Tag Archives: DualSense

Technology

New teardown of PS5 DualSense controller claims it has ‘417 hours’ until stick drift kicks in

Leave a comment

A new teardown video of the PS5 DualSense controller has claimed it has a life of “417 hours” until stick drift kicks in.

Those who have been lucky enough to get their hands on a PS5 might have noticed that it’s not all sugar and rainbows with Sony’s powerful new console. Some players have been reporting that the dreaded stick drift phenomenon has reared its ugly head, severely impacting the gaming experience.

This has prompted some YouTube channels to revisit initial teardown videos of the PS5’s DualSense controller to see why this could be the case.

YouTube channel iFixit uploaded a new video recently to explore the DualSense, with the results pointing to the controller only have about 417 hours of use until it begins to have an effect on the controller’s joysticks.

The video shares a look at the controller and gives us some details from ALPS, whoc is the manufacturer of the joystick parts, and the results point towards the expected operation life for the sticks is 2,000,000 cycles and clicking in the analogue stick will last about 500,000 cycles.

What exactly does this mean? Well, the video above does some analysis on these cycles and translates them into something a bit more digestible. According to iFixit’s analysis using Call of Duty: Warzone as a test, this could mean that a controller has about 417 hours until the operating lifecycle of the sticks will hit its maximum.

Putting this further into perspective, if you were to play your PS5 console for just two hours a day, you will get about seven months of use out of your controller before you begin to notice drifting. This is something that just happens with this joystick hardware as, over time, the general use of the controller will wear down the potentiometers which are generally what causes the drift to take start taking place.

Of course, the numbers above will be different for everyone depending on the games you play. It is also important to note that something like Call of Duty: Warzone, which requires a lot of moving and clicking, is going to be an intense workout on your controller, especially if you’re playing it for many hours at a time.

The most worrying part about all of this, however, is that those who watched the initial teardown videos of the PS5 controller knew that this was already the case.
A previous teardown video from iFixit pointed out clearly that the joysticks inside the DualSense were the same found in the PS4 controller, using tech that’s also used in the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. All of these controllers have experienced some form of joystick drift over the years, most notably the PS4 DualShock and Nintendo’s JoyCons.

If you happen to be experiencing joystick drift with your DualSense controller, the channel lists a few options you have open to you. First, you can either try to fix it yourself, send it away to be fixed, or you can try talking to Sony if the controller is still under warranty. If none of these options work, however, then you might just have to buy a brand new DualSense.

If you’re still trying to find a new console, here’s where to buy a PS5. 

Read original article here

Technology

PS5 DualSense Teardown Shows Potential Causes for Drifting Issues

Leave a comment

A new DualSense controller teardown video from IFixIt has revealed potential causes for the drifting issues that some PS5 owners have been experiencing.The video from IFixIt, which you can watch here, explains how the DualSense uses “off-the-shelf joystick hardware with a long history of predictable, preventable issues.”

These joystick modules are manufactured by a company called ALPS and have been used by such other controllers as PS4’s DualShock 4, the Xbox One and Xbox Elite controller, and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.The particular model number used in the DualSense controller, RKJXV, has an operating life of two million cycles, while the life span of the center push function is around 500,000 cycles.

IFixIt mentions that, while this number can vary greatly depending on how often you play games and what types of games you play, these parts can exceed their lifespan with just over 400 hours of game time. This “back of the napkin math” is based on IFixIt employees’ Call of Duty gameplay.

However, that is assuming there are no drifting issues experienced before then. Much like the Nintendo Switch, there have already been cases of DualSense drifting issues, and a lawsuit has been filed against Sony for these problems.

However, IFixIt mentions that ALPS is most likely not to blame for these drift issues and “probably aren’t the villain of this story.”The main cause of drifting actually appears to be related to the potentiometers, which help sense what type of movement a player is trying to accomplish.

Each joystick has two potentiometers in them that are perpendicular to each other, and they measure both up and down and left and right.

Potentiometers are a three-terminal system that uses voltage to measure the position of the joystick. The third terminal, known as the wiper, slides around a semi-circular track. When you move the joystick, the position of the wiper – relative to a neutral, central position – allows the controller to know where and how you are trying to move.

There are two other parts that can potentially cause issues, a spring that returns the joystick to a centered, neutral position, and one that allows the thumbsticks to be pushed in.Over time, the spring can stretch and create a new neutral position off-center. This would make it so the potentiometers think your thumb is moving the joystick even if you aren’t, causing drift.

Contaminants and imperfections can cause also drift, as they can alter the voltage and can cause erroneous readings across terminals. These range from plastic dust from components grinding together to outside elements like food or drink.

IFixIt offers some solutions for fixes, including taking off the potentiometers housing and cleaning or replacing wipers. Some of the more advanced options include soldering and there are plenty of YouTube videos on how to do that if you wish to try it.

The Best PS5 Games

Technology

PS5 DualSense Controller Drift: Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Sony

Leave a comment

A US lawfirm has filed a class action lawsuit against Sony, alleging that the PS5 DualSense controller is defective due to drift, and that Sony was aware of the problem without disclosing it. The suit calls Sony’s conduct, “fraudulent, deceptive, unlawful, and unfair”.Last week, we reported on an investigation into DualSense drift by law firm Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP (CSK&D). The firm has now formally filed a class action suit in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. In documents provided to IGN, the suit is filed on behalf of plaintiff Lmarc Turner and “all others similarly situated”, and names the defendants as Sony Corporation of America and Sony Interactive Entertainment. To IGN’s knowledge, this is the first such suit filed against Sony regarding DualSense – it may well not be the last.

The complaint describes the PS5 DualSense controller as “defective”, as it contains “a defect that results in characters or gameplay moving on the screen without user command or manual operation of the joystick”, known popularly as controller drift. Further, the complaint alleges that Sony has “at all relevant times” been aware of the problems with drift, “through online consumer complaints, complaints made by consumers directly to it, and through its own pre-release testing.”

The suit also alleges that Sony’s options for controller repair are too limited: “When consumers experience the Drift Defect, the options for repair are slim. Reportedly, Sony PlayStation’s dedicated portal for issues with PS5 hardware—including the DualSense Controller—is experiencing a backlog and redirecting consumers to contact a customer service agent via the contact page for PlayStation support. Customers are experiencing long wait times and having to deal with a maze of pre-recorded phone prompts before finally speaking with an agent concerning repairs for DualSense Controller drift.”

The suit seeks a jury trial, and “monetary relief for damages suffered, declaratory relief, and public injunctive relief.” The documents point to counts of breach of excess warranty, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, unjust enrichment, and violations of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

The Virginia-based plaintiff, Lmarc Turner, reportedly bought their PS5 on or around February 5, 2021, and found that it was suffering from drift on the same day. Turner apparently then contacted Sony customer service, and was told to reset the game and console, but offered no further assistance. The issue not solved, Turner then bought a second DualSense. “Had Plaintiff been aware of the Drift Defect prior to purchasing his PS5,” the documents add, “he otherwise would not have purchased the PS5, or would have paid substantially less for it.”

One interesting extra detail: Turner admits to having agreed to Sony’s terms and conditions when setting up the PS5, but reportedly sent a letter to Sony expressing an intent to opt out of “any disputes with Sony through individual arbitration.” A separate CSK&D class action suit against Nintendo regarding controller drift was recently compelled to arbitration before reaching the courts. It may be that a similar move isn’t possible in this case, making it more likely to reach the requested jury trial.Aside from Turner’s report, the documents show a number of examples of social media comments regarding PS5 drift, with players complaining of drift out of the box, or within days of use. CSK&D points to reports of drift on the PS4’s Dualshock 4 controllers, too – given that the sticks inside both controller models are similar, CSK&D adds that to its evidence of Sony’s prior knowledge of the problem.

The suit says there is “no indication” that Sony has developed a fix for drift in the DualSense: “Rather, it appears to simply perform some sort of minor refurbishment and send the DualSense Controller back to consumers still defective and susceptible to manifestation of the Drift Defect in the future.”

The suit calls for relief in the form of an order to stop Sony’s “unlawful, deceptive, fraudulent, and unfair business practices”, the set-up of a recall or free replacement program for DualSense controllers, compensatory damages, and more.

IGN has contacted Sony for comment on the lawsuit.

Drift has become an increasingly hot topic in recent years. We’ve previously called drift in Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers a “disaster” for the company, and Nintendo is now facing official scrutiny and lawsuits across the world, including an investigation from the European Commission.

Joe Skrebels is IGN’s Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.



Read original article here

Technology

What To Do If Your PS5 DualSense Controller Drifts – PlayStation 5 Wiki Guide

Leave a comment

Last Edited:

Sony’s PlayStation 5 controller has succumbed to the dreaded analog stick drift. This page covers how to identify stick drift, how to potentially fix it, and how to send it in to Sony to get your DualSense controller repaired if all else fails. 

How to Identify Stick Drift

Stick drift on the PS5 controller is relatively easy to identify. It’s the phenomenon in which one of your analog sticks moves on its own, even if you’re not touching the controller. This will interfere with playing games, as it will move your stick and alter movement / aiming etc.

How to Fix the PS5 Controller Stick Drift

Sony tech support suggests the following steps to troubleshoot the PlayStation 5 Controller. If the following doesn’t work, you’ll need to contact Sony support directly to send your controller in for service.

Temporary PS5 Controller Stick Drift Fix: Though obviously not ideal, some games, such of Call of Duty: Warzone, have the option to increase “Deadzone”. This will make it less likely for stick drift to affect your gameplay, however, you will have to be more deliberate with your inputs for the controller to register them – not great when minute control is necessary.

PS5 Controller Stick Drift Troubleshooting Steps

  1. Make Sure Your PS5 and PS5 Controller Are Up-to-Date:Check your controller software by pressing the PS button > opening Accessories > choosing the wireless PS5 Controller. It should be “Wireless Controller Device Software 0210”. See How to Update Your PS5
  2. Reset Your Controller: Turn off the PS5 console. On the back of your controller, there’s a tiny hole to the right of the Sony logo. Press and hold that down for five seconds using a paperclip or other tool. After that, it will disconnect. Turn on your PS5. 
  3. Disconnect and Reconnect the Controller to Bluetooth: Follow the instructions under 1 to reach your controller settings. Disconnect it from Bluetooth and reconnect it.
  4. Adjust the Triggers: Go back into the controller settings and change the Trigger Effect Intensity – turn it off, then back on again (or vice versa if it was already off)
  5. Clean the Analog Stick: A Sony representative recommended wiping the analog stick (the joint attached to the controller itself) with a soft, dry cloth, like an eyeglass cleaning cloth. They could not recommend alcohol or any cleaning solution be used.

If none of this works, contact Sony. Steps below:

How to Send in a PS5 Controller With Stick Drift for Repair

The PlayStation 5 DualSense controller is under warranty for one year after the purchase of it or the PS5 it came with – as long as it’s under warranty, you can contact Sony and request your controller to be serviced.

  1. First, make sure you have completed the troubleshooting steps above. The Sony representative will ask you to complete these before moving forward.
  2. Call (800) 345-7669. Choose options: 1, then 1 again
  3. They will ask you to complete the steps above.
  4. The representative will then give you the information required to send in your PS5 controller for service.

advertisement

Some important notes:

  • You will have to provide your own box and cost of shipping to send in the controller.
  • If the controller gets lost or misplaced in shipping or by Sony, the representative said Sony will replace it as long as you can prove it was sent to the correct address. So, save your shipping receipt!
  • It will take 7 to 10 working days for Sony to repair the controller plus the additional time it takes for the controller to arrive at their facility and the additional shipping time it takes to return to you.

Read original article here

Technology

PS5 DualSense Controllers Are Drifting, And Repairs Are A Hassle

Leave a comment

Photo: Sony

Few things about the PlayStation 5 are better than the DualSense controller. It feels terrific to hold, somehow just as solid as it is light. The haptics are truly dynamic, at least for games that offer such support. It’s beautiful. But even the mighty DualSense reportedly isn’t immune to the Achilles’ heel of modern video game controllers: drift.

When you think of controller drift, your mind probably drifts to the Nintendo Switch. Pretty much immediately after the hybrid console released in 2017, unlucky players came to know the dreaded term “Joy-Con drift.” In other words, the thumbsticks would habitually malfunction sending the console false inputs even when players weren’t touching them. In 2019, Nintendo acknowledged the issue in a comment to Kotaku, and announced a new policy that both offered afflicted owners free repairs and granted refunds for prior repairs. Last year, Nintendo’s president formally apologized for the whole debacle (but didn’t say a word about that class action suit).

Now, PS5 owners are reporting similar issues with the DualSense.

Since the PS5 was released last November, players have taken to social media to share stories about DualSense drift. One user reported the issue 10 days after receiving their PS5, stating they tried every possible fix—power-cycling the console, turning Bluetooth on and off, resetting the controller, and, finally, charging it fully overnight—to no avail.

Another uploaded a video to Reddit that appears to show some serious controller drift. In the 15-second clip, you can clearly see the player’s fingers off the thumbsticks while playing Destiny 2. And yet, the player’s gun—a snazzy sidearm that bears a strong resemblance to Lonesome, a legendary sidearm with a terrific fire rate and some serious punch—drifts across the screen of its own accord. Yes, Beyond Light’s Europa boasts some stunning vistas, but they’re better enjoyed when you’re actually at the controls.

At the moment, your options for fixing a busted DualSense are slim. You could go through Sony’s PlayStation support page, which has a dedicated portal for issues with PS5 hardware, including the DualSense controller. Just keep in mind that the PlayStation’s support team is swamped at the moment fielding requests about the PS5, which is still nigh-impossible to find.

G/O Media may get a commission

When I tried hitting up support, I was told to reach out to a customer service agent via the contact page for PlayStation support. In a conversation over instant messages, an agent told me to call 1-800-345-7669 and press 1 for PS5. I did so, and then listened to, no joke, a dozen different pre-recorded messages informing me that PlayStation support is not the place to inquire about finding a PS5. I was then kicked over to hold. On the plus side, it was soundtracked by Gustavo Santaolalla’s deliciously twangy Last of Us theme. On the not-plus side, I had to listen to it for 17 minutes. As ever, PlayStation support remains a byzantine maze of conflicted emotions.

Once I eventually made it through to a person, I was told that DualSense drift is covered under warranty. You will, however, have to pay for shipping your controller to a Sony repair center—a cost that varies based on a number of factors, including location and the total weight of your package—but Sony apparently covers the return shipping. No recoup on whatever you pay for that first shipping label.

Theoretically, the ability to tweak a controller’s deadzone on a system level could offer a salve, at least in a Band-Aid-on-a-bullet-wound sort of way. The latest DualSense update, 0210, did not add such support. Neither did the latest PS5 firmware update. It’s unclear if future PS5 updates will add such support.

Kotaku reached out to Sony for comment but, at press time, had not heard back.

The PlayStation 5 has been out for less than three months. It’s anyone’s guess as to whether or not “DualSense drift” will become the next “Joy-Con drift”—stoking everything from a wave of customer uproar to a years-late executive apology—or if it’ll fizzle out. At the very least, hopefully this issue is buttoned up before a vampiric law firm smells blood and kicks off yet another class action suit.

Drift to these articles next:



Read original article here

The Ultimate News Site