DualSense Adaptive Trigger Playground

How to use it

1. Use Chrome or Edge on a computer and connect your DualSense by USB or Bluetooth.
2. Press Connect and choose your controller in the pop-up.
3. Pick an effect: Gun, Bow, Brake pedal, Rumble or Full resistance.
4. Pull each trigger slowly and compare the feel.
5. Use Strength to try lighter or heavier resistance, and Reset to turn the effect off.

What your results mean

What you should feel:

Effect Healthy trigger

Full resistance Firm, even push-back all the way down, the same on both sides

Gun A clear click partway down

Bow Gets harder as you pull further

Brake pedal Smooth, steady resistance

If a trigger feels wrong

What you feel Likely cause

No resistance on one trigger That trigger's motor or gear has failed

Clicking or grinding Damaged gear inside the trigger

Weaker on one side Wear on that trigger's mechanism

No effect on either trigger Firmware out of date, or the effect isn't supported over this connection

Effects stay on until you press Reset or disconnect, so reset before going back to a game.

How adaptive triggers work

Inside each DualSense trigger is a small motor connected to the trigger through gears. Games tell the motor when and how hard to push back, which creates effects like a stiff bow string or the click of a gun's trigger.

Because they're moving parts, the gears can wear or slip, especially on controllers that have been dropped or used heavily. Testing both triggers with the same effect makes any difference between them easy to feel.

Effects explained

Each effect sets how the trigger motors push back as you pull. Full resistance pushes back evenly the whole way. The gun effect leaves the trigger light until a point partway down, then adds a sharp click, like a real trigger

breaking. The bow effect starts light and gets harder the further you pull, like drawing a string.

The brake pedal effect gives smooth, steady resistance, like pressing a car's brake. The rumble effect makes the trigger vibrate under your finger, used in games for things like an engine running or a weapon firing quickly.

Effect How it feels Used in games for

Full resistance Firm the whole way Heavy objects, jammed weapons

Gun Light, then a sharp click Triggers and fire modes

Bow Gets harder as you pull Bows and slingshots

Brake pedal Smooth, steady push-back Driving games

Rumble Vibration under the finger Engines and rapid fire

Testing for trigger faults

Use full resistance at maximum strength to test the motors. Pull each trigger slowly and compare: the push-back should be the same on both sides and steady through the whole pull. Any point where it suddenly gives way, slips or grinds suggests a damaged gear.

Then try the gun effect on both triggers. The click should happen at the same point on each. If one trigger clicks late, weakly or not at all, its mechanism is wearing.

Common adaptive trigger problems

The most common fault is one trigger losing resistance entirely while the other still works. That's usually a broken gear or a motor that's stopped working, often after a drop or very heavy use. Clicking or grinding noises point to a damaged gear.

Sometimes both triggers stop pushing back in one game but work in others. That's a game setting, not a fault: many games let you turn trigger effects off, and the PS5's own settings have a trigger effect intensity option. Check those before assuming the controller is broken.

Checking the PS5's trigger settings

On a PS5, trigger effects can be reduced or switched off in the console's accessibility or controller settings. If your triggers feel loose in every game, check that trigger effect intensity hasn't been set to off.

Individual games often have their own setting too, usually under controls or accessibility. If triggers work here but not in a particular game, that game's settings are the place to look.

Getting triggers repaired

Adaptive trigger repairs mean opening the controller and replacing small gears or the trigger motor. It's possible with the right parts and tools, but fiddly, and opening the controller may affect your warranty.

If your DualSense is under warranty, claim first. If not, our Repair or Replace calculator helps you decide whether a repair is worth it.

Adjusting strength and start point

Each effect has settings for how strong it is and where in the pull it starts. Moving the start point lets you feel how games can make a trigger light at first and firm later on. Changing the strength shows the full range the motors can produce.

Try the same settings on both triggers. Any difference you feel between them is worth noting.

Trigger effects on PC

Adaptive triggers work on PC in games that support them, usually when connected by USB. Some games also support them over Bluetooth. Steam Input can pass trigger effects through in supported games.

This page uses your browser's controller connection to send effects directly to the DualSense, so you can test the triggers without a game.

DualSense Edge trigger stops

The DualSense Edge adds trigger stops, physical switches that shorten the trigger's travel. With stops engaged, adaptive trigger effects are limited because the trigger can't move as far.

Test the Edge's triggers with stops turned off to feel the full effect.

Battery and adaptive triggers

Adaptive trigger effects use more power, so playing games with strong trigger effects drains the battery faster. Turning down trigger effect intensity in the PS5's settings can extend battery life.

If your battery seems to drain quickly, try lowering trigger and vibration intensity.

Accessibility and comfort

Strong trigger resistance can be tiring during long sessions, especially for players with limited hand strength. The PS5 and many games let you reduce or turn off trigger effects.

Use this playground to find which effects feel comfortable, then set your games to match.

Browser requirements

This playground needs a browser that can talk directly to the controller, such as Chrome or Edge on a desktop computer. Safari and Firefox don't support this. On phones, sending trigger effects usually isn't possible.

Connect the controller by USB for the most reliable results.

Comparing two DualSense controllers

If you have two DualSense controllers, test the same effect on both. Wear varies between controllers, and comparing them shows quickly which triggers are in better condition.

This is also useful when buying a second-hand controller. Compare it with one you know is healthy.

Sounds from the triggers

Adaptive triggers make a quiet motor sound when effects are active. That's normal. A loud grinding, clicking or buzzing sound that wasn't there before is not normal, and usually means a damaged gear.

Listen carefully during the full resistance test. Compare the sound of both triggers.

Games that use adaptive triggers well

Many PS5 games use adaptive triggers in creative ways, such as tension on a bow, resistance on a car's brake or the feel of different weapons. Testing the effects here gives you an idea of what each trigger can do, so you'll recognise when a game isn't using them.

When to contact Sony

If one trigger has lost resistance and the controller is still under warranty, contact PlayStation support. Describe which trigger is affected and which effects no longer work. Testing here first gives you a clear description of the fault.

Don't open the controller before claiming, as that can end the warranty.

Common problems

Frequently asked questions

Related tools and guides

• Adaptive Trigger Test→
• Trigger Test→
• PS5 adaptive triggers not working→