Here's Why PS5 Joysticks Drift (and Why They'll Only Get Worse)
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- čas přidán 18. 02. 2021
- Mere months have passed since the PS5's hotly anticipated launch, and already there's a class-action lawsuit brewing over joystick drift on Sony's high-tech DualSense controllers. Who could have seen this coming? Well, as it turns out, everyone. Everyone should have seen this coming. Because for all its exciting new tech, the DualSense uses off-the-shelf joystick hardware with a long history of predictable, preventable issues. And now we've investigated those issues in excruciating detail.
Sony isn't the only company to use off-the-shelf joystick modules, but, like Microsoft, they've made it difficult to repair this consumable component. Joysticks have a known life expectancy-it's listed right in a product sheet from the manufacturer. In this video, we head back inside a DualSense controller to see what is failing, and how.
You can read more about joystick drift in our blog post on iFixit.com:
www.ifixit.com/News/48944/her...
Links to other videos we reference in this video:
XQGaming: How to Repair Xbox One Analog Stick Input
• How to Repair 🛠️ Xbox ...
My Mate VINCE: Xbox One Controller - Trying different ways to FIX Stick Drift
• Xbox One Controller - ...
SOSS GAMING: How to Replace Xbox One Controller Analog Joystick - Fix Stick Drift & More
• How to Replace Xbox On...
SOSS GAMING: How to Replace Xbox One Controller Analog Joystick - NEW METHOD [...]
• How to Replace Xbox On...
CYBER DIVER: 【SCUF/PS4コントローラー】【修理/分解】 勝手に動くスティックを新品に交換して修理する方法
• 【SCUF/PS4コントローラー】【修理/分...
#PS5, #PS5Drift, #iFixitTeardown
Subscribe to our channel for all our latest teardown and repair videos!
czcams.com/users/subscription_...
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Check us out on Facebook: / ifixit - Věda a technologie
A few notes:
We started this investigation due to reports of PS5 DualSense controllers drifting, but as we mention at 0:58, these findings apply to most modern joysticks!
3:14 that carbon pad has been scratched with a dental pick. The actual wear to the pads will look different, this was a demonstration since we didn't have a drifting DualSense.
3:50 sprinkling goldfish crackers into your joystick will not fix drift. Don't try this at home.
Don't miss Margot the puppy desperately trying to eat Cheez-Its at 5:47
We can pressure Sony and Microsoft to offer us gamepads with replaceable joysticks like the one in thrustmaster E swap model. But the companies wouldn't do it because they want us to pay for the entire gamepad.
Fine, I'll try it at my friend's house.
so this video isnt really about the ps5 but the joystick module. so why make it sound like its a ps5 issue in the title?
For now people could just change their deadzone on certain games
i don't remember the issue being this bad in past generations. For example, 1st generation Xbox or GameCube controllers took a lot of abuse and remained fine. If isn't Alps fault then why those controllers lasted longer?
Im not a fool who claims old tech is better, but this is crazy people sped 60 dollars on controllers for this bs.
They are 70 dollars. Not 60. They raised the price from last gen.
And the adaptive triggers are breaking.
80$ for joy cons are also insane 😭
Bruh ppl here said that they’re 80 and I checked, it’s true. wtf 80 is worse. actual scam
@@bobdylan1968 And they don't come with anything to charge it.
Don't ignore the fact they mentioned the elite controllers have the same tech for twice the price...
@@xamine1680 charge what?
I remember playing ps2 and when the joystick started drifting I just smacked it, now it's fine
ah, smacking. The perfect solution to any hardware problem.
Same with the PSP nah! i ignored anyway
did that to my ps3 controller alot lmfao.
the left button on my cousin's mouse was stuck so he smashed it on a paint can and somehow that fixed it
@@Bunger62 is your cousin Linus Tech Tips?
I’ve never experienced stick drift with my PS4. Got the PS5 a year ago and I’m now on controller #3 in need of a fix. This is ridiculous.
I remember the xbox 360 controllers lasting for pretty much forever (like the nokia phone), but as for the newer xbox one controllers I have come across a whole bag full of broke xbox one controllers. So yeah it seems they are being made cheaper and sloppier
Fr I’m on my second
Same here. I bet my ps2 has no drift and that thing was the longest console on the market ever
@@retsaMoN dude I wore all the rubber off my 360 controller sticks and still kept playing with it...with zero drift I might add. Wtf
Literally same.
It’s crazy how far technology has come, yet we can’t make a joystick that lasts more than 400 hours???
@Bruh U exactly my Xbox 360 controller I’ve had for 7 years still works fine, I think these companies just purposely making lower quality controllers so people can keep buying their controllers
👑king That’s their exact intention, otherwise they wouldn’t be making a profit at all as they are selling the new consoles at a loss (except nintendo)
400 HAHA it's been four days since i got my ps5 and the controllers drifting like cars on my games 🤣
@Bruh U The punishment you seemed to be able to put dualshock 2 controllers through and still have them function.
@@LuciaNarsh day 4 for me also 🤦
FINALLY someone that doesn't explain drift as "it's just dust and grime".
...but that's what they did. they don't explain at all why this hasn't been an issue before. i've been using analog sticks since the N64 and never had any drifting until the joycons.
@@manuel0578 its a plot to get consumers to buy new controllers... its a new way to drive more money out of our pockets every few months
@@Chuked even if that was true it still doesn't answer the question. Why hasn't this happened before?
@@ashercoates4345 companies getting greedier
@@ashercoates4345 they werent as greedy as before... they continue to want to drive more money out of us than before... its simply greedy practices
Can't understand how something that will break after finite use is not easily replaceable. *Takes huge long look at smartphone manufacturers and their non-replaceable, wasteful, anti-consumer model that has been mainstream for a decade now*
well most Smartphones still let you kinda easily replace the battery (as long as it's not Samsung or LG that use 5 tons of glue for the battery alone) and stuff. But the joysticks here are pretty much impossible to replace for a normal person...
so the moral of the story is you think that fixing smartphones is not possible because you dont know how to?
@@Raja995mh33 actually it's much easier to solder than to disassemble a modern phone. I'm no expert but I've replaced both joysticks and phone batteries, and I much prefer to work on game controllers.
@@alexanderjarvis3333 Comparing how easy it was to replace a battery in a smartphone 6 or 8 year ago (just removing a back cover), and how it is now... That's why I prefer the 2x AA batterie on Xbox controller, VS internal batteries in PS controllers
@@leinad112 fair enough
this is my problem too, just buy ps5 6month ago, rarely playing, but still drifting, only play 3 game on ps5
Mine drift immediately after connection to ps5
@@parkeryoung2471 Bruh 😹😹😹
This is just lame. What is going on with gaming nowadays??. :(
@@hsmreu where you from sanae, your name is too familiar
Controller left on your desk?
@@hsmreu DEI, feminism and LGBTI lobbyism happened
Issues like this were almost unheard of 15-20+ years ago with the PS1 and PS2. Those controllers had incredibly durable and smooth analog sticks.
I've experienced a lot of my PS2 controller analog broke by it not staying at the center
@@fakuri913 same here
I never knew this till recently but the ps2 had a built in re centering program that ran whenever you turned it on.. .so I ask. Why cant we have this 20 years in the future?...sales and money
I see what you did there. 😂 Go a bit father back to the N64. It's very much revisionist history to claim what you did.
same
So basically this is an issue that these companies know about and don't take steps to prevent or remedy.
money. to sell a solution, one must construct a problem
@@slaternapier1640 planned obsolescence, making perfectly durable controllers = less money
@@SacramentoNativ3 there's a whole lot, actually
Sounds like they need a class action lawsuit, if there's not already one.
@@SacramentoNativ3 just the fact I don't have the tools or supplies to do so..I keep my stuff in good condition, cheaper than building my own. I'm not inside the margin of people breaking the cheap parts that these companies are targeting..
Hopefully these issues will eventually... drift away.
Im pretty sure sony can update the controllers through their software or sum. But I dont know if that would fully work.
@@sandrolander software update doesn't fix a physical damage. hahahaaa
@@rayyanamir8560 they could program a higher threshold to count as a press
@@jillianangell2570 doing so would compromise sensitivity of the sticks.
Just like covid. Lol
I've had my ps4 controller for years now, I played 1 game using that controller for over 4600 hours and still no drift, my ps5 controller however got a drift after 5 hours of game time.
Same here
Same.. had my PS4 controller for 7 years, not a single issue. Got 8 months out of my Dualsense. Sending for repairs as it's still under warranty.
Mine started drifting from watching Netflix ..
@@stormzo6235 were you watching Tokyo drift?
@@newbulla3628 😂😂😂 bro u got me with that comment
I couldn’t imagine having to be the engineer who creates these controllers. But from a consumer standpoint, it’s frustrating that there isn’t a resolution to this without the steps in the video. Makes me think of all the issues with all potential futuristic tech.
Given how much they charge for console controllers nowadays, there is no excuse for this glaring quality flaw.
I mean the controller has speakers, microphone, haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, touchpad... Sounds expensive to build it
@@kerimca98 -- Agreed. But, base functionality must still be there.
@@kerimca98 base functionality is more important
@@kerimca98 no one needs those crappy features on cost of main functionalities
@Matthew Harrup They just don’t build them like they used to do they ..
Well they COULD increase the build quality to make them last longer, but then you wouldn't be forced to keep buying new ones!
I wouldn’t even care if they just sold a quick-swap for the sticks themselves. It would beat buying a new controller. If you can’t increase your build quality at least let us swap the crap out easier
@@CREAOOfficial or they could just make a product that work
@@BigBall-rw2qx obviously but we both know that isn’t going to happen. Hence my comment lol...
@@CREAOOfficial yeah lol Sony really is the second greediest company Besides Nintendo there are so many bs things you have to buy to use it like some games with the psvr require the move controllers or the little plastic gun thats very poorly made
That’s why KB&M is objectively so much better than controller... I’m using it and you don’t have to deal with the many issues controller has...
I replaced the rotating wiper in one of my switch pro's joysticks with one from an old xbox360 controller, and it has been working perfectly since. I recommend that as one of the first things to try, that doesn't require any soldering, only having a replacement for that part. It's weird though that old controllers were much less prone to these problems, to the point that i'm using an already heavily used part for replacement, and it has still lasted longer than the actual pro controller original part.
I wouldn’t say it’s weird that more simple controllers were less error proned. These new controllers have much more moving parts, which leads to more chances for things to fail
@@heckinbasedandinkpilledoct7459 No? The only moving parts are the joysticks and triggers, that's all.
Can you replace the entire Switch Module with a 360 Stick Module? I still love the 360 Controller because of it's stick tension.
Either way, your idea is great and I can't wait to try it.
@@heckinbasedandinkpilledoct7459 The Dualshock 4 only had Gyro and Touchpad, neither part interferred with the Sticks. This is Planned Obsolescence.
@@castome7pi Apparently the Adaptive Triggers cause Vibrations that mess up the Potentiometers. But yes, the Dualshock 4 also had drift issues, just not as frequently.
I’ve gone through 3 ps5 controllers already. First one started having different sensitivities depending on what way you moved the stick (super fast if left and crazy slow if right,) second one buttons started sticking constantly, then stick drift, third custom controller from a company that adds paddles, different sensitivity issue same as the first controller within a week. Longest lasted 2 months
Unlucky. I've had the white controller from the console since release and its been fine. Even bought the black controller when it released and its still fine. Been playing a lot of fps's on the white controller too and no problems. Seems to be different a lot, although I seem to be lucky. I've only ever had 1 controller with stick drift, and that was a ps4 controller I had since 2014, lasted to 2019.
@@infinitedeath1384 That is lucky, but you're probably pretty gentle with your controller i'd guess. I'm not intentionally rough, but the game I mostly play recquires constant use of clicking down the sticks
This is my problem too l’m not a rough player nor do l play games with any need or super fast button mashing but for me the right stick carries on moving then jumps even when l’m not holding it and l don’t wanna invest in another incase this becomes a regular thing
@@infinitedeath1384 what games do you play ?? Like if you are playing any online competitive game then drift will happen sooner or later
@@hexagonshorts2186 Well there is a legend difficulty for the new witch queen dlc in destiny 2, and I'd say that requires competitive play. You certainly need quick reactions to get through it, and I have been a bit rough with the analog sticks during big firefights.
400 hours of playtime, meanwhile professional Melee players are using GameCube controllers from 2001.
Professional Melee players use a purposely defective GameCube controller to perform better. There was actually drama a few years back when one of the players didn't have a controller that was malfunctioning properly. Only about 1-3% of GCCs are viable for Smash
@@Zoibek since then the community has patched melee to make all controllers viable so the need to play the lotto for a controller is long gone
@@Zoibek whats the benefit of playing with a malfunctioning controller?
@@MrGabrielLagg Imagine that the Buttons you would normally need to press are already pressed in and Just need to be tabbed to read a command cause they are so Worn down that they are Not in their normal Position anymore. That could lead to faster Input. Sure its minor, but as i remember in Smash every nanosecond counts. That could be a benefit.
@@Zoibek lolno not viable for Smash, just viable for bullshit
Meanwhile, 20 year old PS2 joystick works after being murdered thousands of times by Budokai 3 beam clashes.
@@bruce1947 I say the same of my ps3 controller lol and my dsi xl
@@bruce1947 Bro I have stepped on my ps2 controller 1000 times and yet still works.
@@gester1798 its crazy how durable old controllers are. I had the same godamn ps3 controller since the slim launched, its been slammed , thrown stepped on by dogs and still works almost perfect.
My PS1 DualShock from the first year they came out still functions like it's brand new, especially after the internal cleaning I gave it last year. The only real wear on it is how smooth everything but the right thumbstick feels after thousands and thousands of hours of use.
@@bruce1947 yeah “accidentally”
Thank you! Subbed! This is EXACTLY the video I was looking for. I'm in the market for a PS5 & have heard of stick drift. I simply wanted to know what it was, what causes it, & potential fixes. This is the first video that explained that. Bonus points for doing it in a concise, easy to follow, yet thorough manner.
Pre 2020 controllers worked for YEARS without problems.
400 hours is a scandalously low lifetime for such an expensive piece of gear
Yeah my lightbulb have 30,000 hours lifetime, this is probably not relevant but whatever
Best hope is to wait for both a new PS5 model that isn't bought out by bots and aftermarket controllers to come out,and that's just being hopeful.
@@lord_khufu I love this comment
Because 400h is not true. I'm playing 8-12 h every day. From end of Nov until now would probably mean i had to buy my 3rd Controller. But i didn't.
@@bigsmoke7914 8 to 12 a day ? mightve have to consider ure playing time buddy
Thank you scalpers for buying the first wave of defective units
Unfortunately, the switch has had drift issues since 2017. The Xbox Elite controller has had drift issues since 2015 and the Series X/PS5 are using the same joysticks. These issues aren't going away after the "first wave". They're spread throughout the industry and have been for years.
My launch ps4 and xbone controllers stopped working in 2014 then i bought replacements and they still work to this day.
@@yanksmc7 nah bullshit, it's not as bad as this..
@@jayg7714 He's right. Unless they switch to different sticks, nothing's gonna change. As he said, Joy-Con drift has been a huge issue from day one and Nintendo has done almost nothing about it in four years aside from offering free repairs in some countries.
@@yanksmc7 my controller is not having these problems.
This is professional level info that you'd assume to learn in a University lecture hall or something. Thank you for this
22 years ago the Dreamcast controlled used hall effect sensors for both the analog triggers and the analog stick.
seems like a good idea...
A more elegant technology, from a more civilized age.
@@harryshuman9637 it wasn’t more civilized bro
@@yourunclejohn984 It really was.
Dreamcast came out before we stuck our faces in phones, and allowed corporations to provide us with and control every single part of our daily lives, including basic human interaction. Back when songs had rhyme, and movies were still mostly original.
@@harryshuman9637 Movies werent as original as you think they were back then first of all, and second I’m speaking from a historically proven standpoint. We are more civilized, but we focus FAR far more on the people who aren’t
Imagine it was some shady ploy to make you drop $60 on a new controller every 6 months...
Why imagine? Planned obsolescence is real and this is a textbook example of what's happening with these joysticks.
There’s no imagining lol. It would cost them a few cents more to make analog sticks that are 50x more durable. Nobody can explain how ps2 controllers are the most durable “new” controllers ever made yet are 20 years old
The r/woosh meme applies here
Imagine if people would be able to understand sarcasm
I feel that Xbox does this no joke. I spent $50 on a new X1 controller about 5 & 1/2 months ago, because the stick drift on my other one got so bad that is was literally unusable. I have not dropped, thrown, violently shook, or exposed the one I have now to any harmful practices and it naturally started developing stick drift at almost exactly 5 months just like the one I had before. Long story short, I DO believe it is a marketing tactic to influence consumers to buy more controllers which is sad, because do you realize how many batteries Xbox players go through?
This is the best drift fix video for PS5 controllers on CZcams. I fixed my drift by cleaning and greasing the potentiometer wiper and noticed my drifting wiper resistor rings were too protruded. Reduced the protrusion and with the dielectric grease applied it was fully fixed. Will need routine regressing once every year I'm afraid but the controller is working :)
Best way to improve the design of a controller is digital sticks which are like analog sticks but with optical encoders instead of a potentiometers
Or using hall effect joysticks like those used on Dreamcast controllers.
Yes that reminds me the time when we had mouse with rolling balls inside we had to clean it manually every month or so
They don't want a controller which will last a life time
Because it’s planned by these companies to fail so you buy another.
LOL My PS2 Controller is still kicking.. since launch...DualShock 2 baby
EDIT: No, i don't keep it locked up as a showpiece (how ever i do keep one in a box for my room), i still have my beat up controller from High school days, I play with it once a while, it's been through damage, analog stick material is already kind of sticky, but zero drift, tension is still fine. Cable a little chewed up. I play my JAK series once a while. :)
I also heard of Xbox and X360 controllers lasting until now! they're really built differently back then.
Probably all these wireless tech and delicate electronics make everything fragile due to complexity and add cost saving with it = lol
That's because you have kept it as a show piece.
@@rayyanamir8560 no really. I played hundred hours of button smashing games and it is still working
I’ve made this point on every single video about joystick drift and nobody has an answer besides fanboys. Somebody tell me why my ps2 controllers took the most abuse and thousands of hours of gameplay and still work like they’re brand new. I have a ps3 afterglow controller as well that has much higher quality joysticks than anything new today as well.
I know right.
My PS4 controller has been working fine for 7 years. Maybe some people are just not washing the cheetohs dust off their hands before playing 🤔
My ps3 controller has random button presses and such. It's just a dust issue I think. I have joycon drift and ps4 stick drift on my ps4 pro launch controller.
I'm using an Xbox360 wired controller for over 10 years on my PC and never had that issue.
Same. Had to buy multiple Xbox one And PS4 controllers because of the drift, yet my 360 controller(wired) that I bought with the console still works like a dream lol.
@@jayman2jay Yeah. They don't build them like they used to.
Same same. Considered buying a wireless but still use the old wired 360, best
The grip and wear of my joysticks would fade before they ever had a drift issue. I had one from..like 2007 and they become flat and bald instead of concave lol
Unfortunately, my wired 360 controller was the first of mine to drift under very little use
If you really cant be bothered to buy a new controller ( I know I was in that position for a long time) when you try to swap out the sticks, there are holders you can place in the through hole sockets on the PCB making the part hot swappable. The manufacturers SHOULD be doing this already.
i thought this only happened to other people, until my DS4 started to drift, 2 yo and treated very well, not a lot of hours on it. someone needs to force companies to rectify this or extend warranties beyond the "standard" 12 months for a failure like this.
“if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”
“if it’s broke, don’t fix it either”
Nintendo, 2017-2021
Sony, 2020-2021
@@toopienator Sony 2020-202X
Who knows when this problem will stop...
@@toopienator Sony has been having this issue since the PS2 days.
I learned that at and 17 drunk messing with my radio wires cause I wanted them neater, yeah wrong move pop buzz. It never worked again and it wasn't just a fuse. Yeah I learned why not to fix something that isn't broke. Lol
Yeah, iFixit
They literally do this on purpose. They make the controllers with slight imperfections so that they can
A: Cut costs of fixing the issues
B: Increase revenue with controller sales
Yeah true
C: Force us to buy more controllers
@@javierdiaz4815 That’s the same as B my guy
Yep that’s how the Market works for these guys man
@@val3nt358 hhh yhhhyyhhh( bbm.
They're not replaceable NOR durable because they want you to keep buying new controllers instead of a new pop in joystick. They get away with this because the players will never unify and boycott these brands on the condition that they fix this issue. Unfortunately.
Imagine how much power we could have
Console players love to get their cheeks clapped so I can’t blame them….
I got PS2 controllers that still work even after having been accidentally tossed around pretty hard more than once in their lifetimes. No sign of drift, still work flawlessly. So does the PS2 itself in fact, even after having fallen off a high shelf multiple times. Still runs fine, literally no difference.
I'm not saying old tech is superior but...
Old tech is superior in this particular example.
“400 hours of game time”
I had drift the day I got it...
Was it a colored ps4 controller?
I got it after 2 weeks of cod lol. So tired of these crappy controllers.
@@trevorhubbard6416 no a brand new ps5 controller that came with my consle
Someone's been playing with your controller
@@johntitor1054 that's so sad to hear but I asked because alt colored ps4 controllers have drift off the bat 95% of the time. I can't believe they still haven't resolved that issue.we got smartphones that fold in half we should have drift-proof controllers by now
Wow it’s almost like they just want you to buy more controllers when your current one breaks
Must just be a coincidence
Planned obsolesence.
Most products are built that way these days for a reason, i bought a crt and a roku thats compatible with av for the kids room and no more broken screens!
Only reason I buy a new controller is for the stick drift
Well, on my first ever day in a design class i, along with the class, was told "everything breaks, everything has a lifespan, that is where you all come in, you decide it" but what we were not told is the event of a CEO instructing us that weak designs make dollar signs
With money involved, coincidence is what they hope you say.
This video was really well done. Thanks for the helpful information!
I have never had issues with my PS1 to PS4 Pro controllers and they are still working accurately so its crazy to see that PS5 controller has this type of issues.
Me who doesnt have ps5: mmm yes
Me who also doesn’t have a dual sense controller:
“I have a controller, it’s just made of air”
@@kyleking9417 quiet fan gang
Me playing my ps3: yesssss
Same bruv, same
Me who has never held a controller
Very interesting and well explained .. had no idea of the complexities inside a joystick.. can't be long till A.I takes over!!
One of mine have started to drift, and I find it difficult to decide if I should send it off to be fixed or try to do it myself.
This video has been cited in the draft of the recent lawsuit, it was added today. Sony gonna lose.
I really hope so. I've actually decided to wait with buying a PS5, after this case has been revealed.
@@mangamania5725 yea buy an Xbox or even better a pc
@@its-ya-boisam2579 well, i'm on the SONY side because of their high quality games. Xbox does not have one single exclusive that really stand's out to me. But that doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with liking the xbox - it's just simply not for me 😊
Plus their business strategy is something i can't stand behind and support. Last but not least, i really hate the feeling of the xbox controller.
I'm planning to buy a pc when TES6 releases.. not before! 😉
@@mangamania5725 silence, fanboy
@@dilbertpickle1659 fanboy or not he has a point, Playstation simply has way better exclusives than Xbox... that's just facts. Xbox gold however is a way better system than ps now though.
Fixing my controlers has become a new hobby at this point.
This is the most thorough video on this matter. Thank you.
Ahh! That dog at the end looks so similar to our family Dog (Poodle Dachshund Terrier) that we had when I was growing up!!! Also, great video
We should use hall sensors especially on high end controllers, we alredy use them for rc controllers and they work super great
Same with Dreamcast controllers apparently.
after watching a video by arfink explaining how it works, i can't imagine a few hall effect sensors and a weak magnet being more expensive than an alps analog stick with a billion tiny plastic pieces and delicate parts.
I still wonder what the wear rate on RC controllers are compared to gaming sticks and keep in mind how much more expensive RC remotes cost compared to gaming controllers.
@Rowan yeah but 1 single spring has a much higher life expectancy then multiple parts working together. How many have you seen that actually fail because of this?
Yes, but that would cost Sony $0.2 more
Why am I watching this, I don't even have a PS5.
Neither do I, nor do I play any games on any platform.
same
You're a prospective buyer
I enjoy knowing some people spent over $1000 for this 🤣🤣🤣🤣
That's no problem if you buy from fedex deliveries . They accept part payment too
Even if the video is a bit old, it remains up to date and the most comprehensive material on the subject I have seen so far. Kudos from Brazil!
My 360 wired controller that i use on PC is almost perfectly fine on it's 8th year granted after the 3rd year i stopped using it for about 2. I'd say its on it's 5th year of use. Only problem is that the D-pad is a little inaccurate but that's all or that the triggers squeak a little when pressed but they still work as intended so its not a problem.
how is it today?
After dropping my PS3 Controller it chipped and I had a (non working) spare so I just swapped the half of the shell that broke. Interesting that it had the same style joystick inside. Seems like a basic and easily fallible system for what's basically used/has the most input for a console controller
Looks like Sony is going Nintendo’s controller technique.
HAHAHHAH ALWAYS
But Sony has had this problem since ps3. I have a graveyard of ps3 controllers and PS4 controllers. All of them I’ve taken the potentiometer wiper from to replace them.
Funnily enough, the design seen in the Nintendo Joycon is similar to what Sony used previously in the Vita. It's a design compromise to make them smaller.
The reason it's a bigger issue on the Switch than the Vita? Way more Switch's and Joycons out there.
If the Vita had been a bigger success, the downsides of the design would have been far more apparent earlier on.
You know everyone always copies nintendo sooner or later
BUT BUT NINTENDO
CZcamsrs: "My PS5's joysticks are drifting!!"
Meanwhile I still haven't seen a PS5 in real life.
Did u not pre order?
Right I almost think the only people who have them are rich people,scalpers,and CZcamsrs
@@kaisermarxistdixie6842 i’m none of them and have 1
@@T0M_X then a guess there is a lucky few that did get them
its for the best i guess since you get to see the flaws of them, once they eventually do become available you can see if you truly want one or not
So if the sticks are similar or the same as the DualShock 4, then would we expect similar reliability on the dualsense?
I’m glad I’m not the only one struggling with drifting. It’s frustrating considering how new my controller is
As a wise man once said :“ it's evolving, just backwards”
Its evolving alright, in ways to steal money. They cannot make money from selling new controllers if they are built perfect. Its how capitalism works.
Tear and wear is an issue in any useable component, I mean that's just real life, however, it isn't an excuse for a short lifespan of any component.
@@h.a.6790
I agree , but these controllers should last at least 2 years before showing up any problems...
Ah yes Felix the great philosopher
@CZcamsSucks AfatOne ok, so?
is math related to science?
the analog sticks from my ps2 controller are still perfect to this day, more modern controllers didn't share the same longevity
build quality was different then, but also game construction was too. modern games, long story short, use the controller waaay more, meaning more input information like button pressing joystick movements etc
@@slaternapier1640 i used the left analog on god of war, devil may cry, gran turismo, need for speed etc as much as i used it on whatever i played on ps3 and 4, i don't know how a modern game uses the analog any different, i can see the use of the right analog changed quite a lot though
@@vdfritzz games went from 2D to VR (that's an increase of movement on the left stick, and addition of the right stick if my history of games is near accurate, plus the VR stuff)...thus the mechanics used in each style of game then compounded=heavier use and increased # of input use from controllers within the same "life-span". generally, the quality of controllers and the analog stick mechanism has remained the same (this is different from say room-scale abilities and tracking, the plastics and hardware quality is what im speaking of), yet controllers on current platforms break faster/easier...so if the quality of the controllers has basically remained the same, but the mechanics of games has compounded greatly=heavier physical use of controllers, the variable is the complexity outweighs the durability of the controller.
@@slaternapier1640 2d? i said ps2, not snes games
i kinda understand what you're trying to say but i just disagree, games use the analog today just as much as back then, at least the left stick, you move that thing around from the beggining to the end of basically any 3D game
Vinicius Moreira Isnt the ps2 using different control sticks more expensive or well different sticks
Really helpful prying the sensor open and cleaning it first before repairing
Very informative and well explained. Thanks!
wow, the Nintendo joycon drift is so good even Sony is trying to copy it
I wonder if this drift is useful in Need for Speed.
@@High.on.Life_DnB I'm sure it will 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😆😆😆
ya, at least Nintendo have the decency to make the joystick easily removable so the average joe can buy a new part and replace it. This is extremely disappointing coming from Sony.
Clony
I mean, have you seen sony's line up? Most of their stuff are copies of other stuff companies did.
I got my ps5 when it released and after only 1 month the controller already drifted so bad it made games like cod unplayable
Sounds about right, if you get a max of 400hrs (or less) before it happens. I hope you get it fixed sooner than later so you can play CoD again
At least you were lucky by being able to buy one
Not cod only apex pubg Battlefield alote more futur games xD
I play hours with my Xbox Series X and my controller works fine, the thing I hate but at the same time I love are the batteries
I use mouse and keyboard for cod. It’s much better especially at 120 FPS
I don’t have drifting on my stick drift, but when I move my left joystick to the right it will sometimes move back to the left after letting go or if move right slightly it’ll just go left. Wondering if anyone else had this issue or if you guys think it’s a spring, joystick cap, or wiper problem
It was stated you would discuss the click in function further but only discussed cycle life. It is my opinion that the click in function is actually something that accelerates the wear of the joystick. Depressing it while also inputting a direction can also result in allowing debris to move further into places it couldn't reach if the stick did not depress at all. The button that is L3/R3 should be on the interior/rear of the controller where our ring fingers rest - the PowerA Nano switch controller has well positioned remappable buttons here - but the solution would be to remove the click in function and for these rear buttons to become L3/R3. The life cycles listed are of those individual components - testing the life span of a joystick that is clickable should be a different process - and a difficult one. The data sheet clearly does not reflect real-world in-use figures. Gamers clearly know that if you FPS or Souls - your controller is trashed way too quickly.
Every thing manufactured - as Im sure any iFixit fan knows - is designed to fail in a "reasonable" time so that the consumer - not the customer - will consume another product. Why design something that will last for ever? They wouldn't sell you more
controllers than the one that comes with the system then. Why are there such an abundant amount of controllers available for a system that truly lacks couch co-op games? Is it because they are a great company and want you to have a choice of color? I think not - they'd give you a redeem voucher for a controller of your choice with the system then. No - there is an abundance of controllers because Sony's maths show it will wear out - and based on past system information - they know we will consume more controllers. There is a lack in competition for durable components for the same reason - if they make a joystick that lasts for ever - they go out of the joystick business. It is a problem without a real solution. Our desires and expectations will never align with companies with a goal of maximizing profits and eternal exponential financial growth. If any company cared they would do rigorous play testing instead of using data sheet lifespan info to bank on the controllers lasting JUST long enough that we blame our selves for abusing them.
my ps4 controller has almost 8 years never drifted, my ps5 controller with 2 months started drifting
They use the same sensor, so... you got (un)lucky there.
Same 🙃
I had 5 dual shocks across Ps4 lifespan and all of them drift. I don’t take care of them.
Bought on Feb 2 n it's already drifting 🥲
How is it not drifting? When i bought my ps4 a couple of years ago my controller started drifting 6 months into gaming and its been drifting ever since. I even cleaned it and all but its not worth it anymore and i am too scared to take it apart because of those 2 little cables you have to Pull out to reveal the sticks .-.
Almost like they were designed to fail but weren't supposed to fail this quickly...
I hope you live well fellow minecraft player and all shitblox kids must have cancer
planned obsolescence?
@Lil Neptune it sounds like you’re being willfully ignorant of a company’s malpractice
@Lil Neptune no, this is basic electronics. Don't talk out of your ass.
it was a joke on the scalpers and ppl who supported the scalpers, so far i have no problems and im hard on my controiller.
Wasn't the traditional way of maintaining pots is with the use of a good contact cleaner?
On the bright side, they've made the joysticks plug n' play replaceable on the Dual Sense Edge controller for the low, low price of half the retail cost of the console itself.
wow Sony are so considerate….
400 hours, for context I have 1300 hours warframe, 1000 in csgo, close to 400 in apex legends, I would have used up almost 7 sets of thumb sticks, and if I had to buy a new controller each time I did I'd have spent around £350-400 on offical controlers.
Thats not only expensive it's wasteful, for context most mechanical keyboard switches such as cherry are rated for 40-60 million clicks per key, and that's before you have issues, in my last keyboard my LEDs started to die before the switches did, iv known guys to spill beer over them and the keyboard run fine, it's clear controllers are not built for their intended purpose, also the fact they use the same ones on products named Elite and pro is scummy.
My Xbox One controllers cost about 35-45 each on sale. After the sticks become less accurate, I trade in my controller for 25 gift card at my local Gamestop.
Some of us use a controller due to a physical disability which prevents the use of a keyboard and mouse which of course is the preferred. Personally I cannot spread out my fingers nor flatten my left hand due to severing the ulna nerve at my elbow in a car accident. This makes a standard controller hard to use and the keyboard almost impossible; I prefer the "elite" Xbox since it allows the relocation of the bumpers to the underside of the device allowing me to only use the thumb and one finger of the left hand. I will agree with you that it is a poor engineering decision to use a component with such a high failure rate and not make it user replaceable. This is compounded by their poor manufacturer's warranty; if I remember correctly my "elite" was only warranted for 90 days . If it were not for the "elite" controller and mapping software I would lose the ability to play most games and as an aside I've had more problems with Logitech G502 mice failing than my "elite" controller.
@@allansh828 You must have a special Gamestop. Every Gamestop I’ve ever been to will offer $10-$15 for an Xbox One controller. Anyway, the best method is just to buy your controller from Costco and return it for a full refund every year and buy it again.
I’ve made this point on every single video about joystick drift and nobody has an answer besides fanboys. Somebody tell me why my ps2 controllers took the most abuse and thousands of hours of gameplay and still work like they’re brand new. I have a ps3 afterglow controller as well that has much higher quality joysticks than anything new today as well.
Yeah spending over $100 on a controller only to find out it uses the same part's as the original controller's is cheap and a rip off not to mention a scam from the manufacturer.
It's all on purpose. Let's be real here. Cheaper parts combined with an increased price show a clear intension. They seem to view controllers/joy-cons as an additional stream of revenue. One unlike games you are forced to get ro even use the hardware you dropped hundreds of bucks on.
It is absolutely consumer unfriendly. The fact Nintendo at no part committed to changing parts to fix the issue that got them sued is strong evidence for that
Which is why I have no problem returning them to Walmart to get my money back when I buy a new one.
Planned obsolescence , look it up my friend
it is definitely planned obsolescence on their part. We all know Sony and Microsoft are selling at a huge loss for these consoles, they have to make their money back somehow and this is one of those strategies.
Thanks for making these very informative videos. Got one of your fix-it kits a year ago and it has saved the day of several appliances. Reading threads about these new controllers, it sounds like more gamers are getting warrantys to defend against the shoddy design/manufacturing these companies have been shoveling out. 🤨 I wonder how long it'll be until some combinations of lolsuits, or [warranty insurer underwriters whatever], or more durable competitor, comes along and gets them to change their ways. Not holding my breath though. Godspeed!
I didn’t know the potentiometers had such a short cycle life. That is incredible.
“why doesn’t sony make affordable controllers?”
sony: short controller lifetime make money go brrrrrr 💰
gotta love planned obsolescence. shiny new toy in our pockets (before it ends up in the landfill) $$$ in Sony's pockets
@Bo Herron true however what chris is saying is more likely because some people dont think warranty some are just trying to appease a screaming child so boom new controller bought and child is back to semi well behaved
Sony: Oh did you just spent a thousand dollars on our console, $60-$70 per game you have? Would be a shame if the controller we gave you was perhaps....... unusable and require heavy repair within the first two weeks of owning it, HMMMM?
Also the easiest way to get a lot of lawsuits on your ass, because it's illegal
I mean just kinda proves big corporations don't care about us
So basically, you're gunna need more than $70 for controllers
what are you talking about
@Lil Neptune my dualshock 4 is still fine after 6 years
I got my got my QnBa Obsidian arcade stick used for 100$ and it's fantastic. I also just use a old Ps2 controller for other stuff on PC. The converter was like 10$.
Dreamcast joystick used a Hall effect sensor where there's no contact between the joystick and the sensor thus no wear and tear!
imagine him being ur uncle and being able to fix ur controller lmao
I would be a lucky nephew if i had him as my uncle
The Dreamcast controller used Hall effect sensors, a lot more robust than potentiometers.
Exactly, hall effect are very robust, still have my dreamcast and it's original controller, I've used it so much the thumbstick itself is worn down, and the hall effect still works flawlessly to this day.
BUT there is still an issue where the plastics in the self centering mechanism wear down and the spring compressing (no longer providing the tension it one did) causing slop in the thumbstick.
Each power up the controller would calibrate, if the thumbstick had too much slop it will calibrate to wherever the thumbstick was at that moment of power up.
@Lil Neptune what do you mean
@SiLLy SiiLiiNdur actually they aren't, it has already been proven that they aren't. many input devices use hall effect and due to this don't end up having issues unlike with their counterparts that use potentiometers that start to suffer from jiggle and have intermittent input.
@Lil Neptune hasn't been an issue in any controller that use them, many flight sticks, joysticks and a few controllers use them with absolutely no issue. it would literally take a few hundred years before the magnets used in these controllers to loose their magnetism (aka not in out lifetime). and you can shield from outside influence pretty easily and cheaply.
@SiLLy SiiLiiNdur i've never seen an instant knockout failure in any controller that uses hall effect, the failure rates of hall effect are not as high as pots, and would take hundreds of years before the magnets stop producing a magnetic field, so really its a non issue.
New hardware: drifts
My old wii nunchuk and ps3 controller: still work fine
My ps2 and og xbox controllers: just as new
my original ps3 controller sadly stopped working 😔
The Ps3 controller had its own set of worse problems.
yeah my ps4 controller also drifts every 4 min but my ps3 controller is like new
Right? I had the same ps3 controller for console's entire life, which was years. Maybe 6 months after I bought the ps4 I had to replace the controller.
My Xbox, PS4, and Nintendo Pro controllers have never drifted. The only time I've experienced drift has been with Joy Con. So there doesn't really seem to be much to worry about here since in my experience all these controllers are functional beyond what they're rated according to this video. I do think more devices should be easily repairable though.
Drift on the joy con and my gamecube styled wired controller from Power A but I deal with it except for one which just got worst over time. Most of my PS4 controllers were more of stick stoppage while one had drift that would come and go. Right now the stoppage is with my only PS5 controller but it's minimal so I'll deal with it I just don't know how long until it gets out of hand but I know how to deal with it even if it gets out of hand which would be keep playing with it until I could get another controller. I'm not gonna sit here and cry that quality went down since mass production does mean low quality all the time anyway and that's why stick drift's an issue but also mouse drift too but you don't hear a lot about that now.
The stick drift on my Dualsense is starting to drive me a little insane with games that don't have software calibration kinda being the norm.
Update: The drift is now random intense movements but not constant, weird and kinda glitchy. However, I've found if you pull the stick out drift goes away (strange) and if you push it a bit hard in it goes away for up to 30mins ish.
Well, software calibration mostly doesn't work anyway. Like the video said it tends to just create a bigger DEAD ZONE so that it ends up not registering the stick unless you push it out of the now larger area which is going to affect gameplay usually in a negative way. Maybe they looked at the issue and thought "rather than create a workaround that doesn't work properly we'll just NOT do that and force the user to buy a new controller!" Having said that, I've used software to fix drift in the past on a controller that wasn't even defective so I don't completely understand what's going on. It was one game that had issues. Worked with a different controller yet the one it drifted with worked in all my other games. Weird. (PC not console)
@@photonboy999 the drift will only get worse and the dead zone bigger....
what we need is software calibration that we then can upload to the firmware of the controller itself for a new centerpoint after replacing pots or the whole joystick. But you know, they want your money, so they won't allow that.
Increase your deadzone settings in games
@@martheunen It's not just the centerpoint though. If there's not a consistent gradient of voltage across the full range of motion of each wiper, it will not be able to determine position as accurately.
Well when you sell $69 controler you don't want it to live forever. Just long enoug to get past warranty time.
Yea but it’s not even getting that far rn. If u play an fps and try advanced movements, you shorten the lifespan incredibly
@@khalled2419 yeah but you ignore the fact that Sony has stats of millions of gamers from millions of consoles. They KNOW how much average gamer plays a year.
@@korinogaro if thats the case then why are most of the controllers being replaced before warranty is ended
Right now they're losing money from this
And by that time, a bunch of new colors have been recently released, so you're excited to get a new controller anyway, and you'll willingly spend the money. These companies are pretty smart.
@@kropking and we humans are absolutely sheeps, lol these companies know exactly how to exploit us
In arcade repair, potentiometers are almost always the first to go. Mario Kart steering potentiometer is a common fault. Even had one go out for the volume in NBA Jam. Old or new, they will end up failing.
And that's why I got the theustmaster eswap x pro controller. You can replace both left and right analog sticks and don't have to replace the whole controller.
"Made by alps"
I hear all of r/MechanicalKeybards screaming and crying rn, as they used to be the MX Cherry of keyboards in the early years of computing
We actually had a line about this in the original script!
alps switches used to be actually good
Nah that sub dislikes mx cherries, mx cherries are popular for gamers.
Yes we are
Remember when alps made quality products? Pepperidge farm remembers!
As long as these companies make a profit off of selling faulty products, they'll keep doing it. Thanks for such an informative video, iFixit!!! Great script and explanation.. more more more! 3:50 - should have been Doritos with some Mountain Dew in the background ;)
@kazefalke They they did for the Vita. The Vita Joysticks were separate, connected by a ribbon cable.
@kazefalke It's a fault. These controllers are only a few months old, none of them should be failing already.
@@mjc0961 New technology will always have problems. It's like this with every console generation. The first year is usually filled with hardware/quality problems.
The only difference this year is it's just harder to properly fix.
@@thebigsad5402 Except the problem here is the old technology that is already known to cause problems. Though I had no issues with my two DS4 controllers in 5 years of heavy use so hearing it's the same tech doesn't make me that worried tbh. I guess keeping the controllers clean goes a long way.
@@thebigsad5402 New technology will always have problems:- answer not new it has been around for years
my controller is drifting after 7 months. I have Nintendo 64 controllers that were made in the late 90s that still work just fine. What a joke
So no matter how hard I keep hitting it - i have entered the forever drift zone
PS5 owners: "My controllers drift!"
Nintendo Switch owners: "First time?"
@BIG HEAD no need to be salty that he got likes
@sakle xbox one dont drift tho only nintendo and sony ps4 was the same crap had to buy almost 10 pads during its lifetime never broke one allways the stickls start drifting in2 cases right out of the box lmao never had that issue on any xbox from og xbox to series s
@@miceatah9359 my Xbox one controller sadly drifts 😔
What is drifting?
@@miceatah9359 mine drift 🙂 they are equally poor quality and demanded to be replaced for a new one once in a while.
Interesting. Fun fact... my PS2 controllers still work just fine while I’ve had to either replace or fix my PS4 controllers twice. No ps5 yet.
I’ve made this point on every single video about joystick drift and nobody has an answer besides fanboys. Somebody tell me why my ps2 controllers took the most abuse and thousands of hours of gameplay and still work like they’re brand new. I have a ps3 afterglow controller as well that has much higher quality joysticks than anything new today as well.
@@Adioownz1 tell me why I play thousands of hours of overwatch and cod on PC and I have like a 30 dollar mouse and keyboard and none of my equipment breaks like this. But I literally put like a month of play of overwatch into a brand new 70$ controller and it drifts. I dont drop anything. I actually bought the playstation back button attachment so I don't have to press L3 or R3 for alot of games I play. I've reset and recalibrated all of the broken controllers. I've taken all of them apart and cleaned them multiple times to try and fix things. And yet they still drift, Everytime. Console gaming in its current state is luck. That's why.
@Jefferson Lopez you’re ps5 controller won’t be for long
@Jefferson Lopez “yeets his controller at the wall because the game bullshit hella hard”
@@Adioownz1 Bec ps2 controllers are simple the more hardware you put into something the higher the fail rate ps5 controllers are incredible and really feel next gen never played with a controller like that before to bad for the drift hope they fix it soon
Thank you for this video! I guess my biggest issue is how quickly these DualSense controllers have gone bad. Because drifting happened to many of my DS4s but after at LEAST a year
My dual sense died after about six months. The replacement, Sony's all black versions, felt different, and even weighs more; I'm wondering if they worked on some of the components.
I had the black dual sense fail and be repaired at 6 months, and failed again at 11 months ( to be told it's out of region and can't be repaired this time.. which makes no sense)
If they made joysticks easily replaceable then they wouldn't make money lmaoo.
They could sell us the replacement joysticks.
@@frank234561 but then they can't charge full controller price for them
This is 100% the issue. They want to sell you another 70 controller, or two...or...
It's 100% this. I'm surprised at how many people in the comments don't see that... "why does my PS2 controller still work flawlessly after all this time!?!?!"
Like guys, long gone are the days when these companies actually cared for the consumer. The business side of gaming has almost completely engulfed most of our favorite companies turning them into sleezeballs... these are the same companies pushing microtransactions, subscriptions, etc...
@@attackoncake4851 exactly
It's amazing how old controllers in my experience at least, never drifted.
Well the thing is, that old controllers usually did not use potentiometers but instead used hall effect sensors (dreamcast) or optic sensors (N64) which dont suffer as much from mechanical wear. In the N64 Joysticks grime could accumulate in the light path making the stick unreliable, but that can be fixed by cleaning it. Potentiometers are cheap and wear out and thus not suitable for applications where they are actuated a lot but manufacturers simply dont care, good for them if people buy more controllers.
I know right
It will never happen for me not on the switch and not on the ps5 because i play normaly
I think people are playing too agressiv that is why they have drift it doesnt matter how long you play if someone plays not normal 😂
Jup never experience this issue.
My PS2 (after many years) and my Xbox 360 controller (again after many years), as well as my Joycons developed drift, however, neither my Xbox One or Series X controllers ever developed drift
It's using the same stick as the ps4 and switch pro controller and I have both of those controllers for years now with no problems so how is the dualsense getting drift after just a short amount of time
Yo this was very insightful ! Thanks !
Sony: it's just a software issue and will get solved in upcoming updates
Sony: Updates the software and makes it even worse
Did you hear, the ps5 SOC die has been reviewed by high end gaming pc professionals and it turns out Sony lied alot about the ps5's capabilities, Sony? Lie?
Personally I'm still waiting for the PS pro to have 8.4 tflops through 16 bit operations like cerny said 4 years ago.....
Oh wait
@@threefeetpete2010 you remember that too looks like the ponies forget what they want to 😆
@@threefeetpete2010 sounds like a lot of bs ahahaha
@@bybes8524 my oldest controler can agree
I wish Sony would just add deadzone options in the system settings as kind of a bandaid to this problem. My right stick is drifting and it makes something like the Binding of Isaac for example nearly unplayable, as these sticks are super sensitive and register the slightest movement. Increasing the deadzone would at least make the problem manageable I think.
Thank God Call of Duty which I play the most out of my games has a deadzone setting so I can play that normally but whenever I play other games the stick drift can get pretty frustrating
Yeah but that’ll be a temporary fix because the drift gets worse every week that at some point the dead zone won’t even do anything
That' what he meant with bandaid solution, captain obvious.
@@Last_Resort991 yeah I realized the moment I commented but just didn’t care to take it down
yeah, I also play the binding of Isacc afterbirth plus on the switch (i recommend watching Tears of Grace a CZcamsr who plays Isacc) that issue can cause you to die if you constantly get stuck at a wall or cant shot in a direction.
Man!
My PS5 controller left stick just started drifting a few weeks ago
It's so bad, if I slightly touch up my game just moves up it drives me crazy
I have yet to have an issue with my ps4 and ps5 controllers having any drift, I have used both for well over 1,000 hours of gameplay, I wish the same luck for others. Great vid!
My dads right trigger broke just after 1 week. Now it super sensitive and will recognize the slightest touch. Super bad in certain games.
My R2 came broken out the box. I cant even use the R2 button on any FPS games. Ridiculous. I’m not good with switching from L1 & R1 either..
I did that on purpose cause i mainly play fps and racing games😂
@@gb7814 bro you got warranty, if it doesn't work out of the box you can get a demand a replacement unless sony proves that you damaged it (which they probably can't)
@@Fabian-pp9rw yeah, people act like they got scammed. If its broken send it back and get a new one lmao