Introduction
Does the analog stick of your Elite Series 2 (model 1797) Xbox controller drift onscreen without you moving it? If so, it probably has what is called “analog stick drift.”
There are multiple causes of stick drift. Sometimes it can be caused by damage—like dropping it—for example. Other times it can be caused by normal wear and tear. Fortunately, a lot of the time, it is simply caused by a buildup of debris in the sensor.
This easy-to-follow guide requires no special skills, and will take you through the process of fixing it.
What you need
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Step 1 How to Fix an Analog Stick Drift in an Xbox One Elite Series 2 Controller
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Place a prying tool in the crease of the right side of the controller.
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Slide the prying tool until the controller begins to pop open.
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Step 2
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Insert an opening pick into the space to keep the controller from snapping shut.
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Step 3
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Continue to use the prying tool down the side of the controller.
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The bottom right handle will pop open.
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Step 4
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Slide the prying tool along the crease of the bottom of the controller.
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Step 5
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Place the prying tool in the crease of the left side of the controller.
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Slide the prying tool until the controller begins to pop open.
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Step 6
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Insert an opening pick into the space to keep the controller from snapping shut.
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Step 7
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Continue to slide the prying tool in the crease of the controller.
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The bottom handle will pop open.
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Step 8
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Place the prying tool into the space at the top of the controller.
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Slide the prying tool until the entire top half of the controller is loose.
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Step 9
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Remove the top half of the controller.
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Step 10
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Twist the analog stick counterclockwise until it comes off.
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Step 11
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Use a spudger to open the sensor.
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Step 12
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Place the tip of the straw from the can of compressed air into space near the sensor.
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Spray the can of compressed air until the sensor is free of debris.
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Do not get the liquid from the can of compressed air into the sensor or anywhere in the controller.
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Step 13
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Use a spudger to close the sensor.
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Step 14
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Replace the analog stick, and twist to the right until it tightens.
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Step 15
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Place the top half of the controller back onto the bottom half.
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Push on the bottom, top, and sides until they snap together.
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Almost done!
Finish Line
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33 other people completed this guide.
Author
with 5 other contributors
Aliyah Castaneda
Member since: 11/17/21
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Team
Idaho State University, Team 1-4, Watkins Fall 2021 Member of Idaho State University, Team 1-4, Watkins Fall 2021
ISU-WATKINS-F21S1G4
1 Member
8 Guides authored
18 Comments
very good guide way easier to follow then others i’ve seen :) Thanks
munch483 - Mar 9, 2022 Reply
Maybe im just too scared to totally ruin/ rip/ snap or otherwise DESTROY this thing or stab myself with a pry tool but it seems like this is WAY harder then the pictures/guide make it out to be. The top face plate is FAR FAR FAR harder to release then the guide says.. Its not like a regular controller AT ALL.. I have cut myself to the point of blood now with the sheer effort of trying to push a pry tool between the seam EXATLY where the picture shows.. It did NOT help at all.
Napster6 - Sep 22, 2022 Reply
Hey Napster, You are very right. I bought this controller preowned and there are slice marks in the rubber where the person tried to open it and failed. I was able to open with out a terrible amount of difficulty by using the thin metal wedger tool thingy from the ifixit kit while simultaneously holding portions open with the blue triangle. Try pushing the tip of whatever your using to the bottom half of the controller then in a little more and then pry up. (near the b button). If it pops the top half out a little then wedge a placeholder in there then try the other side. Once you get both sides try a little lower near the vibrator then same for the other side and by then it should be easy enough to open with your hands. I struggled heavily the first time but found this was the easiest way. Good luck!
Jake H - Sep 25, 2022
This is such an awesome guide! Fixed my controller drift and a saved me a ton of money in the long run. Thanks so much!
Lord Meowmers - Sep 26, 2022 Reply
I had issues with numerous parts of this guide.
As others mentioned, opening the case is quite difficult. I found that using the metal Jimmy tool included in the Essential Electronics Toolkit helped to loosen up the right-side seam enough so that the middle of the right-side seam was where I was first able to insert a pick. Once I was finally able to get the whole thing open, I noticed there was a small amount of adhesive which the Jimmy may have helped to slice apart.
I was not able to remove the joystick at all despite being able to rotate it as instructed. I found that I was able to access the sensor for cleaning as described without removing the stick at all. But, on that note, the spudger included in the Essential Electronics Toolkit was too large to open the sensor gap. The smallest flathead bit included in the kit fit perfectly. FWIW, the spudger pictured is not the same one included in the toolkit…
cdom - Oct 1, 2022 Reply
