Xbox One Wireless Controller Joystick Drift

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Introduction

If the joysticks/thumbsticks on your Xbox One Wireless Controller are malfunctioning, use the following solutions to get back to gaming. This page will cover both cases where the controller registers no input from the controllers and cases where the joysticks register improper input like drift.

Causes

1

Residue Build Up

Your thumbstick may be sticking or not rotating properly. Check out the Thumbstick Replacement Guide so you can get to your thumbsticks and clean them or replace the thumb stick covers.

Part: Thumbstick cover

Tools Required: TR8 Torx, Spudger

If this does not fix the problem, the thumbstick mechanism may be faulty meaning you should replace the secondary board. However, if you are comfortable soldering the Analog sticks can be replaced without a new midframe.

Part: Xbox One Controller (1537) Midframe Assembly and control board, Xbox One Controller (1697) Midframe Assembly and control board

Tools: T6 Torx, TR8 Torx, Spudger, soldering station, tweezers (recommended)

2

Broken Thumbsticks

It is possible that you have have been gaming a little too hard and one or both of your thumbsticks are bent or broken. Look at our Thumbstick Replacement Guide to see how you can get back to your hardcore gaming habits in no time.

Part: Thumbstick cover

Tools Required: TR8 Torx, Spudger

If cleaning or replacing the thumbstick covers does not fix the problem, the thumbstick mechanism may be faulty meaning you should replace the main board. However, if you are comfortable soldering you can replace the Analog sticks without a new main board.