Over the Christmas break, I decided to tackle an issue that had been affecting my gaming experience: stick drift on my Xbox controller. For those unfamiliar, stick drift is when the thumbstick registers movement even when it’s not being touched, making gameplay frustrating, and when playing first person shooters, FPS, affecting aim (or at least this is what I tell myself). Instead of buying a new controller, I thought, why not try fixing it myself, worse case, I buy a new controller.
Diagnosing the Issue
The symptoms were clear: my reticle when playing FPS games kept moving even when the controller was on the desk. To help me prove it was the controller and not the game settings I headed over to https://hardwaretester.com/gamepad and plugged my controller in. As shown below with my poorly taken photo (next time use the PC and take a screenshot Lee) we can see there was definitely a problem. I am not touching the thumbstick.
Gathering Tools and Supplies
Here’s what I used for the repair:
- A set of precision screwdrivers,
- A soldering iron, hot air station and solder
- Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and cotton swabs for cleaning
- Replacement joysticks
- Tweezers and a spudger for disassembly
- A PCB clamp and digital microscope,
- A steady hand and a lot of patience
Disassembly: Getting Inside the Controller
The first challenge was opening the Xbox controller. The screws are hidden under the back grips and a label inside the battery compartment, so a bit of prying and peeling was necessary. Once inside, I carefully detached the circuit board to access the analog stick modules. I had to use my digital microscope to help remove some of the ribbon cables as my eyes would not let me see how they operated without it. It looks really big in this picture but trust me, it isn’t.
When it was completely removed and ready to work on, I stuck it into my clamp.
The Repair Process
Here’s a step-by-step of what I did:
- Desoldering the Old Modules: Using the hot air station a soldering iron some flux and de-soldering wick, I removed the broken joystick module from the circuit board. This step required precision to avoid damaging the board.
- Installing the New Module: After cleaning the area with IPA, I soldered the new joystick module into place. It was crucial to ensure the connections were solid to prevent future issues.
- Putting it back together: Once the repair was complete, I reassembled the controller and tested it.
Testing and Results
The moment of truth arrived when I powered on the controller. To my relief, the stick drift was gone!
I used the same site as before, https://hardwaretester.com/gamepad, to help verify no drift, this time the photo is a little better with a partially built controller.
Key Takeaways?
- Preparation is Key: Having the right tools and a clean workspace made the process smoother. I’d definitely recommend solder wick and flux. It made removing the old joystick so much easier.
- Take Your Time: Rushing can lead to mistakes, especially when dealing with delicate components. I get frustrated quite easily but I said, no, this could save me a lot of money take my time.
- Practice Makes Perfect: While my first repair went well, I’d like to refine my soldering skills for future projects. Some of the joints were not perfect, a little too much solder, and I’ve never attempted any SMD soldering, something for the future?
Final Thoughts
Fixing stick drift was a rewarding experience. Not only did I save money by not buying a new controller, but I also gained confidence in my repair skills. If you’re dealing with stick drift and feel up for a challenge, I highly recommend giving this repair a try. Just be sure to take your time and enjoy the process—it was a great way to learn something new over Christmas for me!
