Steam Controller known issues and platform-specific notes

[Pierre-Loup]

View Steam Controller Support and Troubleshooting here:

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2754-YPKV-8614

Linux-specific notes and known issues

Rules updated; update necessary for compatibility with Steam builds newer than 11/22!

The controller is fully supported on Linux without needing a kernel driver, but Steam needs proper read-write access to the HID device nodes it exposes in order to program it. We are working with distributions to make sure the necessary access is provided out of the box, but this might not currently be the case depending on your distribution of choice. Here are the rules needed for proper use of the controller:

# This rule is needed for basic functionality of the controller in Steam and keyboard/mouse emulation
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="28de", MODE="0666"

# This rule is necessary for gamepad emulation; make sure you replace 'pgriffais' with a group that the user that runs Steam belongs to
KERNEL=="uinput", MODE="0660", GROUP="pgriffais", OPTIONS+="static_node=uinput"

# Valve HID devices over USB hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", ATTRS{idVendor}=="28de", MODE="0666"

# Valve HID devices over bluetooth hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", KERNELS=="*28DE:*", MODE="0666"

# DualShock 4 over USB hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", ATTRS{idVendor}=="054c", ATTRS{idProduct}=="05c4", MODE="0666"

# DualShock 4 wireless adapter over USB hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", ATTRS{idVendor}=="054c", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0ba0", MODE="0666"

# DualShock 4 Slim over USB hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", ATTRS{idVendor}=="054c", ATTRS{idProduct}=="09cc", MODE="0666"

# DualShock 4 over bluetooth hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", KERNELS=="*054C:05C4*", MODE="0666"

# DualShock 4 Slim over bluetooth hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", KERNELS=="*054C:09CC*", MODE="0666"

# Nintendo Switch Pro Controller over USB hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", ATTRS{idVendor}=="057e", ATTRS{idProduct}=="2009", MODE="0666"

# Nintendo Switch Pro Controller over bluetooth hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", KERNELS=="*057E:2009*", MODE="0666"

Please note: Make sure you don’t have older rules that are taking priority. If there are both /lib/udev/rules.d/60-steam-controller-perms.rules AND /etc/udev/rules.d/60-steam-controller-perms.rules, one of the two will take priority and the edits will be ignored. Check that you only have one before putting the content of the rules file in and fixing the group name.

Bootloader firmware updates

Regular firmware updates will go through regular USB hid reports and can be performed wired or wirelessly. We'll also sometimes be releasing infrequent bootloader updates; these updates are different and can only work when wired. When Steam asks you to plug in the controller to start the update, the controller will change from a HID device to a mass storage device with an identifier of 'CRP DISABLED'. Steam will then wait for that device to become mounted somewhere so that it can copy the firmware file into the controller. A lot of distributions don't auto-mount mass storage devices by default, meaning you'll most likely have to go click on the volume in your file manager of choice when Steam is waiting for the volume to get mounted, or mount it manually where Steam can write to it.

Endless firmware update loop

If you're experiencing an issue with the firmware update window endlessly coming back up during a firmware update, this is most likely due to poor signal integrity causing the firmware update process to fail and retry. Try the following:

• Move the controller closer to its wireless receiver
  
• Connect the controller directly to the computer using the included USB cable

Mac-specific notes and known issues

• You'll need to restart the Steam client after being prompted to install the driver
  
• Note that some Mac games don't actually support any kind of controllers; you will have to use mouse/keyboard emulation in this case
  
• If a given game is not compatible with the Steam Overlay, input emulation will not currently work

[Mutated Plush]

Interesting

[NickTheNESHero]

I'm glad to see that Valve is working to do right by Steam's Mac Users. I've heard rumors that Valve has been giving away a copy of each other their games to Mac users with Steam Controllers, but I haven't gotten any indication if it's true.

[Shark]

On my Steam controller clicking on the left touchpad is not registered if the analog stick isn't centered. Is this a common issue or is it a defect in my unit?

[Lynx]

Originally posted by Pierre-Loup:

Linux-specific notes and known issues

The controller is fully supported on Linux without needing a kernel driver, but Steam needs proper read-write access to the HID device nodes it exposes in order to program it. We are working with distributions to make sure the necessary access is provided out of the box, but this might not currently be the case depending on your distribution of choice. Here are the rules needed for proper use of the controller:

# This rule is needed for basic functionality of the controller in Steam and keyboard/mouse emulation
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="28de", MODE="0666"

# This rule is necessary for gamepad emulation; make sure you replace 'pgriffais' with the username of the user that runs Steam
KERNEL=="uinput", MODE="0660", GROUP="pgriffais", OPTIONS+="static_node=uinput"

I'm a linux user comfortable with my OS but I'm not the most in-depth of my knowledge with it. Is this a command that you put into the terminal? Because if so, my terminal returns "command not found." Appreciate all you guys are doing ^_^

[Alexander Prime]

@K'lia Valtyr, these are udev "rules", which are sets of parameters to match followed by operations to perform. Rather than running them directly, you'll want to place them in a file in /etc/udev/rules.d, alongside other files you'll find with similar syntax.

Each time a new device is detected, these files will be read in alphabetical order and scanned from top to bottom for matches. It's usually best for user-made custom rules to be last, so probably call the file you create "99-steam-controller" or something similar.

Googling "udev rules" will get you a lot of detailed information about writing these files, in case you want to understand how the individual rules are working.

[Lynx]

Originally posted by Alexander Prime:

@K'lia Valtyr, these are udev "rules", which are sets of parameters to match followed by operations to perform. Rather than running them directly, you'll want to place them in a file in /etc/udev/rules.d, alongside other files you'll find with similar syntax.

Each time a new device is detected, these files will be read in alphabetical order and scanned from top to bottom for matches. It's usually best for user-made custom rules to be last, so probably call the file you create "99-steam-controller" or something similar.

Googling "udev rules" will get you a lot of detailed information about writing these files, in case you want to understand how the individual rules are working.

Thank you so much! Controller works flawlessly now!

[Jennible]

Valve your missing the right pads entire outer edge being undetected on the controller in your known issues post. Its been reported on dozens of threads here in discussions. Are you still not aware of it being a thing?

[SPQY]

Originally posted by Shark:

On my Steam controller clicking on the left touchpad is not registered if the analog stick isn't centered. Is this a common issue or is it a defect in my unit?

This seems like it might be a game-specific thing. Some games disable the mouse when a controller is in use. They just don't like switching between controller controls and mouse controls quickly.

[OSHA Inspector]

Originally posted by SpockYoda:

Originally posted by Shark:

On my Steam controller clicking on the left touchpad is not registered if the analog stick isn't centered. Is this a common issue or is it a defect in my unit?

This seems like it might be a game-specific thing. Some games disable the mouse when a controller is in use. They just don't like switching between controller controls and mouse controls quickly.

that is true

some games outright don't support both at the same time and will break the space time continuum of the engine if you try

[Sgt. Sodium]

Glad to see us Mac users are getting help. I got the controller today, plugged it in, played around in the client for a while, and then realized it didn't work. I thought I was totally screwed. xD

I do like the controller so far, though. (Even though I can't play games.)

Originally posted by NickTheNESHero:

I'm glad to see that Valve is working to do right by Steam's Mac Users. I've heard rumors that Valve has been giving away a copy of each other their games to Mac users with Steam Controllers, but I haven't gotten any indication if it's true.

I can't say I have recieved any of these free copies you are talking about, but I wouldn't mind if it happened. ;)

EDIT: Hey, hey! Logged in this morning and found myself a Valve Complete Pack. Noice!

[Todd Howard]

does the controller work on computer

[oliveros9]

I am unable to use the gyroscope. At "Checking hardware status" all butons and pads are working but gyroscope/accelerometer sensor...

Is gyroscope disabled by default? Should I activate something before being able to use it?

Regards,

OLI

EDIT: Now I can use the gyroscope! I seems that many SC issues are solved just by activating "steam overlay" in big picture mode. Also, I activated the "beta" for big picture as I read about a fix related to the SC.

Hope that helps.

Best,

OLI

[FreedomChains]

Do you only get this if you've purchased through steam? I pre-ordered and received the controller and link at Gamestop.

Originally posted by Sgt. Sodium:

Glad to see us Mac users are getting help. I got the controller today, plugged it in, played around in the client for a while, and then realized it didn't work. I thought I was totally screwed. xD

I do like the controller so far, though. (Even though I can't play games.)

Originally posted by NickTheNESHero:

I'm glad to see that Valve is working to do right by Steam's Mac Users. I've heard rumors that Valve has been giving away a copy of each other their games to Mac users with Steam Controllers, but I haven't gotten any indication if it's true.

I can't say I have recieved any of these free copies you are talking about, but I wouldn't mind if it happened. ;)

EDIT: Hey, hey! Logged in this morning and found myself a Valve Complete Pack. Noice!

[Sgt. Sodium]

Originally posted by FreedomChains:

Do you only get this if you've purchased through steam? I pre-ordered and received the controller and link at Gamestop.

Originally posted by Sgt. Sodium:

Glad to see us Mac users are getting help. I got the controller today, plugged it in, played around in the client for a while, and then realized it didn't work. I thought I was totally screwed. xD

I do like the controller so far, though. (Even though I can't play games.)


I can't say I have recieved any of these free copies you are talking about, but I wouldn't mind if it happened. ;)

EDIT: Hey, hey! Logged in this morning and found myself a Valve Complete Pack. Noice!

Not too sure. I got mine through Steam, if that helps.

[FreedomChains]

Originally posted by Sgt. Sodium:

Originally posted by FreedomChains:

Do you only get this if you've purchased through steam? I pre-ordered and received the controller and link at Gamestop.

Not too sure. I got mine through Steam, if that helps.

After contacting steam support about it, they added the Valve Complete Pack to my account too! It did take a few days for them to get back to me, but in the end handled it well.