[Digital Today reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] 'Stick drift,' in which a character moves or the screen turns on its own even when not playing, is repeatedly occurring in game controllers. In some cases, simple cleaning can ease symptoms, but if the warranty period remains, it is recommended to check the manufacturer's repair or replacement options first rather than disassembling it yourself.

Engadget reported on Aug. 11 that stick drift is when an in-game camera moves to one side or movement inputs for a character or vehicle persist even though the user is not touching the analog stick.

The issue has been consistently raised, especially for Sony's PS5 DualSense and Microsoft's Xbox Wireless Controller. It has become one of the representative chronic problems for controllers in recent years.

An alternative cited to reduce stick drift is the 'Hall effect' analog stick. It detects stick position using magnets and changes in magnetic fields, which can help reduce wear problems that can occur in existing contact-type parts.

But Hall effect sticks are not used in the DualSense and Xbox Wireless Controller. As a result, if parts wear with long-term use or dust enters, drift may occur.

If stick drift is suspected, it is best to first check whether there is an abnormal input. If the game screen keeps turning to one side or a character moves in a specific direction without moving the stick, drift is possible. In some cases, adjusting stick sensitivity in game settings can temporarily reduce symptoms, but it is not a fundamental solution if a physical component problem is the cause.

In some cases, symptoms can be eased simply by removing dust or debris that has built up around the stick. Even if cleaning is attempted, caution is needed about disassembling the controller yourself. Internal parts are tightly arranged, and incorrect disassembly can worsen the existing problem or damage other components.

It is especially important to check the warranty period. Engadget recommended that if the controller is still under warranty, users should not open it themselves and should contact Sony or Microsoft to check whether repair or replacement is possible.

Damage during self-disassembly could affect warranty support. Therefore, for a controller with drift, it is safer to proceed in this order: confirm symptoms, check warranty status, contact the manufacturer about repair or replacement, and take self-measures such as cleaning if needed.

Stick drift does not mean every controller must be replaced. If contamination or debris is the cause, cleaning may reduce symptoms.

If wear or damage to internal parts is the cause, cleaning alone is unlikely to fix it. In that case, it is better to use official repair services rather than forcing a self-repair attempt.

Ultimately, because stick drift is a problem that has repeatedly occurred in game controllers for a long time, it is important for users to accurately identify symptoms and respond. If warranty coverage remains, checking manufacturer support should come before an 'open it up first' approach.