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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsL3 is the click of the left analog stick, and R3 is the click of the right analog stick. To press either one, push the stick straight down until it clicks, without tilting it in a direction. What the press does after that depends on the game you are playing.
Where L3 and R3 are on the DualSense
Hold the controller facing you. The left stick sits on the left half of the controller, below the directional pad. Its press is L3. The right stick sits on the right half, below the face buttons (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square). Its press is R3.
Sony’s DualSense Wireless Controller Instruction Manual uses the labels “Left stick/L3 button” and “Right stick/R3 button” and marks both on its front-view diagram. The right stick/R3 is callout H and the left stick/L3 is callout N.
How to press L3 and R3
The sticks have two separate inputs: tilting them and clicking them. Sony’s PlayStation Accessories support page describes the click this way:
#1 Best Overall
- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
- “Press on the stick to use it as the R3 button.” (right stick)
- “Press on the stick to use it as the L3 button.” (left stick)
Push straight down until the stick clicks. If you push it while tilting toward a direction, you are moving the stick rather than pressing L3 or R3.
Left stick versus right stick at a glance
| Feature | Left stick | Right stick |
|---|---|---|
| Position on the controller | Left half, below the D-pad | Right half, below the face buttons |
| Click name | L3 | R3 |
| Manual label | “Left stick/L3 button” | “Right stick/R3 button” |
| Tilt use (per Sony) | Movement and gameplay functions | Movement and gameplay functions |
| Action when clicked | Set by the game; not fixed across titles | Set by the game; not fixed across titles |
The table shows the only fixed difference: position. Sony documents both sticks as movement and gameplay controls, but it does not assign a single action to either click.
Rank #2
- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
What L3 and R3 do in games
Sony’s PS5 button functions guidance describes both sticks as used for movement and gameplay functions. It does not say what L3 or R3 does in any particular game. Some games assign a stick click to a common action, such as sprinting or a camera or melee function, while others leave it unused or change it in the settings. Check the game’s controls menu to see the current assignment.
If a stick click does nothing in a game, look in that game’s controls or key-binding menu first, since the input may be unassigned or remapped there.
Rank #3
- Feel you in-game actions and environement simulated through haptic feedback
- Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
- Chat online through the built-in microphone
- Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
How the sticks work outside games
The PS5 User’s Guide gives a clear non-game example. In the PS5 User’s Guide navigation, the left stick moves the pointer and the right stick scrolls. This describes that interface only and does not set a rule for how stick input works in games.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Quick reference
- L3 is the left stick click; R3 is the right stick click.
- Press straight down to click; tilting moves the stick instead.
- The effect of a click depends on the game’s control settings.
The DualSense controller is the only hardware you need to use L3 and R3 on a PS5.
Quick Recap
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- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
Rank #4
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
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