controller-test.com · PlayStation

PS5 Controller Test

Test DualSense controllers. Symmetric sticks, touchpad press, analog adaptive triggers, share and options.

Live gamepad readout

Press any button to connect

Axes (0)

No controller detected yet.

Buttons (0)

Press any button on the pad to wake the browser Gamepad API.

Overview

What the PS5 Controller Test does

The DualSense reports two symmetric sticks, adaptive triggers with true analog 0 to 100 percent travel, a clickable touchpad, and PlayStation face buttons. This tester surfaces every input under its PS label. Full adaptive-trigger force control requires WebHID output reports and is not part of the standard Gamepad API this page uses.

Steps

How to run the test

Connect via USB-C or Bluetooth.
Press any button to wake the API.
Squeeze L2 and R2 slowly. The percentage should sweep smoothly 0 to 100 without gaps or spikes.
Click the touchpad. It reports as a dedicated button index.
Press Cross, Circle, Square, Triangle, both bumpers, both stick clicks, share, options, and PS.

How the DualSense differs from a DualShock 4

The DualSense has larger grips, symmetric analog sticks, a click-through touchpad, and haptic actuators instead of eccentric-weight rumble motors. From the browser's point of view most of that is invisible: the API just sees axes and buttons. What you can see here is trigger analog range (unchanged from DS4), touchpad click as a distinct button index, and rumble via the vibrationActuator API.

PlayStation face button labels

Cross is at the bottom, Circle on the right, Square on the left, Triangle on top. That is the same physical layout as Xbox A, B, X, Y, but PlayStation uses different symbols. The button indices under standard mapping are the same as Xbox: Cross is index 0, Circle is 1, Square is 2, Triangle is 3. That is why an Xbox game on PC will pick up a DualSense correctly with just a label swap.

Adaptive triggers and what you can read here

Adaptive triggers can push back against your finger with variable resistance driven by a small motor inside each trigger. Games use this for bowstring tension, gun recoil, and brake pedal feel. The trigger position (how far you have pulled the trigger) is still just an analog value between 0 and 1, which this tester shows. What you cannot do from a browser using the standard API is command the trigger motor to change resistance.

Bluetooth vs wired for DualSense

The DualSense supports both. Wired via USB-C gives the lowest latency and enables all rumble and trigger read features. Bluetooth caps polling around 250 Hz but keeps rumble working. On macOS, the DualSense pairs and works over Bluetooth out of the box. On Windows, it works too, but some games prefer DS4Windows or Steam Input to translate. If you use Steam Input, be aware it can add latency; test with our Latency Test.

Common DualSense faults and quick diagnostics

The most reported issue is stick drift on the left stick after 6 to 12 months of use. Run our Stick Drift Test. The second is a stuck touchpad click. Press the touchpad here; if the index stays lit, the switch under the touchpad has failed and needs replacement. The third is unresponsive adaptive triggers, which usually points to firmware corruption; reset the controller with the small hole on the back using a paperclip.

Fix it

Common problems and quick fixes

Left stick drifts after a few months

Run the Stick Drift Test. If drift is above 0.05, run PS Controller Calibration to recentre. Above 0.15 needs a module swap.

Trigger sweep skips values

Trigger potentiometer wear. Service the trigger or use it in games that only need on-off.

Touchpad click stuck

Physical failure of the switch under the pad. Replace the touchpad assembly.

Controller keeps disconnecting on Bluetooth

Reset with the paperclip button on the back, re-pair, and update firmware via a PS5 console.

FAQ

Common questions

Adaptive trigger resistance?+

The browser can read trigger travel but cannot command variable resistance from the standard Gamepad API. That needs WebHID output reports.

Lightbar and mic?+

Read-only via the Gamepad API. Writing to the lightbar or muting the mic needs WebHID output reports.

Does DualSense Edge back paddles work?+

Yes if configured to send unique inputs via the on-controller profile. Paddles that mirror face buttons just fire the same indices.

Squeeze both triggers slowly and confirm smooth 0 to 100 percent. Then check the touchpad click and both stick presses.

Every diagnostic here runs locally in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.

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Related diagnostics

Pair this test with any of the below for a full controller health check.

WebHID