Skip to main content
Controller Diagnostic

Controller Trigger Test

Test your PS5, Xbox, Switch, or PC gamepad's L2/R2 (LT/RT) analog triggers online. Measures 0.00 to 1.00 pressure linearity, dead zones, and throttle truncation free.

Analog Trigger Oscilloscope
Awaiting Connection NONE

Left Trigger (L2 / LT)

0.0%
Pressure Waveform
Raw Value 0.0000
Max Peak 0.0%
Linearity Smooth

Right Trigger (R2 / RT)

0.0%
Pressure Waveform
Raw Value 0.0000
Max Peak 0.0%
Linearity Smooth

Trigger Linearity Performance Benchmarks

Analog triggers must provide smooth, proportional input progression across the entire stroke. Evaluate your trigger readings against these standards:

Full Linear Range (Healthy)

Rests at 0.00% when untouched and reaches 100.0% smoothly when bottomed out without signal spikes.

Truncated Stroke (Watch)

Trigger caps out between 85% and 95% at full pull. Caused by swollen rubber dampers or misaligned magnet sensors.

Dead Band / Jitter (Fault)

Trigger fails to register initial 20% travel or flickers wildly. Indicates broken return spring or oxidized sensor.

How to Get Started

Just three steps to run a complete controller test and understand your controller's health status.

01

Connect Controller

Connect your controller to your computer via USB cable or Bluetooth. If the browser doesn't respond, press any button on the controller to activate the connection.

02

Button Detection

Press each button in the visual interface and confirm the corresponding area lights up on screen. This helps troubleshoot unresponsive or double-clicking buttons.

03

Sticks & Vibration

Rotate the sticks to check linearity and drift issues; click the vibration test button to feel if the left and right motor feedback is working properly.

What would you like to do next?

Select a diagnostic calibration suite, deadzone analyzer, or high-frequency overclock tool.

Fix

Repair & Calibration

Calibrate zero-point offsets or follow step-by-step repair guides.

WebHID Calibration
Optimize

Game Deadzones

Calculate exact radial vs axial deadzone overlays for Fortnite, Apex, & COD.

Deadzone Calculator
Telemetry

Overclock & Circularity

Verify browser-observed update timing Hz stability and statistical circularity grades.

Hz & Circularity Tools

Need a complete gamepad hardware checkup?

Combine trigger linearity analysis with stick drift, button matrix, and haptic rumble diagnostics.

Run Full Wizard Get Health Score

Related Diagnostic Tools

Stick Drift Tester

Isolated 0.1% stick centering detector.

Button Tester

Test button ghosting and response speed.

Vibration Tester

Test dual haptic rumble motors independently.

Polling Rate Checker

Measure input report frequency in Hz.
Play & Practice

Practice what you just tested

Turn your test results into skill. These arcade games train the exact inputs you just measured — drift, buttons, triggers, D-pad and reaction time.

Browse all games
+150 XP

Trigger Racer

Hold R2/RT in the green zone to chase the speed target.

Play
+125 XP

Asteroid Dash

Dodge asteroids and collect orbs with R2/RT boost.

Play
+150 XP

Kart Drift

High-speed top-down racing. Master the art of the drift in this 3-lap time trial.

Play

The Importance of Analog Trigger Linearity

Unlike digital microswitch bumpers (L1/R1) that operate as simple binary ON/OFF contacts, analog triggers (L2/LT and R2/RT) measure progressive displacement across a continuous physical stroke.

In racing simulations (such as iRacing, Forza Motorsport, and F1), precise modulation between 15% and 85% trigger travel dictates throttle feathering and trail-braking control. In tactical shooters, hair-trigger response determines weapon aim-down-sight (ADS) engagement speed.

Sensor Architectures: Hall Effect vs. Potentiometers

  • Hall-Effect Magnetic Sensors: Used in modern Xbox Wireless and premium third-party gamepads. A permanent neodymium magnet affixed to the trigger arm moves closer to a Hall IC on the motherboard. The IC measures the changing magnetic flux density without physical friction, providing lifetime calibration stability.
  • Rotational Potentiometers: Common in older gamepads and budget controllers. A mechanical wiper rotates across a resistive film, making them vulnerable to dirt accumulation, dead initial travel, and electrical noise spikes.

Diagnosing Common Trigger Hardware Faults

  1. Truncated 100% Throttle: If your trigger stops at 0.88 or 0.92 under maximum finger pressure, the internal silicone dampening pad has compressed or slipped out of place, physically halting trigger travel before the sensor reaches maximum saturation.
  2. Resting Trigger Drag (Ghost Pull): If the trigger reports 0.03 or 0.05 while resting untouched, the internal trigger return spring has fatigued, causing accidental aim-down-sight zooming or weapon firing.
  3. Stepped / Non-Linear Jumps: If trigger values jump abruptly (e.g., skipping from 0.30 directly to 0.70), debris or magnet misalignment is causing non-linear sensor saturation.

Step-by-Step Remediation Protocols

  • In-Game Maximum Deadzone Tuning: If a trigger physically bottoms out at 90%, configure your game's trigger outer deadzone to 10% (or max threshold to 90%) to force full in-game throttle at physical bottom-out.
  • Damper Cleaning & Re-Seating: Disassemble the outer grip shell and inspect the silicone bumper stop at the base of the trigger lever. Replace flattened dampener pads to restore full mechanical swing.
  • Trigger Spring Replacement: Install a high-tension replacement torsion spring if the trigger exhibits loose initial play or fails to reset to true 0.00% rest.

Controller Hardware Glossary & Tips

Stick Drift & Deadzones

Stick drift occurs when analog sticks register input without being touched. This is typically caused by physical wear in traditional carbon-film potentiometers. A deadzone is a software-level threshold (e.g., 5-10%) applied to ignore these microscopic false inputs.

Hall Effect Sensors

Unlike traditional ALPS potentiometers, Hall Effect modules use magnetic fields to measure stick position. Because there is no physical contact or friction between the internal components, they are virtually immune to wear-induced stick drift, drastically extending the controller's lifespan.

Polling Rate (Hz) & Input Latency

Polling rate is how often your controller sends data to your device, measured in Hertz (Hz). A standard Bluetooth connection yields around 125Hz (8ms latency). Overclocking or using a wired USB connection can push this to 500Hz-1000Hz (1ms-2ms latency), critical for competitive gaming.

Circularity Error

When you rotate a joystick along its outer edge, a perfect module should trace a mathematically perfect circle. Circularity error measures the deviation from this perfect circle. High deviations (>15%) can result in uneven diagonal movement speeds in FPS games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about testing your controller.

Why does my controller trigger only reach 80% or 90% when fully depressed?

Truncated trigger travel is caused by worn or displaced internal rubber dampers, cracked trigger stop hinges, or potentiometer track oxidation. In racing games, capping below 100% prevents your vehicle from achieving maximum full-throttle acceleration.

How does analog trigger pressure testing work?

The Gamepad API samples the analog trigger axes (typically buttons[6] and buttons[7]) as high-precision 64-bit float values from 0.0000 (resting) to 1.0000 (fully bottomed out). Our visualizer graphs your trigger displacement curve in real time at 60fps.

What is the difference between potentiometer and Hall-effect triggers?

Potentiometer triggers use physical contact wipers that develop dead zones and electrical jitter over time. Modern controllers (such as Xbox Series X and Hall-effect gamepads) use magnetic Hall-effect sensors and permanent neodymium magnets to measure trigger depth with zero friction wear.

Does this tool test PS5 DualSense adaptive triggers?

Yes. It measures the physical analog travel distance. While browser APIs cannot dynamically program the DualSense micro-motor resistance profiles, our tool accurately tracks whether the trigger travel registers smoothly from 0% to 100% without signal clipping.

How do I fix a controller trigger that does not reach 100%?

Inspect the trigger housing for dislodged rubber silencing pads that block full travel. If the issue is sensor-related, calibrate the trigger endpoints using Windows Game Controllers settings (joy.cpl) or increase in-game trigger sensitivity / maximum deadzone to 90%.

How this test works & its limits
  • This test reads your controller through the browser's standard Gamepad API — no drivers, no installs, nothing leaves your device.
  • Readings depend on connection mode: Bluetooth reports at lower rates than USB. Compare like-for-like (wired vs wired).
  • We measure the input reaching the browser — display lag and game-engine queues are outside this test's view.
  • A clean reading now does not guarantee no drift in-game: deadzones differ per game, and wear develops over time. Use the Drift Timeline to track yours.
  • This is a diagnostic, not a hardware-lab certification. For repair or RMA decisions, confirm with a second run or second tool.
Read the full methodology
100% Client-Side

All Gamepad API data stays in your browser. Zero tracking or data collection.

Instant Results

No downloads, plugins, or software installation needed. Works instantly.

Free Forever

No paywalls, subscription requirements, or hidden usage limits.