost every case. Dust in the stick housing, which produces the same symptom temporarily
We quote it after a free diagnostic, because the price depends on what we find. No fix, no fee, so if we cannot repair it you pay nothing.
Yes. Stick drift is a worn potentiometer in the thumbstick module, and the fix is replacing the module rather than the whole controller. It is a common repair and much cheaper than a new controller.
Sometimes, briefly. Contact cleaner can settle a drifting stick for a few weeks, but once the track inside is worn it comes back. We will tell you honestly which one yours is.
Yes, anywhere in Dublin, Monday to Friday. Tell us where you are and we arrange a time. Outside Dublin we are not set up for collection, so the device would need to come to the shop.
No. These are hardware repairs and we do not open, copy or erase anything on the device. Back it up first anyway, because any device that already has a fault can fail further while it is being worked on.
You pay nothing. No fix, no fee covers the diagnostic and the handling, so the only time you pay is when the device comes back working. If a repair turns out to cost more than the device is worth, we tell you that instead of doing it.
360 days on parts and workmanship. If the same fault comes back and it was not caused by new damage, we repair it again at no cost. Accidental damage, liquid damage after the repair and cracked glass are not covered.
Customer reviews
I had a great experience with the guys, they helped me get started with my new phone, they didn't push me to go for the most expensive items, they respected what I was looking for.
Bought a phone at imend, Drumcondra, near DCU. What could have been a difficult experience for an untechical minded person like myself was made so easy by the very helpful staff member who ensured my phone was up and running smoothly with everything working well before I left the shop.
Imend phone repair shop near me Excellent service
This was my second time back to Imend. Great friendly guy working there and extremely helpful. Phone was repaired very quickly and its like brand new. Only too happy to recommend Imend.
Best phone shop in dublin just came from polland bought my new phone good service. Imend.
Excellent service , got a plug and a lead for 25 euro excellent value, will definitely return and become a regular client!
Controller drifting on its own? Bring it in.
Free diagnostic, a firm price before any work, and a 360-day warranty on every completed repair.
Book a repair 24/7 · No fix, no fee · 360-day warranty · Free diagnostic