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L3 is the left analog stick on a PS5 DualSense controller pressed straight down until it clicks. It is not the D-pad or a separate button. The click sends a button input; tilting the stick moves or steers your character.
What does L3 mean?
“L” identifies the left analog stick, and “3” refers to pressing that stick inward as a button. It does not mean a third direction or position. Pressing the right analog stick in the same way is called R3. Sony’s PS5 controller-functions guide describes the left stick/L3 and right stick/R3 as controls used for movement and gameplay functions.
Where is L3 on the DualSense?
Hold the controller with its face buttons toward you. The left analog stick is on the lower-left area of the front face; that stick is the L3 control when clicked downward. Sony’s DualSense manual labels it “Left stick/L3 button.”
The D-pad sits above the left stick and is a different control. L1 and L2 are the left shoulder button and trigger; the touchpad, Create button, and Options button are separate controls too.
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- 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.
How to press L3 correctly
- Rest your left thumb on the left analog stick.
- Keep the stick roughly centered rather than tilting it toward the top of the controller.
- Press the stick straight down with a normal, deliberate thumb motion until you feel or hear a click.
- Release it and check the game for a response. Do not use excessive force.
Tilting the stick forward may move your character, but it does not by itself send the L3 click input.
How L3 differs from stick movement
| Input | What you do | Typical result |
|---|---|---|
| Move the left stick | Tilt it in a direction | Move or steer a character |
| Press L3 | Push the left stick down until it clicks | Send a separate button command |
| Press R3 | Push the right stick down until it clicks | Send a separate right-stick button command |
The game determines what each command does; the same input can have different functions across games.
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- Mappable Back Buttons
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What does L3 do in a PS5 game?
There is no single PS5-wide action assigned to L3. Depending on the game, control preset, accessibility setup, and current gameplay state, it may trigger sprinting, crouching or stealth movement, a special movement mode or ability, a vehicle function, zoom, or another action.
To find its function in a particular game, open its Options or Settings and look for Controls, Controller, or Customize Controls. Check for “L3,” “Left Stick Press,” “Left Stick Button,” or the named action, such as “Sprint.” Confirm which control preset is active, then test in a safe area. If an on-screen prompt says “Press L3,” click the left stick down rather than tilting it.
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- Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
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- Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
L3 is not working? Check the cause first
Before treating this as a controller fault, consider how and where the input is being tested:
- The stick moves but the command does not trigger: Make sure you are pressing down until it clicks, not only tilting it. Some games need a brief click rather than a hold.
- It fails in one game only: Check that game’s control preset, remapping, and gameplay context. The command may be unavailable in the current menu or situation.
- It works intermittently: A worn or damaged stick-click mechanism is one possibility; do not assume that without testing elsewhere.
- The character moves when you are not touching the stick: That may indicate a broader analog-stick problem, such as drift, rather than an isolated L3 input issue.
- You are pressing the D-pad or shoulder controls: Those are not L3; find the lower-left analog stick on the controller’s front face.
Test and troubleshoot a suspected L3 fault
- Try another game. If L3 works there, revisit the original game’s control settings and preset.
- Restore the game’s default controls temporarily and test again, in case its layout was changed.
- Restart the game and reconnect the controller. This can help rule out a temporary game or connection issue.
- Update PS5 and controller software. Sony lists controller software updates under Settings > Accessories > Controller (General) > DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software; see its accessories support page.
- Reset the DualSense if the input remains unreliable. Sony’s DualSense troubleshooting instructions specify this procedure:
- Turn off the PS5 and disconnect the controller from its USB cable.
- Find the small reset hole on the back of the controller, next to the Sony logo.
- Use a pin or similar tool to press and hold the reset button for at least five seconds.
- Connect the controller to the PS5 with the official USB cable, then press the PS button to reconnect it.
- Contact PlayStation Repairs if L3 still fails when tested across multiple games after these checks.
A reset is a troubleshooting step, not a repair for a physically worn or broken stick mechanism. Avoid opening the controller as a first response; it can cause further damage and may affect service options.
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How to remap L3 on a standard DualSense
Sony’s PS5 system-level remapping path is Settings > Accessibility > Controllers > Custom Button Assignments for DualSense Wireless Controller. Select the button you want to change, choose its replacement function, and select Apply. Sony documents the option in its PS5 accessibility settings guide.
Available assignments can depend on system software and controller type. A system-level remap can affect other games, while a game may also have its own control settings. An on-screen instruction may still say “L3” after you move that function to another button. Remapping changes where the command is sent; it does not repair a failed click.
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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
DualSense Edge: use a profile or back button
The DualSense Edge still has L3 in the same place, but its custom profiles let you change assignments and use its back buttons for mapped functions. To edit a profile, go to Settings > Accessories > DualSense Edge Wireless Controller > Custom Profiles, create or select a profile, choose Customize Button Assignments, assign the button you want, and apply the profile. A back button does not automatically become L3; it must be assigned.
Edge features also include adjustable stick sensitivity and deadzones, interchangeable stick caps, and replaceable stick modules. These options may suit players who want rear-button access or a replaceable module, but they do not eliminate the L3 input. See Sony’s DualSense Edge customization guide and accessories support information.
When to consider repair or replacement
If L3 fails across games after settings, reconnection, updates, and a reset, a hardware fault becomes more plausible; PlayStation Repairs is the next step. A replacement is not needed just because L3 was unfamiliar or a single game uses a different control layout. For an Edge with a confirmed stick-module fault, Sony says the module can be replaced separately; this is not a general replacement part for the standard DualSense.
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