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Repair Xbox One Controller Drift: A Complete Guide

When a controller for an Xbox One begins to drift, it is usual for the player to experience undesired movement while using the device to play games. Because one or both of the thumbsticks may drift, or move, in an undesirable direction even when you are not touching them, this phenomenon is referred to as controller drift, also known as analog stick drift. In order to repair Xbox One Controller Drift, you will need to disassemble the controller and either repair or replace one or more of the components connected to the analog sticks. Let’s find out how.

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What exactly is meant by “Xbox Controller Drift”?

The most typical issue concerns Xbox drift in the left analog stick, which in first-person games often expresses itself as your character always gazing up. On the other hand, the right stick may also have drift problems. You can also note that when you move one of the analog sticks in any direction, it will continue detecting that movement even after you remove your thumb from the stick. This is because the analog sticks are pressure-sensitive.

There are three primary reasons for the drifting of Xbox One controller:

Broken thumbstick pad: Each thumbstick consists of a boxy sensor component that has a moving shaft on top and a rubber or plastic component that snaps onto the shaft. The pad that has seen better days is worn out. In the event that the rubber or plastic component wears out, your drift problem may be fixed by either replacing it or fixing it. A problem of a similar kind may be triggered by filthy thumbstick pads in certain instances.

Broken springs: Each thumbstick sensor component includes two springs that assist in snapping it back to the center whenever you withdraw your thumb. However, over time, these springs get worn out and break. Drift will become noticeable after either one of the springs or both of them get worn out. Changing out the springs in question resolves the issue.

Bad unit for the thumbstick: Each thumbstick is made up of a rectangular sensor component that is connected to the circuit board that the controller is attached. It is conceivable for this component’s internal workings to fail; in which case the only solution is to replace it with a new component.

Also Read: Play Xbox Series X Or S Games On Your PC

How to repair Xbox One Controller Drift?

You might have to try out a few things in order to repair Xbox One Controller Drift. Let’s find them out.

How to Replace Thumbstick Pads That Have Become Worn Out?

If you notice that the thumbsticks on your Xbox One console are drifting, the very first thing you should do is attempt the options that are the least involved, and then work your way up from there. If it doesn’t fix the problem, you should try another remedy. Even if filthy or worn-out thumbstick pads aren’t the most prevalent cause of this issue, starting here is the greatest place to start since it’s the simplest and quickest item to test out.

In order to do this repair, you will require the following items:

Isopropyl alcohol
Prying tool
Cotton swabs
Shim of your replacement or choosing thumbstick pads
T-8 or T-9 safety Torx

The following is the method that has to be followed in order to put the fix into effect after you have all of those items in hand:

Before use, a cotton swab should have some isopropyl alcohol put to it beforehand.

To clean the rounded surface, pull back the thumbstick, and then use alcohol to gently wipe it off. This will complete the cleaning process.
Turning the thumbstick in small increments allows you to thoroughly clean the whole device.
Next, make certain that the thumbstick has been thoroughly cleaned, and then test it through its lengths in terms of its operational capabilities.
Dismantle your Xbox One controller using a pry tool and a T-8 or T-9 safety Torx if the thumbstick continues to stick or drift after you’ve tried to fix it.

Give the thumbsticks a wiggle. Do this to determine whether or not they are properly fastened. After this, you should check that they are in the correct positions for using them.
If the thumbstick pads have a sloppy feel to them, remove them from the controller.
Determine if the thumbstick pads have gotten dislodged. Do this by either reinstalling them with the help of a shim made of a thin piece of paper or plastic or by replacing them with brand new ones. If the pads have become dislodged, check to see whether they have gone loose.
Reassemble the controller, then perform a performance test.

How to Fix the Thumbstick Springs on your Controller That Has Worn Out?

If you have attempted to fix your thumbstick pads but found that they were neither dirty nor loose, then the next fastest alternative is to replace your thumbstick springs. This may be done if you have confirmed that your thumbstick pads are in good condition. If, after attempting to adjust your thumbstick pads, you are still having drift, this is the situation that you are in. If only one of your thumbsticks is experiencing difficulties, the springs on that one thumbstick will be the only thing that has to be replaced.

In order to do this repair, you will require the following items:

Tweezers
Prying tool
Analog stick springs
T-8 safety Torx

Because a large number of controllers, including Xbox 360 controllers, utilize the same analog stick component as the Xbox One controllers, it is possible to use springs from an older controller instead of purchasing new ones. There is also the option to purchase a new analog stick and remove the springs from that controller.

The springs in an Xbox One controller’s analog stick may be replaced in the following manner:

First, you should disassemble your controller using a prying tool and a T-8 or T-9 safety Torx screwdriver.

Peel off the green plastic covers gently to remove them from the right side and bottom of the thumbstick assembly. These covers are placed on the right side of the assembly.
Remove the springs from their placement in the frame.
Replace the springs with ones that are either brand new or taken from a different controller, whatever you want.

Next, replace the safeguarding covers made of green plastic in their original positions.
Put your controller back together and check to see whether it still functions correctly.

How Does One Replace the Analog Stick on the Controller?

There may be times when you discover that either one of your analog sticks, or both of them, have simply become worn out and need replacement. This is a much more difficult repair. And you shouldn’t do it if you aren’t experienced with desoldering and soldering the component that needs to be fixed.

In order to make an effort at fixing this, you will need:

Prying tool
T-7 Torx
T-8 or T-9 safety Torx
Soldering tool
Desoldering tool
Replacement analog stick assembly
Solder

The following is a guide on how to replace the analog stick on an Xbox One controller:

To disassemble your controller, you will need a pry tool, and a T-8 or T-9 safety Torx. Alos, a T-7 Torx to remove the circuit board. The casing may be taken apart using the T-8 or T-9 safety Torx.
To remove the old analog stick assembly from the circuit board, a desoldering tool will need to be used.
After inserting the replacement analog stick assembly, solder it into place so that it won’t move.
Reassemble the controller, then do a performance test.

If the problem(s) cannot be fixed by using these instructions, it is possible that you will need to purchase a new controller. At the very least, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you gave it your all.

Conclusion: So, this is how you can repair Xbox One Controller Drift at your home. If you find out instructions useful, please leave a thumbs up below.

Published On : September 29, 2022 by: Anjali Latwal/Category(s) : Xbox