Free Controller Vibration Test
Test your PS5 DualSense haptic feedback, Xbox impulse trigger rumble, Nintendo Switch HD Rumble, or any USB gamepad vibration motors directly in your browser
The TechTester controller vibration test uses the Web Gamepad API vibrationActuator to send rumble commands to your controller and confirm whether your vibration motors are working. Connect your PS5 DualSense, Xbox Series X or S controller, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, or any USB gamepad, open this page in Chrome or Edge, and click Test Vibration. Your controller should vibrate within one second. If it does not respond, use the troubleshooting guide below to diagnose why. This free online controller vibration tester works without any download, software installation, or account creation. All testing happens locally in your browser nothing is stored or transmitted.
What the controller vibration test checks
Controller vibration technology differs significantly between consoles. Here is what the browser test can and cannot check:
What the browser test checks
Whether vibration motors respond at all
Left motor (weak/highfrequency) response
Right motor (strong/lowfrequency) response
Trigger motors on Xbox LT and RT
Variable intensity from low to full
Duration of vibration response
Whether vibration stops on command
What requires ingame or OS testing
PS5 DualSense advanced haptic textures
DualSense adaptive trigger resistance
HD Rumble frequency precision on Switch
Vibration timing sync with game audio
Game specific haptic patterns
Temperature simulation on DualSense
Controller speaker audio output
Vibration technology by console
PS5 DualSense: Linear resonant actuators far more precise than spinning rumble motors. Browser activates basic dual motor vibration only. Advanced haptic effects require PS5 console commands.
Xbox Series X/S: Four motors total weak grip, strong grip, plus individual impulse motors inside LT and RT. Browser test activates grip motors. Trigger motors may require DirectInput.
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller: HD Rumble via LRAs. Responds to browser vibration commands only when Steam is running with Switch Pro support enabled.
Generic USB gamepads: Standard dual motor ERM rumble. Most support Gamepad API vibration commands in Chrome and Edge.
How to test your controller vibration online
Step 1 — Connect controller and open Chrome or Edge
The vibrationActuator API works best in Chrome and Edge on Windows. Connect via USB cable USB is more reliable than Bluetooth for vibration commands. Firefox and Safari users go directly to Section G.
Step 2 — Press any button to activate detection
The Gamepad API requires an initial button press. Press any button once. Your controller appears in the detected list with its model name shown.
Step 3 — Click Test Vibration
Click the Test Vibration button. The tool sends a dual motor rumble at medium intensity for 500 milliseconds. Your controller should vibrate within one second. Feeling both the weak motor (subtle buzz) and strong motor (deep rumble) confirms both motors are working.
Step 4 — Test at different intensities
Use the intensity sliders to test the weak motor and strong motor independently. Vibration on one side only, or one motor significantly weaker, indicates a failing motor. Testing at low intensity confirms motors respond to the subtle haptic cues used in many modern games.
Controller vibration test by console
PS5 DualSense haptic feedback test
The DualSense uses linear resonant actuators rather than traditional spinning motors creating precise, directional feedback games use to simulate textures and impacts. The browser test activates basic dual motor vibration only. Advanced haptic effects require PS5 console level commands.
If DualSense does not vibrate: use Chrome or Edge, connect via USB-C cable (not Bluetooth), check Windows power saving is disabled for the controller in Bluetooth settings. If vibration works in PS5 Remote Play but not the browser, the hardware is fine.
Xbox Series X/S impulse trigger vibration test
Xbox controllers have four motors weak and strong grip motors plus individual trigger motors in LT and RT. The browser test activates the grip motors. Trigger motors require DirectInput or game specific Xbox SDK calls and may not respond to browser commands.
If Xbox controller does not vibrate: use Chrome or Edge, connect via USB-A to USB-C, confirm battery is above 25% (Xbox reduces vibration at low battery), check vibration is enabled in Xbox Accessories app.
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller HD Rumble test
The Pro Controller uses HD Rumble via LRAs. When connected to PC it responds to basic rumble commands only when Steam is running with Switch Pro Controller support enabled. Without Steam the Pro Controller typically ignores browser vibration commands.
Fix: enable Switch Pro Controller in Steam Settings → Controller → Nintendo Switch Pro Configuration Support. Then retry the vibration test on this page.
Generic and third party controller vibration test
Most USB gamepads with vibration motors support the standard dual rumble API in Chrome and Edge. Budget controllers may need higher intensity settings before vibration is perceptible. If a budget controller does not vibrate at all, confirm vibration is actually included in the hardware some entry level controllers omit the motors to reduce cost.
Controller not vibrating? 6 fixes to try
Fix 1 — Switch to Chrome or Edge
The most common cause. Firefox has inconsistent gamepad vibration support. Safari does not support the Gamepad vibration API. Open this page in Chrome or Edge and retry. If the controller vibrates in Chrome but not Firefox, the hardware is working correctly.
Fix 2 — Connect via USB instead of Bluetooth
Bluetooth can fail to relay vibration commands due to driver limitations, especially with PS5 DualSense. Plug directly into a USB port on your computer (not through a USB hub) and retry.
Fix 3 — Check controller battery level
Xbox controllers automatically reduce or disable vibration below approximately 25% battery. Replace or recharge and retry. Connect via USB-C to ensure full power during testing.
Fix 4 — Disable USB power saving on Windows
Windows sometimes suspends USB devices to save power. Device Manager → Universal Serial Bus controllers → right click each USB Root Hub → Properties → Power Management → uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Retry the vibration test.
Fix 5 — Update or reinstall controller drivers
Windows: Device Manager → Human Interface Devices → right click your controller → Update driver. For Xbox run Windows Update. For DualSense, unplug, wait 10 seconds, and reconnect to force a driver reinstall.
Fix 6 — Test in a game to isolate browser vs hardware
Launch any game that uses controller vibration. If it vibrates in the game but not this test, the hardware is fine the issue is browser level. If vibration does not work in any game, the motor hardware is faulty and repair or replacement is needed.
Testing controller vibration on Firefox or Safari
The Gamepad vibration API is not available in Safari and has inconsistent support in Firefox. Use these alternatives:
Test in a game (most reliable)
Launch any game using controller vibration. Vibration during gameplay confirms the motors are working.
Use the Xbox Accessories app (Xbox controllers on Windows)
Free from Microsoft Store. Includes a vibration test covering all four Xbox motors including both trigger impulse motors.
Use DS4Windows (PS4 and PS5 controllers on Windows)
Free tool with builtin vibration tester. Works independently of browser support.
Switch to Chrome or Edge
Download Chrome at google.com/chrome or Edge at microsoft.com/edge (both free). Open this page in either browser for full vibration test support.
TechTester vibration test vs gpadtester.net
gpadtester.net — what they offer
Technical preset sliders and intensity controls
Motor type explanation for developers
CSV export and logging features
Technical browser compatibility matrix
No plain English fix guide
No console specific troubleshooting
No Firefox or Safari alternatives
No links to console diagnostic pages
Dense documentation for developers
No warranty or repair information
TechTester — what you get instead
Simple Test Vibration button works in one click
Plain English result: it vibrated or it did not
PS5 haptic vs Xbox impulse vs Switch HD Rumble explained
6 step by step fixes for controller not vibrating
Firefox and Safari users given clear alternatives
Battery level impact explained in plain English
USB vs Bluetooth reliability explained for gamers
Links to dedicated PS5, Xbox, Nintendo test pages
Written for gamers clear, direct, actionable
Console specific fix guide for each major controller
FAQ
The most common causes are: using Firefox or Safari instead of Chrome or Edge, connecting via Bluetooth instead of USB, or low controller battery (Xbox disables vibration below 25%). If vibration works in games but not this test, it is a browser limitation not a hardware fault.
Yes, with Chrome or Edge on Windows via USB-C connection. The browser activates basic dual motor vibration. The advanced haptic effects PS5 games use require PS5 console level commands and cannot be triggered via a browser.
The browser Gamepad API can activate Xbox grip motors. The impulse trigger motors inside LT and RT may not respond to browser vibration commands. For full four motor testing, use the Xbox Accessories app on Windows.
Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge on Windows and Android provide the best support. Firefox has partial and inconsistent support. Safari on macOS and iOS does not support the Gamepad vibration API at all.
Games use DirectInput or console native APIs with full motor access. The browser Gamepad API has more limited access, especially on Bluetooth. Your controller hardware is working correctly.
Yes. Vibration motors are among the highest power consuming controller components. Heavy vibration can reduce battery life by 20 to 30 percent compared to gaming with vibration disabled.
With Steam running and Switch Pro Controller support enabled in Steam settings, yes. Without Steam, browser vibration commands are typically ignored due to driver limitations.
Yes. Use the intensity sliders to test the weak motor and strong motor independently. If you feel vibration on one side only, or one motor is significantly weaker than the other, that motor is failing and the controller needs repair or replacement.