PS5 & PS4 Stick Calibration
Every PlayStation controller stores where it thinks the centre of each stick is. As the stick wears, the real centre moves, but the stored one doesn't. The gap between the two is one common cause of drift.
This browser version saves a new resting centre for a standard wired PS5 DualSense (Sony 054C:0CE6). It can reduce drift caused by calibration, but it cannot repair a physically worn stick. The before and after readings show whether it helped.
PS5 DualSense Stick Calibration
WebHID stick calibration tool for standard PS5 DualSense controllers. Chrome or Edge on desktop required.
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How to use it
- Use Chrome or Edge on a Windows, Mac or Linux computer. Connect the controller with a USB data cable.
- Run the drift test at the top of the page to record your before result.
- Press Connect and choose your controller in the browser's pop-up.
- Read the warning and tick the box to confirm.
- Centre: leave both sticks untouched while the tool records their resting position.
- Keep both sticks still while the tool records repeated centre samples, then confirm the final save prompt.
- Run the measurement again to see your after result. If you're not happy with the result, do not repeat it immediately: turn the controller fully off and on first.
What your results mean
Compare the before and after drift scores.
After calibration What it means
Drift gone or under 3% The drift was a calibration problem. Fixed.
Drift lower but still over 5% Partly calibration, partly wear. Use a deadzone for what's left.
No real change The stick is physically worn. Calibration can't fix it; repair or replace the stick.
Which controllers work
Controller Supported
DualSense (PS5) Yes
DualShock 4 (PS4) No â blocked in this browser tool
DualSense Edge No â blocked in this browser tool
Xbox, Switch, third-party controllers No. They store calibration differently and can't be changed here.
Update your controller's firmware first. Older firmware can block the calibration steps.
Why sticks drift in the first place
Standard analog sticks measure position with small sensors that slide against a surface as you move the stick. Over thousands of hours, that surface wears and collects dust, so the reading at rest slowly moves away from the
true centre.
Some of that drift is the controller still using its factory calibration for a stick that has changed. Updating the calibration corrects that part. The rest is physical wear, which only new sticks or a controller with magnetic (Hall effect or TMR) sticks will solve.
Before you start
Update the controller's firmware first. On a PS5, connect the controller with a cable and check for a controller update in the console's settings. On a computer, Sony's firmware updater for the DualSense does the same job. Older firmware can stop the calibration steps from working or saving.
Close any program that might be using the controller, especially Steam and DS4Windows. Use a USB cable that carries data, not a charge-only cable, and plug it directly into the computer rather than through a hub. Then run the drift test so you have a clear before result to compare against.
Check Why
Firmware is up to date Older firmware can block calibration
Steam and DS4Windows are closed They can hold the controller and block the connection
USB data cable, plugged straight in Most reliable connection while saving
Before result recorded So you can see whether calibration helped
What gets changed, and what doesn't
Calibration changes the stored resting-centre values inside a supported standard DualSense. This version does not change stick range. Buttons, triggers, vibration, the lightbar and your console pairing are not changed.
Because the values are saved in the controller itself, the new calibration goes with it when you plug it back into a PS5, a PS4 or another computer. If you're not happy with the result, you can run the steps again at any time to replace it with a new calibration.
Getting a good calibration
For the centre step, put the controller flat on a desk and take your hands off completely. Even resting a thumb on a stick can shift the reading. Let the controller sit for a few seconds before starting.
Keep the controller connected until the page says that saving is complete. If the after score is not better, do not run repeated saves in one session. Turn the controller fully off and on first, then decide whether a hardware repair is more appropriate.
If calibration doesn't fix it
If the after test shows little change, the drift is coming from physical wear inside the stick, not from the stored calibration. At that point a deadzone can hide small amounts of drift, but heavy drift needs a hardware fix.
Your options are a replacement stick module, which for DualSense controllers usually needs soldering, a repair shop, or a new controller. If you go for a new one, controllers with Hall effect or TMR sticks are much less likely to develop the same problem.
How calibration and deadzones work together
Calibration and deadzones solve the same symptom in different ways. Calibration tells the controller where the stick's real centre and edges are, so the reading at rest is closer to zero. A deadzone tells the game to ignore small movement near the centre.
After calibrating, you'll often be able to use a smaller deadzone, which gives you finer control. Run our Deadzone Calculator after calibrating to find the new, lower setting.
Calibrating on PS5 versus on a computer
The PS5's own settings don't include a full stick calibration tool, which is why many players use a computer for this. The calibration is stored in the controller, so once it's done on a computer, the controller uses it on the PS5 too.
After calibrating, reconnect the controller to your PS5 and test it in a game. If the drift has gone on the computer but not on the console, run the calibration again and make sure you saved it at the end.
Supported controller
The writable browser flow currently supports only the original standard PS5 DualSense connected by USB (Sony VID 054C / PID 0CE6). DualShock 4, DualSense Edge, wireless and third-party controllers are deliberately blocked.
Check the supported controllers table before starting. If your controller isn't listed, don't try to force it.
Keeping a record of your result
Before calibrating, run our Controller Health Check and save the result. Run it again afterwards. Having both results makes it easy to see exactly what changed, and gives you evidence if you later need to make a warranty claim.
If drift comes back, a comparison over time shows whether the stick is wearing quickly or slowly.
Safety and what can go wrong
Calibration changes settings stored in the controller. If the process is interrupted, for example by unplugging the cable halfway, the stick may behave oddly until it's calibrated again. Use a good cable and don't disconnect until the page says calibration is complete.
If anything looks wrong after calibrating, run the process again carefully. Calibration can always be repeated.
Common problems
WebHID works only in Chrome, Edge or Opera on a computer. It doesn't work on phones, tablets, Safari or Firefox.
Use a USB data cable, not a charge-only one, and close Steam or DS4Windows, which can hold onto the controller.
If drift returns quickly, the stick itself is wearing out. A replacement stick or a drift-resistant controller is the long-term fix.
Turn the controller fully off and on before considering another calibration. Repeated saves are not a substitute for a worn stick repair.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe?
The tool only changes the stick calibration values. Do it carefully, follow each step, and don't unplug the controller while it's saving.
Will this void my warranty?
We can't promise either way. If your controller is still under warranty, consider a warranty claim first.
Does this work wirelessly?
Use a USB connection. It's the most reliable way to save calibration.
Is this official Sony software?
No. It's an independent tool that uses your browser's WebHID feature to talk to the controller.
Can it fix every drifting stick?
No. It fixes drift caused by an out-of-date calibration. Physical wear needs a stick repair or replacement.
Will calibration fix drift on my PS5 console as well as on PC?
Yes. The new calibration is stored in the controller, so it applies wherever you use it.
Can I undo the calibration?
You can run the calibration again at any time to replace it. Keep your before result so you can compare.
Why do I need Chrome or Edge?
Calibration uses a browser feature called WebHID to talk directly to the controller. Only Chrome, Edge and Opera on a computer support it.
Does it work on a Mac?
Yes, in Chrome or Edge, with a USB data cable.
Does it work on a DualSense Edge?
No. The current browser implementation blocks DualSense Edge while its separate protocol has not been validated.
How often should I calibrate?
Only when you notice drift. If drift returns quickly after calibrating, the stick is wearing and needs a repair.
Do I need to keep the cable plugged in?
Yes, until the page says the calibration is complete.
Will calibration change my button layout?
No. It only changes stick calibration.