Xbox 360 Controller "drifting"

[Raptor Jesus]

So after trying to get my 360 controller to work with Bayonetta and having to configure it in Big Picture mode, it has caused it to drift whenever it's plugged in with a steam game in focus.

When I say "drift" I mean the left stick causes the mouse cursor to move without even being pushed, it makes using it with steam games impossible. I've tried calibrating it in big picture, restarting my PC, setting up a custom profile for it, everything, it just doesn't fix it.

Does anyone have a way to fix this? The controller works fine on non-steam games so it's not the controller itself.

[Arya]

That's usually caused by wear/damage on the thumbstick itself. They're prone to sensor wear, which causes drift. Creating a small deadzone should fix it.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

What I do is open them up when this arises and clean them completely.
I only really find I need to use Rubbing Alcohol (91% is good, less water)
and an un-used paint brush; one with horse-hair perhaps, not cheap plastic bristles.
Easily found for cheap at WalMart or other places.

It is not that hard to take-apart and clean a controller, especially Xbox 360 / One types.

I also spray the internal thumb-stick regions with Silicon Spray; easily obtainable and cheap.
DO NOT use WD40 or similar sprays which can be harsh to sensitive electronics and plastics. A small can of such spray can last you years. Then once a small spray is applied to this area[www.image-tmart.com] take a moment to work the stick around in circluar motions all around in one direction, then back around in the opposite direction. Once done for both sticks, put the controller back together carefully. Silicon Spray is not conductive, so if you get a small run-off, not to worry, just clean that up with alcohol and dry that area using your brush.

For guides on disassembly you can find plenty here:
https://www.ifixit.com/Search?query=Xbox+360+Controller+
as well as on YouTube if you'd rather have a video based walk-through.

Here's an example of the silicon spray:
https://www.evike.com/search/?search_in_description=1&sort=3a&keywords=silicon+spray

If you are dealing with a wired controller, be mindful and careful of the wiring, it's much more fragile once you open the controller and thus release the area which holds that in-place, which can add some stress to the bare wiring itself.

If wireless, well those should be easier since it's just a plastic cap and then remove the batteries.

There is a Dead-Zone feature right within Steam BigPictureMode you can modify.

If you need to adjust this outside of Steam Client, then you will want this for Xbox Controllers > https://github.com/KrossX/Durazno and here is a tutorial for this app/input-wrapper > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkkGT6myNbk

[Raptor Jesus]

It's not the controller though, I mentioned this. The issue only popped up once I configured BigPicture mode and has never happened in non-steam games. I tried creating a deadzone, unmapping the controller from my mouse/keyboard (so the sticks do not control the mouse etc) but it still happens, even tried creating a deadzone for it in bigpicture, still didn't work.

[sinjuen]

I'm actually now having the same trouble with my controller. It's starts acting weird since like 2-3 weeks ago. Working fine with side-scrolling games or platformer, but you can see that when you run fps games (in my situation are games like prey for example) my controller just like have its own mind, drifting everywhere. If let's say i strife to my right, my character will keep drifting to the right until i click one of my analog key. Do you have any solution yet for this ?

[Raptor Jesus]

Originally posted by sinjuen:

I'm actually now having the same trouble with my controller. It's starts acting weird since like 2-3 weeks ago. Working fine with side-scrolling games or platformer, but you can see that when you run fps games (in my situation are games like prey for example) my controller just like have its own mind, drifting everywhere. If let's say i strife to my right, my character will keep drifting to the right until i click one of my analog key. Do you have any solution yet for this ?

I never actually found a fix for it unfortunately. Fortunately I didn't have to, it just started working normally after a Steam update.

[Arya]

Originally posted by sinjuen:

I'm actually now having the same trouble with my controller. It's starts acting weird since like 2-3 weeks ago. Working fine with side-scrolling games or platformer, but you can see that when you run fps games (in my situation are games like prey for example) my controller just like have its own mind, drifting everywhere. If let's say i strife to my right, my character will keep drifting to the right until i click one of my analog key. Do you have any solution yet for this ?

I had thrigh problem in one specific game for, but only for a day or two. It solved itself after a Steam update.

[TribalSage]

Originally posted by Rap For Jesus:

It's not the controller though, I mentioned this. The issue only popped up once I configured BigPicture mode and has never happened in non-steam games. I tried creating a deadzone, unmapping the controller from my mouse/keyboard (so the sticks do not control the mouse etc) but it still happens, even tried creating a deadzone for it in bigpicture, still didn't work.

I don't even use Big Picture Mode for a controller because there's some bad bugs in it.

[sinjuen]

I use the steam beta client, which i thought always has the latest update first before the stable release, and it still has the issue. Well I will just wait until steam can fix this :/ thx everyone for the replies

[StellarBeast]

Hi, I have the exact same problem: my Xbox360 controller is not working properly in Steam (it is fine for non-Steam games), the joysticks keep drifting and there are performance issues. The problem just appeared without reason, it was fine before.

Solved: updating the Xbox 360 wireless receiver driver to version 2.1.0.1349, checking for files integrity and updating the nvidia drivers did the trick. I think the critical part was the controller driver, but I am really confused as to why that got buggy out of nowhere.

[GeorgeKushtanza]

Im having the exact same problem. i used https://html5gamepad.com/ and the controller im using tested perfectly and didnt show any signs of wear or anything (its brand new). so im beginning to think it could be a problem with my computer or steam. its a wired controller so i dont think i need to update anything...

[Chemicallykilled]

Hey, everyone! I had this exact issue for the Xbox One controller. I went in and disabled Desktop Configuration then went into Big Picture Configuration and basically disabled it by mapping the left analog stick as blank.

My controller would drift up every few minutes and could only be stopped by clicking the analog in. I asked Steam support, I asked Microsoft support, I got the Microsoft Accessories app to update firmware, and in short tried literally everything else I could think of. This fixed it. I hope it helps you!

[bulletshowerr]

Originally posted by Chemicallykilled:

Hey, everyone! I had this exact issue for the Xbox One controller. I went in and disabled Desktop Configuration then went into Big Picture Configuration and basically disabled it by mapping the left analog stick as blank.

My controller would drift up every few minutes and could only be stopped by clicking the analog in. I asked Steam support, I asked Microsoft support, I got the Microsoft Accessories app to update firmware, and in short tried literally everything else I could think of. This fixed it. I hope it helps you!

Just found out the Microsoft Accessories app is only for XBOX ONE controllers, not for 360 controllers. So other people, dont waste your time at that.

[Old Wolf]

Yeah same here, did you ever work it out? I've got a 360 controller wireless and an XBone controller wired both have left stick drift but only on certain steam games. I've had no issues in other clients e.g Uplay or Origin and It doesn't happen in all games. For example I can play Tomb Raider 2013 with no issues but when I play Killsquad if I let go of the stick after a second or so it starts drifting up slowly.

[Raptor Jesus]

Originally posted by WolveRyan:

Yeah same here, did you ever work it out? I've got a 360 controller wireless and an XBone controller wired both have left stick drift but only on certain steam games. I've had no issues in other clients e.g Uplay or Origin and It doesn't happen in all games. For example I can play Tomb Raider 2013 with no issues but when I play Killsquad if I let go of the stick after a second or so it starts drifting up slowly.

Unfortunately I never did find a fix for it, one day Steam updated and everything worked just fine again, sorry I couldn't help, but I wish you luck in solving your issue.

[Foxy UK]

XPADDER (small £5.99 fee however Xpadder.com ) is a good 3rd party controller app I use in place of Steams version, fixed my wired 360 left stick drift, perfect with PS3 PS4 Generic PC pads also, I have only used those with XPADDER, so can't say regarding Switch or Steam pads. Developed / kept updated, large community on forums, I think for over 10 years plus, can also map macro type functions, e.g. Left Trigger + A held 2 seconds can trigger whatever in game key press/es 👍 Can't rate it highly enough, lol, not on commission either, I have it boot at Windows Startup, disable Steams mapping attempts, tho not sure if necessary... Yeah long and short is XPADDER fixed the drift issue (Also have tried and failed with 10 or more various 3rd party apps, help wise,if you name it, 99% sure I've used it, by all means ask me if you have any questions on an app if you need, ill try and put you right ✅.) Cheers 🍻 https://xpadder.com/