How to fix controller drift Xbox One

One of the most common issues with Xbox One controllers is the sticky analog sticks, making playing games on the console difficult. 

This article will show you how to fix stick drift on Xbox One controller. 

A few Joystick analogy Drift Fix suggestions

  • Ensure that your controller has fresh batteries and that your controller is updated.
  • Press and hold the power button on your Xbox One console for 10 seconds.
  • Once your console is powered off, unplug the power cord.
  • Wait 5 minutes, and then plug in your console.
  • Power on your console and try resyncing the controller to your console again

Follow these steps to update your controller wirelessly and to support the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter:

  • Sign in to Xbox Live on your Xbox One console and install the latest system update if prompted to do so.
  • If you have a stereo headset adapter, plug it into the bottom of your controller so it can also get updated.
  • If you’re using a stereo headset adapter, plug in the headset (the headset must be plugged in so the adapter will turn on).
  • Press the Menu button.
  • Select Settings.
  • Select Devices & accessories.
  • Select the controller you want to update.
  • Select Update, and then select Continue.
  • Once the Update is complete, you can update the additional controllers. If they can only be updated via USB, see the Update via USB Guide. Otherwise, select the Update another button on the screen after the first Update is complete, and then follow the steps.

How to Fix Stick Drift on Xbox One Controller Video

Note that the action performed in the video will void your warranty

Suggestion from  Ender89

The stick drift is usually caused by plastic dust (from the thumbstick wearing against the shell of the controller) gumming up the analog mechanism that tracks the position of the thumbstick. I get it occasionally on my left thumbstick, and I fix it by prizing off the plastic piece on the side of the controller grip, exposing the space between the circuit board and the shell, and blasting some canned air at the mechanism to clean it.

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Left or Right analog stick drift on Xbox One and Series X/S can seem to be the most frustrating thing to fix if you are out of the warranty. Even though you can pry open the controller to do the fixes, there are ways you can fix this without even opening your controller. This is useful even if your controller is within warranty but you don’t wait for it until a new one reaches you from the service center. So we will look at how to fix your Xbox controller drift without opening it.

How to Fix Controller Drift on Xbox One and Series X/S Without Opening Them?

How to fix controller drift Xbox One

To fix Xbox One and Series X/S controller drift without opening them, you need to use cotton swabs to rub isopropyl alcohol on the rounded surface of the left or right analog stick. Then keep it for 30 sec aside, repeat the process 3-4 times, and your Xbox controller drift will be fixed now. This method will work for almost 85-90% of all users facing this issue. If you wanna know how to do this in detail, here’s how:

  1. First, you need the following items:
    • 70% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol
    • 3-4 Cotton Swabs
  2. Remove the batteries from your Xbox controller.
  3. If you are using an Xbox Elite controller, make sure the controller is powered down.
  4. Pour some isopropyl alcohol on tip of a cotton swab.
  5. Make sure to use a generous amount and let the cotton soak all of it.
  6. Push back the left or right analog stick with the drift issue.
  7. Use the cotton tip to rub the isopropyl alcohol on the rounded surface.
  8. Make sure the base edge of the entire analog stick gets enough isopropyl alcohol.
  9. Now keep the controller aside for 30-40 secs.
  10. Now repeat the process again with another cotton swab.
  11. Avoid using the old one to not put back the minute dust particles.
  12. Continue this process with 3-4 cotton swaps and keep the controller to rest for 30-40 secs each time.
  13. Now once done, put back your batteries, and test out your drift status in any of your games.
  14. The controller drift on Xbox One and Series X/S should be fixed now.
  15. If you are still facing the issue now or in the future repeat the process.

YouTube Video Showcasing this Entire Process

This entire process is shown in this YouTube video from masai29. We tried this method and it worked for our controllers with drifting issues. Hope this helps you too. Here’s the original video:

That’s everything you need to know about how to fix controller drift on Xbox One and Series X/S. Meanwhile, if you are facing drifting or other issues on PlayStation or Switch console controllers, make sure to check out our guides on How To Fix Drift On PS4 & PS5 Controller and How To Fix Nintendo Switch Joy Con Controller Not Working. Also, check out other Xbox fixes related to games and other service errors.

In my case, the right analog stick used to move by itself, up. I'd call this stargazing, if I wasn't so pissed. I have my Xbox for three months, maybe not even, so IMO this should be unacceptable.. the anger turned into research, and last night I took my controller apart ( even though it's still under warranty, they were making me send the whole console back, so I said fuck that), and I started doing everything, from cleaning to blowing air everywhere on the analog. Nothing worked, at all. The next thing I did was remove the gray plastic on the left side of the analog module ( saw on YouTube that fix), which did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING except make the analog unstable (albeit minimal), I suggest skipping this step. Next I decided to open the green blocks on the bottom and right side of the analog module, and giving them a clean, and there is a black circle in there with a spring, one that guides movement up and down, it seemed a little wierd (didn't look like it was sitting right), so I took that out, and decided to replace the whole thing, I had a third-party controller lying around, so I took that apart (this controller had full metal analogs -_-), and I swapped the circular springs. This WORKED 100%, if I didn't pull out that gray piece, i think the controller would be like new.. I hope this helps someone