How this gamepad test works
Connect your controller by USB or Bluetooth, then press any button. Browsers only reveal a gamepad after the first input, so the controller will not show up until you press something. The page uses the standard Gamepad API and draws a controller diagram that lights up with each button. Triggers and sticks show their analog values, from 0 to 1 for triggers and -1 to 1 for each stick axis.
You can test vibration with the rumble button, view each stick visualizer, and read the stick drift values at rest. If several controllers are connected you can switch between them. All processing is local in your browser, and nothing is sent to our servers.
How to read the results
- Buttons. Each press should light the matching button once. A button that flickers or stays on points to a worn contact or dirt under the cap.
- Triggers. They should move smoothly from 0 to 1. Jumps or a trigger that does not reach 1 suggest a sensor problem or a driver mapping issue.
- Stick drift. Release both sticks and let them rest. A perfect stick reads 0.00 on both axes. Small values up to about 0.05 are normal for most pads. Consistently larger values, such as 0.10 or more, mean drift: your character will move on its own in games.
- Deadzone. A deadzone is a small area around the center where the game ignores stick input. If your drift reads 0.08, setting a deadzone of 10 to 15 percent in the game's settings hides it. If you need much more than 20 percent, the stick is worn and repair or replacement is the real fix.
- Standard mapping. Xbox, PS4 and PS5 pads should show as standard mapping. A generic pad with non-standard mapping may display buttons in the wrong place on the diagram.
Controller not detected? Try these fixes
- Press a button. The Gamepad API stays silent until there is input, so press a button after connecting.
- Use a different browser. Chrome and Edge give the best support, and Firefox works well. Safari supports gamepads only partially and may miss some controllers or vibration.
- Check the connection. Try a different USB cable, since many cables only charge. For Bluetooth, remove and pair the controller again. A pad in the wrong mode, such as a Switch Pro pad paired as a keyboard, will not be detected.
- Wired versus wireless. Test with a cable first. If it works wired but not wirelessly, the problem is Bluetooth or the wireless adapter.
- Close Steam and other overlays. Steam Input can capture the controller and reroute or hide it from the browser. Close Steam or turn off Steam Input for the device.
- Drivers. Windows 11 usually installs Xbox pads automatically. For a PlayStation controller on PC, DS4Windows or Steam can emulate an Xbox pad, but they must be turned off if they conflict. Update Bluetooth drivers if pairing fails.
- Android and Chromebook. Pair the pad in Bluetooth settings, then reload the page. iPhone and iPad support Xbox and PlayStation pads through Bluetooth, but browser support varies.
Why test your controller
Testing finds drift, sticky buttons and weak triggers before they cost you a match, and helps you decide whether to clean, recalibrate or replace a controller. It is also useful when buying second-hand.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my controller not detected?
Press any button after connecting, because browsers only show a gamepad after input. Also check the cable, Bluetooth pairing and whether Steam is capturing the controller.
How do I test stick drift?
Let go of both sticks and read the values on the page. A healthy stick shows values near 0.00, and constant values above about 0.10 indicate drift.
What deadzone should I set?
A deadzone of 10 to 15 percent hides most mild drift. If you need more than 20 percent, the stick is worn and likely needs repair or replacement.
Does this work with PS5 and Xbox controllers?
Yes. Xbox, PS4 and PS5 controllers are detected over USB or Bluetooth in browsers with Gamepad API support, such as Chrome and Edge.
Does the gamepad test work in Safari?
Safari has partial support, so some controllers or features like vibration may not work. Chrome, Edge and Firefox are more reliable.
Can I test more than one controller?
Yes, each connected controller is listed separately and you can switch between them.
Which browsers support the vibration test?
Vibration through the Gamepad API works in Chromium-based browsers such as Chrome and Edge. Firefox and Safari have limited or no support for it, so the test may show no rumble there even if the controller works.
Why do the button labels not match my controller (A/B or ×/○)?
The browser reports buttons by position using the standard layout, not by printed symbol. On Xbox controllers the bottom button is A, on PlayStation controllers it is ×, and Nintendo controllers swap A and B positions.
Does a steering wheel or flight stick work?
Often yes, if the browser detects it as a gamepad, and its axes and buttons then show up in the test. Some wheels and joysticks need their own driver or mode, and may appear with unlabeled buttons.