How controller repairs work

OEM joystick Stock feel

OEM means the same kind of stick the controller came with from the factory. Inside, a small contact slides across a thin resistive track to tell the console where the stick is. It is simple, proven, and feels exactly like your controller did on day one.

What it's good for

• The lowest price, and the right fit for older controllers where magnetic sticks are not offered, like the Xbox One.
• Anyone who wants the stock feel back with no change in behavior.
• A straightforward fix for a drifting, worn or loose stick.

What to know

Because the contact physically rubs the track, it wears over time, the same way your original stick did. A new OEM stick starts out fresh and can last a long time, but drift can come back eventually, especially with heavy daily play.

Works on: Xbox One, Xbox Series, PS4 and DualSense. 1-year warranty.

Hall Effect Drift-resistant

A Hall Effect stick has a small magnet that moves with the stick and a sensor that reads the magnet's position. Nothing rubs against anything to measure the movement, so the part of a stick that normally wears out and causes drift is gone.

What it's good for

• Players who got drift once and never want to deal with it again.
• Smooth, consistent movement over the life of the stick.
• A strong upgrade for the price. It fixes the root cause of drift, not just the symptom.

What to know

• The thumbstick caps, springs and plastic can still wear after years of use. Hall Effect removes the drift-causing sensor wear, not every kind of wear.
• Strong magnets placed right against the controller can interfere with it, so keep magnetic accessories away from the sticks.
• It can feel very slightly different from stock at first. I calibrate and test every stick before it goes back to you.

Works on: Xbox Series X and S, PS4 and DualSense. Not offered for Xbox One controllers. 1-year warranty.

TMR Most precise

TMR stands for tunnel magnetoresistance. It is also a magnet-based stick with no rubbing contact, but it uses a newer, more sensitive kind of magnetic sensor. In plain terms, it can read tiny movements more accurately and consistently than Hall Effect, and it typically uses less power.

What it's good for

• Competitive and high-hour players who want the tightest, most precise stick response.
• Fine aiming, where small stick movements matter.
• People who want the longest-lasting option available, with zero drift from sensor wear.

What to know

• It costs more than Hall Effect. If you just want drift gone, Hall Effect already does that. TMR is for people who want the extra precision.
• Like Hall Effect, it is magnet-based, so strong magnets near the sticks can cause problems.
• Caps, springs and plastic can still wear over time. I calibrate and test every stick before it goes back to you.

Works on: Xbox Series X and S, PS4 and DualSense. Not offered for Xbox One controllers. 1-year warranty.

Side by side

Prices are per stick. Bring several controllers and the multi-controller discount applies. Elite and DualSense Edge controllers have their own rules, see the Pro Controllers page.

Which one should I pick?

• On a budget, or an older controller: OEM.
• Tired of drift and want it fixed for good: Hall Effect.
• Competitive, or you just want the best: TMR.

Not sure? Text me what your controller is doing at 385-504-1091 and I'll point you to the right one.

🔧 How a joystick repair is done

1. Diagnose the driftI check the stick with a test tool to confirm it is drifting and rule out software or a dirty stick.
2. Open the controllerThe shell is opened carefully, avoiding ribbon cables and the battery.
3. Remove the old stick moduleThe worn stick module is desoldered or unclipped from the board.
4. Install the new stickAn OEM stick goes in for a straight replacement. For Hall Effect or TMR, a magnetic-sensor stick replaces the old one, which removes the wear point that causes drift.
5. Calibrate and testI test the full range of motion, deadzones and centering, then reassemble.

🔌 How a charging port repair is done

1. Confirm the problemI check whether the port is loose, bent, or no longer charging, and rule out the cable.
2. Open the controllerThe shell and battery are removed and the board is exposed.
3. Replace the portThe damaged port is desoldered and a new one is soldered in: USB-C for Xbox Series and DualSense, Micro USB for Xbox One. PS4 controllers can also be converted from Micro USB to USB-C.
4. Test and reassembleI test charging and data with a known-good cable and check for a solid fit before closing it up.

Ready to fix yours?