Gamepad tester: buttons, sticks and drift
Connect a controller, press any button and watch every button, trigger and stick value update live. The tester shows stick drift and lets you try the vibration. It uses the browser Gamepad API and sends nothing anywhere.
How the gamepad tester works
Browsers include a Gamepad API that reports the state of any connected controller: every button, every trigger and every analogue stick axis. This page reads that state many times a second and draws it, so you see exactly what a game would see. Press a button and its cell lights. Move a stick and its bar slides. Squeeze a trigger and the percentage rises.
Because the page uses the same information a game receives, a button that does not light here is not reaching the browser at all. That points to the controller, the cable or the connection rather than the game settings, which is the most useful fact when you need to decide whether to repair or replace.
Standard controller button numbers
Browsers number buttons on controllers that use the standard layout like this. Names differ between makers, but the positions are the same.
| Button number | Xbox name | PlayStation name |
|---|---|---|
| B0 | A | Cross |
| B1 | B | Circle |
| B2 | X | Square |
| B3 | Y | Triangle |
| B4 and B5 | LB and RB | L1 and R1 |
| B6 and B7 | LT and RT | L2 and R2 |
| B12 to B15 | D-pad | D-pad |
Checking for stick drift
Stick drift is when the cursor or camera moves although you are not touching the stick. It comes from a worn potentiometer or dirt around the sensor, and it affects every make of controller over time. Put the controller on a table, leave the sticks alone and read the axis values in the result. A healthy stick rests near zero. Values above about 0.08 while idle suggest drift that a game dead zone may be hiding.
Move each stick in a full circle and check the values reach close to one in every direction. If a stick cannot reach full deflection or snaps back unevenly, it is worn. Cleaning with electrical contact cleaner helps some controllers, but warranty or replacement sticks are the long-term answer.
Connection tips and what to try next
Wired controllers usually appear instantly. For Bluetooth, pair the controller in your system settings first, then press a button on this page. Some browsers keep controllers hidden until you press something, which is a privacy measure and not a fault. If nothing appears, try another USB port or cable, close apps such as Steam or controller helpers that grab the device, and test in another browser.
If the controller works here but not in a game, the problem is in the game input settings, or the game expects a different mapping. Tidy up the rest of your setup with the keyboard tester, the reaction time test and the refresh rate checker.
How to use the gamepad tester
- Connect the controller by cable or pair it by Bluetooth.
- Press any button on the controller so the browser detects it.
- Press every button and trigger and watch each light up.
- Leave the sticks alone and read the idle values to check for drift.
- Press Test vibration to try the motors where supported.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not pressing a button first, so the browser never reveals the controller.
- Testing with a game or helper app open that has taken control of the device.
- Reading a wireless controller that is nearly out of battery, where input can drop.
Related tools and guides
Keep going with these: Keyboard tester, Mouse tester, Refresh rate checker, reaction time test, best graphics cards guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my controller online?
Connect it by cable or Bluetooth, open this page and press any button. The tester shows every button, trigger and stick axis live. A button that does not light up is not reaching the browser, so check the cable, battery or connection.
How do I check for stick drift?
Rest the controller on a table without touching the sticks and look at the axis values. They should sit near zero. Values beyond about 0.08 while idle suggest drift, which games often hide with a dead zone until it grows larger.
Why is my controller not detected?
Press a button after connecting, because browsers wait for input before showing a controller. Try another cable or USB port, close apps that capture the device, pair Bluetooth models in system settings first and try another browser if nothing shows.
Does this tester work with Xbox and PlayStation controllers?
Yes. Most modern Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo and generic controllers work through the browser Gamepad API. Names and button numbers vary, and some features such as vibration or the touchpad depend on the controller, browser and operating system. Try it with yours and see.
Can I fix stick drift at home?
Sometimes. Compressed air or electrical contact cleaner can clear dirt around the stick, and a game dead zone can hide small drift. Worn sensors need replacing, which some controllers allow. Check your warranty before opening the controller, because that can void it.
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