So I like to use Xbox controllers (doesn’t matter if it’s first- or third-party) because I like the layout, it’s just comfortable to me. However I’ve noticed that on all my controllers in the past few years, the left thumb stick will start to “give out” over the course of a couple months. For instance I’ll be pushing it forward all the way, but it won’t register for some reason and my character will only move a little bit. Sometimes wiggling it a bit will fix it, sometimes it doesn’t. And it’s not like I’m squeezing the hell out of the controller or mashing the stick constantly; in fact it’s made me try to be more delicate with my controllers, even though I’m just playing the games normally.
Is it just how controllers are, or am I just getting the shit end of the stick?
I’m on my 3rd set of Xbox one controllers. The old Xbox 360 controllers would last for years before needing new electrical components. But these new ones are just junk. I tried to resolder one but the tolerance in there now so tight that I ended up frying it… So gave up on that idea.
A lot of people have mentioned cleaning it out. If you can open it up and clean the potentiometers that are underneath the joysticks, that works best. I use isopropyl alcohol for this, just spray some over the pots and wiggle the stick around for a little while to move the internal wipers and clear away any gunk.
After that I add dielectric grease - I use lithium grease but there are other types - to the potentiometers after the cleaner has dried. This protects against particles and corrosion and extends the lifetime of the potentiometers significantly, and reduces how often you need to do this. It has to be dielectric grease because it is non conductive. Conductive grease will short out the pots and stop them working correctly.
I find the joysticks will last quite a few years after doing this.
I don’t know what people are talking about with how others use the controllers; the speed or violence of movement of the sticks should make no difference to how fast the potentiometers degrade. It’s possible if their kids are using the controllers, they just have dirtier hands and that’s making the difference.
Eventually however the controllers will degrade no matter what. If manufacturers used hall effect sensors or just added grease to the pots to start with, the controllers would last so much longer, which is maybe why they don’t do it.
Yeah, joystick build quality has been going down for me since the second Xbox One controllers. Last one I had couldn’t get past 4 months without a smidge of drift already showing (just past the free 3 month warranty, fuck you MS). Got a Hall Effect one from Gamesir this time and I forget it’s not an official one until I have to use the D-pad (really hate non-mechanical D-pads) but otherwise worth the $40 so far.
Oh also Hall Effect joysticks are just so nice to use. They feel frictionless.
I have the Valve Index and my game plan is that I have a soldering iron and the Aliexpress link ready to go. I have not owned it long enough to know how good or bad the life span is yet though. Just based off the rumors I looked into how to get the stick replacement before buying.
I can attest to how mine lasted which might help. I used it semi regularly maybe once or twice a week for the first 2 months. After on and off use it lasted for 7-8 months before the right joystick started to drift but I do know I could be a little rough with it while playing Boneworks so I’m sure that didn’t help.
I did the repair on the right controller with the cheap Ali express joystick and found it to be a massive improvement in quality and actually clicks in propperly now.
It’s not an amazingly easily repair and I’ll admit to damaging the capacitive touch on my joystick due to being a bit rough on the dissasembly. But if your half competent with soldering and got a decent toolkit then go for it.
get something with hall effect sensors.
