Trigger Pressure Test | Check Your Analog Trigger Range
Run a three phase check on each analog trigger, resting baseline, full travel sweep, and recovery, to catch drift, dead spots, and worn springs before they affect your gameplay. Works with PS5, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch Pro, and generic USB or Bluetooth controllers.
Left trigger, LT or L2
Right trigger, RT or R2
Each trigger runs through three phases automatically once you press start, about twelve seconds total.
Connect
Plug in over USB or pair over Bluetooth, then press any button.
Rest, 2 seconds
Leave the trigger fully released while the baseline is measured.
Pull, 8 seconds
Slowly pull the trigger to its full stop, then hold and release.
Recovery, 2 seconds
The test measures how quickly the value returns to zero.
Read the verdict
Each of the four metrics gets its own tier, and the worst one sets the overall result.
Each trigger is scored on four metrics. The worst metric sets that trigger's verdict, and the worse of the two triggers sets the overall verdict.
| Metric | Healthy | Mildly worn | Degraded | Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resting value | 0.020 or below | 0.020 to 0.050 | 0.050 to 0.100 | Above 0.100 |
| Maximum reach | 0.990 or above | 0.950 to 0.990 | 0.900 to 0.950 | Below 0.900 |
| Travel smoothness | 0.030 or below | 0.030 to 0.070 | 0.070 to 0.150 | Above 0.150 |
| Recovery time | 200ms or less | Up to 500ms | Up to 1000ms | Over 1000ms or stuck |
Resting value should sit at or near zero when the trigger is fully released. A resting value that never drops to zero means the sensor is reporting phantom pressure even with nothing touching it, which behaves like a light, constant trigger pull in every game you play.
Maximum reach should climb close to the top of the range when the trigger is pulled all the way. Falling short usually means the trigger cannot physically travel as far as it used to, often from dust blocking the mechanism or wear at the mechanical stop.
Travel smoothness looks at the largest jump between two consecutive readings while you pull the trigger. A sudden jump instead of a gradual climb points to a dead spot, a section of travel where a worn sensor stops reporting change at all, a classic symptom of a degraded potentiometer.
Recovery time measures how quickly the value falls back to zero after you let go. A slow return points to spring fatigue, debris, or sensor hysteresis, where a worn sensor's reading lags behind the trigger's real position. This is often one of the earliest warning signs before a trigger fails completely.
This test works with any controller that reports true analog triggers through the Gamepad API, including these commonly tested models.
See full specifications for these and more on the Devices page. The Joy Con is not included since it uses digital shoulder buttons rather than analog triggers.
Trigger not reaching full range
The trigger reports less than full value even when pulled all the way to its physical stop.
Read the fixTrigger stuck or slow to release
The value stays elevated after you let go instead of returning to zero.
Check the controllerSuspect Hall effect upgrade
If dead spots or drift keep returning after cleaning, check your current sensor type first.
Check sensor typeRun the full controller benchmark
Trigger pressure is one part of a complete health check. Run every diagnostic in sequence and get one overall score for your controller.
Run the benchmarkWhat is a trigger pressure test
A trigger pressure test verifies that a controller's analog triggers report their pull strength accurately across the full range of travel. It checks that a trigger reads zero at rest, reaches close to full value when pulled all the way, moves smoothly between those two points, and returns cleanly to zero after release.
What is a healthy trigger resting value
A healthy trigger reports a value of 0.020 or lower while fully released. Values between 0.020 and 0.050 point to mild sensor drift. Values above 0.100 usually mean debris in the mechanism or a failing sensor, and can cause phantom input in games.
Why does my trigger not reach full value when fully pulled
A maximum reach below roughly 0.990 usually points to physical wear at the trigger's mechanical stop, sensor degradation, or dust preventing full depression. Cleaning often restores full reach, if it does not, the trigger module may need replacing. See the Fix guide for the full process.
What is a dead spot in trigger travel
A dead spot is a section of the trigger's travel where the reported value barely changes even though the trigger is still moving. It is a common sign of a worn potentiometer sensor, where the internal contact strip has degraded unevenly across part of its range.
Why does my trigger take a long time to return to zero
Slow recovery after release usually points to spring fatigue, debris in the mechanism, or sensor hysteresis, where a worn sensor's reported value lags behind the trigger's actual position. This is often an early sign of a trigger nearing failure.
Can this test detect DualSense adaptive trigger issues
Only partially. This test measures the trigger's analog range regardless of adaptive resistance. If a game has loaded a resistance profile onto your DualSense, maximum reach may read lower than normal, so test with the controller in its default state, or use the Adaptive Trigger Test for resistance specific checks.
Are Hall effect triggers better than potentiometer triggers
Hall effect triggers read position magnetically rather than through a physical contact strip, which removes the specific wear pattern that causes drift, dead spots, and reduced maximum reach on potentiometer based triggers. They generally cost more to replace but last longer. Check your current sensor type with the Hall Effect Checker.
Does this test work with a Nintendo Switch Joy Con
No. The Joy Con uses digital shoulder buttons rather than true analog triggers, so they report only fully on or fully off with no range in between. This test applies to controllers with real analog triggers, including the Switch Pro Controller.
Can I test a PS5 DualSense controller's triggers here
Yes. The DualSense's analog triggers are read the same way as any standard controller, over both USB and Bluetooth.
Can I test an Xbox controller's triggers here
Yes. Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, and Xbox Elite controllers all report analog trigger values that this test can read.
Do I need to install anything to test trigger pressure
No. This tool runs entirely in your browser using the Gamepad API. There is nothing to download and no account to create.
How long does the trigger pressure test take
Each trigger runs through three short phases, a resting check, a travel sweep, and a recovery check, taking about twelve seconds total per trigger.
Why did my test say the trigger got stuck
A stuck result means the trigger value did not drop back near zero within a reasonable time after release. This points to a mechanical issue such as a broken spring or debris physically holding the trigger down, and is worth addressing before continued use.
Does this work on mobile phones
Yes, on any mobile browser that supports the Gamepad API and a controller paired over Bluetooth or connected through a USB adapter.
Is my trigger data stored anywhere
No. Every reading happens locally in your browser and is not sent to a server unless you choose to export a report yourself.