Xbox Duke Controller Control Sticks Drift

If the control sticks of your Xbox Duke Controller are drifting, follow this troubleshooting page for solutions.

Potentiometers are a resistor that changes electrical resistance as it moves, and video game controllers like the Duke translate the changing electrical output into inputs that recognize a character moving. The pieces inside a potentiometer, especially low-quality ones, can rub up against each other and wear out. When that happens, the electrical resistance doesn't change like it should and reads like there is movement when the player isn't inputting a direction.

Dirt, hair, dust, etc. can get underneath the control stick. This can inhibit movement within the potentiometer or even cause components to wear out faster.

• An easy fix is to press the control stick until you hear a "click" and then spray a small amount of quick-drying contact cleaner (formulated for use in sensitive electronics). Roll the stick around to work it into the controller and let it dry for 15-20 minutes.
• If that doesn't work, opening the controller and thoroughly cleaning the component with a Q-Tip lightly soaked in isopropyl alcohol may fix this issue.
• Otherwise, the potentiometer may need to be fully replaced with a new one.

Follow this guide in order to access the potentiometers and either clean or replace these components.

The final fix for any of these problems, should the troubleshooting fixes or replacement guides not work, is to replace the Xbox Duke controller's motherboard. The motherboard itself recognizes control stick input and can wear out due to power surges, faulty components, overheating, physical damage, etc. The motherboard breaking is a rare occurrence, but not impossible.