What is L on ps4 controller
The L button on a PS4 controller refers to the buttons on the left side of the controller – specifically the L1 and L2 shoulder buttons, the L3 button activated by pressing the left analog stick, and the touch pad button‘s pinching gesture. These buttons allow for more input options and precision controls.
L1 and L2 buttons
The L1 button is the smaller shoulder button on the upper left side of the controller. It is most commonly used for actions like aiming down weapon sights in first-person shooter games.
Proper hand grip showing access to L1 and L2 buttons (Image credit: GamersRD)
Below that is the L2 trigger button activated by your left index finger. The L2 button often controls primary fire on weapons in shooters as well as acceleration in racing games.
Pressing down on the left analog stick activates the L3 button, which serves a different purpose from the L1 and L2 inputs. This button will often toggle sprinting or an auto-run feature in various games, especially first-person shooters.
Finally, there is a touch pad button in the center of the PS4 controller that adds some extra functionality not found on previous PlayStation controllers. Pinching in and out on the touch pad effectively works as a zoom button in supported titles.
Usage statistics across popular games
To better understand real-world usage of the L button, here is a comparison across 5 of the best selling PS4 games:
| Game | L1 Usage | L2 Usage | L3 Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call of Duty | Aim down sights | Fire weapon | Sprint toggle |
| Grand Theft Auto V | Cycle targets | Accelerate vehicles | N/A |
| Fortnite | Aim down sights | Fire weapon | Sprint toggle |
| Minecraft | Cycle left hotbar | Attack | Toggle perspective |
| The Last of Us Remastered | Focus hearing | Fire weapon | N/A |
As we can see, L2 is almost universally bound to fire weapons while L1 handles precise aim. The L3 sprint/auto-run is common in FPS franchises. This data shows just how vital the L button is for core gameplay functions.
Evolution of L buttons across PlayStation controllers
The original PlayStation controller released in 1994 did not actually have L2 or R2 buttons at all. It featured only the directional pad, 4 face buttons, start/select buttons, and L1/R1 shoulder buttons. This changed with 1997‘s DualShock controller which added dual analog sticks and the familiar L2/R2 trigger buttons. This more ergonomic and advanced design has persisted across all PlayStation controllers since.
Evolution of PlayStation controller designs (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons)
The newly released PS5 DualSense controller brings significant innovation with adaptive trigger technology that allows for analog-style variable pressure on the L2/R2 buttons. This gives developers more options for precise speed control in racing games or variable fire rates on weapons. The PS5 will surely enable greater utilization of the L2 button thanks to this new technology.
Troubleshooting common L button issues
Some players may experience issues with unresponsive, sticky, or drifting L buttons after prolonged use of their PS4 controllers. Here are some potential fixes:
For unresponsive or sticky buttons:
- Clean area around the buttons with isopropyl alcohol to remove dirt, oil, and debris buildup
- Carefully remove buttons to clean contacts and mechanism internals
For analog stick drift:
- Manually center and calibrate the sticks in PS4 system settings
- Increase analog stick deadzone setting if available in-game
- Clean around base of stick with electronics contact cleaner
If problems persist, replacement parts or professional repairs may be necessary as the constant clicking and twisting of shoulder buttons leads to a lot of mechanical wear over time.
Hopefully this guide has given you a much deeper understanding of what exactly the L button represents on your PS4 controller. Utilizing these important inputs properly is the key to mastery over your favorite games. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!
