Controller drift or game deadzone? How to check raw stick values

A controller that drifts in one game but not another often reflects different software deadzones applied by each game rather than hardware failure. Competitive shooters with small deadzones expose stick looseness, while adventure games with larger defaults can hide it. To check, use a raw-value tester after pressing a button, since browsers only provide gamepad data after user interaction, and watch the resting stick reading. Values of 0.02 to 0.04 are normal noise, while persistent readings above about 0.08 are noticeable and above 0.15 are severe. A circle calibration test, where the stick is rotated two laps, can also reveal travel loss, with a roundness above 1.3 indicating a problem, and a dated screenshot of a high resting reading can support a warranty claim.