Test every button, thumbstick, trigger, and D-pad on your gamepad instantly in your browser. Our advanced Gamepad Tester uses the Web Gamepad API to detect Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch Pro, and generic USB controllers with no download required. Check for stick drift, test rumble, and diagnose any button or input issue in seconds.
The Gamepad Tester supports all controllers that implement the Web Gamepad API standard. Here are the most commonly tested controllers and their compatibility notes for 2026.
Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One, and Xbox 360 controllers all work via USB. Xbox Wireless Controllers work via Bluetooth on Windows, macOS, Android, and ChromeOS. The Xbox Gamepad API mapping is the standard all others follow.
DualSense (PS5), DualShock 4 (PS4), and DualShock 3 (PS3) all work via USB. Bluetooth support varies by browser. DualSense haptic feedback testing requires Chrome 88 or later. Touchpad click is detected as button 17.
Switch Pro Controller works via USB on all desktop browsers. Bluetooth support works on Chrome and Edge on Windows and macOS. Button layout differs from Xbox standard mapping but all inputs are detected and displayed correctly.
Most generic USB controllers are detected as standard HID gamepads. Button mapping may differ from Xbox standard. All buttons and axes are tested and displayed by index number so you can identify which physical control maps to which input.
Bluetooth gamepads connected to Android devices work in Chrome for Android when the Gamepad API is active. iOS Safari has limited Gamepad API support from iOS 16 onwards. Test your mobile controller by visiting this page on your phone.
Logitech G29, G920, Thrustmaster, and most racing wheels work as multi-axis gamepads. Joysticks and flight sticks with USB connections are also detected. Axes beyond the standard 4 are shown in the button index grid for testing.
The Gamepad Tester uses the browser's Web Gamepad API to read controller input in real time. No software, no drivers, no browser extensions required. Here is exactly how the detection and measurement process works.
The Web Gamepad API (navigator.getGamepads()) provides access to connected gamepad input data from within a browser page. It exposes an array of Gamepad objects, each containing an array of button values (0.0 to 1.0) and axis values (-1.0 to 1.0). Our tester polls this data 60 times per second using requestAnimationFrame, giving sub-20ms input latency for live display. The API activates only after you press a button on the connected controller, which is a security requirement built into the browser standard.
Stick drift is detected by monitoring axis values when the thumbstick is at rest (not being touched). A perfectly centered stick reads exactly 0.0 on both X and Y axes. Any persistent reading above 0.05 indicates minor drift. Values above 0.10 at rest indicate noticeable drift that will affect gameplay. Our drift analyzer displays the resting absolute value for all four axes and flags any that exceed the 0.10 threshold as potentially drifting. This matches the industry standard deadzone threshold used by most game engines.
Testing your controller takes under 60 seconds. Follow these steps for a complete diagnostic of every input on your gamepad.
Plug in via USB or pair via Bluetooth. For Bluetooth, pair your controller with your computer first through your OS Bluetooth settings. USB connections are more reliable and recommended for testing.
USB or BluetoothPress any button on your controller. The browser requires a button press before it activates Gamepad API access for security reasons. The overlay will disappear and the controller info panel will populate immediately.
Auto-activatesPress each button one at a time. The corresponding button indicator lights up orange and the SVG controller diagram highlights. Every button is logged to the input history with a timestamp. If a button does not light up, it may be faulty.
Live visual feedbackMove each thumbstick in full circles. The circular canvas shows the exact position in real time. Check the stick drift analyzer with both sticks at rest to see if either is drifting outside the 0.10 deadzone threshold.
Drift detectionSqueeze each trigger slowly from fully released to fully pressed. The trigger bars show the analog value from 0 to 100 percent. Analog triggers should show a smooth progression. A trigger that jumps from 0 to 100 may have a broken sensor.
Analog valuesClick the Test Vibration button to fire a rumble sequence on your controller if it supports the Vibration Actuator API. Both weak and strong motors are tested. If no rumble occurs, your controller or browser may not support this feature.
Rumble testStick drift is one of the most common gamepad problems in 2026. Understanding what it is, how to detect it, and what your options are will help you decide whether to repair, replace, or recalibrate your controller.
Stick drift occurs when the potentiometer inside the thumbstick mechanism wears down. The potentiometer is a variable resistor that communicates stick position as a voltage value to the controller's processor. Over time, the carbon track inside the potentiometer degrades, causing it to return inconsistent readings even when the stick is centered at rest.
PlayStation controllers, particularly DualShock 4 and early DualSense units, are more prone to drift than Xbox controllers due to the spring tension and potentiometer design. Nintendo Joy-Cons became notorious for stick drift due to a design flaw in the potentiometer contacts. Our Gamepad Tester measures exactly the resting axis values that reveal this degradation.
Reading Your Drift ResultsSpray compressed air around the base of the thumbstick while moving it in circles. Dust and debris under the stick can cause temporary drift by physically pushing the mechanism off center. This is the first and easiest fix to try. Cost: under $10 for a can of compressed air.
Open the controller and spray electrical contact cleaner into the thumbstick mechanism. This can restore the carbon track contact and eliminate drift caused by contamination rather than physical wear. Requires disassembling the controller with appropriate screwdrivers.
For severe drift, replacing the entire thumbstick module (potentiometer and stick assembly) resolves the issue permanently. Replacement modules cost $5 to $20 on Amazon or iFixit. Hall effect replacement thumbsticks are now available for DualSense and Xbox controllers and eliminate drift entirely by removing the potentiometer.
Our browser-based Gamepad Tester gives you instant, accurate controller diagnostics without installing software. Here is why it is the most convenient solution for testing your gamepad in 2026.
Open the page and plug in your controller. No drivers to install, no software to configure, no account required. The Web Gamepad API works natively in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. Testing takes seconds from opening the page to seeing your first button highlight.
If a button does not highlight when pressed, the Gamepad Tester gives you definitive evidence of a hardware fault. The input log records every button press with its index and value, so you can see exactly which button is not registering and take it for repair or warranty claim with documented evidence.
Test a new controller straight out of the box. Confirm every button works, both sticks are centered with no drift, triggers register analog values smoothly, and rumble motors are functional. A 60-second gamepad test when unboxing prevents future frustration mid-game.
Screenshot the drift readings or the button that is not registering from our Gamepad Tester. This gives you browser-generated evidence for warranty claims with Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, or any third-party controller manufacturer. The resting axis value reading is an objective measurement.
Common questions about testing controllers, understanding readings, and diagnosing gamepad problems.