What the Xbox controller tester checks
It works with Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox Series X|S, Elite and Adaptive controllers, plus most third-party pads that act like an Xbox controller on Windows:
- A, B, X and Y and the d-pad.
- LB and RB bumpers, LT and RT analog triggers from 0.00 to 1.00.
- Left and right sticks with position, trail, off-center value and LS / RS clicks.
- View, Menu and the Xbox button.
- Vibration: both main motors; trigger motors on the vibration test page.
How to connect an Xbox controller to a PC
USB cable
Xbox Series controllers use USB-C, older Xbox One controllers micro-USB. Windows installs the driver automatically. Wired is the best way to run an Xbox controller test, because it rules out wireless interference and battery problems.
Bluetooth
- Press the Xbox button to turn the controller on.
- Hold the pair button on the top edge until the Xbox button flashes quickly.
- In Windows open Settings, Bluetooth & devices, Add device, Bluetooth, and choose Xbox Wireless Controller.
Original Xbox One controllers from before 2016 have no Bluetooth. You can tell by the plastic around the Xbox button: if it is part of the top shell with the bumpers, the controller has no Bluetooth.
Xbox Wireless Adapter
Plug in the adapter, press its pair button, then hold the pair button on the controller. The adapter usually gives a steadier connection than Bluetooth.
Xbox button map in the browser
Browsers report Xbox controllers in the standard gamepad mapping. Emulators and browser games use these numbers:
| Index | Button | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | A | |
| 1 | B | |
| 2 | X | |
| 3 | Y | |
| 4 | LB | |
| 5 | RB | |
| 6 | LT | LT, analog 0.00 – 1.00 |
| 7 | RT | RT, analog 0.00 – 1.00 |
| 8 | View | View (Back on Xbox 360) |
| 9 | Menu | Menu (Start on Xbox 360) |
| 10 | Left stick (LS) | |
| 11 | Right stick (RS) | |
| 12 | D-pad up | |
| 13 | D-pad down | |
| 14 | D-pad left | |
| 15 | D-pad right | |
| 16 | Xbox | Not reported on every system |
The left stick uses axes 0 and 1, the right stick axes 2 and 3. Up on a stick is a negative Y value, which is the web standard.
Common Xbox controller problems
Stick drift
Let go of both sticks and read Off center. Above 0.08 at rest is drift that can move the camera in games with a small deadzone. The stick drift test gives a timed reading for both sticks.
Bumper stops working or double clicks
LB and RB use small tactile switches that wear out. Press each one ten times and compare the counter. Missed presses, or two counts for one press, point to a worn switch.
Trigger stuck or short
Squeeze LT and RT slowly. The value should move smoothly from 0.00 to about 1.00. Elite controllers with trigger stops set to short travel will stop early on purpose; flip the stop switch to test full travel.
Disconnects
If the tester loses the controller now and then, try fresh batteries, move closer to the PC, or test wired. If wired is stable and wireless is not, the problem is the wireless link, not the controller buttons.
Xbox vibration test
Press Rumble to run both motors, or Strong motor and Weak motor to run them one at a time. The strong motor is in the left grip, the weak motor in the right. To test the trigger motors, use the controller vibration test, which drives each trigger separately in Chrome and Edge on Windows.
Other controllers
Have a PlayStation pad as well? Use the PS5 controller tester. Any other controller works in the main gamepad tester.