The keyboard-mouse combo is as relevant as ever, but we can't deny that gamepads are becoming increasingly common on computers. In most cases, the gamepad is Plug & Play and doesn't require additional adjustments. However, over time it may lose some precision or start registering incorrect commands. If you're wondering how to calibrate your gamepad in Windows 10, today we'll explain it to you.
If you're thinking about entering the online FPS arena, you'll likely want a good keyboard (probably mechanical), accompanied by a mouse with a robust sensor. On the other hand, if you enjoy those metroidvanias that cause a lot of pain (Hollow Knight, Blasphemous, etc.), the gamepad will be an excellent ally. In practice, it makes sense to have both options at your disposal, but the gamepad deserves a little extra attention.
Why? It's simple: It can lose precision. The most common complaint these days is drifting, which causes incorrect registration in the analog controls. The most severe cases require deep cleaning or complete replacement of the potentiometer, but there are times when we can compensate for any discrepancy with a calibration. If you want to know how to calibrate your gamepad in Windows 10, keep reading.
How to start calibrating your gamepad in Windows 10
The first step is to check if the gamepad is being detected correctly by the system. For that, there's the Gamepad Tester portal. There you'll be able to see everything the API receives about your gamepad, including the number of buttons and the state of the axes. On some gamepads, the value registered by the axes is very strange (a detail the site warns about), but that may be enough to detect intermittencies and other errors.
It's worth noting that Gamepad Tester relies heavily on built-in browser support, and for now, the best ones are Chromium-based. In fact, the developer warns that vibration engines only work under Chrome, and the rest of the features (e.g., haptic support) have an experimental profile.
Calibrating your gamepad in the Control Panel
Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 want you to use the "new" Settings menu, but if you really want to calibrate your gamepad, you'll have to go to the classic Control Panel. Once there, go to the Devices and Printers section, find the gamepad, right-click it, and enter Game controller settings.
When you click again on Properties, Windows 10 will take you to the test section for the Gamepad, which basically hasn't changed in years, but is increasingly hidden in the operating system. If there's drifting or any "ghost input" in buttons and contacts, it should be reflected here. The Settings tab holds the Calibrate button, and all you have to do is follow the steps of its wizard, moving levers and entering other commands.
With the new calibration saved, the gamepad is ready to use, and there's no need to restart the computer. If despite calibration the erratic behavior doesn't disappear, it wouldn't be a bad idea to do a cleaning, and why not, replace some parts. Most gamepads can be repaired without too much trouble, don't give up!
Gamepad Tester: Click here
