While we’re big fans of the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller, no hardware is completely flawless. Despite all the fine features, such as haptic feedback and adjustments, it is a very technical kit, and there will probably be one or two problems. As far as we know, there is not yet anything too widespread, but the number of people reporting the analog stick drive on the DualSense is increasing.
If you have not yet heard the term “drift” in relation to controllers, it refers to a problem where the road detects an input on the sticks if there is none. For example, the camera can move around in a first-person shooter without touching the right stick. Here’s a video that sums it up pretty perfectly:
As found by Kotaku, users are calling out DualSense drift ten days after the launch of PS5. This is apparently a bug covered by the controller warranty, which means Sony will repair or replace your dodgy road. However, depending on where you live, you will have to pay postage to send your DualSense to the company. Not ideal.
That said, our experience with PlayStation’s UK customer service has been pretty positive. One of the author’s DualSense controllers had another issue in which one of the triggers lost its resistance. After we explained the situation by telephone, an email was sent with a printable postal label, which allows us to send the booklet free of charge. A few weeks later, a new controller arrives in the post. We can only imagine that this fairly painless process would be the same for a DualSense with drift or any other hardware problem.
Clearly, the PS5 controller is not the only one dealing with drift. Any controller with analog sticks is possibly sensitive to this, the best known example being the Joy-Cons of the Nintendo Switch. After all, it’s a frustrating mistake when it’s happening to you, and not what you expect from your brand new console. Have you experienced such issues with your DualSense? Answer our poll and discuss it in the comments below.