Fix Your Stuff Community Store

How to Fix Xbox One Wireless Controller Drift

Introduction

Growing up, I have always played Xbox, and one problem that I've consistently had has to do with the joysticks of the controllers. The problem that I experience the most is referred to as a drift stick, which is when your character in the game moves or looks around when you're not touching the controller. This can become extremely frustrating in first and third person video games, and make it difficult to play well. I decided to create this guide to help others running into the same issue. Fixing the problem doesn't take long, and you only need 70% isopropyl alcohol, and a few cotton balls.

What you need

  1. How to Fix Xbox One Wireless Controller Drift, How to Fix Xbox One Wireless Controller Drift: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the batteries from the controller.

    • If you are using a wired controller, disconnect the wire.

    Edit

  2. How to Fix Xbox One Wireless Controller Drift: step 2, image 1 of 3 How to Fix Xbox One Wireless Controller Drift: step 2, image 2 of 3 How to Fix Xbox One Wireless Controller Drift: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Pour 70% isopropyl alcohol on the tip of a cotton ball.

    • Keep the item away from children and avoid touching your face and open wounds while using it.

    Edit

  4. How to Fix Xbox One Wireless Controller Drift: step 3, image 1 of 2 How to Fix Xbox One Wireless Controller Drift: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Rub the cotton ball all along the edges of the thumbstick.

    Edit

  5. How to Fix Xbox One Wireless Controller Drift: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Let the controller dry for 40-60 seconds.

    • Repeat Steps 2-4 two more times or until the thumbstick no longer drifts.

    Edit

  6. How to Fix Xbox One Wireless Controller Drift: step 5, image 1 of 3 How to Fix Xbox One Wireless Controller Drift: step 5, image 2 of 3 How to Fix Xbox One Wireless Controller Drift: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Connect your controller and see if there are any drift stick problems on any game.

    Edit
Conclusion

After fixing the controller, if there are any more problems, later on, repeat the same process to have it working again.

11 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 4 other contributors

Julian Echevarria

Member since: 01/25/22

363 Reputation

1 Guide authored

Badges: 11

+8 more badges

Team

CSU Los Angeles, Team 4-76, Briggs Spring 2022 Member of CSU Los Angeles, Team 4-76, Briggs Spring 2022

CSULA-BRIGGS-S22S4G76

1 Member

7 Guides authored

10 Comments

would hand sanitizer be a good substitute?

just me - Reply

Personally wouldn't recommend using hand sanitizer. IPA of various concentrations is already cheap and readily available in every pharmacy section, or a can of WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner is also around $5. In theory, hand sanitizer would "work" if it's ethanol/isopropyl alcohol based, but there's such a broad range of hand sanitizers, it would be irresponsible to make a blanket statement that they're all safe/unsafe for electronics. For example, many brands include fragrances, moisturizers, vitamin-E, etc. to keep your hands from excessively drying out, which can end up leaving residue and gumming up your electronics' contacts further.

SPARTAN VI -

I had actually been dumb enough not to look this up, so I just replaced the thumb sticks and it had made it better, but it didn't fix it. Any recommendations? I've had the controller since around 2016 or 2017. Original controller that came with the xbox.

Chill Doggo - Reply

The original Xbox one controller is notorious for getting stick drift. Only way to fix that one is the re-Solder the thumb stick back on. Like remove it and re-solder it.

Carlos Ramos -

THANK YOU!!!! Bruh….thank you.

Nick Ikombe - Reply

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 178

Past 7 Days: 1,349

Past 30 Days: 5,093

All Time: 145,201