Where Is R3 on a PS4 Controller? The Quick Answer
R3 on a PS4 controller is the right analog stick itself. Push the stick straight down like a button until you feel a soft click.
There is no separate R3 button, and nothing on the controller is labeled R3. That is why people search for it.
The same idea applies to L3, which is the left analog stick pressed down.
How to press R3 the right way
- Rest your right thumb flat on top of the right analog stick, the one closer to the face buttons.
- Press straight down. Do not tilt the stick while you press.
- Listen for a soft click. That click is the R3 button registering.
It takes very little force. Pressing hard while pushing the stick sideways is the fastest way to wear the switch out.
Worn sticks are a real problem on this controller, and they are one reason people start checking whether PlayStation controllers carry serial numbers for a warranty claim.
If you are also hunting for the other stick button, we cover it in our guide to finding L3 on a PS4 controller.
Why R3 has no label
Sony numbers the shoulder inputs from the outside in.
R1 is the top right shoulder button. R2 is the right trigger underneath it. R3 is the next input in that chain, and it lives in the right stick.
Printing R3 on top of the stick would wear off in weeks, so Sony leaves it blank and puts the label in game menus instead.
What R3 does in games
R3 is a bonus button that games assign to whatever they need.
- Shooters usually map it to melee attack or zoom.
- Racing games often map it to change the camera view.
- Sports games use it for sprint or for a skill move.
- Open world games often use it to lock onto a target.
The right stick normally controls the camera, so R3 tends to get camera related jobs.
R3 is not working: how to fix it
A dead R3 is one of the most reported DualShock 4 faults. Work through these in order.
1. Test it in a second game
The PS4 has no button tester built in, so compare two games instead.
- Open a game you know uses R3, and press the right stick down.
- Quit, then open a different game that uses R3, and press it there.
If R3 works in one game and not the other, the game is at fault, not the controller.
2. Clean under the stick
Dust and skin oil collect in the gap around the base of the stick and block the switch underneath.
- Push the stick to one side to open the gap.
- Blow compressed air into the gap in short bursts.
- Repeat in all four directions.
3. Reset the controller
- Turn the controller over.
- Find the tiny hole next to the L2 shoulder button.
- Push an unbent paperclip in and hold for about 5 seconds.
- Plug the controller into the PS4 with a USB cable and press the PlayStation button.
4. Remap R3 to another button
If the switch is physically dead, move the job somewhere else.
- Go to Settings, then Accessibility.
- Select Button Assignments.
- Turn on Enable Custom Button Assignments.
- Choose Customize Button Assignments and point R3 at a button you rarely use, such as L1.
This is a system wide change, so it works in every game.
If nothing worked
A clicking stick that does nothing means the small switch under the stick has failed. That switch is soldered to the board, so this is a repair shop job or a replacement controller.
Controllers wear out on a schedule. Our guide on how long a PlayStation controller takes to charge covers the battery side of that same aging curve, and charging a PS4 controller from an outlet answers the question that follows.
Frequently asked questions
Is R3 the same as the right stick?
Yes. R3 is what the right analog stick becomes when you press it straight down. Moving the stick and clicking the stick are two separate inputs.
Does the PS5 controller have R3?
Yes. The DualSense controller uses the same layout, so R3 is the right stick pressed down. The feel of the click is slightly firmer than on the DualShock 4.
Why does my R3 press by accident during games?
Usually you are gripping the stick too hard while aiming. A taller thumbstick cap spreads the pressure and reduces accidental clicks.
Can I play without ever using R3?
In most games, yes, but you may give up a feature such as sprint or melee. Remapping R3 to a shoulder button is the better answer if the stick click is broken.