Seems to lose custom HOTAS key bindings

[UFO Reality]

Just wondering if this is a common problem or if anyone has had the same and found a rock solid workaround.

I use a left handed Thrustmaster T16000M with a Logitech X56 Rhino Flightstick and throttle. I prefer to use dual sticks more than throttle and stick.

I spent near a whole day configuring mapping the best way to use HOTAS and I need to use the HOTAS's software to enable its functions (otherwise ED doesn't recognise it) and it all seems to be going well that day without trouble, until the next day, when I picked a mission and noticed that the galaxy map functionality was glitching and stopped me from choosing its menus. I restarted the game but it lost the custom binds.

I think I quit playing the game last year due to the same problem as I still have the Xmas lights in my ship. I'm glad i didn't spend on ARX for the Haloween because it would made getting back into the game worse than just having this problem.

[Agony_Aunt]

It could be that its not saving the bindings every time you set them up.

Easy way to test is to go into game and set something quick and easy to access to a particular key. For example, assuming you're docked, the menu navigation buttons. Test it, then exit the game fully, close down the launcher.

Now relaunch and see if it remembered the keybinds you set.

If not, then it means it can't save the configuration file.

Navigate to: C:\Users\[YourUserName]\AppData\Local\Frontier Developments\Elite Dangerous\Options\Bindings\

See here for more details about bindings files

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/wbksha/converting_old_binds_file_to_newer_version/ii7rh2a/?utm%5C_medium=web2x&utm%5C_source=share&context=3

Now, if you don't see a custom file, or the last date it was modified was not the current date, then you definitely know there is a permission issue. Either the game doesn't have permission to the folder or you don't (for some strange reason).

Try creating a text file in the folder yourself. If that works, you have permission, meaning that for some strange reason the game can't create the file. Test this by running the game as admin and then seeing if the configuration sticks.

If you can't create a file in that directory, then very strange, but give yourself permissions to the folder. It may be that you can't find the folder at all, which would indicate a similar issue. Google how to set permissions of windows folders.

If the bindings do stick at least once, it may be that you have different controllers plugged in sometimes. ED, when it detects a different controller compared to what was plugged in last time, in its wisdom, seems to go back to default controls. Happened to me a couple of times when i was using a gamepad for other games and left if plugged in when i started ED, whereas before, it wasn't plugged in. Boom, wiped my config and had to set it all up again.

[76561199535677220]

Originally posted by UFO Reality:

Just wondering if this is a common problem or if anyone has had the same and found a rock solid workaround.

So here's what usually happens: the game won't load your custom keybinds if any controller in the file is not present.

If you exit the game, connect the controller, it's using the same Windows ID, and you restart the game, it will load the Custom keybinds properly.

BUT if you start messing with the Custom settings it will overwrite your old one.

I recommend you take frequent backups, and also that you create a named custom file, instead of using the generic 'Custom' profile name.

This program will do both: "Elite Dangerous Keybinds Backup" (you'll have to google it, Steam removed the link)

[UFO Reality]

Originally posted by Agony_Aunt:

If the bindings do stick at least once, it may be that you have different controllers plugged in sometimes. ED, when it detects a different controller compared to what was plugged in last time, in its wisdom, seems to go back to default controls. Happened to me a couple of times when i was using a gamepad for other games and left if plugged in when i started ED, whereas before, it wasn't plugged in. Boom, wiped my config and had to set it all up again.

This part, I think may be what is happening, although it did work yesterday at remembering the bindings because i was able to fly and go into a space cube and fly out again. No glitches either.

I think it may have something to do with the galaxy map glitch that i ended up with today. I was able to plot the course by holding down a trigger but when I wanted to chose the route method for fastest/economical, that is when it started to glitch and prevent me from accessing the side buttons for the menus. I thought it may have been just a slight bug but when I restarted ED, the CUSTOM header under controls menu disappeared. I knew then that it lost it.

I seriously think that ED/Frontier needs to be a bit more thorough in the HOTAS department because the game's actual draw is the spaceship's simulation and it takes a long time to get a decent intuitive control style. Anyway, ill try again when I get some time.

[UFO Reality]

Originally posted by Martin Magnus:

Originally posted by UFO Reality:

Just wondering if this is a common problem or if anyone has had the same and found a rock solid workaround.

So here's what usually happens: the game won't load your custom keybinds if any controller in the file is not present.

If you exit the game, connect the controller, it's using the same Windows ID, and you restart the game, it will load the Custom keybinds properly.

BUT if you start messing with the Custom settings it will overwrite your old one.

I recommend you take frequent backups, and also that you create a named custom file, instead of using the generic 'Custom' profile name.

This program will do both: "Elite Dangerous Keybinds Backup" (you'll have to google it, Steam removed the link)

I will def do this method. It has been a while, but I have done this before, but with dual Thrustmaster Flightsticks over 2 years ago. It was only because of the Thrustmaster 160000M twitchy rudder problem, that made me go to a mixed brand HOTAS setup. And come to think of it, this problem came up back when I bought the X56 flightstick and throttle to cure the yaw problem that the T16000m was giving me. That made me quit ED. OMG. I just realised this just now.

[madman]

Originally posted by Martin Magnus:

This program will do both: "Elite Dangerous Keybinds Backup" (you'll have to google it, Steam removed the link)

https://spacejock.com/KeybindsBackup.html

[funkynutz]

The Saitek/Logitech HOTAS can be a bit power hungry. Have you tried connecting it through a powered USB hub?

[76561199535677220]

Originally posted by UFO Reality:

Originally posted by Martin Magnus:

So here's what usually happens: the game won't load your custom keybinds if any controller in the file is not present.

If you exit the game, connect the controller, it's using the same Windows ID, and you restart the game, it will load the Custom keybinds properly.

BUT if you start messing with the Custom settings it will overwrite your old one.

I recommend you take frequent backups, and also that you create a named custom file, instead of using the generic 'Custom' profile name.

This program will do both: "Elite Dangerous Keybinds Backup" (you'll have to google it, Steam removed the link)

I will def do this method. It has been a while, but I have done this before, but with dual Thrustmaster Flightsticks over 2 years ago. It was only because of the Thrustmaster 160000M twitchy rudder problem, that made me go to a mixed brand HOTAS setup. And come to think of it, this problem came up back when I bought the X56 flightstick and throttle to cure the yaw problem that the T16000m was giving me. That made me quit ED. OMG. I just realised this just now.

I used to have an issue where I have a joystick, a throttle, a rudder and an Arduino based button box. At some stage I also hooked up an Xbox controller to add a couple of extra buttons - and of course, next time I played I didn't have it plugged in so the whole scheme was ignored.

I manually edited the keybinds file and ditched the references to the xbox controller, and then it loaded next time okay.

[Seth_Haveron]

just got the same issue a hour ago

i just wanted to add some dead zone to counteract a extreme jitter on the Z axis ( the stick is pulling left )

lost the stick mapping , had to re-map it form scratch about 8 times in a raw until enough got stuck (im a few buttons short now )

now every time i click on one of the control options they get a mind of their own and change the profile form Keybourd with mouse/ Basic Joystick

to Keybourd without Mouse/Keybourd without mouse

why the hell do they make it so difficult to set up the controls. ??

the descriptions (even then translated ) are missleading... they confuse a dial with a switch.
others simply dont do anything even then selected.

and other options or buttons you only get to know about by consulting other sources other then the control setup panel and this is sad as f*ck

[Planewalker]

Originally posted by UFO Reality:

that is when it started to glitch and prevent me from accessing the side buttons for the menus.

That honestly sounds like either overlapping keybinds, or a glitchy usb hub/wire.
(over the years i've seen quite a few people having issues with non-powered hubs)

Do also remember to turn off steam input by rightclicking elite in your library.
(properties - controller - steam input <- disabled. Steam input can even bork keyboards)

The part about creating a custom config as mentioned by AA in post#1 is sound.
(been using the same keybinds file since 2015; only got reset on Odyssey release)
-and it is true that having various controllers un/plugged will change the HWID.


cheers

[UFO Reality]

Originally posted by funkynutz:

The Saitek/Logitech HOTAS can be a bit power hungry. Have you tried connecting it through a powered USB hub?

I did have some trouble with that initially with the Logitech/Saitek X56 when i first bought it and did end up using a powered USB but it seems that it doesn't need it now since I upgraded to a better PC power supply. Although that was a different problem with phantom button presses.

[UFO Reality]

Originally posted by madman:

Originally posted by Martin Magnus:

This program will do both: "Elite Dangerous Keybinds Backup" (you'll have to google it, Steam removed the link)

https://spacejock.com/KeybindsBackup.html

Going to try this.

[UFO Reality]

Originally posted by Martin Magnus:

Originally posted by UFO Reality:

I will def do this method. It has been a while, but I have done this before, but with dual Thrustmaster Flightsticks over 2 years ago. It was only because of the Thrustmaster 160000M twitchy rudder problem, that made me go to a mixed brand HOTAS setup. And come to think of it, this problem came up back when I bought the X56 flightstick and throttle to cure the yaw problem that the T16000m was giving me. That made me quit ED. OMG. I just realised this just now.

I used to have an issue where I have a joystick, a throttle, a rudder and an Arduino based button box. At some stage I also hooked up an Xbox controller to add a couple of extra buttons - and of course, next time I played I didn't have it plugged in so the whole scheme was ignored.

I manually edited the keybinds file and ditched the references to the xbox controller, and then it loaded next time okay.

I want to use the Xbox controller for ED's legs mode. May ditch it if i get desperate.

[UFO Reality]

Followed the advice on here and so far so good. Renaming custom file and Start preset to my renamed custom file seems to do the trick. Had to use notepad and change the name inside the binds file from "custom" to what I renamed my control scheme eg"x56 twin" Thanks.

[Planewalker]

Originally posted by UFO Reality:

Had to use notepad and change the name inside the binds file from "custom" to what I renamed my control scheme eg"x56 twin" Thanks.

Yep that's the kicker; it's also important to select a unique name; things like "gamepad" or "thrustmaster" won't work bc they are already default presets in the game.

Fairly sure you should have no issues using your hotas for ship/srv and xb for on foot.
-just make sure they are all connected and powered when starting the game.

Good to hear you got it sorted for now.

[UFO Reality]

Finally worked out what is causing the problem. Its definitely the Thrustmaster t16000m always having some weird error that Thrusmaster's TARGET software cant even find its own device or loads it bad.

I fired up ED and it started good and trouble free. I put my computer to sleep after a session and had a problem with it not waking, and required a power down reset.

This event caused Windows 11 to do something that the TARGET software could not run/find the stick (some sort of "get feature error code.")

SO the best way to fix the problem was to copy a previously good working Binding folder save file, and then paste over ED's Bindings folder that has reseted to the 360controller defaults in its start file.

BUT MOST IMPORTANT WAS THAT I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE T16000M CRAPSTICK IS PROPERLY INSTALLED AND THAT ITS TARGET SOFTWARE HAS NO PROBLEMS WHEN INITIATING IT.

HOPE THIS HELPS ANYONE THAT HAS TROUBLES. ALSO THANKS TO THE OTHER GUYS WITH THEIR INPUT. IT HELPED WITH THE FIX.