This controller vibration test plays each rumble motor in your controller on its own, so you can tell exactly which one is dead, weak or noisy. Most controllers have a strong motor with a heavy weight in the left grip and a weak, faster one in the right grip. Xbox One and Series controllers add a small motor behind each trigger, which this test runs too in Chrome and Edge on Windows and Mac. As a gamepad vibration test it works with Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and most PC controllers in Chrome, Edge and Safari on a Mac, and the panel tells you straight away if your browser cannot vibrate the controller.
How to test controller vibration
- Connect the controller and press any button so the page can see it.
- The Vibration readout says what your browser offers: dual motors, basic vibration or none.
- Press Start motor check. The page plays the strong motor, then the weak motor, then each trigger motor where available, and asks after each one whether you felt it.
- Use Strong only, Weak only and Both motors with the sliders to compare the two sides at different strengths.
- Press Ramp up to step both motors from 10 to 100 percent. A motor that starts late or stalls at low settings is wearing out.
- Press Copy results to keep the outcome for a repair or return.
What the results mean
| Check | Normal result | Problem sign |
|---|---|---|
| Vibration readout | Dual motors | Not offered: the browser or controller cannot vibrate from a web page |
| Strong motor | A deep rumble, mostly in the left grip | Silent, very faint or rattling |
| Weak motor | A fine, fast buzz, mostly in the right grip | Silent or only at 100 percent |
| Trigger motors | A buzz under each index finger | Nothing on one side |
| Ramp up | Felt from about 10 to 30 percent upward | Nothing until 70 percent or more |
The motors are felt more than heard. Hold the controller normally while testing, because a controller lying on a desk can rattle and sound like a fault.
The controller does not vibrate at all
- Check the browser. If the readout says Not offered, test in Chrome or Edge on a computer. Firefox has no controller vibration, and some third party pads and wheels cannot vibrate from any browser.
- Check the system settings. On a PS5, Settings > Accessories > Controller (General) > Vibration Intensity. On a PS4, Settings > Devices > Controllers. On Xbox, Settings > Accessibility > Controller > Vibration settings. On a Switch, System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Controller Vibration.
- Check the battery. Some controllers reduce or stop vibration when the battery is low. Charge it or fit fresh batteries.
- Check the game. Games and Steam have their own rumble switch. If the controller vibrates here, the setting in the game is the problem.
One motor is weak, silent or rattles
If the browser offers vibration and one motor still fails the check, the fault is inside the controller. A motor that is silent has a broken wire or a burnt out coil. A motor that buzzes but feels weak is often blocked by a loose screw or a cracked shell that touches the spinning weight, and you will usually hear it scrape. A motor that starts only at high settings in the ramp is worn. Motors are cheap and come with two wires, so a repair shop or a careful owner with a soldering iron can replace one. Check the warranty first.
Testing the trigger motors on Xbox controllers
Rest your fingers lightly on the triggers and press Left trigger, Right trigger or Both triggers. These buttons appear only when your browser can drive trigger motors, which today means Chrome or Edge on Windows or a Mac with an Xbox One or Series controller. On Linux and ChromeOS they work only with the controller paired by Bluetooth. A trigger motor that is silent while the grips work may have a loose connector, for example after a drop. The xbox controller tester covers the rest of the controller.
PS5 and Switch controllers feel different
The DualSense has voice coil actuators instead of spinning motors, and Switch controllers have HD rumble. Both can play detailed effects in games. Browsers send them classic two motor rumble, so here they feel smooth and even rather than textured. That still proves each side responds. Test the adaptive triggers of a DualSense with the extras panel on the ps5 controller tester.
Keep it vibrating for longer
Turn on Keep going until Stop to repeat an effect, for example while you listen for a rattle or check a repair. The page stops it when you press Stop, when you leave the tab, or after 5 minutes, so a controller is never left buzzing in a drawer. To test the vibration motor of a phone instead, use the vibration test phone page.
What a browser cannot test
- Haptic textures in DualSense and Switch games, which need the game's own effects.
- Force feedback in racing wheels. Browsers cannot drive wheel motors. The steering wheel tester checks a wheel's angle and pedals instead.
- How long the battery lasts with vibration on. Wireless controllers lose a noticeable share of battery life to rumble. The gamepad tester covers the rest of the controller.
Controller vibration questions
Why does my controller not vibrate on PC?
Check three things in order: the browser, the game and the controller. Firefox cannot vibrate controllers at all, so use Chrome, Edge or Safari on a Mac for this test. If it vibrates here but not in a game, rumble is switched off in the game or in Steam. If it never vibrates here, look at the motor fixes on this page.
Can I test PS5 controller vibration on PC?
Yes. Connect the DualSense by USB or Bluetooth in Chrome or Edge and run the motor check. The DualSense uses haptic actuators instead of classic motors, and browsers play classic rumble on them, so it feels smoother than a game's haptic effects but confirms both sides work.
Can I make the controller vibrate continuously?
Yes. Turn on Keep going until Stop, then press Strong only, Weak only or Both motors. The effect repeats until you press Stop, leave the tab, or 5 minutes pass. Long vibration drains wireless controller batteries quickly.
Does controller vibration work in Firefox?
No. Firefox reads buttons and sticks but has no controller vibration. The panel tells you when your browser offers none. Chrome, Edge and Safari on a Mac support it. Safari on iPhone and iPad does not.
Is a rattling controller motor a problem?
Usually it is the motor's weight touching a loose screw, a cracked shell or a wire. It does no harm at first, but the weight can break off. Open the controller and check for anything touching the motor, or have it repaired.