How to clean XBox one controller analog sticks

When an Xbox One controller begins to drift, you’ll notice unintentional movement while playing games. Because one or both thumb sticks will drift, or move, in an unwanted direction even when you aren’t touching them, it’s known as controller drift or analogue stick drift.

To correct Xbox One controller drift, disassemble the controller and repair or replace one or more analogue stick-related components.

Drift on the Xbox One Controller: What Is It?

The most typical occurrence is drift in the left analogue stick, which presents itself in first-person games as your character always gazing up. The right stick, on the other hand, can suffer from drift concerns.

Cotton swabs (optional)

• A prying instrument
• Torx T-8 or T-9 for safety
• Replacement thumb stick pads or a shim of your choice

After you’ve obtained those goods, follow these steps to complete the repair

1. Soak a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol.
2. Carefully pry the thumb stick back out of the way and wash the rounded surface with alcohol.
3. Rotate the thumb stick in small increments, cleaning it thoroughly.
4. Make sure the thumb stick is completely clean and test the functionality.
5. Disassemble your Xbox One controller with a pry tool and T-8 or T-9 safety Torx if the thumb stick still sticks or wanders.
6. Check to check if the thumb sticks are in the right place and wiggle them to see if they’re loose.
7. Remove the thumb stick pads if they feel loose.
8. Reassemble the controller and run it through its paces.

How to Replace the Thumb stick springs on an Xbox One Controller That Have Been Worn Out

If you’ve tried to fix your thumb stick pads and found that they’re not dirty or loose, the next quickest fix is to replace your thumb stick springs. Only replace the springs on one thumb stick if it’s giving you trouble.

You’ll need the following items to complete this task:

• A prying tool
• Torx T-8 (safety)
• Analog springs for analogue sticks
• Tweezers

You may alternatively get a new analogue stick and use the springs from it.

Here’s how to replace the analogue stick springs on an Xbox One controller:

1. Using a pry tool and T-8 or T-9 safety Torx, disassemble your controller.
2. Carefully remove the green plastic covers off the thumb stick assembly’s bottom and right sides.
3. Take the springs out.
4. Replace the springs with new ones or springs from another controller.
5. Replace the green plastic coverings with snaps.

You might find that one or both of your analogue sticks are just worn out and need to be replaced in some circumstances. This is a more difficult fix that you should avoid if you aren’t familiar with disordering and soldering.

If you wish to try this workaround, you’ll need the following items:

• A prying instrument
• Torx T-8 or T-9 for safety
• Torx T-7
• A desoldering tool is a tool that is used to remove solder from
• A soldering iron
• Solder
• Analog stick assembly replacement

Here’s how to swap out the analogue stick on an Xbox One controller:

1. Take apart your controller with a pry tool and T-8 or T-9 safety Torx, and then remove the circuit board with a T-7 Torx.
2. Remove the old analogue stick assembly from the circuit board with a desoldering tool.
3. Place the replacement analogue stick assembly in place and solder it in.
4. Reassemble the controller and run it through its paces.

If these suggestions don’t solve the problem(s), it could be time to invest in a new controller.  A wayward crumb that’s found its way between the controller face and the button is the most frequent cause of a stuck button. You should be able to dislodge anything lodged behind the controller’s buttons if you follow the cleaning procedure indicated above. However, if this is not the case, there is a problem with your controller. Once you’ve disassembled the controller, you’ll be able to concentrate your cleaning efforts on the faulty button.

Cleaning the “Seam” and Thin Gaps

Let’s look at the “seam” that runs all the way around the controller’s edge, where the front and rear snap into place. This tiny opening invites all kinds of dirt and bacteria, but cleaning it isn’t impossible. Fold a sheet of paper several times until it is firm but yet thin. Pass the paper’s edge through the gap. You should notice dirt accumulating on the paper’s edge as you do so. Wipe it away again and again until the controller is spotless.

You can also clean this area with a thin wooden toothpick. Although the wood is soft enough to fit into the space without harming the plastic, the tip may not last long.

Metal objects, such as paper clips or knives, should be avoided because they can easily scratch the controller. If your hold slips, you could injure yourself.

How to Make Sticky Buttons and D-Pads Work Again

The face buttons on your controller may be sticky if you spilled something on it. They may feel sticky and unable to depress adequately, or they may be completely trapped. While you can open up the controller to try to fix it, there are a few more options.

Make sure the controller is turned off and any replaceable batteries are disconnected before attempting to clean these locations. While performing this workaround, be careful not to turn on your controller.

Take it apart if everything else fails

If you don’t know what you’re doing, disassembling your controller can be dangerous. Small parts, such as springs or screws, could be lost, and you could even receive a minor shock. That is why, before attempting to disassemble it, you should always do your homework.

You can clean the afflicted parts with either alcohol or soap and water after disassembling the controller and disconnecting the battery. Allow everything to dry completely before attempting to put it back together.