Controller Not Detected

[Mathew Mii]

Just like a few other peeps, my controller will not connect like a controller through Steam but still works as a mouse. However, the current solutions I am finding are not working for me such as deleting certain drivers/programs. Here's what I got that might cause a conflict:

- Red Dragon gaming mouse with its drivers.

- Gyazo as my screenshot tool and recently came with a game capture tool.

- My AMD driver also comes with a game capture tool, but it is disabled.

- Windows 10 being arrogant with its drivers. When my controller is plugged in wirelessly, it comes up as the Steam Controller. Wired, it comes up as a generic wired controller. The icon for the controller is a keyboard.

- My Bluetooth dongle I use for my headphones and VR controllers.

- I am hoping this one is not causing the issue, but I do have a Huion drawing tablet installed.

Here's a pic of my Steam controller as seen in the device manager when I sort the devices by container: https://i.gyazo.com/f803f8b8f0b682e95c91b5d8ec8aa585.png

I hope to get this fixed soon.

[Vepar]

First make sure BPM overlay is working in game.

[Mathew Mii]

Originally posted by Vepar:

First make sure BPM overlay is working in game.

What's that?
Edit: I realized that means Big Picture Mode. That works fine for me.

[Vepar]

Originally posted by Mathew Mii:

Originally posted by Vepar:

First make sure BPM overlay is working in game.

What's that?
Edit: I realized that means Big Picture Mode. That works fine for me.

Ok then.

The device manager list and all, that's how it's supposed to be, that's fine. The computer doesn't detect SC as a controller.

If BPM overlay works in game, do you see the controller configuration menu option or anything related to controller at all when playing?

If not, go to BPM (outside of game), settings, controller settings, and check if your controller is there.

If not, then select add controller and follow on screen instructions.

[Mathew Mii]

Originally posted by Vepar:

Ok then.

The device manager list and all, that's how it's supposed to be, that's fine. The computer doesn't detect SC as a controller.

If BPM overlay works in game, do you see the controller configuration menu option or anything related to controller at all when playing?

If not, go to BPM (outside of game), settings, controller settings, and check if your controller is there.

If not, then select add controller and follow on screen instructions.

I did get to the overlay, but it still didn't detect a controller. Same thing outside of game, too.

A thing I should note is that I can navigate through the menus in Atari Vault and the Sega Genesis Classic Collection, but the controls do not work in any of the games I select... In Columns 3, I can move the gem pieces around. However, I can't rotate them and a majority of the buttons just make you leave the game if you hold them down long enough. Human Cannonball through the Atari vault lets me aim, but not fire. One of the face buttons instead pause the game...

[Atom-Fire]

Same problem:
I can move my mouse on my desktop BUT steam cannot see the controller on my computer. When the controller was plugged into a different computer steam saw it right away and was able to update it. But my primary computer it cannot see the controller.
I've tried admin mode, firmware, updating, and going into the control panel and uninstalling the mouse settings when it gets plugged in.

Nothing has worked!

Note: i also have red dragon mouse.
Note 2: When i plug in the controller in device manager it makes 3 (USB input device), 1 (HID-compliant mouse) and 1 (HID Keyboard Device). When i plug in the wireless adapter it makes 5 (USB input device), 1 (HID-compliant mouse) and 1 (HID Keyboard Device). They are inside Human Interface Devices and Mice and other pointing devices i have no Steam Controller Device.

Please help, i'm losing my ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ mind.

EDIT: Note 2 fixes.

[Vepar]

Originally posted by Mathew Mii:

Originally posted by Vepar:

Ok then.

The device manager list and all, that's how it's supposed to be, that's fine. The computer doesn't detect SC as a controller.

If BPM overlay works in game, do you see the controller configuration menu option or anything related to controller at all when playing?

If not, go to BPM (outside of game), settings, controller settings, and check if your controller is there.

If not, then select add controller and follow on screen instructions.

I did get to the overlay, but it still didn't detect a controller. Same thing outside of game, too.

A thing I should note is that I can navigate through the menus in Atari Vault and the Sega Genesis Classic Collection, but the controls do not work in any of the games I select... In Columns 3, I can move the gem pieces around. However, I can't rotate them and a majority of the buttons just make you leave the game if you hold them down long enough. Human Cannonball through the Atari vault lets me aim, but not fire. One of the face buttons instead pause the game...

Yes that's normal. If it's using the desktop configuratuon ir lizard mode it still has arrow key bindings on it.

But you didn't answer the question. Did you try manually adding the controller in BPM controller settings?

Also, some other basic troubleshooting steps to try.

While powering the controller on, hold both Steam button and X at the same time.

Try wired vs wireless. Are you using bluetooth or Steam controllers wireless dongle to connect?

Opt into Steam beta if you're not in it. Or if you are, opt out to eliminate the steam client as a problem.

Do not run Steam or games from steam in admin mode. The controller will nit work then even if the bpm overlay displays.

Use another computer. Try it on another computer to see if it works there. If it does, then something on your computer is the problem. If not, then it might be Steam controller itself.

Lastly, did you update the firmware on the device? Maybe the controller is bricked and you need to recover firmware. That option is also in BPM controller settings. And in the guides section on how to do it manually.

Originally posted by Youtube: Atom-Fire:

Same problem:
I can move my mouse on my desktop BUT steam cannot see the controller on my computer. When the controller was plugged into a different computer steam saw it right away and was able to update it. But my primary computer it cannot see the controller.
I've tried admin mode, firmware, updating, and going into the control panel and uninstalling the mouse settings when it gets plugged in.

Nothing has worked!

Note: i also have red dragon mouse.
Note 2: When i plug in the controller in device manager it makes 3 (USB input device), 1 (HID-compliant mouse) and 1 (HID Keyboard Device). When i plug in the wireless adapter it makes 5 (USB input device), 1 (HID-compliant mouse) and 1 (HID Keyboard Device). They are inside Human Interface Devices and Mice and other pointing devices i have no Steam Controller Device.

Please help, i'm losing my ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ mind.

EDIT: Note 2 fixes.

That's how it's supposed to be. SC is not a controller in drivers. Steam is it's driver so to speak. It's a controller when you configure it to act like one. But Steam needs to be running with BPM overlay to interpret the input. That's why you can bind anything on it and use it on desktop too.

Follow the same troubleshooting steps i wrote and see if anything works.

[Atom-Fire]

Originally posted by Vepar:

Originally posted by Mathew Mii:

I did get to the overlay, but it still didn't detect a controller. Same thing outside of game, too.

A thing I should note is that I can navigate through the menus in Atari Vault and the Sega Genesis Classic Collection, but the controls do not work in any of the games I select... In Columns 3, I can move the gem pieces around. However, I can't rotate them and a majority of the buttons just make you leave the game if you hold them down long enough. Human Cannonball through the Atari vault lets me aim, but not fire. One of the face buttons instead pause the game...

Yes that's normal. If it's using the desktop configuratuon ir lizard mode it still has arrow key bindings on it.

But you didn't answer the question. Did you try manually adding the controller in BPM controller settings?

Also, some other basic troubleshooting steps to try.

While powering the controller on, hold both Steam button and X at the same time.

Try wired vs wireless. Are you using bluetooth or Steam controllers wireless dongle to connect?

Opt into Steam beta if you're not in it. Or if you are, opt out to eliminate the steam client as a problem.

Do not run Steam or games from steam in admin mode. The controller will nit work then even if the bpm overlay displays.

Use another computer. Try it on another computer to see if it works there. If it does, then something on your computer is the problem. If not, then it might be Steam controller itself.

Lastly, did you update the firmware on the device? Maybe the controller is bricked and you need to recover firmware. That option is also in BPM controller settings. And in the guides section on how to do it manually.

Originally posted by Youtube: Atom-Fire:

Same problem:
I can move my mouse on my desktop BUT steam cannot see the controller on my computer. When the controller was plugged into a different computer steam saw it right away and was able to update it. But my primary computer it cannot see the controller.
I've tried admin mode, firmware, updating, and going into the control panel and uninstalling the mouse settings when it gets plugged in.

Nothing has worked!

Note: i also have red dragon mouse.
Note 2: When i plug in the controller in device manager it makes 3 (USB input device), 1 (HID-compliant mouse) and 1 (HID Keyboard Device). When i plug in the wireless adapter it makes 5 (USB input device), 1 (HID-compliant mouse) and 1 (HID Keyboard Device). They are inside Human Interface Devices and Mice and other pointing devices i have no Steam Controller Device.

Please help, i'm losing my ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ mind.

EDIT: Note 2 fixes.

That's how it's supposed to be. SC is not a controller in drivers. Steam is it's driver so to speak. It's a controller when you configure it to act like one. But Steam needs to be running with BPM overlay to interpret the input. That's why you can bind anything on it and use it on desktop too.

Follow the same troubleshooting steps i wrote and see if anything works.

1st. I've tried everything you've listed except add steam controller because i cannot add the steam controller, i have no option to add one.
2nd. Yes trying a different computer worked so its not the steam controller its something with my computer.
3rd already in beta, tried both admin and not admin, steam overlay is on, also holding down x and the power button never did anything? What is that for it just beeped for a few minutes and never did anything.

[Vepar]

Originally posted by Youtube: Atom-Fire:

1st. I've tried everything you've listed except add steam controller because i cannot add the steam controller, i have no option to add one.
2nd. Yes trying a different computer worked so its not the steam controller its something with my computer.
3rd already in beta, tried both admin and not admin, steam overlay is on, also holding down x and the power button never did anything? What is that for it just beeped for a few minutes and never did anything.

You don't have this option?

https://imgur.com/jh7S5bX

Also, Steam button + X force pairs the controller to the dongle connected to the computer. That's also what you have to do to add a controller after you press that option.


If the controller works on other computers though, then yes, it's your computer. What other input software do you have installed. Razer devices were known to cause issues with the controller.

[Atom-Fire]

Originally posted by Vepar:

Originally posted by Youtube: Atom-Fire:

1st. I've tried everything you've listed except add steam controller because i cannot add the steam controller, i have no option to add one.
2nd. Yes trying a different computer worked so its not the steam controller its something with my computer.
3rd already in beta, tried both admin and not admin, steam overlay is on, also holding down x and the power button never did anything? What is that for it just beeped for a few minutes and never did anything.

You don't have this option?

https://imgur.com/jh7S5bX

Also, Steam button + X force pairs the controller to the dongle connected to the computer. That's also what you have to do to add a controller after you press that option.


If the controller works on other computers though, then yes, it's your computer. What other input software do you have installed. Razer devices were known to cause issues with the controller.

Note i do not have the add controller option, also steam + X does not pair the controller for me. I CAN connect the controller to the dongle but that is only when i do Steam + A.

Also the only razer products i have is razer cortex. I do have red dragon gaming mouse software installed? Could that be the problem? If so how do i fix it?

[Vepar]

Originally posted by Youtube: Atom-Fire:

Originally posted by Vepar:

You don't have this option?

https://imgur.com/jh7S5bX

Also, Steam button + X force pairs the controller to the dongle connected to the computer. That's also what you have to do to add a controller after you press that option.


If the controller works on other computers though, then yes, it's your computer. What other input software do you have installed. Razer devices were known to cause issues with the controller.

Note i do not have the add controller option, also steam + X does not pair the controller for me. I CAN connect the controller to the dongle but that is only when i do Steam + A.

Also the only razer products i have is razer cortex. I do have red dragon gaming mouse software installed? Could that be the problem? If so how do i fix it?

You can try uninstalling what you think conflicts with Steam controller. If you think the red dragon gaming mouse software is the culprit, uninstall it and see if that fixes it.

Same with all other programs. Process of elimination really, not much you can do other than first uninstalling programs that deal with input devices like your red dragon and razer ones (even if it's just cortex, still worth a try). You can always install the programs later.

Try updating Windows, or if everything else fails, reinstalling Steam (though this should be your last resort).

EDIT: Also, go to device manager and see if something suspicious is there. I don't know what to tell you what to look for, just open it and check devices individually and see if everything looks about normal.

[Atom-Fire]

I tried uninstalling them, i don't think i have any other software installed that would hinder with the mouse/keyboard, but it still does not see it. Side note: I can connect the controller to my phone and my phone to my computer and steam sees the controller then but not when its connect to my own computer (Yes the firmware is updated) I just have no clue what to do at this point.

[Vepar]

Originally posted by Youtube: Atom-Fire:

I tried uninstalling them, i don't think i have any other software installed that would hinder with the mouse/keyboard, but it still does not see it. Side note: I can connect the controller to my phone and my phone to my computer and steam sees the controller then but not when its connect to my own computer (Yes the firmware is updated) I just have no clue what to do at this point.

Can you explain in detail what exactly is happening, what doesn't work? What system you have, what you have tried, does the controller not show up in steam at all - is it using lizard mode whem you power it on or draktop configuration - does it even connect to the computer, everything you can think of. Every little bit helps.

At this point i'm at a loss and since i'm not there to see what's happening, i can't think of what could be the problem.

[Mathew Mii]

Originally posted by Vepar:

Originally posted by Mathew Mii:

I did get to the overlay, but it still didn't detect a controller. Same thing outside of game, too.

A thing I should note is that I can navigate through the menus in Atari Vault and the Sega Genesis Classic Collection, but the controls do not work in any of the games I select... In Columns 3, I can move the gem pieces around. However, I can't rotate them and a majority of the buttons just make you leave the game if you hold them down long enough. Human Cannonball through the Atari vault lets me aim, but not fire. One of the face buttons instead pause the game...

Yes that's normal. If it's using the desktop configuratuon ir lizard mode it still has arrow key bindings on it.

But you didn't answer the question. Did you try manually adding the controller in BPM controller settings?

Also, some other basic troubleshooting steps to try.

While powering the controller on, hold both Steam button and X at the same time.

Try wired vs wireless. Are you using bluetooth or Steam controllers wireless dongle to connect?

Opt into Steam beta if you're not in it. Or if you are, opt out to eliminate the steam client as a problem.

Do not run Steam or games from steam in admin mode. The controller will nit work then even if the bpm overlay displays.

Use another computer. Try it on another computer to see if it works there. If it does, then something on your computer is the problem. If not, then it might be Steam controller itself.

Lastly, did you update the firmware on the device? Maybe the controller is bricked and you need to recover firmware. That option is also in BPM controller settings. And in the guides section on how to do it manually.

The button combination did nothing, switched to the beta version and back and also got nothing, and I did the manual firmware fix. Now my controller won't stay on...

For the wireless connection, I used the dongle it came with.

Adding it in manually? How do I do that?

Edit: I forgot to mention that the controller no longer controls the mouse. Is this normal? I also should mention that holding the steam button down in wireless mode just lights it up and letting go of it turns the light off.

Another edit: Tested the controller plugged in via wire with Atari Vault. It cannot control the game's menu at all.

Last edit for this post: I did another bin (#18 to be precise) and now the controller is back at square one.

[Atom-Fire]

Originally posted by Vepar:

Originally posted by Youtube: Atom-Fire:

I tried uninstalling them, i don't think i have any other software installed that would hinder with the mouse/keyboard, but it still does not see it. Side note: I can connect the controller to my phone and my phone to my computer and steam sees the controller then but not when its connect to my own computer (Yes the firmware is updated) I just have no clue what to do at this point.

Can you explain in detail what exactly is happening, what doesn't work? What system you have, what you have tried, does the controller not show up in steam at all - is it using lizard mode whem you power it on or draktop configuration - does it even connect to the computer, everything you can think of. Every little bit helps.

At this point i'm at a loss and since i'm not there to see what's happening, i can't think of what could be the problem.

Thanks for working so hard to fix it XD yeah i got no clue anymore either but here are the details:
Windows 10.
When i connect it to my computer my computer CAN see it, i can use its mouse i can click i can do everything, wire or wirelessly. I can stream my PC to my phone and use the controller perfectly. BUT when i am "connected" to my computer steam does not see the controller at all, not wire not wirelessly despite me being able to use the controller to go into the settings to check in the first place.

No matter what i've done steam does not see the controller nor can i "add controller" for i have no button to do so.
I've tried nearly everything, including uninstalling razer cortex and red dragon mouse setting (the program for my mouse), those are the only things that i could see causing a problem at all and none worked.

I'm fully updated, steam and PC wise, the controllers firmware is updated (i connected it to a different computer and it worked perfectly), i'm just at a loss. I waited 14 days and i can't even use it

[Vepar]

Originally posted by Youtube: Atom-Fire:

Originally posted by Vepar:

Can you explain in detail what exactly is happening, what doesn't work? What system you have, what you have tried, does the controller not show up in steam at all - is it using lizard mode whem you power it on or draktop configuration - does it even connect to the computer, everything you can think of. Every little bit helps.

At this point i'm at a loss and since i'm not there to see what's happening, i can't think of what could be the problem.

Thanks for working so hard to fix it XD yeah i got no clue anymore either but here are the details:
Windows 10.
When i connect it to my computer my computer CAN see it, i can use its mouse i can click i can do everything, wire or wirelessly. I can stream my PC to my phone and use the controller perfectly. BUT when i am "connected" to my computer steam does not see the controller at all, not wire not wirelessly despite me being able to use the controller to go into the settings to check in the first place.

No matter what i've done steam does not see the controller nor can i "add controller" for i have no button to do so.
I've tried nearly everything, including uninstalling razer cortex and red dragon mouse setting (the program for my mouse), those are the only things that i could see causing a problem at all and none worked.

I'm fully updated, steam and PC wise, the controllers firmware is updated (i connected it to a different computer and it worked perfectly), i'm just at a loss. I waited 14 days and i can't even use it

If it works on the Steam Link app, it means you updated the firmware to Bluetooth mode, correct?

Did you try holding Steam Button + A while powering it on? Hold A then press the Steam button.

According to THIS that's how you switch to dongle mode. Maybe it will help somehow? Maybe it's using bluetooth and your dongle isn't seeing it somehow or there's errors with the connection so steam can't see it. Try running it in native dongle mode and see if it works.

Also, here's a video on how to pair it, but if there's no add controller button, then i don't know what that's about. There should always be an add controller option regardless of wether you have a controller paired or not. If there's none, that could be an issue with Steam itself and you'll have to contact Steam support to solve that one (and i recommend you do), because only Valve can help you with their own software, nothing i can do about it if a Steam feature is missing.

Is your steam client in family view mode by chance? Cause that can and will limit what you can do.

[url?https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9828-SFLZ-9289]Here[/url]
is a list of known programs that interfere with Steam controller. See if you have anything like that installed.

That's all i can think of for now. I have to go to sleep now, but write if it worked or not. I'll check tomorrow.