Wondering whether your PS4 DualShock controller is still working properly? Start with the free online joypad tester on our homepage: connect the controller to your computer, open the tester in your browser, and test the sticks, buttons, triggers and touchpad — with nothing to download.
How to test your PS4 controller
Follow these steps for a full check:
- Connect your PS4 controller to your computer with a USB cable and wait until your system recognises it.
- Open the free online Joypad Tester on our homepage, then press any button so the tester detects your controller.
- Leave both sticks at rest and check the readouts: values should sit near the centre and stay still.
- Push each stick slowly through its full range, then move it in a smooth circle, watching that the on-screen dot follows steadily.
- Press every face button, D-pad direction, shoulder button and the touchpad click, one at a time, confirming each registers and releases cleanly.
- Squeeze the L2 and R2 triggers slowly from rest to fully pressed, checking the readout climbs smoothly with no sudden jumps.
- If your browser supports it, run the vibration test and confirm the controller responds.
What to check
Keep an eye on these points as you test:
- Sticks at rest: no movement on the readouts when untouched — movement here suggests stick drift.
- Dead-zone stability: values near the centre should stay neutral or register cleanly, without flickering.
- Circular motion: the on-screen dot should trace a smooth, even circle as you rotate each stick.
- Buttons: every button, D-pad direction and touchpad click should register on each press without sticking.
- Triggers: L2 and R2 should travel smoothly from rest to fully pressed.
- Vibration: you should feel the controller respond when the test runs.
Troubleshooting
Not detected? Try another USB cable or port, press the PS button once, then open the tester again.
If a stick drifts at rest, note the direction it pulls, then retest after cleaning around the stick base and recalibrating where your system allows. Our drift prevention guide covers sensible maintenance habits.
If you also own a PS5 controller, our DualSense drift guide walks through spotting drift on that controller too.
We never promise a fix for a specific fault — if problems persist after cleaning and recalibration, consider a professional repair or a replacement.
Retest after cleaning or recalibration to compare against your baseline, and browse the Guides hub for more testing walkthroughs.