How To Fix Broken Xbox One Controller Joystick

There's a loot box to your left, but your Xbox controller won't move left. You need to duck, but your Xbox controller won't roll down. Or you need to take a right turn, but your Xbox controller won't stop moving left. When you're gaming, nothing is more frustrating than a controller that won't cooperate. Why isn't your Xbox controller moving?

Your Xbox controller won't move because the sensors under your thumbstick guide are damaged, there's a sticking issue (spilled beverages), or you're experiencing stick drift. Do a hard reset and clean your controller with a microfiber cloth or a toothpick dipped in isopropyl to fix it.

This article will provide you with some simple tips for troubleshooting your Xbox controller. It'll teach you some easy ways to fix common controller problems. If you want to get back to gaming and save time and money, this article will have you playing again in no time!

My Xbox Controller Won't Let Me Move

Here are some things you can do if your Xbox controller won't move your character at all, but other functions are working:

Try Playing Something Different

If your controller works in the new game, you're probably dealing with a game glitch. Heavy traffic can also lead to painful lagging or choppy responses.

Do a Hard Reset

Often, you can get your controller working again with a hard reset. To reset your Xbox controller, press and hold the Xbox button for about six seconds. Wait a little bit, then turn your controller back on.

Check Your Xbox Controller's Firmware

If you cannot connect wirelessly, use a Micro USB cable.

If your firmware is current and functioning, you'll receive a "No Update Available" message.

If it's out of date or corrupted, you'll receive an "Update Required" message and will be able to download the proper firmware.

Check your batteries. Before low batteries shut your Xbox controller down altogether, it may begin acting erratic. Try a fresh pair of batteries and see if that helps.

Play with a wired controller. If you're out of batteries, don't despair! With a Micro USB cable, you can turn your wireless Xbox One controller into a wired controller. That'll get you back to gaming until you can buy new batteries. If you have the Play and Charge Kit, the battery will charge while you play!

Use your spare controllers. If you have another controller available, try swapping it for your unresponsive Xbox controller. If that solves your issue, the problem lies with the original controller. If you still cannot move, you need to check your Xbox, as there may be an issue with the Network Interface Controller (NIC) card.

If the issue lies with your Xbox, you can see if a hard console reset solves the problem.

Try playing something different. If your controller works in the new game, you're probably dealing with a game glitch. Heavy traffic can also lead to painful lagging or choppy responses.

Check Your Xbox Controller's Firmware

If you cannot connect wirelessly, use a Micro USB cable.

Open Settings on your Xbox.
Go to Devices and Streaming, then Accessories.
Navigate to your controller.
Choose Device Info/Firmware.

If your firmware is current and functioning, you'll receive a "No Update Available" message.

If it's out of date or corrupted, you'll receive an "Update Required" message and will be able to download the proper firmware.

Check Your Batteries

Before low batteries shut your Xbox controller down altogether, it may begin acting erratic. Try a fresh pair of batteries and see if that helps.

Play With a Wired Controller

If you're out of batteries, don't despair! With a Micro USB cable, you can turn your wireless Xbox One controller into a wired controller. That'll get you back to gaming until you can buy new batteries. If you have the Play and Charge Kit, the battery will charge while you play!

Use Your Spare Controllers

If you have another controller available, try swapping it for your unresponsive Xbox controller. If that solves your issue, the problem lies with the original controller. If you still cannot move, you need to check your Xbox, as there may be an issue with the Network Interface Controller (NIC) card.

If the issue lies with your Xbox, you can see if a hard console reset solves the problem.

Press the button and keep pressing it until the console has shut down.
Disconnect the power cable.
Wait at least ten seconds.
With the power cable still disconnected, press the button 4-5 times to drain the console's battery.
Reconnect the power cable
When the power brick light changes from white to orange, restart the Xbox.

If the problem persists and your console is still under warranty, you should get in touch with Xbox, your distributor, or the retailer to get it fixed or replaced.

My Xbox Controller Won't Move Left/Right/Down/Up

Your Xbox one controller works correctly in all but one direction. The left stick is not moving forward, or it doesn't respond when you move it right.

The Sensors Under Your Thumbstick Guide May Be Damaged

A horizontal sensor and a vertical sensor track your joystick's movement.

If the horizontal sensor is defective, you may have problems with turning.

If the vertical sensor is damaged, you may have trouble sprinting or find your CAPS LOCK key stuck.

The Thumbstick Guides Inside the Controller May Be Broken

If the issue disappears when you pull the stick up, broken thumbstick guides are the most likely cause.

You May Have a Sticking Issue

Spilled drinks, dirty fingers, or dust can all gum up your controller.

Cleaning your Xbox controller regularly with gentle strokes of soft microfiber cloth will help avoid sticking issues.

Pay special attention to the "grip zone" where you hold the computer.

If your controller is especially dirty, you can spray a small amount of isopropyl alcohol mixed 50:50 with water on your cloth.

Short bursts of compressed air can blow out the dust, fibers, pet hair, and other unwanted grime.

Moisten a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol and clean all buttons, thumbsticks, D-pads, and triggers.

If the problem persists, you can open the Xbox controller for internal cleaning. Be advised that this will void the warranty and may lead to further damage.

My Xbox Controller Won't Stop Moving

Having a controller that won't move is terrible. So is having a controller that won't stop. Maybe your controller keeps turning left when you want to go straight, moves too fast, or jumps around the screen.

You May Be Suffering From "Stick Drift"

According to a class-action lawsuit, many Xbox controllers suffer from "phantom input" or "stick drift" due to design flaws.

A potentiometer tracks stick motion along a curved track.

As the tracking meter scrapes material from the track, it can sense motion where none exists.

Failing sensors or worn thumbstick pads and springs can also cause stick drift.

If Your Computer Keeps Scrolling Up, You May Have a Stuck LB Button

Dropped controllers or a dirty button may cause this issue.

Clean the crevices around the button gently with a toothpick dipped in isopropyl alcohol until you pop the button back out.

If you know how to handle a soldering iron, you can replace a drifting joystick yourself. These repairs will void your warranty and may lead to painful blisters if you're not careful.

How Do I Fix My Xbox One Controller From Moving So Fast?

Since 2018. users have complained about Xbox controllers scrolling too quickly through menus and jumping around the screen. Users have proposed several answers to the "Fast Scroll" issue.

Pressing RB + a face button has solved the Fast Scroll bug for some issues, though others say it didn't help.

Some have resolved the issue by updating the controller's firmware.

Disconnecting and then reconnecting the controller reportedly helps in some cases.

Others say a console reset turned Fast Scroll off.

Problems with the right analog stick can cause scrolling issues. Check for worn pads and sensors and replace the joystick if necessary.

Xbox Controller Vibration Broken/Not Working

Xbox Not Turning On

Xbox Netflix Not Working

Xbox Netflix Sound/Audio/Volume Not Working/Out of Sync

Xbox Netflix Not Loading/Opening/Playing