4 Quick Ways to Fix Steam Deck Thumbsticks started to Drift

Thumbsticks on game controllers, such as those found on the Steam Deck, can sometimes suffer from “drifting.”

This is when the thumbstick starts gets input even when it is not being physically moved. This can be a frustrating issue for gamers, as it can interfere with their ability to control their characters or vehicles in-game.

Just to let you know that you are not alone in this problem as many users have reported it.

There are a few different causes for drifting thumbsticks, and we have 4 quick solutions for you that can be used to fix the problem.

Also Read: 6 Methods for Extending the Life of Your Steam Deck’s Battery

Steam Deck Stick Drift 1

Solution 1: Update the Steam deck

The analog stick continues to receive input even after you let it go could be due to some random bug so its best to update your Steam Deck as

A patch to fix the Steam Deck stick drift issue was released recently, and Valve recommends that you install it to get rid of the problem. And so far, it has seemed to work for most users.

To check if you are using the latest OS of steam on Steam Deck, you need to:

  1. Tap on the Steam Button to open the sidebar
  2. Go to Settings
  3. Find System (second option)
    how to update steam deck
  4. yellow icon will appear that will tell you if an update is available and what’s new
  5. Click on Apply and Restart the Steam deck for the console to complete the update.
  6. Repeat the process to see if there’s any other update pending until it says it is up to date

If you are unable to update your steam deck, consider checking our Steam Deck Not Updating guide of ours to

Solution 2: Clean the Dust

To fix drifting issues with your Steam Deck Joystick, you may need to clean the area around the thumbstick to remove any dust or dirt that has accumulated there.

Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the area to remove any buildup gently. It is essential to do this regularly, especially in the early days of using the controller, to ensure that it is functioning properly. If the problem persists after cleaning, you may need to try the next solution.

Also Read: No Audio on Steam Deck? Here Are 6 Easy Fixes

Solution 3: Change Dead Zone to Default

If nothing helps then all you can do is change your controller settings.

Remember: You have to apply these settings to every game when you face Steam Deck stick drifting

Just follow the steps below:

  1. While you are in-game press the Steam button on the Deck to go to controller settings
  2. Select Edit Layout
    edit
  3. And then select the right joystick cog icon
    right
  4. Go to Dead Zones and change it to Default
  5. Now restart your game and you will able to get over Steam Deck thumbsticks started to drift

Solution 4: Contact Steam Deck Support

If you cannot get rid of the My Steam Deck thumbsticks that have started to drift after clearing the dust and other solutions, you should contact Steam Deck support and ask them to perform the necessary repairs on the console.

My Steam Deck thumbsticks have started to drift

If still, you have a query feel free to share your experiences and question in the comments section down below.

Zul
Zul

Zul is an avid gamer with a passion for RPG and racing games. He enjoys playing games like Need for Speed and Grand Theft Auto 5 and is also skilled at fixing errors and crashes to enhance the gaming experience. Zul stays up-to-date with the latest gaming news and enjoys sharing his knowledge through writing gaming guides and articles.
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