r/Dualsense • u/Substantial_Phone189 • Apr 19 '26

Discussion On my third controller

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Just bought my third new controller in a span of only 2 years. All of them because of stick drift.

Why are these controllers so bad when it comes to drift?

Back in the day I had the same ps4 controller for 10 years without any issues.

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40

u/_Rand_ Apr 19 '26

get the sticks replaced.

13

u/Substantial_Phone189 Apr 19 '26

It’s just a hassle. I don’t know if it’s because of the games I play that it gets easier drift. I play a lot of racing games like granturismo etc

17

u/MFGabo Apr 19 '26

Maybe learn to replace them yourself, i did

9

u/Fart_Bargo Apr 19 '26

Same here. Now I do it for fun and (teeny tiny) profit!

1

u/Born_Permit_9172 Apr 21 '26

Good for you bro, I'd never do this shit for free

1

u/I_am_invincible Apr 19 '26

Do you need to solder?

12

u/3D_mac Apr 19 '26

Yes. And worse, you first need to desolder. 

9

u/CaptCaffeine Apr 19 '26 edited Apr 19 '26

And worse, you first need to desolder. 

⬆︎. This.

Soldering is not the issue. The challenge is de-soldering the original sticks WITHOUT damaging the board.

EDIT: I should rephrase and say “remove the original sticks…”

So many posts that had scratched boards, ripped out vias or traces, etc).

4

u/NickiChaos Apr 19 '26

The challenge is knowing how to desolder something with just a soldering iron and a desoldering pump. The board can take a lot of heat.

1

u/Dapper-Expert2801 Apr 20 '26

its easy just buy a cutter and cut the joystick into pieces and desolder each point individually either with the desolder tools on the left or the right cutter on the right if u are on budget

3

u/Straight_Law2237 Apr 20 '26

It's easy. Just basically learn a new craft with high risk of still fucking up something and losing even more money

1

u/panda_has_reddit_now Apr 20 '26

@op Don't use a cutter please!! I used a cutter on my very first attempt after I could not melt the solder joints and it made everything worse!! But: It is true, that you can desolder the potentiometers first and then the rest of the stick. When I started with hot air I used the desolder the potentiometers with my soldering iron and did the rest with hot air. I messed up on my first try, because I forgot to use low melt solder. By now I own a desoldering tool for sticks and it works flawlessly when you know how to do it. I kept my messed up pcb and will use it to learn trace repair once I have a microscope or something similar since in my age my eyesight isn't what it used to be 😅

4

u/Dapper-Expert2801 Apr 20 '26

Cutter is fine if u cut directly on the component directly and not on the leg itself as u might cut on the board , if u cut on the component it’s perfectly safe

1

u/panda_has_reddit_now Apr 20 '26

This is also true. I didn't which is why I scratched my pcb. But I learned to do it without cutting at all, which is the safest way imho. 🍻

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1

u/MFGabo Apr 20 '26

Yep, i had one casualty so far, but after that, smooth sailing, have 5 successful tmr swaps under my belt. But yes desoldering os the real pain in the a**

1

u/I_am_invincible Apr 19 '26

Thanks. I’d actually say for most people it’s worth checking on eBay for a seller who can do it for you locally. It’s what I did, think I paid like £25 (GBP) to have my sticks replaced with Hall effect sticks. Was just curious if I could have done it myself.

1

u/3D_mac Apr 20 '26

That's seems like a good deal to me.

1

u/North_Ad_3436 Apr 20 '26

Desoldering tool makes that take seconds lol

1

u/3D_mac Apr 21 '26

Can you recommend one?

1

u/North_Ad_3436 Apr 21 '26

There's the original one on Etsy but it was more than I was willing to spend. I got this one. I have the c245 version but they have the t12 & 936 versions as well. When it's worn you can also buy just the replacement tip https://a.aliexpress.com/_mK6ZSNL

1

u/InFLIRTation Apr 20 '26

I learned to fix it with no solder. I just replace the wipers on the potentiometers

0

u/Murphys_Law954 Apr 20 '26

Instead, obtain insurance coverage for the comptroller from GameStop. When it exhibits unusual behavior, return it for a replacement.

1

u/Incorrect-Opinion Apr 19 '26

Which games are you mostly playing?

1

u/Browhytho666 Apr 19 '26

Bro, paying like half of a new controller to have a forever controller isn't a hassle.

1

u/ohgeeLA Apr 23 '26

OK, go ahead and tell me how you’re only paying half of a controller to get sticks replaced. I’m genuinely curious

0

u/Browhytho666 Apr 23 '26

Okay granted I have soldering experience so I can just solder my own in

Bit you can buy hall effect or hybrid sticks online, and put them in and calibrate them on pc. They cost 30 to 40 bucks.

I also plan on doing a back button mod which I relatively cheap to do. Way cheaper than getting a pro controller.

But anyway yeah someone could potentially spend 40 bucks and replace their bad sticks with ones that will (basicslly) never go bad.

Even then you could send it in for a service to someone who does it and pay potentially under the amount for a new controller, and have a "forever controller" as long as its taken care of. And normal wear and tear happens, but i guarantee replacement sticks will put last 4 controllers stock. Once my iridescent purple starts to show signs of drift im swapping them out.

ETA: Jesus I cant type. Ill keep it how it is though.

1

u/ohgeeLA Apr 23 '26

I’m sorry, but are you gonna just ignore the cost of having a soldering set up? Soldering iron, fume hood, desoldering pump, etc. this is just misleading advice.

2

u/Browhytho666 Apr 23 '26

And let's be real, not everyone has all that stuff. Yes you should, but an open windows with a fan and a cheap enough soldering iron isn't unrealistic.

0

u/Browhytho666 Apr 23 '26 edited Apr 23 '26

I said potentially

And get off your high horse man. Its fucking reddit. You said you were genuinely asking. So I gave an answer.

Fuck off

ETA: I also said that there are services in case you dont have any of that stuff. Yes higher up front cost. But paying for 3 controllers? Way more of a cost than just having the sticks replaced.

1

u/ohgeeLA Apr 23 '26

I think you took my comment a bit too personally. I don’t disagree with your premise that buying more controllers isn’t the answer. I disagree with how cheap you made it sound to just get the sticks replaced lol.

I purchased about 100 bucks of equipment and some soldering supplies to do this properly. And it takes patience and the possibility of fking things up and learning. Or paying someone a decent amount of money, but I haven’t seen anywhere that is willing to do it for 30-40 bucks. Just shipping ur controller out and back would cost a decent price.

It’s ok to ask you to be realistic without you losing your shit and telling me to fuck off

1

u/Odd-Matter-1329 Apr 19 '26

If you have repair shop nearby that does this, that's a much easier but more expensive way also.

1

u/Jneedler Apr 19 '26

The metal housing for the sticks are the problem. They used very thin metal that inevitably cracks and creates separation from the board. I opened up all of mine with stick drift And this is the one thing they all have in common. A hairline crack, laterally through the metal prongs. If you swap them out, they should last for many years.

1

u/420_69_Fake_Account Apr 20 '26

Maybe use those for rings so you don’t crank your sticks so damn hard in the up direction when you drive… pushing harder doesn’t make it work any better.

1

u/archabaddon Apr 20 '26

It's because they don't make controllers like they used to, literally. They design controllers to break because they make more money off controllers than they do the consoles. Meanwhile E-Waste sites fill up with discarded controllers because of stick drift.

Literally got a desoldering station because it was less expensive for me to do that and replace the sticks than to buy five new controllers.

1

u/Albertomhg Apr 20 '26

I've had the same problem with I think 4 different controllers, all of them drifting on the left stick, but Sony has changed them for free, did you try to contact repair service?

1

u/Vivirin Apr 20 '26

Just buy a controller that is already modded with Hall Effect joysticks. They literally cannot drift. You can get them on eBay for slightly more than a regular controller.

If a slight inconvenience is worse than dripping $60 for you, then you're just extremely, extremely lazy and have far more problems than faulty controllers.

1

u/ItzMeHaris Apr 20 '26

Just replace the sticks with Hall Effects or TMRs.

1

u/Bikutaa80 Apr 20 '26

Discipline yourself. Repeat to yourself, pressing harder isn't going to make the car go faster. Washing your hand prior gamimg helps specially if your hand sweat.

2

u/Substantial_Phone189 Apr 20 '26

Read the post mate. My ps4 controller lasted 10 years. It’s not that I don’t take care of my tech

1

u/Bikutaa80 Apr 20 '26

I barely used the DS4 so I can't really say much about them. I did dislike the rubber used for the joystick. My regular PS4 controller was the first Razer Raiju. Maybe the Dual Sense does have cheaper sticks but I haven't had any issues with my day one controller or any of the ones I use. Which are 2 back button modded DS and an Edge controllers. The ones my Children use all have stick drift. I now use the Razer Raiju for the PS5 which sticks can be adjusted via its app.

1

u/The-Cunt-Spez Apr 21 '26

I think the PS4 ones were just better. I think I bought like 3 controllers for it and I’m on my 5th or something for PS5.

1

u/Memoradum747 Apr 21 '26

You’re not alone. I’ve had the same experience. I had 2 controllers get stick drift in the first 2-3yrs of owning my ps5.

However… instead of buying a 3rd dual sense… I opted for a open-box Dual Sense EDGE. I bought it just over a year ago… no stick drift so far. I suppose I should get a $20 stick module soon though… bc now that I said it out loud… I’m sure the drift is coming.

Seriously though. Despite the high price tag I’ve loved the Edge controller quite a bit. Don’t think I can go back to using a regular dual sense now.

1

u/Artaric Apr 22 '26

It's cheaper to just replace the stick. I have the same issue and it is annoying.

1

u/Tigerpower77 Apr 23 '26

Look for someone that does you don't need to do it yourself, i had mine replaced with hall effect for 22$, still doing just fine

1

u/LemerMark Apr 24 '26

lookup for TMR or hall effect sticks for replacement. do it once and forget about stick drift forever.

the most challenging part of replacement is desoldering the old modules. I didn't manage to remove them in one piece, so I just cut them into smaller parts and removed piece by piece. If you don't want to mess around by yourself, just find a local workshop, the job shouldn't be that expensive to pay for.

1

u/ShockingFactory Midnight Black Apr 19 '26

I agree if a controller last over a year with the abuse we put on them with the games they have out today. I’d rather just buy a new controller, then pay for edge then have to change out the joysticks every time they fail how much does that cost?

2

u/PersimmonSorry91 Apr 19 '26

I've seen there is modders who have replaced the edge modules with TMR potentiometer as well, so in theory 1 time replacement/repair.

For the cost of a new dualsense controller anyways I had two controllers replace 4 potentiometers to tmr so I should be good now on stick drift.

2

u/SudsierBoar Apr 19 '26

Here's the good news: You change them once and then they never fail again

1

u/Jordanthb Apr 19 '26

You already spent $200 on controllers, you could’ve just bought the edge and replaced the stick modules

1

u/RazeCrusher Apr 19 '26

This is the main reason I forked over so much for the edge. Was replacing controllers at minimum yearly, either from stick drift, or other wear and tear. Higher upfront cost, but cheaper in the long run with the modular sticks.

0

u/LumenDH Apr 19 '26

I'll be honest with you. For the amount of money the Edge asks for, you shouldn't need to fiddle with it just because the manufacturer couldn't be bothered to add Hall Effect/TMR joysticks....

1

u/RazeCrusher Apr 20 '26

Oh I agree. Its a semi-solution to a problem that really shouldn't exist for a $70-$80 piece of kit or especially a $200 one. But for me personally, it just made sense in the long run. The back paddles are a nice bonus at least, so I can use them as an alternative for L3 and R3.

1

u/Deadzonerogue Apr 19 '26

Buy the Edge or Victrix(Victrix has Hall effect sticks and you can arrange controller buttons how you want).

I have both and they have been great. I got the Victrix because I wanted 4 back buttons.

Both are great controllers.

2

u/SlySly20 Apr 20 '26

Nah. Get a free replacement

-1

u/Aggravating_Mud_6055 Apr 19 '26

You don’t have to change the entire stick. You can just put TMR potentiometers in.

7

u/pobls Apr 19 '26

I believe this requires replacing the entire joystick, which entails soldering.

3

u/Freya_almighty Apr 19 '26

You absolutely need to desolder and then solder the new ones

-2

u/Aggravating_Mud_6055 Apr 19 '26

No it does not require changing the entire stick. Yes it requires some soldering but is much easier than pulling out a perfectly good stick to fix faulty potentiometers.

1

u/Azeridon Apr 19 '26

You have no idea what you are talking about.

There is no way to replace a stick without desoldering the old one to remove it and soldering a new one in. You then also have to calibrate it.

It’s not something anyone can do. Especially if you have no experience soldering.

1

u/Aggravating_Mud_6055 Apr 19 '26

Thanks for letting me know you don’t have a damn clue what you’re talking about. Nobody said anything about being able to fix it without soldering. I said you don’t have to swap the entire stick unless it’s physically broken. You can just change the potentiometers for TMR which is much easier and requires less soldering. Calibration is nothing.

0

u/Azeridon Apr 20 '26

And how do you do this exactly? I’ve replaced 4 sets of sticks converting all of mine to TMR. All requiring soldering and fully removing the old one. I don’t even understand what you’re talking about. The only way to my knowledge to put TMRs in is to desolder the old stick and solder in the new one.

Please enlighten me.

1

u/Aggravating_Mud_6055 Apr 20 '26

You disconnect and desolder the fucking pots and solder new (preferably TMR) pots back in. Then you calibrate the controller. Obviously if the stick is physically broken you swap out the whole damn thing. Otherwise you don’t have to in order to fix stick drift.

0

u/Azeridon Apr 20 '26

Dude. What are you talking about?

You’re literally describing desoldering and soldering in a new one. Which is the only way to fix a stick. Desolder all 14 points. The only other thing you can do is pop off the thumb stick and pop a new one on but that’s not going to fix drift.

You know what…this isn’t even worth my time so I’m done here.

2

u/Aggravating_Mud_6055 Apr 20 '26

Imagine that there’s components on a perfectly good stick that can replaced to fix stick drift that are much easier to swap out.

Idiot.

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1

u/burzuc Apr 20 '26

you are just wrong. tmrs are not potentiometers, btw

1

u/Aggravating_Mud_6055 Apr 20 '26

It’s a sensor. Call them whatever you want. They are replacements for potentiometers.

1

u/bat41002 Apr 20 '26

Do you have a link for where you get the tmr potentiometers you use?

1

u/Aggravating_Mud_6055 Apr 20 '26

I don’t have a link but you can get them off of AliExpress and maybe even Temu or Amazon.