This free gamepad tester checks every button, both analog sticks, the triggers, and vibration — works with Xbox, PlayStation, Switch Pro, and generic controllers. No download, no sign-up.
RUNS ENTIRELY IN YOUR BROWSER · NOTHING YOU PRESS IS RECORDED OR SENT ANYWHERE
Last updated: · Reviewed for accuracy against current browser APIs
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Connect your controller and press any button to begin — browsers only detect a gamepad after the first input.
The layout works the same for every controller — pick your type above just to match the button labels shown.
ControllerNot connected
Left stick (X, Y)0.00, 0.00
Right stick (X, Y)0.00, 0.00
Triggers (L, R)0%, 0%
Vibration support depends on your controller and browser.
Here's how to test a controller online in under a minute — works the same way for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch Pro, and most generic gamepads.
Connect your controller.
Plug it in by USB, or pair it over Bluetooth like you normally would.
Pick your controller type.
Select Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch Pro style above so the button labels on the diagram match what's printed on your actual controller — the test itself works identically either way.
Press any button.
Browsers only detect a gamepad after the first input — press any button once to wake it up and let this page find it.
Press every button in turn.
Work through the face buttons, bumpers, triggers, D-pad, stick clicks, and menu buttons. Each one lights up on the diagram the moment it registers.
Move both sticks in circles.
Watch the dot inside each stick's circle — it should move smoothly with your thumb and snap back to dead centre the instant you let go.
Test vibration.
Click the vibration button to run a one-second rumble and confirm both motors are working, if your controller and browser support it.
Who tests a controller, and why
Gamers reach for a controller test online right after a match where an input clearly didn't register, since knowing whether it's the controller or just a missed press changes what happens next. Anyone buying a second-hand controller runs the full test before handing over payment, checking specifically for stick drift, which is far easier to catch here than in a five-minute store demo. Competitive players test their sticks and triggers after a firmware update, which occasionally resets calibration. People troubleshooting a controller that's "acting up" in one specific game use this to confirm whether the problem is the hardware or just that particular game's settings. And after months of regular use, this is usually the fastest way to check whether a stick has started drifting before it becomes obvious mid-game. Gamers checking their whole setup before a big match often pair this with our Refresh Rate Test, since a stick that's fine but a display quietly stuck at 60Hz can feel just as frustrating as bad input.
How this controller test actually works
This tool uses the browser's Gamepad API, which polls every connected controller dozens of times per second and reports the raw state of every button and axis — pressed or not, and exactly how far each stick is tilted from center. That raw data is what lights up buttons and moves the stick indicators on screen; none of it is transmitted anywhere, and a controller only shows up here at all once you press a button on it, since browsers won't reveal gamepad data to a page until you interact with the device first.
Troubleshooting, matched to what you're actually seeing
The controller isn't detected at all
Press a button on the controller first.
Browsers don't reveal a connected gamepad until you interact with it — moving a stick or pressing any button usually makes it appear immediately.
Check the connection type.
Re-seat a USB cable, or for Bluetooth, forget and re-pair the controller rather than assuming a stale pairing is still solid.
Close other software that might be capturing it.
Steam, a console companion app, or emulator software running in the background can sometimes claim a controller before your browser gets a chance to see it.
Check for a firmware or driver update.
Both major console controllers get periodic firmware updates that fix exactly this kind of detection issue — Xbox Support for an Xbox controller, or PlayStation Support for a DualSense or DualShock.
A stick drifts even when you're not touching it
This is genuine stick drift — worn potentiometers inside the stick reporting a resting position that's no longer true center. It's a hardware wear issue, and while some controllers allow a recalibration through their platform's settings, persistent drift usually means the stick module itself needs replacing.
Works in one game but not another
Since this test confirms the controller and browser-level detection are both fine, the remaining issue is almost always that specific game's own controller settings or a platform-level input conflict (Steam Input remapping a controller before a game sees it is a common example).
Controller problems at a glance
A quick reference for matching what you're seeing to what's probably going on.
Symptom
Likely cause
Quick fix
Controller not detected at all
Not connected, or no button pressed yet
Check the cable/pairing, then press any button
Stick dot doesn't return to centre
Stick drift from worn internals
Clean around the stick base; may need a stick replacement
A button doesn't register
Worn switch, or a non-standard button
Test in another browser; check if it's an extra button type
Trigger doesn't reach 100%
Worn trigger mechanism or dirt buildup
Clean around the trigger; check for physical obstruction
Inputs are delayed or drop out
Weak wireless connection or low battery
Charge the controller, move closer, reduce interference
Vibration doesn't work
Browser or connection doesn't support it
Try Chrome or Edge, and a wired connection if possible
Understanding stick drift
Stick drift is when an analog stick reports movement — sometimes enough to move a camera or character on its own — even though it's sitting perfectly still and untouched. It's become one of the most talked-about controller problems in gaming, affecting everything from budget third-party pads to flagship consoles' own controllers.
Inside most analog sticks, a small mechanism tracks how far the stick has moved from centre in each direction. With enough use, that mechanism wears down — dust gets in, contact points wear thin, or the material itself degrades — and it starts reporting a position that isn't quite zero even at rest. The stick dot on this test makes that easy to see directly: let go of the stick completely and watch whether the dot settles exactly at the centre of its circle or drifts off to one side.
A small, consistent offset is sometimes normal and gets filtered out by a game's built-in dead zone. A dot that visibly sits away from centre, or that drifts further the longer you play, is a real sign of wear. Cleaning around the base of the stick sometimes helps temporarily, and increasing the dead zone in a game's settings can mask mild drift, but neither is a permanent fix once the internal wear has set in — at that point, a replacement stick module or a new controller is the only lasting solution.
Controller types compared
Not every controller is built for the same platform or job, and knowing which type you're testing helps set the right expectations.
Controller type
How it connects
Typical strengths
Best for
Xbox controller
USB, Bluetooth, or wireless dongle
Broad PC and console compatibility
PC gaming, Xbox consoles
PlayStation DualSense / DualShock
USB or Bluetooth
Adaptive triggers and haptics (DualSense), great ergonomics
PlayStation consoles, PC via Bluetooth
Nintendo Switch Pro / Joy-Con
USB or Bluetooth
Compact, motion controls
Switch consoles, casual PC use
Generic / third-party
USB or Bluetooth
Budget-friendly, widely compatible
Casual gaming, backup controller
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn't my controller show up until I press a button?
This is intentional browser behavior, not a fault. Browsers don't reveal a connected gamepad's data to a page until you interact with it — pressing any button or moving a stick makes it appear immediately.
Does this controller test store or send my inputs anywhere?
No. Button presses and stick positions are read using the Gamepad API and displayed on this page only, with nothing recorded or transmitted.
How do I test if my controller is working?
Connect your controller by USB or Bluetooth, then press any button — browsers only detect a gamepad after the first input. Once connected, the on-screen controller lights up to match every button, stick, and trigger you use.
Does this work with Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch Pro controllers?
Yes. Any controller your browser recognizes through the standard Gamepad API — Xbox, PlayStation DualSense/DualShock, Nintendo Switch Pro, and most generic or third-party controllers — works with this test.
What is stick drift?
Stick drift is when an analog stick reports movement even though it's centred and untouched, usually caused by worn internal components. Watch the dot for each stick on this test — if it doesn't sit still at dead centre when you let go, that's drift.
Can stick drift be fixed?
Sometimes cleaning around the stick's base helps temporarily, and some controllers let you set a larger dead zone in software as a workaround. But drift caused by worn internal components usually returns, and replacing the stick module or the controller is the permanent fix.
Why isn't my controller being detected at all?
Most browsers only register a gamepad after you press a button on it, so try pressing any button first. If it's still not detected, check the connection and make sure no other app has taken exclusive control of the controller.
Does the vibration test work with every controller?
Vibration testing depends on both your controller and your browser supporting the Gamepad Vibration API. Most Xbox and PlayStation controllers support it in Chrome and Edge; support varies more on Firefox and Safari.
Can I test a wireless or Bluetooth controller the same way?
Yes, as long as it's actively connected. A weak Bluetooth connection or low battery can cause missed inputs that look like a hardware fault, so it's worth ruling those out first.
Why do some of my controller's buttons not show up?
Some controllers have extra buttons — like back paddles or a share button — that aren't part of the standard Gamepad API button set browsers recognize, so they may not register here even though the controller itself is fine.
Is my controller data collected during this test?
No. Every button press, stick movement, and trigger reading is processed locally in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored anywhere.
More tools on ProDeviceTest
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