What the PS5 controller tester checks
The DualSense test covers everything the browser can read from the controller:
- Face buttons: Cross, Circle, Square and Triangle.
- Shoulders: L1 and R1 as buttons, L2 and R2 as analog triggers from 0.00 to 1.00.
- Sticks: live position, trail, off-center value at rest, and L3 / R3 clicks.
- D-pad, Create, Options and PS button.
- Touchpad click (button 17).
- Rumble: the strong and weak motors, in browsers that support it.
How to connect a DualSense to a computer
With a USB-C cable
Use a cable that carries data, not a charge-only cable. The light bar turns on and Windows or macOS installs the controller automatically. Wired mode is the most reliable way to run a PS5 controller test, because it rules out Bluetooth problems.
Over Bluetooth
- Turn the controller off. Hold Create and the PS button together until the light bar blinks quickly.
- On Windows open Settings, Bluetooth & devices, Add device, Bluetooth. On macOS open System Settings, Bluetooth.
- Select Wireless Controller.
- Open this page and press any button.
To return the DualSense to the PS5 later, connect it to the console with the cable and press the PS button.
DualSense button map in the browser
Browsers use the standard gamepad mapping. This is how each DualSense input appears, which helps when a game or emulator asks for button numbers:
| Index | Button | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Cross | |
| 1 | Circle | |
| 2 | Square | |
| 3 | Triangle | |
| 4 | L1 | |
| 5 | R1 | |
| 6 | L2 | Analog, 0.00 – 1.00 |
| 7 | R2 | Analog, 0.00 – 1.00 |
| 8 | Create / Share | Labelled Create on DualSense |
| 9 | Options | |
| 10 | L3 | |
| 11 | R3 | |
| 12 | D-pad up | |
| 13 | D-pad down | |
| 14 | D-pad left | |
| 15 | D-pad right | |
| 16 | PS | PS button |
| 17 | Touchpad click | Click only, no finger position |
The left stick uses axes 0 and 1, the right stick axes 2 and 3. The microphone mute button is not part of the standard mapping, so it does not appear.
Common DualSense problems this test finds
Stick drift
The most common PS5 controller fault. Let go of both sticks: if Off center stays above 0.08, the stick reports movement on its own. The stick drift test measures both sticks for five seconds and tells you how bad it is.
L2 or R2 not reaching full
Squeeze each trigger fully and slowly. The bar should rise smoothly and reach 0.95 to 1.00. A trigger that stops early, jumps, or does not return to 0.00 has a sensor or spring problem. Adaptive trigger effects from a PS5 game can leave the trigger stiff until the controller restarts.
Buttons that miss or double press
Press each button ten times slowly and compare the counter. A missed press or a count of two for one press means a worn or dirty contact, often Cross or the d-pad.
Rumble missing
Press Rumble, Strong motor and Weak motor. If the buttons are greyed out, the browser does not offer vibration for this connection; try Chrome or Edge with a USB cable. The controller vibration test has more options.
What a browser cannot test on a PS5 controller
Web pages see the DualSense through the Gamepad API, which covers buttons, sticks, triggers and simple rumble. These features need the console or a dedicated app instead:
- Adaptive trigger resistance and detailed haptic feedback.
- Gyroscope and accelerometer (motion controls).
- Touchpad finger positions and gestures.
- Built-in speaker, microphone and headset jack.
- Light bar and player LED colours.
Other controllers
Testing an older PlayStation pad? Use the PS4 controller tester. For other brands, the main gamepad tester recognises Xbox, Nintendo and generic PC controllers automatically.