A steam controller can be used with most games, and it’s as simple as plugging it in. However, there are times when it does not work, for example when Steam does not detect the controller. If you’re experiencing the same issue, read on to see what we can do to fix it.

Fixes To Try

  1. Check for hardware issues on your controller
  2. Use Steam’s Big Picture Mode
  3. Update your device drivers
  4. Check for Steam Updates
  5. Calibrate your controller

Before we start troubleshooting, please make sure your Steam controller is connected properly and a reboot for your computer would be suggested, as it prevents some software conflicts from running Steam and using the controller. Once complete, proceed with the steps below.

1. Check for hardware issues on your controller

First, check that your controller functions properly. When using a wireless connection, make sure your Steam controller is fully charged. If you’re using a wired connection, try a different USB cable. It is also recommended that you test your Steam controller on another console or PC, if possible.

Furthermore, you can use the Steam Input test tool to verify the functionality of each button and haptic feedback on your Steam Controller. To do this:

  1. Right-click Steam and select Run as administrator. (Click Yes to confirm if prompted.)
  2. Select Library, then click the rectangle with two opposing arrows icon in the top right corner of the Steam Client, and your Steam will be in Big Picture Mode.
  3. Click the Settings icon at the top right corner of the client.
  4. Under Controller, click Controller settings.
  5. Select your Steam Controller in the device list and click Support.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the diagnostic test.

If none of them helps, perhaps your controller is having some hardware problems and might need repair. Or, you can try the next troubleshooting tip.

2. Re-configure Steam’s Big Picture Mode

It’s suggested to Run Steam in Big Picture Mode when Steam fails to detect your controller, for the Controller is designed to work with it. So, make sure you’re running Steam in Big Picture Mode first. After you enter the Big Picture Mode, you can re-configure Steam to sort the problem out.

To do this:

  1. Right-click Steam and select Run as administrator. (Click Yes to confirm if prompted.)
  2. Select Library, then click the rectangle with two opposing arrows icon in the top right corner of the Steam Client, and your Steam will be in Big Picture Mode.
  3. Click Settings > Controller > Controller settings.
  4. Select your Steam Controller in the device list. For instance, if you’re using a PS controller, then check the PlayStation Configuration Support tab.
  5. Once done, go back to Big Picture Mode and select Library, and from the left sidebar, select the game you want to play with the controller.
  6. From the left sidebar, select Manage Game Options. Under Steam Input, choose Controller Options.
  7. Set Steam Input Per-Game Setting to Force Off. Click OK to save changes.
  8. Re-launch Steam for changes to take effect. (It’s better to use Big Picture Mode again.)

Now, check if your Steam controller is detected. If it’s still not, move on to the next tip.

3. Update your device drivers

When Steam cannot detect your controller, one of the first things you should do is to update your device drivers since an up-to-date driver always ensures the best gaming performance and fewer bugs.

To update your device driver, here’s what you can do (let’s take the graphics card driver for example here):

  1. On your keyboard, press the Windows key and X at the same time, select Device Manager.
  2. Double-click to expand the category Display adapters. Then right-click your graphic card driver and click Update driver (the name of the device can be different on your computer).
  3. Then click Search automatically for updated driver software.
  4. Wait for Windows to find the latest driver available for you.
  5. When the driver update is done, restart your computer for the change to take effect.
  6. Then check and see if the problem is fixed.

If Windows says that it’s already found the latest driver for you, so no newer drivers are found, then you should consider updating your drivers in a different way with the help of Driver Techie.

Its ever-growing driver database allows you to always have access to the latest device drivers that you need. More importantly, Driver Techie simplifies the driver update process, so all it takes is just 3 clicks (for Pro users), and all your drivers are updated.

To use Driver Techie to find you the latest drivers:

  1. Download and install Driver Techie, then launch it.
  2. Click Scan Now.
  3. After the scan, select all the drivers you need to update and click Update All. Then all your drivers will be updated automatically without you having to do anything else.

Please note that Update All is available for Pro subscribers only, otherwise, you can only manually update the driver one at a time. To see how to manually update the drivers one by one, please check this post.

If you’re a Pro user of Driver Techie, and need our technical support to help with the Steam not detecting controller problem, please feel free to contact <support@drivertechie.com>.

4. Check for Steam Updates

If your Steam controller still cannot be detected, then we recommend you use the Steam Client Beta, which will allow users to receive updates and fixes before they are made available through the regular Steam Client. In some cases, a new controller requires the latest update to the game platform.

To get the latest updates and features from the development team, please opt into the Steam Client beta. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Launch Steam in Big Picture Mode, and select the Settings icon from the top right corner of the client.
  2. Select System.
  3. Check the Participate in client beta option.
  4. Finally, select Check for Updates. If updates are available, Steam will automatically download and install them for you.
  5. Once done, re-launch Steam for changes to take effect.

Now check if the problem is resolved. If not, continue with the next solution.

5. Calibrate your controller

In some cases, you might need to adjust your controller by using the calibration tool, especially when there are inverted axis or nonresponding buttons on your Steam Controller. In addition, if your controller is not detected, you can also try this:

  1. Launch Steam in Big Picture Mode, go to Settings > Controller > Controller settings.
  2. Select your Steam Controller in the device list and click the Calibrate button.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the calibration. (It’s recommended to perform the calibration twice.)

Once finished, Steam will close it. And hopefully, you’ll be able to use your controller without issue. If you have any ideas to share, please feel free to leave a comment down below.