PlayStation®Vita Technical Help

[AbominableSloth]

I've  seen this mentioned in other posts, but never satisfactorily resolved...

My Vita basically has an issue whereby the sticks lose their correct calibration after around 30-60mins play of any game controlled by the sticks.  After this time, they continually register a small push to the right, and cannot detect a full push to the left.  It goes away when I reset the console, but always returns...

For example, when it occurs in Unit 13, the character strafes to the right (or the camera rotates to the right) when I don't touch the sticks, and a full push to the left only registers a walk rather than a run.

This also affects steering in Wipeout and MS:RC, and movement in Stardust.

I returned my first console to the store for a replacement, but the second console had the same issue.

I spoke to Sony support who advised me they were not aware of any such problem, so I returned that console, got a refund, and bought a 3rd one from a different store (in case it was a dodgy batch.)  

My new Vita has the same issue!  Which leads me to believe either this is a latent issue with all Vitas, or I'm the unluckiest person ever!

So, anyone else 'living' with this? Could this issue be fixed with a firmware update, or is this likely to be a hardware issue needing a repair?

[strangeplaice]

Make sure you haven't got Gyroscopic steering, or touch screen steering controls enabled and are touching the screen when playing. It's a setting in some games that you may have enabled or may be enabled that you haven't realised.

If it isn't something like this then you're the most unlucky person ever. Nobody else I've seen has reported such an issue. Usually it's just questions over the size of the dead spot in the centre of the sticks which should really cancel out any excess movement.

You aren't  sitting them upside down at all, are you? Putting the whole weight of the console on the sticks may well cause damage if they're held like that.

[AbominableSloth]

As it occurs in 3rd person shooters with no touchscreen movement controls, it's def the sticks.  I keep the console in an official travel bag (solid sides, cushioned insides), and believe me, I'm gentle with the sticks after having this issue 3 times!

[strangeplaice]

Some games, for example, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, use the Gyroscope as an aiming tool for improving accuracy. Again, if you're having trouble, get another replacement.

[AbominableSloth]

It's def not gyroscope, as Unit13 doesn'r use this function.

I have a theory...  My case is a 4Gamers travel case, and although it's soft padding inside, I noticed there's enough pressure on the sticks when in the case to cause an indent on the panel that 'protects' the front.

Could this be what's causing the issue? Again, if that's the case, I'm still surprised there aren't more people reporting this issue.

[strangeplaice]

As its an unofficial case añd you've picked up on that it may be possible that its caused it. Tbh your best bet would be replacing the Vita and then keeping it around the house and not using a case for a bit to see if it's that.

[SuperFastZombie]

Hi AbominableSloth,

This issue is not some thing I have come across so far.  As strangeplaice said it may well be the case thats causing the issue. 

SFZ

[Robomusic]

I got unit 13 at the weekend and have the exact same issue... literally, a bit of drift on right and lack of responsivness on left pushing left - fixed if reset but reoccurs after about a mins playing.

My vita barely leaves the house at the mo and is treated with kid gloves... I just googled it and noted something with a video but am on my phone so couldn't watch it (something about uncharted but I was thinking something wasnt right with that the other day).

U worked it out or same problem? If we have the same issue logic suggested software not hardware at a guess...

[AbominableSloth]

Hmmm, has your console had much in the way of pressure on the thumbsticks for other reasons than a dodgy case?  Eg someone else using it abit heavy handed?

The problem is def not software specific - as I said, once the problem occurs, unless you reset the console, it affects any game controlled by the sticks - I verified this on Motorstorm RC, Stardust, and now Frobisher as well.

That video you mention is someone showing drake moving on his own in Uncharted, so I think is the same thing.  There's not much out there about this issue, just afew on this site and afew on another Vita forums site.

I had decided that as the case appeared to be the cause of my problems, to return my console as faulty to the retailer for an exchange (I'm doing this tomorrow), and I've bought a new hard case that def protects the sticks.  I was hoping that would be the end of it, but now your post has got me worried...  The fact that I've had the problem on 3 successive consoles and barely anyone else in the world has had this would suggest the most likely reason for my problems is me!!

Well, I'll update this post after I've had my new console for a week or so, I'm hoping that will be the end of it for me...

[strangeplaice]

These sort of cases seem pretty good and have fared me well so far

(Not advertising Game intentionally, it's just a nice case )

 Here's the link to the case.