D-Pad issues with diagonals (mostly just up+left)

[Self Destructive]

I went to go play Resident Evil HD Remaster and Onimusha, and I noticed right away that something was wrong with the controls. As you may or may not know, RE and Onimusha have "tank" controls which do just that, turn the characters like a tank by using the d-pad.

Up moves the character forward, and left and right turn the character.. but, it's not registering up and left together as it should. I can get up and left to register, if I push abnormally hard to do so.. but it isn't consistent.

So, just to be sure, I loaded some 2d fighting games... and sure enough... jumping backwards (or forwards depending on what way you're facing) has the same issues and isn't consistent. It's hard to do it consistently.. This is a BIG issue...

This has nothing to do with my Deck d-pad being defective... as I'm sure people will run in here and claim. There's no way. This is 100% a design issue, and I see other people on other forums complaining about it too. I plug in an Xbox or PS controller, and it works perfectly as it should.

I think it's an issue with the membrane design?

https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/YPXc52UZSteMMMng.full

I'm not sure this could be fixed through software. Damn this sucks.

[Aeris]

I have the same issue with the dpad.
The diagonal left up and left down are just hard to press and often don't register in normal use.
Only when i press the dpad itself a bit down in the middle and then do the diagonals i can get it to work each time.
Diagonal up right and down right are no issue.

But after a few days of use the dpad has gotten a bit worked in and now i don't feel it that often anymore. (or perhaps i adjusted to it ?)

The issue is still there but seeing as it got better i hope it'll sort itself out after a while of good usage.

[Self Destructive]

Originally posted by Aeris:

I have the same issue with the dpad.
The diagonal left up and left down are just hard to press and often don't register in normal use.
Only when i press the dpad itself a bit down in the middle and then do the diagonals i can get it to work each time.
Diagonal up right and down right are no issue.

But after a few days of use the dpad has gotten a bit worked in and now i don't feel it that often anymore. (or perhaps i adjusted to it ?)

The issue is still there but seeing as it got better i hope it'll sort itself out after a while of good usage.

You know this is exactly my experience. I was going to come back here to say pretty much exactly what you did.

I think it just comes down to the fact that the d-pad is so close to the edge of the device, that my thumb just isn't centered on it in the same way as it would a regular controller. I adjusted the way I hold it and press on the d-pad and I got much more consistent with it.

So yea, I don't think there's anything wrong with the d-pad really... it's mostly just how I was holding it. I think an attachment that added more grip to the sides, would clear everything up completely.

As it is though, I'm already getting used to it, or it's getting broken in, so I think it'll be ok.

[Aeris]

good to hear !
And i wish you nothing but happy times :D

[shingouki2003]

I have the same issue on a 512gb model
The diagonal left up and right down require an unreasonable amount of force

[Aeris]

yeah it got better but it isn't good tbh. i can't really use it in games that use semi circles, quarter circles etc ...

[shadow1w2]

I mostly have trouble with diagonals up left, up right and down left.
Down left the most.
The work but it takes a lot of pressure and without thinking I often miss the input.
Not much we can do sides mod it later on really.
Solid four way control but for 8-way games or fighting games that need diagonals specifically it just isn't good enough and I have to avoid those games unless playing very casually.

Got more mileage than expected out of using the track pad as a d-pad for some fighting games but still not ideal.

For anything 8-way demanding digital games like arcade shmups and fighters, just best to lay down an arcade stick and prop the steam deck over it to see.
Least every other control on the device is top-notch and most 2D games only really need four way control or can afford a bit of fiddling when needing a diagonal input.

Hopefully one day someone manages a Saturn style d-pad mod or the like.

[Davee]

Same issue here. It got better the more I used the diagonals - and I read that it actually fixed the issue for some players when they "massaged" the problematic direction(s).