8 Easy Ways To Fix A PS4 Controller That Keeps Going Up

This is an interesting problem that a lot of PS4 users are experiencing. Apparently, the PS4 controller keeps going up, and it’s quite difficult to control it, especially when it comes to shooter games.

In order to fix the analog stick drifting, start with resetting both your PS4 controller and the console. Use a USB cable to connect your controller, make sure its software is up-to-date and there is dust or dirt. Carefully clean the analog sticks and the controller itself. If nothing works, you might need to replace your controller’s analog sticks.

So, what could be the possible solution to this issue? Let’s find out!

Why is Your PS4 Controller Drifting Up?

There are a few reasons why your PS4 controller might be drifting up. One possibility is that the analog sticks are damaged or worn out. If this is the case, you’ll need to replace them.

There might be a software glitch, either in your controller or the console itself. Usually a simple resets helps greatly in such issues.

Another possibility is that the PS4 controller’s firmware is outdated. To fix this, you’ll need to update the controller’s firmware.

Finally, the last possibility is that there’s something wrong with your PlayStation 4 itself. In this case, you’ll need to troubleshoot the console.

How to Fix a PS4 Controller That Keeps Going Up?

If your PS4 controller is drifting up, there are a few solutions that you can try.

1. Soft Reset the Controller

It is possible that some kind of pairing or software issue has occurred and caused your controller to act out and go up on its own. To rule out this possibility, follow the steps below.

  1. On your PS4, go to Settings.
  2. Go to Devices.
  3. Click Bluetooth devices.
  4. The controller you are using now will have a green circle next to it.
  5. Click on it and press Forget Device.
  6. Power down your PS4.

In order to power down your PS4, press and hold the PS4’s power button for about 7 seconds until you hear two beeps. The console will power off completely.

You can also power down your PS4 by holding down the PS4 button on the controller, navigating to Power in the menu and choosing Turn off PS4.

Once you’ve done that, let’s go ahead and reconnect your PS4 controller:

  1. Turn your console on and let it boot up.
  2. Press and hold the pairing button in the middle for a few seconds.
  3. Once you see the light flashing and then going solid, your controller is paired.

If resetting the controller doesn’t work, try connecting it to your PS4 console using a USB cable.

Once it’s connected, press and hold the PS button for a few seconds and see if that stops the controller from drifting.

When the controller’s light turns solid, you can remove the cable and use the controller wirelessly.

2. Hard Reset the Controller

If the soft reset didn’t do the trick, let’s try a hard reset. To do this, we will use a dedicated Reset button at the back of your controller:

  1. Turn off your console and unplug your controller first. 
  2. Locate the small reset button on the back of the controller near the L2 shoulder button.
  3. Use a paperclip to push the button inside the hole.
  4. Hold the button down for about 5 seconds.
  5. Connect the controller to the PS4 using a USB cable.
  6. Turn on the PS4 and wait for it to boot up.

When your device is ready, log into your account and see if the controller has stopped drifting.

3. Clean your Controller

If your PS4 controller is still drifting, there are a few things you can do. First, check the batteries to make sure they’re inserted correctly and that they’re not dead.

If it’s not the batteries, try cleaning the controller’s contacts and the area around the analog sticks with a Q-tip and some rubbing alcohol. Blow around the ball at the base of the controller stick to remove the dust.

It is also a good idea to get a thin piece of plastic/paper and slide it down between, and start to rotate the controller stick. This will help get rid of the remaining gunk, that blowing won’t always do.

Try pressing and twisting all the buttons on your controller to make sure none of them got stuck.

You can even twist the body of the controller carefully, that can help if the issue was caused by a hardware glitch.

4. Check for Controller Updates

If you’re using an older model of the PS4 controller, there’s a chance that it might not be compatible with the latest version of the PS4 system software.

In this case, you might need to update the controller firmware. You can do this by going to Settings > Devices > Controllers and checking for updates.

If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

You can also check if a specific game requires an update by going to the Library and choosing a specific game you were playing when the issue with the controller drift occurred.

5. Update the Firmware

If that doesn’t work, try updating the firmware of your PS4 controller. You can do this by going to Settings > Devices > Controllers > Update Firmware.

If you’re still experiencing problems with your PS4 controller, there might be something wrong with your PlayStation 4 console itself. In this case, you’ll need to troubleshoot the console.

6. Factory Reset your PS4 Console

If the problem is with your PS4 console, you might need to reset it. To do this, go to Settings > Initialization > Initialize PS4 > Full > Press Yes to confirm the Initialization.

This will reset all of your settings to their factory defaults, including the controller’s ones.

Before you do this, make sure to back up your save data, so you don’t lose any progress in your games.

This is the most radical step, and we recommend you do it as a matter of last resort.

7. Clean Analog Sticks

If all else fails, you can try cleaning the analog sticks on your PS4 controller. Just to warn you, the moment you open your controller, it won’t be covered by the warranty anymore.

To do this, you’ll need a small Phillips head screwdriver and a Q-tip.

  1. First, remove the screws from the back of the controller with the screwdriver.
  2. Then, use the Q-tip to clean the analog sticks and the surrounding area.
  3. Replace the screws and test your controller to see if the problem is fixed.

 

If none of these solutions work, you might need to replace the analog sticks altogether, so contact Sony support for further assistance.

8. Talk to Professionals

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting tips and your controller is still going up, there might be a more serious hardware issue that needs to be fixed by a professional.

If this is the case, you can take it to a local electronics store or send it in to Sony for repairs. One more option is to get a replacement PS4 controller.

Conclusion

 In conclusion, if your PS4 controller is going up on its own, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the issue. First, make sure that the controller is properly plugged into the console.

If it still continues to go up, then you may want to try cleaning the contacts with a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol.

Finally, if all else fails, you can get a repairman to have a look at it or purchase a new controller. If your controller is still under warranty, that shouldn’t cost you a dime.