March 5, 2025, 9:41 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Not only do game consoles need updates, but their peripherals also need them. However, the new update for the Xbox controller is causing problems. TECHBOOK explains how users can proceed.
Games consoles are no longer what they used to be. The simple “plug-and-play” principle, i.e., “plug in and start playing,” only applies to a limited extent nowadays. Instead, as with PCs, the hardware needs regular software updates. And these can sometimes cause all kinds of difficulties. An update for the Xbox controller is currently causing headaches for a lot of gamers.
Update for Xbox Controller Causes Stick Drift
Several players have expressed their displeasure about the new problems on internet platforms such as Reddit. According to them, these are said to have arisen with the latest update for Xbox controllers, namely version 5.23.5.0. The symptoms are varied and make gaming almost impossible.
Among other things, fans are reporting so-called stick drift. This means that the game registers an actuation of the analog stick even though this did not actually take place. This can lead to uncontrolled command inputs — the character moves in the wrong direction, or you accidentally select the wrong item in the menu.
This phenomenon is well known, but usually as a result of mechanical wear and tear. It is unusual for the software to be responsible for this. In addition, gamers are increasingly plagued by disconnections between the controller and Xbox as well as incorrect button inputs. Microsoft now seems to have achieved the exact opposite of what the update was supposed to achieve: namely, more precision for the input device.
Deadzone at the Center of the Difficulties
Microsoft is aware of the problem. A user on Reddit published a screenshot from his conversation with Xbox support. It states that a new feature for the so-called dead zone is the cause.
The dead zone refers to the area near an analog stick where no input is registered despite the slightest movement. The update for Xbox controllers should now ensure that the dead zone is activated shortly before the stick returns to its original position. But this is exactly what is now failing.
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What Can Players Do Now?
One user wrote that he had tried several official controllers from Microsoft, all of which worked perfectly before the update but not afterward. It is, therefore, advisable to refrain from updating for the time being if possible.
It could also help to temporarily use third-party hardware until Microsoft has fixed the problem. However, it is not yet clear how quickly this will happen. One user has also described a method of resetting the firmware of their Xbox Elite Series 2 controller. Unfortunately, this does not work for the standard controllers.