When we do have to calibrate the controller is when, while we play, we notice strange behaviors. The most common are that, leaving the controller on the table, the character or the camera moves by itself. Or when the movements we make with the joystick do not correspond to what is reflected in the game (for example, when looking or aiming).
What should we know before doing it?
The first thing we should know is that this process it’s totally harmless for command. The only thing we do is save a series of parameters in the Windows driver so that the data we obtain in another way is interpreted. Therefore, we can calibrate the controls as many times as we want without anything happening. We can even calibrate it “badly” on a computer that, when going to another computer, or to a console, it will be unmodified and will use its default reading values.
Every time we calibrate a controller, we are calibrating Windows for that controller. This means that if we connect a different controller, it will use its default values again. The same happens if we reinstall Windows and we have not previously saved the configuration of the controller, since it will be lost. The controller calibration information is not stored in the controller itself, but in the system, which, in this case, is Windows, except in professional controllers, controllers that allow you to create different usage profiles to adjust the buttons and triggers in different titles or ways of playing.
If we calibrate the controller in a game, depending on whether it is an online game or a local game, the configuration changes will be stored on the game servers if it is multiplayer. However, if it is a game that does not need the internet, we will be forced to save the changes if we do not want to lose them when restoring or formatting our equipment.
Controllers can be calibrated both wired and wireless (if supported). But is better do it by wire to obtain more precise values during the process.
How to calibrate an Xbox and PlayStation controller in Windows
We have several ways to calibrate the controller that we connect in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Let’s see which are the most appropriate.
From Windows
The truth is that control management in Windows leaves a lot to be desired. Even the controls of the XBOX itself. But despite this, we are going to have a tool to check its operation and be able to calibrate it.
To do this, the first thing we will do is use the Windows search engine to search for “game controllers» and be able to open this manager.
We will be able to see a window where all the controls and devices that we have connected to the PC will appear. We select the controller that we want to calibrate, and click on the “Properties” button.
A new window will appear with the command options. We select the “Settings” tab at the top, and we do click on the “Calibrate” button to start the process.
Now we simply have to follow the steps that the program will indicate. Basically these steps are:
- Leave the controls still.
- Move them making complete circles.
- Leave the controls still.
When the process is finished, we will have the controller calibrated, and all its values should be accurate again. Returning to the configuration window, we can select the “Test” tab to be able to test how well the controller works. We will be able to move the levers, and press the buttons, to check if everything is going correctly.
With Steam
If we go to play steam games, another way to calibrate the controller is to do it through this software. We remember that the Steam platform has its own controllers for all types of controllers, which allows us to configure and adapt them to each of the games we are going to play. The possibilities offered by this software are endless. But we are going to focus on calibrating.
The first thing we will do is open Steam. Inside the store, in our library, we will open the program options and configuration window (from the “Steam” menu), and in the window that appears we will select the “Control” section. Within this section we will select the option “General controller settings» to enter their parameters.
Steam will open a window of its mode «BigPicture» from where to configure and calibrate the controls of the PC. We select our command, and click on the button «Calibrate«.
Here we can see the calibration options that Steam offers us for our controller. The software recommends us (as we have said) only to carry out this process when any of the functions of the remote control malfunctions. We can customize the dead centers of the sticks (range, in degrees, before responding), and initiate a complete self-calibration.
Once the remote has been calibrated, we accept the window and it should now work normally again. If not, the controller most likely has a physical issue that cannot be fixed through Steam’s settings.
third party applications
If we buy a cheap, generic, “oem” remote, the only way to calibrate it is through its own software. The same happens, for example, with a PlayStation controller, since it does not have official configuration software. However, if we buy a “PRO” controller designed for PCSurely the manufacturer puts at our disposal a complete program from which we can configure even the smallest parameter of the remote.
In the case of a xbox controllerFor example, we will have the “Xbox Accessories” application that will allow us to control all its parameters, update the firmware and much more. If, in addition, we have the “elite” command, we can have absolute control over it.
The Nacon and Razer “Pro” controllers, for example, also have their own software to configure and calibrate it so that we can become true professionals when playing on the PC. Normally these controls allow us, in addition to performing a calibration from scratch, to configure several advanced aspects of the controls. For example, we can configure dead zones on the triggers or joysticks, or remap the buttons to do other functions. Of course, we must spend a few hours to adapt the operation of the control to our use if we do not have previous experience, especially in concepts such as dead zones.
xbox accessories
If we are connecting an Xbox One or Series controller to Windows 10 or Windows 11, another way to update, configure and keep it up to date is to use the official application offered by Microsoft: xbox accessories. We can download this app completely free of charge from the Microsoft Store. Among its functions, the possibility of creating and editing profiles for the controller by reassigning buttons, configuring vibration and exchanging sticks and triggers stands out. In addition, we can update the firmware of the controller and enable the Copilot mode, which will allow us to use two different controllers as if they were one.
Once installed, and with the controller already connected to the computer, we will run it and we will find the different options that we can carry out with this app, from creating and editing controller profiles by reassigning buttons to exchanging sticks and triggers, and configuring the vibration of the command. With this application we can also update the firmware of the remote. Of course, only with the remote connected by cable to the PC, or using the official Microsoft dongle. If we connect it via Bluetooth, although the app detects it, the options are much more limited. And we can also enable the Copilot mode, which allows you to use two different controls as if they were one.
Also, if we have the Xbox Elite controller, or the controller for reduced mobility, we will be able to save and configure various profiles within this program to load the one we need the most at any given time whenever we want to get the most out of our games.
the best and worst
This is an application to calibrate the Microsoft console controller that will allow us to create and save multiple profiles for later use. In addition, and in a simple way, we can reassign the keys of the remote control itself in order to adapt its behavior to our needs. Some more advanced users may miss more specific controls that we do find in other similar third-party applications to calibrate and configure this element on the computer.
Razer Controller Setup For Xbox
We are talking about free-to-use software developed by Razer through which we can reassign or disable the multifunction buttons on our remote. The application is capable of detecting and allowing you to configure up to four controllers individually and offers us infinite customization options, creating our own profiles to save them in the cloud or using the profiles created by other users designed for specific games, so that we can squeeze to the maximum our gaming experience. The app also has Chroma effects available (Breathing, Immersive, Reactive, Spectrum Cycle, Static, and Wave) and even allows us to create our own palette from the 16.8 million available colors.
Top and less top
The application is capable of allowing us to configure and customize the behavior of up to four controls that we connect to our PC individually. It comes to us from the prestigious brand Razer and we can even use profiles created by others and saved in the cloud. Sometimes we are going to find some problems related to compatibility when configuring and customizing various controls that we have.
Game Controller Tester
If we are not quite clear if the problem is in the controller or in the games, we can try the Game Controller Tester application, an application that allows us to check the operation of both the buttons and the joysticks, in order to check if the problem is It is from the command or from a bad configuration that we have applied. If the problem is with the remote, with this application we are only going to confirm the problem, but we are not going to be able to solve it, since, in this case, the only possible solution is to buy a new remote or take it to be repaired if it is still under warranty . Game Controller Tester is a completely free application available in the Microsoft Store and that we can download through the following link. It does not include any kind of purchase, but it shows ads that we cannot remove. This application works with both PlayStation controllers and Xbox controllers and other controllers, such as those from the manufacturer Nacom.
Outstanding and to be improved
This is an application that basically has as its main task that we can test the correct operation of both the buttons and the joysticks that are part of…