this post was submitted on 24 Feb 2024
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How Do You Deal With Thumb Stick Drift? (lemmy.world)
submitted 8 months ago by Zahille7@lemmy.world to c/games@lemmy.world
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So I like to use Xbox controllers (doesn't matter if it's first- or third-party) because I like the layout, it's just comfortable to me. However I've noticed that on all my controllers in the past few years, the left thumb stick will start to "give out" over the course of a couple months. For instance I'll be pushing it forward all the way, but it won't register for some reason and my character will only move a little bit. Sometimes wiggling it a bit will fix it, sometimes it doesn't. And it's not like I'm squeezing the hell out of the controller or mashing the stick constantly; in fact it's made me try to be more delicate with my controllers, even though I'm just playing the games normally.

Is it just how controllers are, or am I just getting the shit end of the stick?

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[–] seathru@lemm.ee 6 points 8 months ago (1 children)

That is kind of just how non hall effect thumb sticks are. But I've had great luck with Deoxit D5. You have to take apart the controller so you can squirt it directly into the switch itself but as long as it's not a mechanical problem like a weak spring, the Deoxit usually gets it working like new.

[–] stealth_cookies@lemmy.ca 3 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Even some isopropyl alcohol works. My controller was drifting and I took it apart to blow it out and give it a good cleaning with alcohol. Works flawlessly now.

[–] Dariusmiles2123@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Was it an Xbox controller or a ps5 controller?

[–] stealth_cookies@lemmy.ca 3 points 8 months ago

Xbox. I can't stand the controller stick layout of PS controllers.

[–] seathru@lemm.ee 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Yeah alcohol works well. WD-40. too.

[–] brisk@aussie.zone 0 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

WD-40 leaves residue, it is not suitable for cleaning

[–] seathru@lemm.ee 0 points 8 months ago

It's one of the messier options but it still works well. The switches in my logitech g604 have been bounce free for over a year now after hosing then down with WD-40. That's longer than any of the warranty replacement mice lasted.

Deoxit leaves a residue, too, that will stain clothes. That residue is what helps the contacts from oxidizing again in the future.