How to calibrate your Xbox 360 Controller for a Windows-based computer

This article describes how to calibrate the Xbox 360 Controller for Microsoft Windows. When you calibrate the controller, you set the range of motion for the axes of the controller.

You don't have to calibrate the controller unless you want to customize the range of motion of the axes. To calibrate the controller, follow these steps:

1. Open the Game Controllers window:

For Windows 8 and Windows RT:

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. Or, if you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then click Search.
2. Type joy.cpl, and then tap or click Game Controllers in the search results.

For Windows 7 or Windows Vista:

1. Click Start.
2. In the Search programs and files box, type joy.cpl, and then click the Game Controllers icon when it appears.
2. In the Game Controllers window, click XNA Gamepad, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Settings tab, and then click Calibrate.
4. Follow the steps in the Device Calibration Wizard.

Important When you're prompted to use the directional pad (D-Pad), use the left stick instead. If you use the D-Pad, the left stick configuration may be incorrect.

5. To save the new calibration settings, click Finish, and then click Apply.
6. Test the operation of the controller. If you're satisfied with the new settings, click OK, and then click OK again.

If you're not satisfied, click Settings, and then click Reset to defaults. When you click Reset to defaults, the device controls are reset to the default settings that are obtained from the device.

If you experience a problem calibrating your controller, contact Xbox Support by clicking the “Contact us” link at the bottom of this page.