How to Calibrate Your PS5 Controller

Proper calibration ensures your PS5 DualSense controller responds accurately to your inputs. If you're experiencing drift, dead zones, or inaccurate stick movements, calibration might be the solution you need.

Understanding Controller Calibration

Calibration is the process of telling the controller what "center" and "maximum" positions are for the analog sticks. Over time, these reference points can shift, causing:

• Stick drift (movement without touching the stick)
• Uneven sensitivity (one direction feels different than another)
• Reduced range of motion
• Dead zones where input isn't registered

Method 1: Soft Reset (Quick Fix)

Time: 30 seconds | Difficulty: Easy

This clears temporary calibration glitches:

1. Turn off your PS5 completely (not rest mode)
2. Unplug the console from power for 30 seconds
3. Reconnect and turn on
4. Connect controller via USB and press PS button

Method 2: Controller Reset Button

Time: 2 minutes | Difficulty: Easy

The DualSense has a hardware reset button that restores factory calibration:

1. Turn off your controller
2. Locate the small hole on the back (near the L2 button)
3. Insert a paperclip or pin
4. Press and hold the internal button for 5 seconds
5. Release and wait 10 seconds
6. Connect to PS5 via USB cable
7. Press the PS button to re-pair

Method 3: PS5 System Calibration

Time: 5 minutes | Difficulty: Easy

Use the PS5's built-in controller management:

1. Go to Settings (gear icon)
2. Select Accessories
3. Choose Controllers
4. Select Adjust Analog Stick Sensitivity
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to test stick movement
6. Adjust sensitivity curves to your preference

Method 4: In-Game Calibration

Time: Varies | Difficulty: Easy

Many games have their own calibration settings:

Common In-Game Options:

• Dead Zone - Increase to ignore minor drift
• Sensitivity - Adjust how quickly the camera/character responds
• Acceleration - Control how speed builds when holding the stick
• Invert Axis - Flip controls if they feel reversed

Recommended Settings by Game Type:

Game Type	Dead Zone	Sensitivity
FPS (Call of Duty, Battlefield)	5-10%	5-7
Racing (Gran Turismo)	0-5%	7-8
Sports (FIFA, NBA 2K)	5-10%	5-6
RPG/Adventure	10-15%	5-6

Method 5: PC Calibration (Advanced)

Time: 10 minutes | Difficulty: Intermediate

For precise calibration, use Windows Game Controllers:

1. Connect controller to PC via USB
2. Open Control Panel
3. Go to Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers
4. Right-click your controller and select Game controller settings
5. Click Properties
6. Go to the Settings tab
7. Click Calibrate
8. Follow the wizard to calibrate each axis

When Calibration Won't Help

Calibration fixes software/reference issues, but not hardware problems. You need physical repair if:

• Drift is severe (stick at rest reads 20%+ movement)
• Drift returns immediately after calibration
• Stick feels physically loose or grinds
• Problems persist across multiple games and platforms

For hardware issues, see our stick drift repair guide.

Calibration Checklist

Before and after calibration, verify:

• Both sticks return to center (0, 0) when released
• Full range of motion in all directions
• Consistent sensitivity across all angles
• No input registered when sticks are untouched
• Smooth movement without jumping or stuttering