Why is my USB controller not working on PC games?

Reasons for Controller Connected But Not Working in Game

PCs have two types of ports, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. To get the gamepad working, check device compatibility with the port. Otherwise, the device will be connected but won't respond. The issue often occurs when your controller does not support the XInput API.

How do I get my USB controller to work on my PC?

If your joystick or gamepad is wired, connect the USB cable to any USB port available on the computer. If your joystick or gamepad is wireless, it should come with a USB receiver that transmits a signal to and from it. Connect that USB receiver to an available USB port on the front or back of your computer.

Why won't my controller connect to my PC with USB?

Some USB devices, including incompatible or defective USB cables, can interfere with wireless signals. Unplug all USB devices connected to your Xbox or PC (wireless hardware, external hard drives, other wired controllers, keyboards, and so on). Restart your Xbox or PC and try connecting the controller again.

How do I enable my controller on PC games?

Do all USB controllers work on PC?

Any controller that has two analog sticks, two shoulder buttons, and two trigger buttons, and is capable of connecting to your computer via USB, is usable with PC games. Some require more configuration than others, which we'll cover below.

Controller Not Working On Windows 10/11? All Fixes In 8 Minutes

How do I enable USB controller?

Why won't my PC recognize my controller?

Without question, the very first thing you must do when you find out that your Windows PC is unable to recognize your gamepad is restart the gamepad. This is the same as turning the gamepad off, if it has an on/off button, and turning it back on. If that does not work, you can plug it into a different port.

What games allow controller on PC?

Why is my controller not working in Steam games?

If your Steam Controller configuration doesn't work in a game, it may be because the game doesn't support the style of input you've chosen. Browse through community configurations for that game and see if one works. Gamepad-only input styles will only work with gamepad supported games.

Why is my wired controller not working?

The cable could be worn out or broken. Make sure it's securely plugged in on both ends. If that's not the issue, unplug it from the Xbox One and plug it into a different USB port on the console. If the controller still won't turn on, disconnect the Play & Charge cable and try a different micro USB cable.

Why wont my controller connect to my PC even though it's plugged in?

One solution is to simply disable and enable Bluetooth connectivity again. Sometimes that's enough to solve the problem. If not, try removing the controller's batteries and ensure it's not connected via a USB cable. If this solution works, you can continue playing your games using the controller.

How do I get my Xbox controller to work on my PC with USB?

Plug a micro-USB charging cable into the top of the controller and plug the other end into your PC. If you're using an Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, or Xbox Adaptive Controller, connect your controller by using a USB-C cable.

Do most PC games support controllers?

The majority of modern PC games do support controller. If they don't, then you can use steams big picture configuration to emulate the mouse and keyboard on your controller. There are some games from 2003–2004 that do not support controller however, so you'll need to play those games on mouse and keyboard.

What controller works with PC Steam games?

How do I play Steam games with a controller?

Why doesn't my PS4 controller work on PC games?

If your PC is using an older version of Bluetooth or you have added the Bluetooth functionality using an external adapter, the PS4 controller might not be able to connect. Do not worry, as you can use a USB cable to connect. Make sure you have Steam or DS4Windows to support the controller before connecting the device.

How do I force a USB to recognize?

Why doesn't Windows recognize my USB device?

Your USB driver can become corrupted, and the easiest solution to this problem is to uninstall it. You can then restart your computer, and Windows will automatically load the correct driver again. Here's what you need to do: Open the Start menu, type Device Manager in the Search box, and select Device Manager.

How do I know if my USB controller is working?

Can USB be used for gaming?

USB ports and flash drives and video games have been inextricably linked for decades. Not only do most consoles come with various USB inputs, but USB flash drives are imperative for gamers on the go.

Can you play games directly from USB?

After installing the games, you can use the flash drive to run them on any PC as long as they meet the requirements needed to run the game. Just be aware that there may be buffering or glitches during gameplay depending on your performance speed and cache settings.

How can I control my PC with a joystick?

As an example, if you have an Xbox controller, you can hold down the Xbox button, then use the right stick to move the mouse, press the right trigger to click, or press the left trigger to right-click. If you keep Steam running in the background, this will do in a pinch with no futzing necessary.