Switch Pro Controller sending massive amount of controller inputs at all time

[Varonth]

OS

Windows 10

Controller

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Steam

Build: May 11 2018, at 16:41:52
Steam API: v018
Steam package versions: 1526083730

Problem description

When the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is connected via USB (3.0) the windows driver that gets installed receives a massive amount of controller input once steam is started. This stop when Steam is closed. It seems like a very fast sequence, easily coming to 50+ inputs per second. This sort of input is picked up by any application that isn't started through steam. While the input is still coming in according to the windows testing tools for controllers, if started through steam, the application started that way will not actually receive that input, only the input that actually comes from the controller.

If not started through steam, the controller will use the Desktop mode, and send those inputs, but the application will also pick up the semi-random input. In case of games, the game will basically be unplayable unless steam is closed as it will use the fast input as actual game input, constantly doing the according action.

[Dylan x64]

Are you able to test whether this is a problem when the controller is connected via Bluetooth?

[Varonth]

Problem does not happen if the controller is connected via bluetooth.

[HW Support]

Hey Varonth,

Does this issue happen while you have Controller Configuration Support disabled?

-E

[Varonth]

Originally posted by HW Support :

Hey Varonth,

Does this issue happen while you have Controller Configuration Support disabled?

-E

Yes, it does happen when I disable the Switch Pro Configuration Support. It also does not stop once I close Steam. I have to close Steam and disconnect the controller to stop the random input. Once I start Steam again, while the controller is connected, it immediatly starts the input again.

[Benson]

I found a workaround for you!

I can't get it to work Wirelessly. It just shows "No Controllers Detected." But when connected via the USB wire, I had the same crazy inputs as you. In game, it behaves just like it looks in the Windows menu. ( Start > search "controller" > "Set up USB game controllers" > "Properties" )

You have to Enable Steam Overlay.

So to recreate what I did:
1. be connected via USB wire
2. go into Big Picture Mode
3. register your controller
4. checkmark required on "Switch Pro Configuration Support"
5. enable Steam Overlay
6. run game through Big Picture Mode library (may not be necessary)

Once I did this, the controller worked in game. The crazy inputs still constantly light up in the Properties window. But in game it works. It seems that the crazy inputs is a result of Steam working as intended?!

However, this ONLY works when wired. There is no longer any way to play on a Switch Controller via Bluetooth as far as I know.

I have no idea why any of this happens or why we can't play wirelessly anymore.

It's also really annoying that this forces the controller to function as a keyboard and mouse in Windows, forcing me to close Steam or disable Steam's Configuration Support while using the controller for non-steam programs.

[Benson]

Looks like the most recent Beta has "fixed" this issue.

My assumption is that this is working as intended - almost. It seems that in order to provide native support for the Nintendo Switch Pro controller, they somehow reverse engineered communication to the pro controller via input. So all the flashing inputs you see is a part of that program running on your controller.

The way they've "Fixed" this is twofold:

1. Steam now captures all of those inputs so that they only affect programs controlled by Steam. This takeover is indicated by the Pro controller's blue light around its Home button being always on (you can disable or dim this light if you wish). While the takeover is active, your pro controller inputs can no longer be detected by other programs.
   
2. Steam now automatically restores normal Pro controller functionality without disconnecting the device upon Steam shutdown or disabling this feature. Similarly, the takeover is automatic on launch of Steam, or enabling the feature.

• Enabling this feature causes the Pro Controller to not work with non-Steam programs
  
• You no longer have to enable Steam Overlay for Pro Controller support
  
• Pro Controller now works with Steam wirelessly via this feature.

To Disable this feature, go to Steam > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings and uncheck the box for "Switch Pro Configuration Support". The blue light on your Pro Controller will remain on, but the controller will function normally with non-Steam programs.

Weirdly enough, while this feature is disabled to make the Pro Controller work with non-steam programs (such as emulators), Big Picture Mode still works as well. It makes me wonder why non-steam games don't work with the Pro Controller while this is active in the first place. Perhaps it's a bug or oversight that will be sorted out in later patches.

[DogsRNice]

This workaround isn't working for me, the inputs continue even after doing this. Even games launched through steam seem to be picking up these random inputs even though the big picture mode works as intended.

[Prodigy]

I also have this problem and it is reported in other posts as well:
https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/0/1696046342859785069/
https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/11/1698300679764676014/
Is there any solution that works?

[Deranged_Anarchist]

I fixed it by unplugging my keyboard