8 Ways To Fix Steam Not Detecting Controller On Windows

Valve’s storefront is the most important gaming platform on this planet. Part of its success is its suite of options to make gaming simpler. Sometimes it fails, although, like Steam not detecting the controller.

You must be free to play the way you wish to play. You may use a keyboard and mouse on a PS5 or use a DualSense in your PC by way of Steam. 

The software program ought to acknowledge Sony and Microsoft controllers with out problem. Then, it ought to set up the drivers it wants, however chances are you’ll have to examine a not-easy-to-find menu. 

That could also be a part of the issue, however different causes relate to lacking drivers or updates. 

Steam Not Detecting Controller Causes

How to Fix Steam Not Detecting Controllers?

While taking part in on Steam in your PC, you need to use an Xbox controller, the DualShock 1-to-4, or the DualSense 5. Several generic controllers can work with PCs, together with the Nintendo Switch Pro controller and the official Steam controller.

Our options can work for any peripheral or model you’re using. Additionally, we’re providing troubleshooting particular for Xbox and PlayStation controllers. 

You can comply with the information on Windows 10 and 11, though my instance footage will belong to Windows 10. macOS customers can nonetheless comply with by by doing the parallel steps. 

Test Your Controller Elsewhere

Before attempting completely different options, you must ensure the controller is functioning.

First, in the event you’re using the controller wirelessly, cost it till it’s full. Plug it into your energy surge with its USB cable, and depart it for a few hours.

Then, you may check it on one other console or PC, if potential. If units ought to acknowledge it instantly, then the issue will not be coming from the controller. 

Lastly, take into account controllers working higher on PC through the use of the USB cable. Try plugging your controllers into the PC with its cable.

Enable the Proper Configurations on Steam

The approach to configure controllers on Steam is by way of its Big Picture Mode. The mode grants the app a full-screen interface, like a sport, and permits some additional options.

The concept is to work as a console interface, permitting you to make use of it with a controller.  

So, what it’s essential do is entry the choice interface and inform Steam to obtain the drivers you want:

1. Open the Steam shopper as an administrator. For instance, in the event you’re on Windows, sort “Steam” on the search bar, right-click the icon, and choose “Run as administrator.”
2. Click the Big Picture mode icon. It’s on the top-right, and it appears like two arrows.  
3. Click the Settings icon on the high proper.
4. On Controller, choose “Controller settings.“
5. Check the related tags. For instance, examine the Xbox tab in the event you use an Xbox controller. It will inform Steam to obtain the related driver. 

After these steps, Steam might obtain the motive force and reset itself. Then, you’d be capable to use the controller within the Big Picture mode. It might not work for video games but, as it’s essential full the subsequent answer.

Disable Steam’s Input Per-game Configuration

Similarly, you may allow using controllers on the video games you’re taking part in on Steam. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Steam.
2. Open the Big Picture mode.
3. Select your Library.
4. Go to Installed on the left-side panel. 
5. Select the sport you wish to play with the controller.
6. Select Manage Game Options on the left-side panel.
7. Select Control Options beneath Steam Input.
8. On Steam Input Per-Game Setting, choose Force Off.
9. Click Ok to avoid wasting your modifications.

Afterward, relaunch Steam and check your controller. If you’re questioning, the choice prevents the platform from robotically selecting your keyboard and mouse as default peripherals. 

Open and Close Steam’s Big Picture Mode

Sometimes, a random bug on Steam prevents you from using a controller.

The best approach to repair it’s typically relaunching Steam. Particularly, closing the Picture Mode and opening it up once more might erase the random bug and allow you to play with the peripheral. 

Update Your Xbox Controller on the Xbox App

Steam ought to be capable to update the Xbox controller’s firmware, however generally, it will probably’t. 

There’s one other approach to do it, which is thru the Xbox Accessories app. You’d typically want it for older Xbox controllers and generally for the newer Xbox Series controllers.

Here’s how to update the Xbox controller drivers on Windows 10 or 11:

1. Download the Xbox Accessories app from the Microsoft Store.
2. Open the app and log in together with your Xbox credentials.
3. Plug the controller into the PC by way of its USB cable. 
4. The app ought to acknowledge your controller instantly. It will immediate you to update the accent with an “Update Required” message if it wants an update. If that is the case, press the immediate, and let the software program update your merchandise.

Afterward, you may attempt the Xbox controller once more on Steam. 

Update Windows 10 or 11

Updating Windows 10 or 11 ought to repair driver points. Particularly, Windows can determine USB-enabled {hardware} that hasn’t labored correctly currently and roll out the motive force it wants.

So, you may update Windows as an entire and examine if there’s an extra driver update on the menu:

1. Type “Windows update” on the search bar.
2. Open Windows Update settings.
3. Click on Check for Updates. If there’s an update accessible, choose it.
4. On the identical web page, see if the system prompts you for a driver obtain or further updates. If that is the case, choose it. 

After Windows downloads the update it wants, the system will ask for a restart to put in it. So, restart your PC as quickly as you may. 

Calibrate Your Controller

We have a full information on controller calibration, however we are able to assessment the overall steps to unravel the problem. In explicit, that is the answer you want in case your controller works, but it surely doesn’t really feel superb.

Symptoms it’s essential calibrate the controller embody drift, inverted axis, nonresponding buttons, and comparable.

You can calibrate the controller on Steam like so:

1. Open Steam.
2. Open the Big Picture Mode.
3. Go to Settings.
4. Select Controller Settings.
5. Check the controller you’re using (the field ought to have already got a examine in the event you accomplished this step already).
6. Select Calibrate on the backside.
7. Follow the directions to rectify your controller.

The calibration wizard will grant a number of steps to customise or rectify the analog sticks. Once you end, Steam will shut it, and also you’ll be capable to use your peripherals with out problem. 

Update Steam

Lastly, you may examine in case your Steam shopper wants an update. Perhaps it missed it, so right here’s how to manually do it:

1. Open Steam as administrator. Again, right-click its icon and choose “Run as administrator.”
2. Click on Steam on the high proper.
3. Select Check for Steam Client Updates on the brand new menu.
4. If there’s an update accessible, comply with the directions to put in it. 

After the update finishes, attempt your controllers once more.