Xbox 360 controller axis doesn't go back to zero (or center)?

I just bought my first Xbox 360 controller for Windows. I play GTA 4 with this controller, when I move the stick to the left and I let go of the stick, the character keeps moving to the left, even though I have already let go of the stick.

I escape the game and open the controller to check and I find out that the axis doesn't go back to zero (or center) after I let go of the stick.

Is this a normal behavior for Xbox 360 controller or my controller is broken?

Solution 1:

What you are experiencing is frequently referred to as stick drift. This is an issue just about every joystick, not just on the Xbox, suffers from at one point.

Since it's caused by frequent use and just generic wear and tear, it is not normal for your controller to suffer from it. Sure, new controllers will have a tiny bit of jiggle, but it shouldn't be as severe as in your case.

Consider bringing the controller back to the place you bought it from and swap it out for a new controller that doesn't have this defect.