How to fix stick drift

Stick drift is annoying, but it is worth checking whether it is dirt, calibration, or a worn stick before you replace anything.

First, do a rest test: put the controller on a flat surface, do not touch the sticks, and watch the character or cursor in a game or in the Switch controller settings. If it moves on its own at rest, that points to drift rather than just a sensitive game.

Next, rule out the connection. Since this is a wired controller, try a different USB port and, if you can, a different cable and a different Switch or PC. If the drift follows the controller, the problem is in the controller, not the console port.

Then try cleaning and recalibrating. Gently blow compressed air around the base of the stick, rotate the stick slowly through its full range a few times, and recalibrate it in the system settings. In a game, a slightly larger dead zone can also help confirm whether the stick is only just off-centre.

For a quick visual check, try this step-by-step stick-drift check before you open anything.

If the drift is still there after cleaning and recalibration, especially in only one direction, the stick module itself is likely worn. At that point a stick-module repair or a replacement controller is usually more sensible than repeated cleaning.

Disclosure: I run this free tester.