[Solved] Steam Controller not working fully (not recognized?)

[DEcADentLY nAIMd]

System: PC running Windows 8.1

I usually don't run Steam in Big Picture mode. Initially, I connected my Steam Controller wirelessly while logged onto Steam via my PC and it functioned like a generic mouse while on the Windows desktop. I tried accessing the Steam Controller settings menu by pressing the Steam button on the controller but nothing happened. I proceeded to launch several games (Borderlands, Portal 2, etc.) and press the controller Steam button in-game to no avail. I closed the games and exited the Steam client to restart it. It produced the same result. I then just restarted my whole PC with the same outcome. Finally, I redid all the steps above but in the wired state again with not being able to get into the Steam Controller menu settings each time.

I resorted to Googling and read that the Steam Controller works better in Big Picture mode. I proceeded with launching Steam in Big Picture mode. Pressing the Steam button both wirelessly and wired did nothing. I launched games from the Big Picture mode and pressed the Steam controller button in-game and still no controller menu settings. Again, I basically did all the steps above in both wired and wireless states.

Lastly, Googled one more time and came up with this link:

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=5621-EIZN-0661

I followed every step. Checked batteries. Reconnected dongle and wire. Restarted system. Checked on my Win 8.1 laptop with the same results. Made sure the Steam client was running the most recent update. Here's the funny part, in Big Picture mode, no firmware updates were found. I did notice when I went to "Settings" and "Test/Add" under "Controller" that the Steam Controller wasn't listed under the devices. I tried to manually pair the controller both wirelessly and wired but it wouldn't pair. Holding the "X + Steam button" while powering on in the wireless state just cause the Steam button to blink for a few seconds and shut off the controller. Doing the same in the wired state just cause the Steam button to stay on and do nothing. I suspect this might be why no firmware update is found (if there is one) as it's not recognizing the device? Consequently, also might be why I can't access the Steam Controller menu settings?

Right now, it's still just operating like a generic mouse-like device that I can't configure or do much with. Any ideas? Or, should I just take the controller back and get a refund before it's too late?

[cammelspit]

No joke. thi shas happened to 3-4 people I have talked to and several times this helped. I guess there was a firmware bug that makes it not detect for some reason, drivers, something like that. Install a firmware many have used onto the controller and then retry. plug the controller in while holding the right trigger, there should be a USB storage device that shows up. From here you download the image from this post http://steamcommunity.com/app/353370/discussions/0/496880503066866374/ 4th reply. Rename to firmware.bin and replace the one on the controller. It is very important to WAIT at least 1-2 minutes to make sure the IO ops have finished. Eject device and I would expect a reboot here would be a good idea. If the eject process does not work and ur sure the IO ops have finished by waiting then just shutdown to remove the controller. This has happened to one person I helped out as far as I know. If not then there is something else going on and I will be out of ideas right there. Someone else would have to come up with something.

EDIT: I guess it depends on what version of the firmware was shipped already on your controller. Some had this problem, most dont. Mine worked perfectly OOTB but I am also on WIN10. If this is successful then it should prompt for a firmware update when you go to BPM next. It's ok to just go on ahead and do it.

[DEcADentLY nAIMd]

Thanks for the rely. I'll give it a try and post my results.

[[57th] AngryHatter]

Fix that worked for me.

Open device manager
Expand "Razor Device"
Unplug/replug steam dongle (Take note of which things disappear, reappear when you do this)
Right click on all those devices and select "Uninstall"
If you have a check box asking to uninstall software as well, make sure you check it first.
Unplug/replug steam dongle
Start big picture, go to settings/controller/add steam controller
Hold x and steam button when powering on

Dunno why it shows as Razer device, but my system recognized it after I followed this.
Windows 10. I had to update the firmware after I got it recognized so it was one iteration behind when shipped.

[cammelspit]

Originally posted by 57th AngryHatter:

Fix that worked for me.

Open device manager
Expand "Razor Device"
Unplug/replug steam dongle (Take note of which things disappear, reappear when you do this)
Right click on all those devices and select "Uninstall"
If you have a check box asking to uninstall software as well, make sure you check it first.
Unplug/replug steam dongle
Start big picture, go to settings/controller/add steam controller
Hold x and steam button when powering on

Dunno why it shows as Razer device, but my system recognized it after I followed this.
Windows 10. I had to update the firmware after I got it recognized so it was one iteration behind when shipped.

Dude, i totally need to copy paste this to give as an alternate. Reflashing the FW seems to have worked in many a case so far but yours might be safer? Maybe, even if you brick an SC it is easy as pie to just flash it again so I guess no harm done really. I am just chomping at the bit to see if this fixed it for him or not.

[DEcADentLY nAIMd]

Sorry for the delay...got in late.

Having read both recommendations at the same time, I decide to try AngryHatter's first as it seemed easier for me personally to do, before tackling the manual firmware update. His suggestion worked for me. Steam was able to recognize the controller and pair with it. There was indeed a firmware update the Steam client found and installed after pairing. Woot, it works!

Thanks again, Cammelspit and AngryHatter.

[cammelspit]

NP man I am glad it was just the firmware glitch and angry hatters suggestion worked for you! There have been a few where it didnt work but the firmware thing did. Just remember to keep an open mind and let us know if you have any questions or run into any problems. Most of use here try to help as much as we can.

[[57th] AngryHatter]

Put "SOLVED" in the title so others can find it.
:)

[cammelspit]

Yes, I like that. We should just point to this thread since it has both solutions right at the top of the thread. A good reference for copy pasting to others.

[DEcADentLY nAIMd]

Originally posted by 57th AngryHatter:

Put "SOLVED" in the title so others can find it.
:)

Done!

[remi.D]

Originally posted by 57th AngryHatter:

Fix that worked for me.

Open device manager
Expand "Razor Device"
Unplug/replug steam dongle (Take note of which things disappear, reappear when you do this)
Right click on all those devices and select "Uninstall"
If you have a check box asking to uninstall software as well, make sure you check it first.
Unplug/replug steam dongle
Start big picture, go to settings/controller/add steam controller
Hold x and steam button when powering on

Dunno why it shows as Razer device, but my system recognized it after I followed this.
Windows 10. I had to update the firmware after I got it recognized so it was one iteration behind when shipped.

This is the one that fixed it for me.

[1up]

Originally posted by 57thAngryHatter:

Fix that worked for me.

Open device manager
Expand "Razor Device"
Unplug/replug steam dongle (Take note of which things disappear, reappear when you do this)
Right click on all those devices and select "Uninstall"
If you have a check box asking to uninstall software as well, make sure you check it first.
Unplug/replug steam dongle
Start big picture, go to settings/controller/add steam controller
Hold x and steam button when powering on

Dunno why it shows as Razer device, but my system recognized it after I followed this.
Windows 10. I had to update the firmware after I got it recognized so it was one iteration behind when shipped.

worked for me. Thanks!

[Supermole]

I Cant find Razor Device D: Please help!

[Maur]

Same, the only thing that shows up when I plug in my Steam Controller is HID-Compliant Mouse and HID Keyboard Device. Win 8.1

[RedGreen]

Thank you. The Device Manager fix worked for me. I also had a firmware update waiting.

[DEcADentLY nAIMd]

For those that can't find Razor Device in Device Manager, you have to have Razer peripherals (mouse, keyboard, headset, etc.) and/or Razer (Synapse) software installed on your system for it to show up there.

Given that the controller was being recognized as a Razer device when it wasn't, I would imagine the same might be possible if you have Logitech, SteelSeries, or Corsair hardware and software installed on your system and it lists itself the same way in the Device Manager as Razer does. If that's the case, doing the same procedure as above but with your particular hardware/software (Logitech, SteelSeries, Corsair Device, etc.) might help.

If it's just showing up as a generic HID device, perhaps the manual firmware update might be the ticket.