How to calibrate a PS5 controller
The PS5 has no menu to calibrate the DualSense sticks. These are the options that exist, from safest to riskiest – measure the stick before and after each one.
Measure the drift first
Connect the DualSense to a computer and run the PS5 controller drift test. Note the peak offset of each stick so you can tell whether a later step helped.
Reset the controller
Turn off the PS5 and unplug the controller. On the back of the DualSense, find the small hole next to the Sony logo, press the reset button inside with a pin for at least 5 seconds, then reconnect the controller with its USB cable and press the PS button. Sony lists this reset as the first step for controller problems. It is harmless, but don’t expect it to cure a worn stick.
Update the firmware
Controller updates arrive with PS5 system updates. To check manually, go to Settings → Accessories → Controller (General) → DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software. Sony also offers a way to update from a Windows PC. Don’t disconnect the controller while it updates.
Try a third-party calibration tool – at your own risk
DualShock Tools is a free browser tool, not made by Sony, that recalibrates the stick centre and range of the DualShock 4, DualSense and DualSense Edge. It needs a browser with WebHID – Chrome or Edge on a computer – and only stores the new calibration permanently if you choose to save it. Its own page warns that it cannot fix drift caused by worn parts and that recalibrating a worn stick can make things worse. It writes to the controller, so if yours is still under warranty, claim first.
Test again
Run the stick drift test again. It compares the new result with your last one for the same controller type, so you can see whether the drift went down.
If it still drifts
Use the warranty if the controller is still covered, or see how to fix stick drift for cleaning and stick replacement. As a workaround, raise the deadzone in the game’s controller settings – the drift test suggests a value.
DualSense Edge
The Edge adds what the standard DualSense lacks: in a custom profile you can set the sensitivity curve and deadzone of each stick under Stick Sensitivity/Deadzone. A deadzone hides drift rather than fixing it. The Edge’s stick modules can also be swapped without tools – test the old and new module on the DualSense Edge drift test.
PS5 controller calibration FAQ
Can you calibrate a PS5 controller on the PS5?
No. The PS5 has no stick calibration option for the DualSense. Resetting the controller and updating its firmware are the official troubleshooting steps; after that, Sony points to its repair service.
Does resetting a PS5 controller fix stick drift?
Rarely on its own. A reset is a quick, safe first step that rules out a glitch, but drift from a worn or dirty stick needs cleaning, a repair or a replacement stick.
Is DualShock Tools safe to use?
It is a third-party tool that writes new calibration data to the controller. Changes are only kept permanently if you save them, but the tool itself warns that recalibrating a worn stick can make things worse. Measure before and after, and claim the warranty first if the controller is still covered.
How do I update my DualSense firmware?
On the PS5, go to Settings → Accessories → Controller (General) → DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software. Updates are also offered after PS5 system updates, and Sony provides a way to update from a Windows PC.
Does the DualSense Edge have a deadzone setting?
Yes. In a custom profile on the PS5 you can set the sensitivity and deadzone of each stick. Its stick modules can also be replaced without tools.