ACL, Stick Drift and PlayStation Dualsense

bp2000 on 07/02/2025 - 14:26

I've had 3 controllers in 3 years develop stick drift (every dualsense controller I've owned so far). I've never had a Sony branded controller develop stick drift for my 10+ years of playing on the PS3 and PS4 and I play a lot less now. Feel something is obviously wrong with the product. I know others with similar issues personally and lots of forum posts about it. Seems I've probably been a bit unlucky ultimately.

I've had two replacements from Sony but they are refusing to replace the last one cause it is too far out of warranty (1 year and 7 months compared to the 1 year warranty) despite trying to respectfully point out to them that I think it is a manufacturer defect and not warranty claim and reminding them about ACL (though I appreciate that that is more relevant to the retailer).

I'm still going to try with the retailer and ultimately I may have some extended warranty protection on my credit card that may help.

I'm kinda annoyed with Sony. Feel they have made a very complicated high environmental impact product that use to be solid and made its reliability a joke for no reason. The kicker is they won't even offer a repair option, instead it seems it is destined for landfill is the only option.

It makes me 100% want to leave Sony and buy an Xbox but I don't play as much anyway and I'm obviously locked in with the products and games I've already purchased to some degree.

Any ideas, has anyone had any success actually using the legal system. Do I send a letter of demand to Sony as a first step? How would that generally go down. I presume fees would kick in at some point that would make it pointless to continue.

Gaming Game Controller PS5 Accessory Sony

Comments

  • jv on 07/02/2025 - 14:32
    +7

    leave Sony and buy an Xbox

    • bp2000 on 07/02/2025 - 14:33
      +4

      đź‘Ť I'm basically paying a controller subscription plan at this point.

      • jv on 07/02/2025 - 14:42
        +1

        I had controller drift on a Switch controller a while back.

        Easy to replace component if you google it and it worked better than new.

  • ThithLord on 07/02/2025 - 14:47

    That's a very bitter pill to swallow. Sucks, mate. I don't know why I'm so lucky, I have two controllers from launch day that both work fine (maybe the battery isn't so good on either, I am too lazy to track how they perform)

    • bp2000 on 07/02/2025 - 14:49
      +1

      Yeah and I'm not even like a competitive gamer, where I'm sensitive to it. But sometimes they act ridiculous. Like playing a cricket game and the batsman keeps walking past off-stump while the bowler runs in.

      • ThithLord on 07/02/2025 - 14:50
        +2

        It's absolute bollocks, isn't it? There's obviously a fundamental flaw with the design, as we see so many people report this issue and I have a friend who's son has gone through many controllers because of stick drift.

      • MS Paint on 07/02/2025 - 15:25
        +2

        the batsman keeps walking past off-stump

        Is it Cameron Bancroft

      • Hybroid on 07/02/2025 - 18:16
        +1

        FPS/competitive gamers seem to have more of an issue as they constantly press down on the thumbsticks but other games do too. This action creates wear on a thin metal ring known as a "wiper" which basically acts like a washer to re-align the track back to centreline.

        Over time, this can grind down (esp in games where constantly pressing down & gyrating the thumbstick to run or shoot) to the point the track on top of it does not re-centre properly. So it's then pulling left or right and hence 'drifting'. For many, especially non-fast paced gamers, this isn't a major issue as it's not the usual play style to grind down on thumbsticks.

        As such, technically, stick drift is caused by the user and is not a manufacturing defect. However, there is an argument to suggest that the modules used are not fit for purpose and damage easily, which is fair seeing how prevalent stick drift issues seems to be. They are, however, the exact same joystick module in the PS4 and Xbox controllers. The PS5 is just far more popular in a more vocally online world and hence it appears to be mostly PS5 derived. But it happens to other consoles too, and extrernely common issue with the Switch.

        If it's under warranty, they'll replace it. If it's no longer under warranty, you can claim ACL via the retailer you purchased from, or you can try a basic cleaning to see if there's any dust or debris causing the drift, then move on to disassembly and replacement of the wiper (a ~$1 part). There are many video guides on this, notably What Causes Stick Drift Controller and How To Really Fix It as well as iFixit: How to Fix PS5 Joystick Drift for Good!.

        • bp2000 on 07/02/2025 - 20:50

          I take your point of view but I think it is a multifaceted issue. This is not normal performance of sticks. I personally believe they have the same sticks as all other controllers but the algorithm and it's sensitivity, the design around that part, and the high vibration levels and haptic feedback features all play a complicated part and intertwined part which has led to one of the most unreliable controllers that I've ever experienced.

          There is another issue I get on helldivers 2 with these controllers now. The dpad doesn't accurately receive the inputs. Every once in a while it throws in a different arrow direction. Nothing to do with bounce or pressure from my testing. I hooked it up to my PC expecting the same issue and able to run more tests on it. The input was received perfectly. Something strange is going on. I wouldn't be surprised if there is some weird firmware or complex wireless protocol that is causing these issues to crop up.

          Like I said in another comment I'm not a competitive fps player. I probably had slight stick drift on other controllers and just never noticed just like I don't notice input delay on my tv. Even on new ps5 controllers I have to play with deadband settings in games to get rid of slight drift. I never went looking for deadband settings in any game in previous generations.

          Even strange things I notice is that the controller seems to start overcoming stick drift and perform better during a play session sometimes. I had a theory that the charge level being full was messing it up. Like poor voltage regulation or something.

          All in all while I accept it is the same part, something far beyond my understanding I think is going on with the entire package which makes this controller a completely unreliable poor performance package.

          • skid on 08/02/2025 - 10:16
            +1

            @bp2000: You both have correct points. Hybroid is right in that it is essentially wear and tear. However, you are also right in that it is possible to compensate for stick drift but the PS5 doesn't. Looks like the PS3 used to. Same with the Nintendo consoles, their old consoles compensated for it but the Switch doesn't.

            You said that the problem can be masked by increasing the dead zone. This is true, but is only a band-aid fix and is not how the old consoles fixed it. The old consoles used to fix it by taking the drifted position of the stick as the dead centre. It then calibrated the limits as you moved the stick. The end effect is that stick drift is not noticeable because the stick wears gradually. This works until it is beyond all repair at which point the stick loses range of motion as Pandaroo notices. At this point the stick has to be replaced but this is years later.

            Your observation about the dpad is another issue.

            Anyway, my 2c.

  • Lookoutfordeal on 07/02/2025 - 14:57
    +1

    Yes likewise 4 controllers(including 1 replacement) in 3 years. Same stick drift issue after few months. Frustrating

  • airzone on 07/02/2025 - 15:27

    I've been fine with all my PS controllers except for my PS4. Every single one started drifting. It really is luck of the draw. One of my PS5 controllers got sticky/oily thumbsticks though, so I replaced them. There are aftermarket hall effect kits if you're proficient at soldering.

  • blldzd on 07/02/2025 - 15:39

    Have Sony offered to repair it? I have sent my switch joycons to Nintendo in the past and they've fixed them for free (also paid for postage). The ACL gives you three options (repair, refund, replace) and this would easily fit within the unacceptable timeframe for a fault.

    • bp2000 on 07/02/2025 - 15:41

      No they refused for the one out of warranty to replace it. They have no repair option even if you want to pay a fee.

      • joinkyn on 08/02/2025 - 23:58

        FYI EBgames do repairs for $70 flat fee. could alwyas tell them they have to cover you sending it to them for repair

      • Chandler on 10/02/2025 - 11:22

        They have no repair option even if you want to pay a fee.

        Sounds like Sony also aren't meeting their Consumer Guarantee obligations in regards to repairs:

        When a consumer buys a product, the manufacturer or importer must provide spare parts and repair facilities for a reasonable time after purchase. This applies even if the consumer did not buy the goods directly from the manufacturer or importer.

        Source: https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/buying-products-and-services/consumer-rights-and-guarantees#toc--products-and-consumer-rights-

  • omega595 on 07/02/2025 - 15:45
    +2

    I’ve had 5 or 6 different DualSense controllers develop severe stick drift in less than 3 years, whereas my 3 DualShock controllers from my PS4 are still going strong after many, many years.

    Based on an equivalent experience with my kids’ Nintendo Switch controllers (2 sets of Joy Cons and 2 Pro Controllers), the quality of this generation of console peripherals is, IMHO, sorely lacking.

    I’ve been fortunate that JB Hifi has been supportive in replacing the faulty controllers, but on the final replacement I purchased an extended warranty, to make the inevitable future exchange process simpler.

    I’m well aware that I would have a reasonably strong case for a free replacement under Australian Consumer Law, but I consider the $13 I paid for the EW to be worthwhile in saving me the time and frustration that would be involved in becoming embroiled in a ACL case.

    My recommendation would be to politely inform Sony that, for the cost involved, you believe it is reasonable to expect a DualSense controller to last 2 years, and on that basis you would like to have this faulty controller replaced at no charge.

    If Sony are not prepared to honour your reasonable request, let them know that you are prepared to initiate a case with your state’s consumer protection organisation, in accordance with your rights under Australian Consumer Law.

    Having fought ACL battles in the past, and also having worked in the retail industry for 19 years, in my experience most businesses will fold at this point as few want to invest the labour hours battling with regulatory bodies, vs the minimal expense of just handing over a replacement unit.

    Best of luck, and let us know how you get along.

  • plmko on 07/02/2025 - 15:52
    +1

    You should probably learn from experience and buy cheap extended warranty at EB games or get it through a credit card that does.

    Doesn't have to be complicated.

  • Qazxswec on 07/02/2025 - 15:53

    just open them up and clean the sensors, replace if you have to, you just carefully open the green sides of the stick unit,clean with isopropyl alcohol, change the little sensor if you need to, i fixed mine, just watched a youtube video, i bought some spare units and took the sensors from them https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CHKTJZRP?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_f… , or like airzone said, if you are good at soldering replace them with hall effect units and solve the problem for good

  • Pandaroo on 07/02/2025 - 16:10
    +1

    Not a solution, but an option is to buy PS4 versions of games so you can use the superior DS4 still (check google to see is the PS4 version holds up vs PS5).

    Seems the Dualsense is just a crap design, similar to how the N64 joystick was 20 years ago, where it would wear down and then lose range of motion/drift. Crazy how this problem has returned after how durable the Dualshock was.

    • Qazxswec on 07/02/2025 - 22:29

      the dualshock 4 and the dualsense have the stick modules in them, they have the same problem

  • Iwantthebestprice on 07/02/2025 - 17:49
    +3

    This is an issue, I have 2 Xbox series X in my house and had them for years and not 1 controller has had stick drift, and these controllers get pounded playing FPS games like Fortnite and Overwatch etc so used a lot. My mate bought a PS5 about a year and a half ago, plays rarely maybe played total of 3 games, has had to replace 2 controllers due to stick drift. I didn’t even think it would be possible to go through 2 controllers in a year a half.

    I honestly think it’s a design issue at this point, the only issue I’ve had on Xbox is buttons getting stuck, like shoot or jump buttons, and Xbox has always replaced even out of warranty.

  • R-Man on 08/02/2025 - 00:51

    here i thought you've injured your ACL and you're experiencing some orthopaedic bone condition called stick drift

  • Liamhos08 on 08/02/2025 - 14:17

    Only one I've had drift so far is the one that came with my launch console so you've definitely been unlucky, maybe environmental factors?

    Search Budd's controllers, costs about $80 for a halleffect upgrade & they can do other mods (back buttons etc…).

  • b0rnwithabeard on 09/02/2025 - 00:16
    -2

    I've had nearly every iteration of the Playstation (and other platforms), and I've never ever had a conroller with stick drift. But if you are, you're gonna need to either get the extended warranty, change platforms, or just put up with it.

    Maybe time to join the PC Master Race - at least with the ebb and flow of your gaming hunger, you can use the PC for other things.

    Are you really serious about going down the ACL road? Really? You're really gonna spend all that time and effort to go to VCAT (or whatever it is where you live) over a controller? For all the time and effort, I'd just turf it and get a new controller.

    • bp2000 on 10/02/2025 - 11:54

      Well I think my question is clear. If someone can tell me the next step of the acl process. The hope is they don't progress it, but a bit over making empty threats.

  • AngusD on 17/02/2025 - 12:05

    Years ago I had stick drift on 2 PS4 controllers (bought at the same time, so I assume it may have been a bad batch from the factory). Returned them to JB where I bought them, exchanged for new ones and those 2 are still working to this day.

    I've had no stick drift issues with PS5 controllers, though. I am finding one of them has a battery which doesn't hold its charge very long (maybe an hour before giving the low battery warning), so I might need to look into returning that (purchased in June last year, so still under warranty). I bought it from Amazon, interestingly enough when I look at the order history it just says the return window has closed, and under "need help with your item" it just says to contact the manufacturer. Isn't the retailer supposed to be the point of contact for any warranty issues?

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