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Slow Response Time
As Saitek joysticks are required to send a lot of information to the computer at a near-instant pace, the sticks can perform sluggishly if connected to a relay USB port. Relay ports are those found on keyboards and monitors, and if the stick is connected to one of these ports, games controlled with the joystick may prove unresponsive, sluggish or slower on one axis than the other. Connect the stick to a USB port located on the computer tower itself, not a keyboard or monitor relay port, to solve these slowdown problems.
Incompatibility Issues
While most games are designed to be compatible with any connected control device, including Saitek joysticks, sometimes games may not recognize the stick immediately. This can cause games to be uncontrollable with the stick, or buttons to become mixed up, making in-game characters unresponsive to controls. These errors are due to outdated drivers. Saitek periodically updates the drivers for all sticks to ensure compatibility with new games and operating system updates. Go to the Saitek website in Resources and download the latest drivers for your stick to fix these compatibility problems.
Grinding or Sticking
Not all problems with Saitek joysticks are computer-based. Saitek sticks use all-metal parts and gears, unlike cheaper sticks which use plastic shafts and switches. This prolongs their lifespan but also means they must be oiled every six to 12 months. Un-oiled sticks can, over time, start to grind along either or both axes. They may also stick in positions other than the center, requiring a push to become unstuck. Fix these problems by applying a dab of motor oil to each of the four diagonal corners where the stick's shaft meets the base. After applying each dab of oil, move the joysticks in three or four circular motions to distribute the oil thoroughly.