Controller Vibration Test
Check that your controller's rumble motors work. Set the strong and weak motor levels, choose how long to vibrate, or pick a preset like heartbeat or explosion, and feel each motor separately.
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Connect a controller by USB or Bluetooth, then press any button on it.
Trigger rumble needs a controller with impulse triggers (such as Xbox One and Series controllers) in Chrome or Edge.
Vibration uses the browser Gamepad API (vibrationActuator). Chrome and Edge support rumble for most Xbox, PlayStation and Switch Pro controllers; Firefox and Safari usually do not. Without a controller the motors are animated as a preview only.
How to use the Controller Vibration Test
- Connect your controller by USB or Bluetooth and press any button so the browser can see it.
- Check the badges. They show whether dual rumble and trigger rumble are available in this browser.
- Press Play vibration. Adjust the strong and weak sliders and the duration to test each motor on its own.
- Try the presets. Left / right alternates the two motors so you can feel whether both sides work.
- Use Hold to rumble or Repeat for longer tests, and press Stop vibration at any time.
How browser controller vibration works
Web pages reach game controllers through the Gamepad API. A connected controller that supports rumble exposes a vibrationActuator, and this test calls its playEffect() method with:
- Effect type:
dual-rumblefor the two body motors, ortrigger-rumblefor controllers with impulse triggers. - strongMagnitude and weakMagnitude from 0.0 to 1.0, set by the sliders (0 to 100%).
- leftTrigger and rightTrigger from 0.0 to 1.0 for trigger rumble.
- duration in milliseconds, up to 5,000 ms per effect.
Presets are sequences of short effects. Each new effect replaces the previous one, so a pattern such as a heartbeat is built from timed steps, which you can see on the pattern timeline.
Rumble support by controller and browser
| Controller | Chrome / Edge (desktop) | Firefox / Safari | Trigger rumble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox One / Series (USB or Bluetooth) | Dual rumble | Usually no rumble | Chrome and Edge on Windows |
| Xbox 360 (USB) | Dual rumble on Windows | Usually no rumble | No impulse triggers |
| PlayStation 4 DualShock 4 | Dual rumble | Usually no rumble | No |
| PlayStation 5 DualSense | Rumble emulated by its haptics | Usually no rumble | No (adaptive triggers not exposed) |
| Nintendo Switch Pro | Rumble on recent versions | Usually no rumble | No |
| Generic USB pads | Varies; many have no rumble | Usually no rumble | No |
Support changes as browsers update. The badges at the top always show what your browser reports for the connected controller.
Troubleshooting weak or missing vibration
- Charge or replace the batteries. Many wireless controllers reduce or disable rumble when the battery is low.
- Check system settings. Xbox Accessories, Steam Input and PlayStation settings can turn vibration off or lower its intensity.
- Close Steam or other remappers if rumble does not work; they can take over the controller and block direct access.
- Compare both motors at 100%. Healthy motors start instantly. A motor that needs a tap to start, or only works at high strength, is wearing out.
- Listen for rattles with the Max 5 s preset; a loose motor weight or broken mount makes a clicking or grinding sound.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my controller not vibrate in the browser?
Rumble needs support from both the browser and the controller connection. Chrome and Edge on Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS and Android support vibration for most Xbox, PlayStation and Switch Pro controllers. Firefox and Safari usually do not expose rumble. Some Bluetooth connections disable rumble, so try a USB cable, and make sure you pressed a button after connecting.
What is the difference between the strong and weak motors?
Most controllers have two rumble motors with off-centre weights. The strong motor, usually on the left, has a heavy weight and produces a deep, low-frequency rumble. The weak motor, usually on the right, has a light weight and produces a faster, buzzier high-frequency vibration. Games mix the two to create different effects.
What is trigger rumble?
Xbox One and Xbox Series controllers have small extra motors inside the left and right triggers, called impulse triggers. Chrome and Edge can drive them with the trigger-rumble effect on supported systems. If the badge says not available, your controller or browser does not support it and the trigger sliders are disabled.
Can I test PS5 DualSense adaptive triggers or haptics?
Browsers can drive the DualSense's rumble through the standard dual-rumble effect, which the controller reproduces with its haptic actuators. Adaptive trigger resistance and the advanced haptic waveforms are not available through the Gamepad API, so they cannot be tested in a browser.
How do I know if one motor is broken?
Play Strong only and Weak only, or the Left / right preset. Each motor should be clearly felt on its own side. If one side is silent at 100% while the other works, that motor or its wiring is likely faulty. A rattling or grinding sound during Max 5 s can indicate a loose weight or a cracked motor mount.
Why is the maximum duration 5 seconds?
The Gamepad API limits a single vibration effect to 5,000 ms. For longer tests use Repeat, which plays the pattern again as soon as it ends, or hold the Hold to rumble button, which keeps renewing the effect while held.
Does this test work on phones?
Yes on Android with Chrome when a controller is connected by Bluetooth or USB-C, if the controller supports rumble on Android. iPhone and iPad browsers currently do not support controller vibration from web pages. To test a phone's own vibration motor, use the phone vibration test instead.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.