How do I use a logitech controller on steam deck? -solved

[Draugo]

Solved: I configured the steam deck controls so that the Y button switches controller player number.

I can't get my logitech controller to work on steam deck. I enabled support for both generic and xbox controllers. In game preferences I enabled controllers and then I went to manage controls and switch to the logitech controller, but only the steam deck controls work in game and it seems to always default back to steam deck controls in manage controls. Also I try just using it with the default manage controls setting. How do I get this to work?

[Marlock]

did you test multiple games?

i'm asking because the builtin controller usually is detected first, so it ends up as controller 1 and the logitech gets plugged in later so it ends up as ccontroller 2 on the OS... and some games are too dumb to ask you which controller to use, assuming always the first is desired for player 1, etc

also if you plug the controller in while the game is already running, not all PC games where developed with controller hotplugging in mind, so they might ignore it entirely


valve maaaaybe could develop a controller ordering interface to help users in the first issue, and i have hope they do something soon because it's an issue that became more evident only with the Deck, due to it having a controller attached at all times and users more frequently wanting to attach and use a second one instead...

the second is probably tougher to work around (they can't just force each game's devs to fix it, there are old games, etc), and is a well-known PITA since forever in Remote Play and on a PC too, not just on the Deck

[Draugo]

I only tried 1 game so far. I will try some others and see how it goes

[Draugo]

The controller just automatically worked on a different game. So yeah, it's probably just detecting it as controller 2 in the first game. Not sure how to fix that.

[Marlock]

try looking for clues in the game's discussions, but probably nothing you can do for now unless it's possible to make a specific game not see controller 1 from steam controller settings, while still being able to use the builtin controller everywhere else

you might be able to force the builtin controller to be "unplugged" (software-wise) but then it won't work anywhere until you replug it (or reboot, or change between gaming mode and desktop mode or something like it)... keep an external mouse/keyboard on standby if you try that

[Draugo]

Ok, thanks for the help Marlock.

[Marlock]

just edited my previous post for an extra option

[Draugo]

Yeah I'll see if I can try and figure that out. Thanks again. :)

[retrogunner]

This same situation occurs for folks using the Deck with a USB-C Dock. I wouldn't doubt it becomes an FAQ once the official Dock comes out. There's been some posts here (and elsewhere like Reddit) on how to re-arrange your Controller order on the Deck. Here's a quick YT on it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7abY3xhAyJI

[Marlock]

I came here because I stumbled on this fragment on the latest Deck software update announcement:

...Re-order Controllers button to the Other section in the Quick Access menu...

Was very happy to see a video cobfirming the option already exists

[Draugo]

Sweet! Unfortunately this doesn't work in desktop mode.

[Draugo]

I solved the problem for desktop mode. I configured the steam deck controls to the Y button switched the controller player number. could be done with part of the controls, I just chose Y.