Steam Deck Controller/Buttons do not work

[katpig]

Just received my Steam Deck and out of the box the controls do not work. Power button, volume and touch screen work but the "controller" buttons do nothing in menus, desktop and games. Also restarted it several times.

Checked in settings in desktop and within steam and they all say not controller is detected.

Saw a couple others with this issue but no solutions. I already submitted a support ticket but wanted to see if anyone had this issue and got it working or ended up RMA.

Pretty bummed, been looking forward to getting this thing for a long time.

[Mahjik]

Try the battery storage mode hack:

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/0/3387291961147775385/#c3387291961148571371

Sometimes, that can make unresponsive hardware pieces reset. Worth a shot while you wait for support.

[katpig]

Thanks for the response! Was able to boot to that BIOS screen however i cannot use the buttons to do anything in the menu. I dont think i have a controller or USB C keyboard i can even hook up to it.

[Mahjik]

That stinks. If you cannot even navigate the bios/firmware menus, then you will likely have to wait for Valve support.

[katpig]

Yeah seeming like that. I ran out and got a cheap USB C hub and connected my controller to it. This USB controller works fine but doesnt seem to work in the BIOS menu either. Going to try a keyboard next.

[katpig]

No go on the battery storage mode. Still no inputs from controls after doing that and letting it sit for an hour. Thanks for the suggestion though! Feeling this is going to be an RMA hardware issue which is disappointing.

[JcKGrim51]

This just happened to me. Worked fine before leaving for work and take it out to restart the downloads and now it's not working at all. Very disappointing. Get a new toy and it's broken.

[Falkentyne]

You can use a USB keyboard, either a native type C keyboard, or a type A (regular) USB keyboard, with a simple type A to type C adapter, or if your keyboard has a detachable USB C cable with a USB A "computer" port, you can use a direct USB-C to USB-C cable. I use these for adapters:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HZ6PS61

I just tested this just now with a Ducky Shine 6 (micro USB) to USB-C adapter, and with a Royal Kludge (USB-C to USB-C cable), and had no problems navigating the BIOS menus or pressing enter/arrows on the keyboard to select options.

There is absolutely no reason why this won't work to enable "Battery Storage Mode" In the BIOS (hold volume up while pressing power button to enter the UEFI BIOS).

Also, as far as the controller not being detected:
Sometimes this can be as simple as a ribbon cable not attached from the factory. Most of the cables should be visible for both the "left" and "right" controller boards and the mainboard, after just removing the back cover and the aluminum heat shield (that requires removing a small square strip of foil tape to get one of the three screws out of the shield). Then you can look at the latch connectors and see if they are all connected or if one is disconnected. It's worth a shot, and definitely will not void a warranty for you to check.

All of the cable boards should be visible in the d-pad teardown guide. i do knot know if there are cable connectors below the boards (e.g. where the LCD connector is).

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Steam+Deck+D-Pad+Button+Replacement/148937

[JcKGrim51]

Thank you for the information. I am disappointed with steam and this product. Never thought to purchase something that is intended to be plug and play only to have to disassemble it, repair it myself for it to work and be useful. I thought I may have held something for too long and initiated a button lock. But it appears the device doesn't see it's own hardware. It's a lemon IMO. Very disappointing.

[Warnstaff]

Have you contacted steam support? When mine did a similar thing they had me send it in and sent me a replacement. Took a good week and a half or so.

[katpig]

Originally posted by Warnstaff:

Have you contacted steam support? When mine did a similar thing they had me send it in and sent me a replacement. Took a good week and a half or so.

Yep i just sent it out for RMA after talking to steam support. Guessing this is common as they didnt even have me do any troubleshooting.

You RMA was only a week and half from when you shipped it out to when you got it back? Thats not too bad then. Where are you located? I am in PA and they had me ship it to UT for their warranty center. Im going on a work trip first week in october so I am really hoping it comes back before then.

[katpig]

@falkentyne

Yep using a USB hub worked for me. Connected a USB keyboard to navigate the BIOS menu and put it in battery storage mode. Unfortunately didnt help my issue however that is good info for others with similar symptoms

[Warnstaff]

Originally posted by kilokatpig:

Originally posted by Warnstaff:

Have you contacted steam support? When mine did a similar thing they had me send it in and sent me a replacement. Took a good week and a half or so.

Yep i just sent it out for RMA after talking to steam support. Guessing this is common as they didnt even have me do any troubleshooting.

You RMA was only a week and half from when you shipped it out to when you got it back? Thats not too bad then. Where are you located? I am in PA and they had me ship it to UT for their warranty center. Im going on a work trip first week in october so I am really hoping it comes back before then.

I live in Northern Indiana. Yeah, they were fast with me, and didn't even troubleshoot either. Utah is where mine was shipped as well, but my new one I think came from Illinois? Have to check the box again.

I hope it comes back in plenty of time for you to enjoy it before your work trip. Wishing you the kind of speed I had. It took a couple days over labor day before they sent the new one out after the defective one arrived at their facility.

Oh, if you haven't sent it yet, get a receipt that you have from the shipper.

[GhostLeeGhoul]

Any update? I'm having the same problem and the battery storage mode thing didn't help me.

[JcKGrim51]

Yeah, make a ticket and send it back. They send you a new one.

[ANDS!]

Same issue except happened on a vacation. Controller undetected, and can't even navigate the recovery menu because of this. This is a design flaw of the SD and honestly. . . I'm just going to return the thing. It's a great idea for a device but they really haven't thought through all the required QoL requirements something like this needs (you should be able to navigate the recovery/bios mode with the volume and power buttons).