diff --git a/joystick_xl/hid.py b/joystick_xl/hid.py
index 8d3805f..de15163 100644
--- a/joystick_xl/hid.py
+++ b/joystick_xl/hid.py
@@ -73,13 +73,15 @@ def create_joystick(
 
         _descriptor.extend(bytes((
             0x15, 0x00,                     # :     LOGICAL_MINIMUM (0)
-            0x26, 0xFF, 0x00,               # :     LOGICAL_MAXIMUM (255)
-            0x75, 0x08,                     # :     REPORT_SIZE (8)
+            0x27, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x00, 0x00,   # :     LOGICAL_MAXIMUM (1 << 16)
+            0x35, 0x00,                     # :     PHYSICAL_MINIMUM (0)
+            0x47, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x00, 0x00,    # :     PHYSICAL_MAXIMUM (1 << 16)
+            0x75, 0x10,                     # :     REPORT_SIZE (16)
             0x95, _num_axes,                # :     REPORT_COUNT (num_axes)
             0x81, 0x02,                     # :     INPUT (Data,Var,Abs)
         )))
 
-        _report_length = _num_axes
+        _report_length = _num_axes * 2
 
     if _num_hats:
         for i in range(_num_hats):
diff --git a/joystick_xl/inputs.py b/joystick_xl/inputs.py
index 151d08c..7e71f93 100644
--- a/joystick_xl/inputs.py
+++ b/joystick_xl/inputs.py
@@ -37,10 +37,10 @@ class Axis:
     MIN = 0
     """Lowest possible axis value for USB HID reports."""
 
-    MAX = 255
+    MAX = (1 << 16) - 1
     """Highest possible axis value for USB HID reports."""
 
-    IDLE = 128
+    IDLE = 1 << 15
     """Idle/Center axis value for USB HID reports."""
 
     X = 0
@@ -236,16 +236,11 @@ def _update(self) -> int:
         new_value = min(max(self._source.value, self._min), self._max)
 
         # account for deadband
-        if new_value < (self._raw_midpoint - self._deadband):
-            new_value -= self._min
-        elif new_value > (self._raw_midpoint + self._deadband):
-            new_value = new_value - self._min - (self._deadband * 2)
-        else:
-            new_value = self._db_range // 2
-
-        # calculate scaled joystick-compatible value and clamp to 0-255
-        self._value = min(new_value * 256 // self._db_range, 255)
+        if new_value >= self._raw_midpoint - self._deadband and \
+           new_value <= self._raw_midpoint + self._deadband:
+           new_value = self._raw_midpoint
 
+        self._value = new_value
         return self._value
 
 
diff --git a/joystick_xl/joystick.py b/joystick_xl/joystick.py
index 2a4d649..b38a2f0 100644
--- a/joystick_xl/joystick.py
+++ b/joystick_xl/joystick.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ def __init__(self) -> None:
         self._axis_states = list()
         for _ in range(self.num_axes):
             self._axis_states.append(Axis.IDLE)
-            self._format += "B"
+            self._format += "H"
 
         self.hat = list()
         """List of hat inputs associated with this joystick through ``add_input``."""
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ def _validate_axis_value(axis: int, value: int) -> bool:
         if axis + 1 > Joystick._num_axes:
             raise ValueError("Specified axis is out of range.")
         if not Axis.MIN <= value <= Axis.MAX:
-            raise ValueError("Axis value must be in range 0 to 255")
+            raise ValueError(f"Axis value must be in range {Axis.MIN} to {Axis.MAX}")
         return True
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -241,7 +241,6 @@ def update(self, always: bool = False) -> None:
 
         # Generate a USB HID report.
         report_data = list()
-
         report_data.extend(self._axis_states)
 
         if self.num_hats:
@@ -256,8 +255,13 @@ def update(self, always: bool = False) -> None:
 
         # Send the USB HID report if required.
         if always or self._last_report != self._report:
-            self._device.send_report(self._report)
-            self._last_report[:] = self._report
+            try:
+                self._device.send_report(self._report)
+                self._last_report[:] = self._report
+            except OSError as e:
+                # This can occur if the USB is busy, or the host never properly connected to the
+                # USB device, drop the update and try later.
+                pass
 
     def reset_all(self) -> None:
         """Reset all inputs to their idle states."""