Gamepad Tester – Test Controller Buttons, Sticks & Drift
Check an Xbox, PlayStation, Switch or generic controller in your browser. See every button, trigger and stick live, spot stick drift and test the vibration motors.
Connect your controller by USB or Bluetooth and press any button — browsers only show a gamepad after the first press. Each button lights up with its pressure value (0.00–1.00), and the stick circles show exact X and Y positions. Values that are not 0.000 when you let go of a stick indicate drift.
How to use Gamepad Tester
- Connect the controller with a cable or Bluetooth.
- Press any button so the browser detects it.
- Press every button and pull each trigger.
- Move the sticks in full circles, then let go and check they return to the centre.
- Click “Test vibration” if your browser supports it.
How the test works
The tool uses the Gamepad API built into modern browsers. It reads the controller about 60 times per second and shows every button and axis. Nothing is installed and no data is sent anywhere.
Each button shows a bar and a value from 0.00 to 1.00. Normal buttons jump straight to 1.00; analog triggers (LT/RT, L2/R2) should rise smoothly as you press them. A trigger that never reaches 1.00 or flickers may be worn.
Checking for stick drift
Drift is when a stick reports movement without being touched — your character walks on its own or the camera turns slowly. To test it, let go of both sticks and watch the X and Y values.
| Value at rest | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0.000–0.05 | Normal, games ignore it |
| 0.05–0.15 | Light drift, may be noticeable |
| above 0.15 | Clear drift, cleaning or repair needed |
Also move each stick slowly in a full circle: the dot should reach the edge in every direction. If it does not, the stick is not reaching its full range.
Button names
When a controller uses the "standard" mapping, buttons are shown with familiar names like A, B, LB or Start, and they match Xbox layout positions: A is the bottom face button (Cross on PlayStation). Controllers with a non-standard mapping show numbered buttons instead; they still work, games may just need to be configured.
Vibration
If your browser supports the vibration actuator (Chrome and Edge do for most controllers), a "Test vibration" button appears. Firefox and Safari often do not support it, so a missing button does not mean the motors are broken.
If the controller is not detected
- Press a button — browsers hide controllers until you interact.
- Try a different USB cable; some are charge-only.
- Close Steam or other tools that may take exclusive control.
- For Bluetooth, remove and re-pair the controller.
Testing your keyboard as well? Use the Keyboard Tester.
You may also find these free tools useful: Keyboard Tester, Screen Resolution and What Is My User Agent.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my controller online?
Connect it, press any button and then press every button and move both sticks. Everything is shown live.
How do I check for stick drift?
Let go of the sticks and watch the X and Y values. Values above about 0.05 at rest mean the stick drifts.
Does it work with PS5 and Xbox controllers?
Yes. Xbox, PlayStation, Switch Pro and most generic controllers work in modern browsers.
Why is my controller not detected?
Browsers only show a controller after a button press. Also check the cable and close programs like Steam.
Why is there no vibration button?
Your browser does not support vibration for this controller. Chrome and Edge usually do.
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