GamepadChecker

Gamepads aren’t always calibrated correctly out of the box, and they can, of course, malfunction after prolonged use. It is difficult to perform an accurate test, however, unless you have a specialized utility to get the job done.

One application you can rely on is GamepadChecker, a relatively simple piece of software that enables you to perform a quick test in order to ensure your device is working as intended. It lacks advanced features, but it is very easy to use.

Once you’ve launched the application, you will see an image of the controller displayed in the main window, along with X marks next to each button and axis that hasn’t been checked already. To run a test, simply start pressing buttons and moving the thumbsticks on your device.

As you go through every button and axis, you will see that they are checked off in the main window, thus letting you know that they are working as intended. When no X marks are left, you can be fairly confident your gamepad has no issues.

While GamepadChecker can be very useful, it doesn’t allow you to verify thumbstick and trigger deadzones, which can be very helpful for making sure your devices are configured properly.

Also, it is not uncommon for the vibration motors to malfunction, but this application does not enable you to test them out.

GamepadChecker is mainly intended for testing Xbox controllers, but many other types of devices should also be supported, though compatibility cannot be guaranteed in these cases. Even PlayStation gamepads can be tested if ScpServer drivers are installed.

In the end, this isn’t the most comprehensive application of its kind, but it can prove helpful in some situations, and it is very easy to use.