Gamepad tester
Connect your controller and press any button – every button, trigger and both sticks show up live. The test runs only in your browser; nothing is sent.
How it is calculated
Your character walks on its own, a button doesn't respond or a trigger won't go all the way: this controller test uses the browser's Gamepad API to show exactly what your controller reports. It works with Xbox, PlayStation and Switch Pro controllers as well as most USB and Bluetooth gamepads – even several at once.
How it works
- Connect your controller via USB or Bluetooth and click “Start controller test”.
- Press any button. For privacy reasons, browsers only reveal a controller after a button has been pressed on the page – until then it is invisible to the site.
- Press every button in turn: each lights up, and analogue triggers show their pressure as a bar from 0 to 100%.
- Move the sticks: the dot follows the stick inside the circle, and the inner circle shows the chosen deadzone. All axes are listed as numbers below.
- For the drift check, let go of the sticks and put the controller down for a few seconds.
- If your browser supports it, “Test vibration” checks the rumble motors.
What the values mean
- Axes range from −1 to +1 and should rest at 0. Axes 0/1 are usually the left stick, axes 2/3 the right stick.
- Stick drift: the test measures the deflection at rest. Below 5% is normal. 5–10% is slight drift that a typical in-game deadzone absorbs. Above 10% is clear drift – your character or camera moves on its own.
- Deadzone: the area around the centre in which small movements are ignored. Use the slider (0–30%, default 10%) to see which deadzone makes the drift disappear – many games let you set exactly that.
- Standard mapping: when the browser reports “standard”, buttons are laid out like an Xbox controller (bottom, right, left, top, bumpers, triggers, menu, stick clicks, D-pad, home). The type – Xbox, PlayStation or Switch – is detected from the device ID.
Controller not detected? Troubleshooting
- Press a button – without it the controller stays invisible to the page. If that doesn't help, reload and press again.
- Steam, DS4Windows or DSX can capture the controller or present it as a different type. Close them and test again.
- Bluetooth: pair the controller again; put PlayStation controllers into pairing mode with Share/Create + PS button first.
- Cable: some USB cables only charge and carry no data. Try another cable.
Stick drift – what can you do?
- Calibrate the controller in your system or console settings (Switch: Settings → Controllers and Sensors; Windows: “Set up USB game controllers”).
- Rotate the stick firmly a few times and blow compressed air under the stick cap from the side – dust is a common cause.
- If drift stays above 10%, the potentiometer is often worn. While under warranty, a claim with the manufacturer or retailer is worth it.
Honest limitations
Browsers only see what the Gamepad API reports. Gyroscope, touchpad, adaptive triggers and light bar are not accessible through it. Not every controller is reported with the standard mapping; then the button names may be wrong, but the numbers are still right. Vibration mainly works in Chrome and Edge; Firefox and Safari do not currently offer it. Games and consoles may use their own drivers and calibration.
Privacy
Controller data is only displayed in your browser. Nothing is stored or transmitted.
Test more input devices: the keyboard test, the CPS test for your mouse and the speaker test for your headset.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my controller not detected?
Press a button on the controller while the page is open – browsers only show it after that. If it still doesn’t appear, close Steam or DS4Windows, try another cable or pair it again.
How do I check for stick drift?
Let go of the sticks and put the controller down. More than 5% deflection at rest means slight drift, more than 10% means clear drift.
Can I fix stick drift myself?
Calibrating, rotating the stick firmly or using compressed air under the stick cap often helps. Strong drift usually means a worn part – then use the warranty or have it repaired.
Does it work with a PS5 or PS4 controller?
Yes, via USB or Bluetooth in current browsers. Buttons, triggers and sticks are shown; the touchpad, gyroscope and adaptive triggers cannot be read by the browser.
Does it work with an Xbox controller?
Yes. Most browsers report Xbox controllers with the standard mapping, and vibration can be tested in Chrome and Edge.
Can I test a Switch Pro Controller or Joy-Cons?
Yes, via Bluetooth or USB. Depending on the browser, Joy-Cons are reported individually or as a pair, so the button layout may differ.
Why doesn’t vibration work?
Browser vibration is currently mainly available in Chrome and Edge. In Firefox and Safari, and with some controllers, the button is therefore unavailable.
Can I test several controllers at once?
Yes. Each connected controller gets its own card as soon as one of its buttons has been pressed.
Sources and legal basis
- MDN Web Docs – Gamepad API
- MDN Web Docs – GamepadHapticActuator
- W3C – Gamepad (Standard-Belegung / standard mapping)
As of:
Related tools
- Keyboard test: do all your keys work?Free online keyboard tester: every key you press lights up and stays marked as tested. Shows key, code and location, plus a ghosting/rollover check.
- CPS Test: How Many Clicks Per Second Can You Do?Free CPS test: measure your clicks per second over 1, 5, 10 or 60 seconds and track your best score per duration. Works with mouse, touchpad and touch.
- Speaker testFree online speaker test: check left and right stereo channels, run a 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency sweep, play single tones and a phase test. Runs in your browser.
- Dead Pixel TestFree full-screen dead pixel test: step through black, white, red, green, blue and more to find dead or stuck pixels on any monitor, laptop or phone.
- Online Screen RecorderRecord your screen, a window or a tab with microphone and system audio, saved as MP4 or WebM. Free, nothing to install, nothing is uploaded.
- Mic test: check your microphoneFree online mic test: live level in dBFS, too quiet or clipping hints and a playback recording. Runs in your browser, nothing is uploaded.