[Solved] XBox One controller does not register properly if it is already connected when Steam is launched

[ThreeSon]

UPDATE (30 Jun 2018)
This appears to have only been a temporary problem. After a period of several days, the XBox One S controller is now correctly identified as soon as Steam launches.


ISSUE
I just purchased an XBox One controller today from a local Gamestop. It is the latest, XBox One S version.

After installing the driver (acquired from this page), connecting it to my PC with a USB cable, and then updating the driver using Windows Update, the controller seems to be working correctly in Windows. It appears in the Device Manager under Xbox Peripherals (legacy) -> Xbox Controller. The Driver Version is listed as 6.3.9600.16384. The Driver Date is 1/1/2015 and the Provider is Microsoft.

When trying to use it in Steam, I have run into a problem where, if the controller is already connected via USB when I launch the Steam client, then the contoler is not seen as connected by Steam in the Controller Settings ("No Controllers Detected" message, even after enabling Xbox Configuration Support and restarting the Steam client).

Even though Steam does not detect the contoller in the Controller Settings window, it still basically works - I can use it to control games that have controller support, and I can edit the controller layout for any game (an image of the XBox One controller appears in the configuration window).

However, there are problems. The most significant is that rumble support is completely disabled and does not work in games that support it. Also, I get an error message whenever I apply a controller template, or try to export a template:

Error
Cannot export configurations as a guest

The following is what appears in the Steam console when the client is launched with the controller already connected:

Failed to init SteamVR because it isn't installed
ExecCommandLine: ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -console"
IPC server is in my process - could/should be using an in process pipe
System startup time: 6.10 seconds
!! Controller 0 attributes:
Type: 32
ProductID: 746
Serial: Awaiting_Logon
Capabilities: 000043ff
Firmware Version: 0
Firmware Build Time: 2147483647 (Tue, 19 Jan 2038 03:14:07 GMT)
Bootloader Build Time: 2147483647 (Tue, 19 Jan 2038 03:14:07 GMT)
Opted-in Controller Mask: 33
OnFocusWindowChanged to window type: k_nGameIDControllerConfigs_Desktop, AppID 413080
Loaded Config for Local Selection Path for App ID 413080: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\241100\922638163\818937737353552570_legacy.bin
[413080]Non-Steam Controller Configs Enabled: 1


On the other hand, if I connect the controller after the Steam client is already running, the following is posted in the Steam Console:

Local Device Found
type: 045e 02ea
path: sdl://0
serial_number: - 0
Manufacturer:
Product: XInput Controller
Release: 0
Interface: -1

!! Steam controller device opened for index 0.
Steam Controller reserving XInput slot 0
Controller 0 connected, configuring it now...
Controller has an Invalid or missing unit serial number, setting to '45e-2ea-7c258f'
!! Controller 0 attributes:
Type: 32
ProductID: 746
Serial: 45e-2ea-7c258f
Capabilities: 000043ff
Firmware Version: 0
Firmware Build Time: 2147483647 (Tue, 19 Jan 2038 03:14:07 GMT)
Bootloader Build Time: 2147483647 (Tue, 19 Jan 2038 03:14:07 GMT)
Loaded Config for Local Selection Path for App ID 413090: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\241100\1186432422\851604638009817192_legacy.bin
[413090]Non-Steam Controller Configs Enabled: 1
Loaded Config for Local Selection Path for App ID 413090: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\241100\1186432422\851604638009817192_legacy.bin
Opted-in Controller Mask: 33
Loaded Config for Local Selection Path for App ID 413080: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\241100\922638163\818937737353552570_legacy.bin
[413080]Non-Steam Controller Configs Enabled: 1


In this case, the controller appears as "Unregistered : Xbox One Controller" in the Controller Settings window, but on the right, my Steam username is listed under "Registered Accounts." And the controller can be identified and calibrated without any problems.

In addition, the rumble emulation now works correctly in games that support it, and I no longer receive an error message when trying to export a controller template.


OS
Windows 7 Pro SP1 64-bit

STEAM VERSION
Beta (Jun 1 2018, at 10:54:54)

CONTROLLER
XBox One S (June 2016 revision)

CONNECTION TYPE
Wired

GAME
Games tested for rumble support are Pinball Arcade (DX11) and Rocket League

CONFIG
N/A

STEPS
- Connect controller with USB cable
- Start the Steam client
- Launch Rocket League

RESULTS
- While playing the game, there is no rumble feedback in the controller even if it is enabled in the game options
- In Steam's controller settings window, the controller is not detected at all

[ThreeSon]

UPDATE (8 June 2018):

I also get the same behavior from Steam if I have a Dual Shock 4 controller connected when the Steam client is launched, but with the DS4 emulating an XBox 360 controller through DS4Windows.

In other words, starting at the desktop and making the following steps:

- Start DS4Windows (Ryochan7 Build, version 1.4.120)
- Connect the DS4 controller, using DS4Windows' Default controller profile
- Start the Steam client (with XBox configuration support enabled)

Then I have the same issues as with the XBox One S controller, as well as the same basic functionality.

The information posted to the Steam Console is also nearly identical, although with a different Type and ProductID:

!! Controller 0 attributes:
Type: 31
ProductID: 654
Serial: Awaiting_Logon
Capabilities: 000043ff
Firmware Version: 0
Firmware Build Time: 2147483647 (Tue, 19 Jan 2038 03:14:07 GMT)
Bootloader Build Time: 2147483647 (Tue, 19 Jan 2038 03:14:07 GMT)
roaming config store loaded successfully - 894791 bytes.
migrating temporary roaming config store
Opted-in Controller Mask: 33
OnFocusWindowChanged to window type: k_nGameIDControllerConfigs_Desktop, AppID 413080
Loaded Config for Local Selection Path for App ID 413080: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\241100\650764041/controller_configuration.vdf
[413080]Non-Steam Controller Configs Enabled: 1

[karcyon]

Having the same issue. It's annoying. Turns every button prompts in FFXV to generic ones.