Controls/buttons not working after startup

[spac3chips]

I'm hoping to get some help with this...

This started about two weeks ago, when firing up the Steam Deck, there is a 50% chance the buttons and joysticks will not work and register input.

We're talking directional pad, the two joysticks and the ABXY buttons.

The only buttons that work are the "STEAM" and "..." buttons, allowing me to shutdown and restart the Steam Deck using touchscreen.

Does this happen to anyone else? Is this a fixable issue or do I need to contact Valve asap?

I only got my Steam Deck in December 2024.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[adoubledg]

This just started happening to me after I updated the OS on the stable channel on my oled steam deck a week or two ago. It’s only happened 3 times for me so far, but it never happened once on my old lcd deck updates or not. Restarting the system fixes it as of now, like you I have to use the steam button & touch or just power it off, but I don’t know what the problem is either & im sure we’re not the only ones having this issue.

I guess it wouldn’t hurt to contact valve, but I feel it’s somehow linked to this last software update cause I had no issues like this beforehand. Obviously if this gets worse for me, I’m gonna contact them.

[Mahjik]

Something to try is those that "experienced this after an OS update", you can rollback the update and then let it reapply. This usually fixes odd issues that happen after an update where it's not a problem happening to the masses.

[spac3chips]

Originally posted by Mahjik:

Something to try is those that "experienced this after an OS update", you can rollback the update and then let it reapply. This usually fixes odd issues that happen after an update where it's not a problem happening to the masses.

Oh I'll try this. Do you know how yo rollback the update?

Thanks :)

[Mahjik]

Power the Deck down. Then press POWER + QAM (QAM is quick access menu with three dots on the right). This should start the device and display a menu allowing you to load a previous system backup. Try loading the the previous system version.

Keep in mind, this only works if you haven't loaded a beta or other version as it's truly the "previous" version.

[kyle.epps]

Having same issue. Over half the time it only registers finger clicks. And then half that time won’t even boot thr game.

[illmatic]

same thing started happening after latest stable update for me. lcd deck

[Tridom Andy]

same thing happened three times with me so far, oled 1tb.

[adoubledg]

This is definitely a OS software issue glitch that seems to randomly affect random different style decks, which is hopefully fixed when the next stable one hits. Personally mine hasn’t gotten worse and it’s only happened the 3 times to me when I had originally posted & hasn’t happened again. I did notice this was happening to me when I would start my system up with the charger plugged in. Since I started starting the system up unplugged I haven’t had the controls not working issue again. I doubt that’s why, it’s just something I personally noticed with my oled deck that was doing it.

[Silicon Vampire]

*sigh*

This is the main reason my deck rarely gets used… I can’t count on it working after any update. I don’t have time to deal with the probable issues from any of Valves ♥♥♥♥-updates.

[SpitCV]

Same for me, new oled 512. When I power it down, there's a chance the buttons won't work when back up.

Rebooting usually fixes it but is annoying. Also mine is like a month old so I didn't put any custom stuff, just installed a couple steam games

[sunflowery]

The same issue for me and nothing seems to resolve it. Unfortunately, even Steam Support couldn’t help me. I’ve tried a factory reset, updated the BIOS, reimaged the device and tried other solutions, but the issue keeps coming back after some time.

All we can do now is wait for a fix, I guess.

[kyle.epps]

Dang. It would certainly help in knowing where to go. I’m only a couple hrs in and have wasted a lot of time running around as the in-game day progresses wandering around aimlessly hoping to find a star to enter a new scene. Thanks for letting me know I’m not the only one.

[ARC-3789]

I have the same issue since two days, I have contacted support about it. Will update if there is any news.

[Bowm4080]

Recently had this issue too on my LCD Deck. The buttons aren't even working in the BIOS or desktop mode. Only the right thumbstick and trackpad work, but they only emulate the mouse (The touch screen is fine).

[Talphi]

I'm facing the same exact problem. Even when I go to controller settings, and test it, only the buttons like right trackpad, and ABXY buttons show up as regsitering input. But the only thing I can use is the trackpad like a mouse. The touchscreen is fine.