With Steam being the biggest platform for gamers online, it’s unsurprising that many users face the issue of it not detecting a controller. There are many possible reasons for that, including outdated or missing drivers, interference from other programs, or the controller being unplugged while the Steam is running. According to user reports, the problem is frequently caused by incorrect game settings. Additionally, some faulty device drivers, hardware glitches, and outdated clients are to blame. If you have all the checks at your end and still face the concern, you might want to try out the methods below.
Which Controllers are Compatible with Steam?
Before attempting to solve the issue, let us first try to learn more about what types of controllers work with Steam and what sort of connections we have to use. As per the Steamworks website, numerous controllers are compatible with it. And all of these use one of the following methods to establish a connection:
- Native – Do not require any additional hardware and works fine with Bluetooth.
- Adapter – These require specific third-party hardware to link the PC and controller.
- USB – You can directly connect the controller with a USB.
Here are all the controllers that are compatible with Steam:
| Controller | Connection Method |
|---|---|
| Steam Controller | Native, Adapter, USB |
| Xbox 360 (Wired and Wireless) | Native, Adapter, USB |
| Xbox One S | Native, USB |
| Xbox One | Native, USB |
| PS3 (Wired and Wireless) | Native, USB |
| PS4 | Native, USB |
| PS5 | Native, USB |
| 8BitDo SN30 Pro+ | Native, USB |
| Asus TV500BG Wireless Gaming Controller | Native |
| Nintendo Switch Pro Controller | Native, USB |
| Wii U Pro Controller | Native, Adapter |
| Nvidia Shield Controller | Native USB |
| SteelSeries Stratus XL | Native |
| SteelSeries Stratus (others) | Native |
| XInput Controllers (Generic PS2, PS3 types) | Adapter, USB |
| Genius maxfire g-12u | USB |
| SNES Controller Models (Tomee, iBuffalo) | USB |
| MayFlash (PS2, PS3, Saturn) | Adapter, USB |
| PowerA Nintendo Switch Wireless | Native |
| PowerA PS3, Xbox One | USB |
Methods to Fix Steam Controller Not Detecting Issue
There are many Steam users who have reported that their device is not operating as intended. The good news is that there are several solutions to this problem. Thus, let’s get down to business, and show you what you need to do:
1. Ensure the Controller is Working Properly
Before working on your PC, it’s a good idea to double-check that everything is in working order with your controller. If you’re connected over Wi-Fi, ensure your controller is fully charged. If not, connect it via the USB cable or charge it. Also, if possible, test your controller on a separate console or PC. When you’re sure the problem isn’t coming from the controller, check out the instructions below to diagnose PC settings.
2. Restart Your PC
Before making radical changes, don’t forget to restart your PC to see if that makes a difference. Then, after rebooting, relaunch Steam and check if the problem has been resolved. You should also do this after using the techniques above to double-check they worked.
3. Update Your Controller Driver
If you have a wired controller, connect it to your PC and follow the on-screen prompts to update the driver. For wireless controllers, you’ll need to connect them to your PC with a micro-USB cable and download the controller driver from Microsoft. You may require mapping software for usual controllers.
4. Verify the Integrity of Game Files via Steam
If you continue to experience issues with a controller not detecting in Steam, the problem might be related to a corrupted or outdated game file. In this case, you can try verifying the integrity of your game files by:
- Open the Steam client and go to “Library.”
- Right-click the game that gives you trouble and select Properties from the context menu.
- In the Properties window, go to the “Local Files” tab and select “Verify Integrity of Game Files”.
5. Turn Off Big Picture Mode
The controller not detected error may be caused by Big Picture Mode. This mode is designed to provide a better gaming experience on big-screen TVs. You may have to look for it on your TV. In the Steam client, you can:
- Go to “Library”.
- Right-click the game that gives you trouble and select Properties from the context menu.
- In the “Properties” window, go to the General tab and uncheck “Enable the Steam Overlay While in-Game”.
6. Reinstall Steam
If none of the solutions above worked, you might have to uninstall Steam and then reinstall it. To do that, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialogue box.
- Type ‘appwiz.cpl’ and press Enter to open the Programs and Features window.
- Locate Steam in the list, right-click it and select Uninstall.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to remove Steam from your PC.
- Once the process is complete, restart your PC.
- Visit Steam’s official website and press the “Install Steam Now” button to download the latest version of the client.
- When prompted, choose the location where you want Steam to be installed. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Steam on your PC.
- Launch the client and log in with your credentials.
7. Check for Hardware Issues
If you’ve tried all the solutions above and nothing worked, there might be a hardware issue with your controller or console. In this case, it’s recommended to take your device to a professional for further diagnosis.
8. Ensure that Windows recognize your controller
Before anything else, it is paramount that you first check your controller and whether it is being recognized by your Windows PC or not, otherwise, no matter how you try, it won’t work with the games on Steam. For this, press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to launch the Run dialogue box, and then enter the command “joy.cpl.” It will open the Game Controller Panel with all the recognized devices listed here.
9. Opt for the Controller Configuration Support Option
You can also solve this issue by opting for the Controller Configuration Support option on Steam. In cases where Steam fails to detect your controller, you can enable this option. Here’s how you can do so:
- First, launch the Steam app on your PC.
- Now, click on the Big Picture Mode icon that is in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select Menu and go to Settings.
- Now, click on the Controller Tab, and under External Gamepad Settings, toggle Configuration Support.
- Finally, unplug and replug your controller to see whether Steam detects it or not.
10. Choose Steam Overlay
Another way to solve this issue is by using the Steam Overlay feature. It allows users to access Steam in-game, which might just enhance your controller compatibility. Follow these steps to enable Steam Overlay:
- First, go to the Steam app on your PC.
- Then, click on the Menu tab and select Settings.
- Go to the Game tab and then toggle the Enable Steam Overlay option.
- Finally, restart the Steam client.
11. Run as Administrator
You can always run Steam as an administrator to check whether it solves the issue of controller compatibility or not. All you have to do is right-click on the Steam app icon and select Run as Administrator from the menu.
12. Exit Steam Beta
You can also try and exit the Steam Beta program to see whether it helps or not. Although Steam Beta is beneficial, it sort of defeats the purpose if it hinders you from playing games, right? Thus, you can try to switch to the stable version of the app by following these steps:
- Go to the Steam window and click on the Menu.
- Choose Account and click on the Change button next to Beta Participation.
- Finally, choose None from the pop-up menu and save your changes.
13. Update Windows Drivers
You can also try to update your Windows OS. If the issue persists due to an installed driver, then by updating the OS, you can solve it. While it is prudent to simply update the driver causing the problem, if it isn’t explicitly clear which one is the culprit, you are better off updating the entire OS.