PS4 DualShock 4 Controller Test
Older pads are exactly where drift tends to appear. Connect a DualShock 4 over USB or Bluetooth and check every input it still reports correctly.
Controller status
No Controller Detected
Connect your controller using USB or Bluetooth and press any button.
- Browsers only reveal a pad after it sends its first input — press a face button or move a stick.
- Both USB and Bluetooth work. If nothing appears at all, reconnect the controller and press a button with this page focused.
- Some remapping tools claim the pad before the browser sees it. If nothing shows up, try closing them and reloading.
- Chrome or Edge expose the most controller features, including vibration.
Live input
Press anything — the diagram reacts instantly
Stick drift test
Timed resting measurement of both analog sticks
Connect a controller and press any button to enable this test.
Button test
Press every button once — each one lights up as the browser sees it
Connect a controller and press any button to begin.
Trigger test
Pull each trigger slowly from rest to fully pressed, several times
Connect a controller to test the triggers.
Troubleshooting
Controller not detected? Work through this checklist
Nine checks covering focus, cables, Bluetooth pairing, background software, DS4Windows virtual controllers and browser support — open it only if your controller is not showing up.
Connecting a DualShock 4
Use a data micro-USB cable and press a button, or pair over Bluetooth by holding Share and the PS button until the light bar flashes rapidly.
DualShock 4 pads are old enough that many are on their second or third set of stick modules — the resting drift measurement is the first thing worth running.
What to expect from an ageing pad
Resting drift, a weak L2 or R2 that no longer reaches full travel, and a worn face button are the three most common findings on a used DualShock 4.
Run the drift test, then the deadzone tool. If a modest deadzone hides the movement completely, the pad may still be perfectly playable.
Frequently asked questions
- Does DualShock 4 drift get worse over time?
- Generally yes — the wear inside the stick module is mechanical. Saving a report now gives you something to compare against in a few months.
- My DualShock 4 only charges and does not connect. Why?
- Many micro-USB cables carry power only. Swap to a cable you know transfers data before assuming the port is dead.
- Is the light bar or speaker testable here?
- No. Neither is exposed to a web page through the standard browser interface.
- Should I replace or repair a drifting DualShock 4?
- Replacement stick modules are inexpensive if you are comfortable soldering. Otherwise, compare the repair cost against a replacement pad.
Continue testing
- Controller Stick Drift TestRun a timed resting measurement on both analog sticks. See average, median, peak and 95th percentile offset, plus a clear verdict on whether your controller is drifting.
- Controller Deadzone TestInteractive deadzone visualizer for analog sticks. Adjust the radius, see which movement gets ignored, and get a recommended minimum deadzone from your own measured resting noise.
- Used Controller CheckA fast two-minute inspection for second-hand controllers. Check drift, buttons, triggers and stick range, then save the evidence as a report.
- PS5 DualSense Controller TestTest a PS5 DualSense controller in your browser. Check stick drift, Cross, Circle, Square, Triangle, L1, R1, L2, R2 travel, D-pad, L3, R3, Create and Options.
GamePadTestLab reports what your browser can see. It cannot repair stick drift, certify hardware, or read a controller's firmware. Read the testing methodology for exactly how each figure is calculated and where it stops being reliable.