Fix: ‘Steam Not Detecting Controller’ issue

This article will show you how to Fix ‘Steam Not Detecting Controller’ issue. When it comes to games, everyone has different tastes in a lot of different ways. Some people, for instance, like to play on one platform more than another. Some people prefer to play one kind of game over another. Some players like a certain kind of story, while others like a different kind. In the same way, there are different ways to play a game. Some players like to play with a keyboard, while others like to play with a mouse. When you play on a PC, you can choose any of the options and even use your favorite type of controller.

Valve’s storefront is the largest place in the world to play games. It’s very popular because it has a lot of features that make it easier to play games. But it doesn’t always work, like when Steam can’t find the controller. You should be able to play in any way you want. You could use a keyboard and mouse on a PS5, or you could use a DualSense on a PC running Steam. Both Sony and Microsoft controllers should work well with the software. Then, it should install the drivers it needs, but you may have to look in a hard-to-find menu. Here are the steps to Fix ‘Steam Not Detecting Controller’ issue.

What is the Steam not detecting controller issue?

The Steam not detecting controller issue is when the Steam gaming platform, which supports a wide range of game controllers, doesn’t recognize or work right with a connected controller. Because of this problem, players may not be able to use their favorite controllers when playing games through Steam, which can affect the overall gaming experience.

Different things can cause this problem, such as driver conflicts, old controller firmware, bugs in the Steam client, or problems with the game being played. Steps to fix the problem could include updating the controller’s drivers or firmware, making sure the controller is properly connected, configuring Steam’s controller settings, and checking for software updates.

Causes of ‘Steam not detecting controller’ issue

1. Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers for your controller can prevent Steam from recognizing it.
2. Connection Problems: Faulty USB cables, wireless connectivity issues, or incorrect pairing can lead to the controller not being detected.
3. Software Interference: Other applications or third-party software that manage controllers might conflict with Steam’s detection process.
4. Controller Firmware: Outdated or corrupt firmware on the controller itself can hinder its detection.
5. Steam Bugs: Sometimes, Steam updates or bugs can disrupt proper controller detection.
6. Operating System Updates: Updates to your operating system can affect controller compatibility with Steam.

Fix: ‘Steam Not Detecting Controller’ issue

Run Steam With Administrator Privileges

Running Steam as Administrator, as this Reddit user suggested, can quickly fix the problem of the client not recognizing your DualShock controller. Most of the time, it’s best to run Steam as an administrator because it will help you avoid many problems, including this one. What you have to do is:

1. Find shortcut on computer for Steam client.
2. Right-click on shortcut and choose “Run as Administrator.”
3. Steam starts up, use normally. PS4 controller issue may be fixed. If not, see other solutions below.

Uninstall incompatible device driver

1. Press Win + R keys to open the Run window, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to enter Device Manager.
2. Click the View tab on the top menu bar and select Devices by Connection.
3. expand the Razer mouse device or sound, video and game controllerif, then right-click on the problematic device driver and select Uninstall device. then follow the on the screen instructions to complete the process.

Reset The Controller

1. Fold a small piece of paper into a cylinder or shape to fit the small reset button space on the back of the PS4 controller.
2. Push the button with the folded paper and hold for about five seconds, then let go.
3. Connect the controller again and try using it with Steam again.

Check if your controller is faulty

1. Leave your Steam in Big Picture mode, then navigate to Settings > Controller > Controller Settings????????
2. highlight your steam controller on the list of devices and select Support.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the test. If hardware issues are diagnosed, you can request a refund or replacement within the warranty period.

Enable Controller Compatibility In Big Picture Mode

1. Open Steam as Administrator and log in to your account.
2. To enter Steam Big Picture Mode, click on the controller icon in the top-right corner, right next to the minimize button.
3. In this mode, you can still move around with your mouse. So, move the cursor to the top and click on the little cogwheel icon. This is how you get to the Steam settings panel while in Big Picture Mode.
4. Click on Controller Settings in the settings menu, and then turn on the PS4 Configuration Support option.

Conclusion

We hope you like our article on How to Fix Steam not detecting controller on Windows. Some games are more fun when you have a controller, and all you have to do to use a controller with Steam is plug it in. But even though Steam is known for being easy to use, it is not uncommon for a feature to not work the way it was meant to.

Questions and Answers