Any NEW solution for the Xbox button Light? (controller)

[Green Cat]

As I wrote in the title, any NEW solution? Because I won't cut the wires inside or cover it (especially since it doesn't help with battery consumption) and I have not found any other solution. PS: If this issue is not a big deal for you, please just move on without adding such comments, thank you!

As an example: if you connect the controller to an Xbox (I don't have one, that's why I'm asking) and turn off the brightness of this light from settings -> what will happen if you connect the controller to Steam again? Will the light stay off?



And just to be sure everyone is on the same page:

The Xbox controller has a big button in the middle with an Xbox icon on it. That one has an intense light, that not only is distracting at times but also costumes more battery life.

Using an Xbox you can reduce the brightness (according to a video I saw). However, there is no such solution if the controller is used to play on Steam (not even in settings -> controller -> preferences)

[76561199491826660]

[MancSoulja]

I set the default brightness to 20% on my console and when I connected the controller back to Windows it set the brightness back to 100%.

[tintingaroo]

Might depend what Xbox controller you have but saw this in SDL (what Steam uses for controller support):

/**
 *  \brief  A variable controlling whether the Home button LED should be turned on when an Xbox One controller is opened
 *
 *  This variable can be set to the following values:
 *    "0"       - home button LED is turned off
 *    "1"       - home button LED is turned on
 *
 *  By default the Home button LED state is not changed. This hint can also be set to a floating point value between 0.0 and 1.0 which controls the brightness of the Home button LED. The default brightness is 0.4.
 */
#define SDL_HINT_JOYSTICK_HIDAPI_XBOX_ONE_HOME_LED "SDL_JOYSTICK_HIDAPI_XBOX_ONE_HOME_LED"

Some info on how to set the hint as a system environment variable:
https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/0/3409804429012214734/?ctp=2#c3390672107131659280
use for variable name: SDL_JOYSTICK_HIDAPI_XBOX_ONE_HOME_LED

Don't know if this hint can be created/modified while Steam is running, so restart Steam if it doesn't seem to take. Also don't know if it would want Xbox config support enabled, so toggle that then reconnect controller if things don't seem to be working. There is also Steam's Xbox driver but I assume that wouldn't affect things. I don't own any Xbox controllers so can't test this stuff.


Other possibility: perhaps Steam presents an option for the Xbox button with their driver installed (Xbox Extended Feature Support enabled)???. If not already installed, create a system restore point first. A few had found their USB/integrated KB unusable in the OS after installing it (those who had BT keyboards could work around the issue). Think most (all?) reports were from people on laptops and I think there were other factors involved. Anyway, it's unlikely to happen but I wouldn't like to advise someone to install the driver, they run into that issue and then try and resolve it remotely with them accessing the forums on their phone or something... A system restore point is the easiest way to revert just in case.

[Green Cat]

İlk olarak Green Cat tarafından gönderildi:

As an example: if you connect the controller to an Xbox (I don't have one, that's why I'm asking) and turn off the brightness of this light from settings -> what will happen if you connect the controller to Steam again? Will the light stay off?

İlk olarak MancSoulja tarafından gönderildi:

I set the default brightness to 20% on my console and when I connected the controller back to Windows it set the brightness back to 100%.

Thanks to confirming this for me. I will remove my question as i know people then to re answer same question otherwise

İlk olarak tintingaroo tarafından gönderildi:

Don't know if this hint can be created/modified while Steam is running.


Other possibility: .

I'm afraid anything to do with what you wrote is beyond me. I'm curious, could someone use this information to create a way to adjust this - > looking at you steam - > because once steam starts, it might reset whatever else was changed

I tryed all other setting present in steam settings - > controller. No chances - > the only options I have for the Xbox controller is to turn off the rumble despite all that. Nothing regarding brightness

[tintingaroo]

It's not hard really, I think it's the way I've tried to describe things, not so concise :D There are many branching thoughts in my mind :D
Going via Control Panel is good because you can get visual feedback of what hint is created, its value etc and easily remove it - perhaps I'll make a vid of that method - but this is another way if you wish to try:

Update with info testers in the thread discovered (good stuff guys ), if you learn otherwise let us know :)
This process works with the controller connected via USB or wirelessly via the Xbox Wireless Adapter (official or third party). It doesn't work for Bluetooth.
Its Windows only.
It requires Steam's Xbox driver: Steam > Settings > Controller > Xbox Extended Feature Support Driver > Install

1. Quit Steam
   
   
2. Run the Admin command prompt:
   Windows key + R, type: cmd, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter
   The command prompt window should read Administrator in the top left.
   https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2958182935&fileuploadsuccess=1
   
   
3. Copy-paste into the Command Prompt window:

   SETX SDL_JOYSTICK_HIDAPI_XBOX_ONE_HOME_LED 0.1 /M

   Press Enter to execute it.
   
   (0.05 = the dimmest setting we can choose. For reference, 0.4 = the normal brightness. 0 = completely off.)
   
   
4. Start Steam
   
   
5. Connect controller

If you don't get the Administrator command prompt we can see what happens with the hint set as a User variable instead System variable:

1. Quit Steam
   
   
2. Run command prompt:
   Windows key + R, type: cmd, press Enter
   
   
3. Copy-paste into the Command Prompt window:

   SETX SDL_JOYSTICK_HIDAPI_XBOX_ONE_HOME_LED 0.1

   Press Enter to execute it.
   
   (0.05 = the dimmest setting we can choose. For reference, 0.4 = the normal brightness. 0 = completely off.)
   
   
4. Start Steam
   
   
5. Connect controller

If the light doesn't dim, see if this changes anything:
1. Enable Xbox Configuration Support (Steam > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings)
2. Disconnect->reconnect controller.
3. Restart Steam if still regular brightness.
4. Disconnect->reconnect controller.


There is another hint that may need to be set but see how thing go.


If SDL can change the settings then technically Steam can as well. There may be reasons they can't/don't want to do so - may be things depend how it works, if it impacts something else etc.


(EDIT 2024: updated dimmest setting we can choose - it's 0.05 rather than 0.1)

[Green Cat]

İlk olarak tintingaroo tarafından gönderildi:

There is another hint that may need to be set but see how thing go.


If SDL can change the settings then technically Steam can as well. There may be reasons they can't/don't want to do so - may be things depend how it works, if it impacts something else etc.

Thank you for the clarification and guide, that help me a lot to realize and understand what you wrote in your 1st comment.


____


Sadly still light on despite all execution where a success.

->And yes, it is an Xbox One controller.

-> I also had a Nintendo Pro Controller connected -> NPC had brightness and more; Xbox 1 had only rumble (I'm talking about Steam -> setting -> controller).

=> So again, everything that you wrote in your last comment -> successfully executed & I followed all steps -> no desired result sadly.

XXXXX

I ran out of time (the Xbox 1 controller I have, I borrowed it for a day from a friend). So I won't be able to test any further solutions sadly (because it's annoying If I ask every other time for it).

Aka: Anyone who has an Xbox One (or whatever... If a solution is found I will post my friend to borrow his controller once more-.- ), can you all please continue?

And if a solution is found: Please contact Steam and/or Microsoft so they freaking add whatever you found!!! it is well time that this feature to be an in-buld one!

[Kaw-Mekachiss]

İlk olarak tintingaroo tarafından gönderildi:

It's not hard really, I think it's the way I've tried to describe things, not so concise :D There are many branching thoughts in my mind :D
Going via Control Panel is good because you can get visual feedback of what hint is created, its value etc and easily remove it - perhaps I'll make a vid of that method - but this is another way if you wish to try:

1. Quit Steam
   
   
2. Run the Admin command prompt:
   Windows key + R, type: cmd, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter
   The command prompt window should read Administrator in the top left.
   https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2958182935&fileuploadsuccess=1
   
   
3. Copy-paste into the Command Prompt window:

   SETX SDL_JOYSTICK_HIDAPI_XBOX_ONE_HOME_LED 0.1 /M

   Press Enter to execute it.
   
   (0.1 = the dimmest setting we can choose. For reference, 0.4 = the normal brightness. 0 = completely off.)
   
   
4. Start Steam
   
   
5. Connect controller

If you don't get the Administrator command prompt we can see what happens with the hint set as a User variable instead System variable:

1. Quit Steam
   
   
2. Run command prompt:
   Windows key + R, type: cmd, press Enter
   
   
3. Copy-paste into the Command Prompt window:

   SETX SDL_JOYSTICK_HIDAPI_XBOX_ONE_HOME_LED 0.1

   Press Enter to execute it.
   
   (0.1 = the dimmest setting we can choose. For reference, 0.4 = the normal brightness. 0 = completely off.)
   
   
4. Start Steam
   
   
5. Connect controller

If the light doesn't dim, see if this changes anything:
1. Enable Xbox Configuration Support (Steam > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings)
2. Disconnect->reconnect controller.
3. Restart Steam if still regular brightness.
4. Disconnect->reconnect controller.


There is another hint that may need to be set but see how thing go.


If SDL can change the settings then technically Steam can as well. There may be reasons they can't/don't want to do so - may be things depend how it works, if it impacts something else etc.

I've literally spent years suffering from the shine of that button, and using the unaesthetic solution of putting a piece of electrical tape. You really don't know how much I appreciate you taking the time to answer this thread.

It's a pity that all the people looking for the solution to this couldn't find this thread except by luck…

And of course, I confirm that it works perfectly, and the value 0.1 is absolutely easy on the eyes in a dark room.
I have pasted the line of code in a cmd with administrator privileges, I have entered Steam and enabled the advanced settings of the Xbox controller, restart the PC and the change is permanent.

It has worked with both of my controllers, one microUSB and the other USBC, by the way.


Fantastic, really, and thanks again for this.
You should start a Reddit thread about it, so hopefully more people can see it.



edit: As a funny detail, this same weekend I opened the USBC controller and painted the inside of the button with black nail polish (it didn't look quite right, it would have needed a second coat, and also, the light filters through the sides, like an eclipse). Next weekend I will open it again to clean it with acetone 😅

[tintingaroo]

İlk olarak Kaw-Mekachiss tarafından gönderildi:

Nice! :D
I don't have any Xbox controllers to test with so thanks for this feedback.

Yeah, I'll post Reddit side.

From the PCGamingWiki link, can you identify which controller models you have?
https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Controller:Xbox_Wireless_Controller#Controller_variations
Looks like the USB-C would be Series X|S controller (Model 1914) or the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Model 1797).

Did you connect via USB / Bluetooth?

I'm thinking to include something like: confirmed to be working wired with model xxxx

Did it function without Steam's Xbox Extended Feature Support driver? If you hadn't tried without it I can put it down as a "may be required" or an "if things aren't working" step...

İlk olarak Kaw-Mekachiss tarafından gönderildi:

edit: As a funny detail, this same weekend I opened the USBC controller and painted the inside of the button with black nail polish (it didn't look quite right, it would have needed a second coat, and also, the light filters through the sides, like an eclipse). Next weekend I will open it again to clean it with acetone 😅

lol xD

[Prelude]

İlk olarak tintingaroo tarafından gönderildi:

Going via Control Panel is good because you can get visual feedback of what hint is created, its value etc and easily remove it - perhaps I'll make a vid of that method

Can you elaborate on this?
I have a Series X|S controller and I would like to undo the his in case it's different from the Xbox One's. The LED is so bright I kinda doubt the default is 0.4.

[tintingaroo]

@Prelude
This is a nice way to get to the location
- Press Windows key + R, type: SystemPropertiesAdvanced, choose OK.
(That should open System Properties on the Advanced tab.)
- Click 'Environment Variables...'

(I'd think it should be possible to remove the variable via command line but I just don't know it)


I don't know about the default brightness, I just copied what was written in the SDL comment.

By default the Home button LED state is not changed. This hint can also be set to a floating point value between 0.0 and 1.0 which controls the brightness of the Home button LED. The default brightness is 0.4.

I could be misunderstanding what they meant, perhaps its their default, like if the hint is set / function is called but no value applied or something... Didn't think about it before...

[Prelude]

İlk olarak tintingaroo tarafından gönderildi:

@Prelude
This is a nice way to get to the location
- Press Windows key + R, type: SystemPropertiesAdvanced, choose OK.
(That should open System Properties on the Advanced tab.)
- Click 'Environment Variables...'

(I'd think it should be possible to remove the variable via command line but I just don't know it)


I don't know about the default brightness, I just copied what was written in the SDL comment.

By default the Home button LED state is not changed. This hint can also be set to a floating point value between 0.0 and 1.0 which controls the brightness of the Home button LED. The default brightness is 0.4.

I could be misunderstanding what they meant, perhaps its their default, like if the hint is set / function is called but no value applied or something... Didn't think about it before...

Thanks, I can see the variable like that.

However it doesn't really seem to do anything, I can't dim it nor turn it off and I tried (almost) every combination.

admin + steam input + extended support driver
admin + no steam input + extended support driver
user + steam input + no driver
user + no steam input + no driver

I didn't check user + driver

[tintingaroo]

Thanks for trying all that and providing the info, Prelude. Was this via USB, Bluetooth or wireless adapter?

Perhaps if Kaw returns to the thread we can get a comparison of set-up/controllers.

I've been checking the hints at SDL and see a discussion that could have some relation but I don't know... I'm thinking to pick up a Series controller and see if I can get things to work and better understand what the things in SDL mean.

[Prelude]

All of that was via bluetooth.

I don't have a wireless adapter so I tried wired both admin and user with and without steam input with no driver and it didn't do anything either.

[Kaw-Mekachiss]

İlk olarak tintingaroo tarafından gönderildi:

Nice! :D
I don't have any Xbox controllers to test with so thanks for this feedback.

Yeah, I'll post Reddit side.

From the PCGamingWiki link, can you identify which controller models you have?
https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Controller:Xbox_Wireless_Controller#Controller_variations
Looks like the USB-C would be Series X|S controller (Model 1914) or the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Model 1797).

Did you connect via USB / Bluetooth?

I'm thinking to include something like: confirmed to be working wired with model xxxx

Did it function without Steam's Xbox Extended Feature Support driver? If you hadn't tried without it I can put it down as a "may be required" or an "if things aren't working" step...

Sorry for the delay.

That day I was testing it with a Model 1708 (which I no longer have) and a Model 1914, both wired, with the LED responding exactly in the same way.

Maybe it's important, maybe not: My Steam always starts at Big Picture mode, and Steam Input is disabled for Xbox Controllers.







I just did some tests with a Model 1914, and here are my conclusions:

-This solution only seems to work wired, at least with models 1708 and 1914. I haven't been able to get it to work over BT.
It works both with USBC-USBC cable and with USBC-USBA cable (obvious, but to be precise).

-Steam's Xbox Extended Feature Support driver is a hard requirement, doesn't work without it (I've uninstalled it, reboot and this trick stopped working. I reinstalled it, reboot and it works again).

-The change in brightness is persistent until the computer is restarted (you can close Steam, and even log out of Windows profile).








And a curiosity: when I plug in the controller with Windows started and without having started Steam, during the first second it is brighter than immediately after, unequivocally.
Once I start Steam, the brightness goes down even more, to the 0.1 value I chose (I want to emphasize how ideal the brightness is at this value, just perfect).
I think, and it's a very subjective thing, that before applying that code, the LED brightness was as bright as that first second, constantly.


Apologies again for taking so long to reply (and for my Googlenian English).
And thanks again!

[tintingaroo]

Thanks Kaw, I appreciate it

I now own a Series controller (1914) and been playing about over the past few hours. I found the same thing - LED control is working over USB but not BlueTooth.

So seems its: variable (admin or user is fine but admin is better if updating the variable value) + extended driver + USB
steam input enabled/disabled wasn't a factor and its also OK with Steam in desktop mode.

I feel there is extra setup Windows side for the controller but I don't know - I see there is the Xbox Accessories App to check out.

I was also trying on a Linux installation but was unable to get any LED control - perhaps I need a different driver there or something, very unfamiliar with Linux. Looks like Steam's Xbox driver is Windows only.