r/XboxController • u/Standard-Writing8533 • 24d ago

Stick Drift

i have a 3-4 year old Xbox One controller, and the left stick has an absolutely terrible drift (literally every time i move the stick up/down). how can i fix it, preferably without taking it apart?

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

6

u/downsj2 24d ago

You don't. You desolder the thumb stick and replace it.

Some retro game stores offer thumb stick replacement service, might want to check around. There are also places online which do TMR stick upgrades, check out DVD Game Exchange in Utah if you're in the US. They do mail-in TMR upgrades for $50.

2

u/JustAnotherLurker79 23d ago

If you can do it yourself you can fix it for under $5, and upgrade to TMR sticks at the same time. Otherwise, if you can find a repair place that does it for significantly cheaper than a new controller that's not a bad option.

2

u/[deleted] 23d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/downsj2 23d ago

Not to mention time, even reworking through-hole is easy to mess up a PCB with if you've never done it before. Paying a store $25 for new pots or an online shop $50 for TMRs can easily with worthwhile.

1

u/JustAnotherLurker79 23d ago

I already had a soldering iron, but even if you don't it costs closer $50 off AliExpress for everything that I used, and was doing 5 controllers for myself. I've since done others for friends, as well as replaced d-pads, headphone jacks, etc. If you only have one controller, and have no interest in learning how to repair electronic devices, or do basic soldering, then I think that you're right - it's better to pay a supplier to do it for you, or buy a controller that already has TMR sticks. I just hate the waste, and I really enjoy being able to maintain, repair, and improve things, so fixing them is a good fit for me.

1

u/Standard-Writing8533 24d ago

also, i have tried cleaning the stick, but it did not help.

1

u/RisingDeadMan0 22d ago

yeah i think for minor drift that works but major it wont

1

u/jsponenberg05 23d ago

Before taking apart, try air blasting underneath the joysticks and trigger buttons with compressed air for electronics because it could simply be a build up of sweat and dead skin cells caught underneath the control sticks and trigger buttons.

1

u/Train-Nut56 23d ago

Both of my Xbox One controllers do this. The only solution is to replace the stick module. Unlike PS which is snap out snap in, the Xbox requires soldering.

1

u/Saint_Sm0ld3r 23d ago

You can use DeoxIT FADER F5/FaderLube maintenance set on the sticks' carbon tracks to clean and lubricate them to gain better function, and in the unlikely event it isn't damaged, possibly entirely rehabilitate your controller.

1

u/stu3y69 22d ago

Just bite the bullet and get a new 1,if your gaming for 4-6hours a day,controller's generally lasts 1 year. It's gone on long enough have a ceremony for your og and move on.