Adaptive Trigger Test — DualSense resistance checker
An adaptive trigger test verifies the haptic resistance mechanism inside your PS5 DualSense or DualSense Edge L2 and R2 triggers. Our free browser-based tester fires three resistance scenarios per trigger via the Gamepad API — continuous pull (bow-like), weapon click (gun detent), and pulse feedback (brief burst) — then asks you to confirm each. Worst-of-two-triggers composite verdict. Used by PS5 players to diagnose adaptive trigger failures before contacting Sony warranty support.
How the adaptive trigger test works
Connect your DualSense
Plug in via USB (recommended) or pair over Bluetooth. The tester checks the controller name for DualSense identifiers and gates non-DualSense pads since adaptive triggers are Sony-exclusive hardware. Best results in Chromium browsers (Chrome, Edge, Opera, Brave).
Capability detection
The tester probes the vibration actuator’s effects array for the experimental "trigger-rumble" effect type. If supported, the test runs in native mode with per-trigger isolation — L2 and R2 fire independently. If unsupported, the test falls back to "dual-rumble" mode, which can confirm the actuator works but cannot isolate per-trigger.
Three scenarios per trigger
Continuous resistance applies 0.5 force for 2 seconds for a steady bow-like pull. Weapon click applies 0.8 force at a mid-pull position for a sharp detent simulating a gun trigger break. Pulse feedback fires 1.0 force for 0.8 seconds as a brief intense burst. Together these exercise the trigger across the resistance range.
Confirm each scenario
After each effect fires, tap Yes if you felt the resistance or No if you did not. The 3-scenario design filters confirmation noise — a single false negative from a distracted moment will not push the verdict, but two or three failures indicate a real hardware issue.
Composite verdict
Per-trigger severity maps to scenario count: 3 confirmed = Healthy, 2 = Good, 1 = Partial, 0 = Faulty. Overall verdict is the worst of the two triggers. The result panel shows per-trigger breakdowns with which specific scenarios passed or failed, plus the capability mode used (native or fallback).
What the verdict means
Each trigger is rated independently based on how many of the three scenarios you confirmed feeling. The overall verdict is the worst of the two triggers.
| Confirmations | Verdict | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 3 of 3 | Healthy | All three resistance scenarios felt clearly. The adaptive trigger motor and feedback mechanism are working correctly across the full force range. |
| 2 of 3 | Good | Two scenarios confirmed. Usually indicates the motor works but one scenario was missed due to user uncertainty or partial response on a specific force pattern. Retest the missed scenario to confirm. |
| 1 of 3 | Partial | Only one scenario confirmed. Indicates the trigger motor responds intermittently — common as adaptive triggers age past 2 years. Replacement modules exist and cost $25–40 plus your own soldering. |
| 0 of 3 | Faulty | No scenarios felt. Either the trigger motor has failed completely or the browser is not delivering effects to the trigger. Test the controller on a PS5 first to isolate hardware versus browser-support issue. |
Compatible devices
Adaptive triggers are exclusive to Sony DualSense-line controllers. Best results on Chromium browsers with a wired USB connection.
Common repair guides
Related diagnostics
Adaptive Trigger questions
Adaptive triggers are Sony’s patented haptic resistance mechanism inside the L2 and R2 buttons of the DualSense and DualSense Edge. Each trigger contains a small voice-coil motor connected to gears that can apply variable resistance to the trigger pull. Games use this to simulate effects like drawing a bow, pulling a gun trigger, accelerating a car, or pressing against thick mud. The resistance is independent per trigger and varies in real-time with game state.
The Gamepad API exposes a vibrationActuator interface on connected gamepads with a playEffect method that accepts effect types. Recent Chromium builds support an experimental "trigger-rumble" effect type that targets the DualSense adaptive trigger motors specifically, with separate leftTrigger and rightTrigger force parameters. Our tester probes this effect and falls back to dual-rumble if unsupported.
Native mode means your browser supports trigger-rumble — effects fire on the specific trigger you’re testing with proper isolation. Fallback mode means your browser only supports dual-rumble, so effects fire on the whole controller and we cannot isolate L2 from R2. Fallback verdicts are less precise; if you want reliable per-trigger diagnostics, use Chrome or Edge on a recent version with the controller wired over USB.
The trigger motor is a tiny voice-coil actuator with gears that wear under repeated use. Estimated lifetime is 1–3 million actuations under normal play, which translates to roughly 18–36 months of regular gaming. Failure modes include reduced resistance force, intermittent response, complete silence on one trigger, or grinding noise during effect playback. Replacement modules are available from third-party repair-parts suppliers.
Yes. Replacement adaptive trigger modules cost $25–40 each for the DualSense (more for DualSense Edge due to the swappable design). Installation requires opening the controller casing, desoldering ribbon cables, and replacing the trigger assembly. Difficulty is intermediate-to-advanced — most users with soldering experience can do it, but iFixit guides recommend professional repair for the DualSense Edge specifically.
No. Adaptive triggers require explicit game support. First-party Sony games (Astro’s Playroom, Returnal, Spider-Man, Demon’s Souls) use them extensively. Third-party AAA games often implement them but vary widely in quality and consistency. Older PS4 games played via backward compatibility do not use adaptive triggers. Indie games and esports titles typically skip them. The test fires effects directly, bypassing the game layer entirely.
The trigger-rumble effect is an experimental Chromium extension to the Gamepad API. Firefox and Safari do not implement it; testing adaptive triggers in those browsers will fall through to the dual-rumble fallback or report unsupported. As of late 2025, Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Brave provide the most reliable adaptive trigger support. The implementation is still considered experimental and parameter shapes may change between Chromium versions.
Rumble (tested by our Vibration Test) refers to the two main motors in the controller body that produce whole-controller vibration. Adaptive triggers are separate voice-coil motors inside each trigger that vary the resistance you feel when pulling. They can produce vibration-like buzzing through the trigger, but their primary function is force feedback, not vibration. A controller with broken rumble can still have working adaptive triggers and vice versa — they are independent subsystems.
How we test adaptive triggers
Built on the Gamepad API vibrationActuator with the experimental trigger-rumble effect type. Three-scenario protocol per trigger (continuous resistance, weapon click, pulse feedback) with user-confirmation verdict model. Graceful fallback to dual-rumble when trigger-rumble is unsupported. Methodology published by GPADLAB Engineering.
Run the full Controller Health Score
This test is one of six diagnostics in the composite score. See how your controller stacks up overall.
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