Gamepad stick drift: interpret the browser signal
A stick that does not return exactly to zero can be suspicious, but center noise, deadzones, mapping and calibration all matter. Look for a stable offset and whether it follows the controller.
Center is a range, not a magic zero
Open the gamepad test, leave the controller untouched and watch the axis values for several seconds. Small movement around center can occur because analog sticks and browser mappings are not perfectly noiseless. A stronger signal is an offset that stays biased in one direction, repeatedly returns to the same off-center value, or visibly moves game input without your touch.
Test both sticks and both directions
Move each stick slowly to its limits, release it and observe where it settles. Repeat several times. Compare left/right and up/down behavior rather than focusing on one decimal reading. If only one axis repeatedly settles away from center while the other axes remain stable, that is more useful evidence than a single snapshot.
Browser mapping can differ
The Gamepad API exposes the controller through the browser and operating system. Axis order and button mapping can vary for non-standard devices, and some browsers expose a controller only after a button press. If the values look strange, compare another browser before deciding the controller is miscalibrated.
Reconnect and calibrate before replacing hardware
Disconnect/reconnect the controller, compare wired and wireless modes when available, and use the operating system or manufacturer calibration tool if the device provides one. Firmware updates and platform-specific deadzone settings can change how a small physical offset is interpreted in games.
Deadzone changes can hide or reveal drift
A game may apply its own deadzone, so a controller can look centered in one title and drift in another. BenchRush shows the browser-visible axis rather than applying a game-specific deadzone. That makes the page useful for comparison, but it does not tell you what deadzone a particular game should use.
When the evidence points toward the controller
If the same off-center axis follows the controller across browsers, connection modes and another computer or console diagnostic, the hardware/calibration hypothesis becomes stronger. Use the manufacturer's support or warranty process for a final decision. BenchRush cannot inspect the potentiometer, Hall sensor, firmware calibration or raw HID packets.
Technical reference
The browser state comes from the standard Gamepad API. It is a useful application-layer signal, not a raw electrical measurement.