Frequently asked questions
Straight answers for the questions that show up every time someone plugs a controller into a browser. The matching tool is linked inside each answer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to install anything?
No. PadTester is a page. The browser already contains the Gamepad API. You connect the controller to the computer or phone, not to us.
Why does the controller appear only after a button press?
Browsers withhold the device list until you press a button on the focused page. Move the stick if you want, but also press a digital button. The full checklist is Why is my controller not detected?.
Which controllers are supported?
Any pad the browser lists. We document DualSense, DualSense Edge, DualShock 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Switch Pro, Joy-Con, 8BitDo Pro 2, Steam Deck, and a generic PC pad in the library.
What resting radius is stick drift?
Under 0.06 is Healthy, 0.06 to 0.12 is Borderline, and over 0.12 is Drift in this tester. Those bands are for the Gamepad API range, not a factory drawing. Run the stick drift test.
Can you calibrate my controller from this site?
We can show an inner deadzone and suggest a value. We do not write calibration into the firmware. Use the deadzone test and the maker’s official tool if you truly need a hardware write.
Is the polling number my USB rate?
No. It is how often the browser delivers a sample. Read what the test measures before you compare it with a spec sheet.
Why will vibration not play?
Firefox and Safari often have no actuator. Chrome and Edge usually do. A missing actuator is not a dead motor. The vibration test lists the other causes, including Steam Input and Linux Bluetooth drivers.
Can I test the gyroscope?
Not as a moving graphic. Desktop Chrome or Edge can confirm WebHID access to a DualSense or DualShock 4. We do not invent a trace. Details are on the gyro test.
Are button presses uploaded?
No. There is no account and no analytics call in this version. The privacy policy is the full description, including the theme value stored under padtester-theme.
Can I use it on a phone?
Android Chrome is usable for buttons and sticks. iOS Safari is limited and usually has no vibration. A desktop browser is the right place for a drift number you will trust. See browser support.
How many controllers at once?
Up to eight slots. Pick one for the detail view. Each slot shows a live offset so you can compare a suspect pad with a good one.
Is PadTester affiliated with Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo?
No. Those names are used so you can find the right test. They belong to their owners. See the disclaimer.