Controller Config (mostly) Not Recognized Until Unplug/Replug

[John Stellarum]

So to flesh out the title, there's one game in my library that has this specific problem, but I don't think it's the game's fault. Rather, I think Steam itself is having issues, and I can't figure out why.

What happens is, I start the game with my controller plugged in, and Steam says it's using the config that I set up for it. But for whatever reason, the ONLY input being recognized is the joystick mouse movement (set to the right joystick). Nothing else registers. The only way to fix it has been to unplug the controller and to plug it back in again.

I've tried everything I could find that I thought might work, even doing the "soft reinstall" trick! NOTHING! I still have this issue and, frankly, it's driving me bonkers!

OS is Windows 11. Controller is a PowerA Nintendo Switch controller. The game is Terrain of Magical Expertise, but again, I don't think it matters.

Is there any way to make Steam forget all controller configs for a specific game? That's about the only solution I haven't tried, and it's the only one I can't find how to do.

[Iceira]

First support here is Nintendo ( the device ) ( own software or what windows know about it still Nintendo software given to MS )

Then its the Brand board name support or Brand name pc support ( usb controller )
this is know as pc is update

Now you are over in steam default device and what OS tell it.

And last if game devs even support it or not. ( seen many games even ingame option only ) old games did this.

Watchout for flight stick , they can be seen as controller, and disable keyboard and mouse, some games did this, and you dont get it why you cant use it, untill the dime drop why.

and as you see its complicated as hell, in faulth finding, and thats why you see post with back to basic remove all usb unit and let keyboard and mouse and rediscover and reconfiguration its port and add its software again, and then controller after this, try avoid add usb printer or other things while testing, and know what is usb2 and 3 and give them the right ports.

example i just test a mouse scroll issue, new mouse with 6400dpi , problem gone
you can simple end up with its hardware and no software can help here.

core cable to reciver or reciver issue so many what if here.

ps.
Not Recognized Until Unplug/Replug
can be seen as software issue or hardware stop responding and get flagged off as broken.

and most dont have spare unit, so its actual very hard to help then it dont work as it should.
maybe try friends unit to ruleout own controller issue could be seen as best test.
sorry if i did not explan either you confirm it or it my controller and not steam and its way or configuration of it.

you can see post with reconfiguration of x-input and y-input, but afaik ms xbox360 and one and nitendo dont seem to need such they normaly just work or dont work at all.


and dont forget now win11 in top of this, even that can be a issue, unless all win11 user start to complain over it's Nitendo controller. ( PowerA Nintendo Switch controller) if this matter or just your device that has a issue and not rest of them.

gl with it.

[John Stellarum]

Originally posted by Iceira W10:

First support here is Nintendo ( the device ) ( own software or what windows know about it still Nintendo software given to MS )

Then its the Brand board name support or Brand name pc support ( usb controller )
this is know as pc is update

Now you are over in steam default device and what OS tell it.

And last if game devs even support it or not. ( seen many games even ingame option only ) old games did this.

Watchout for flight stick , they can be seen as controller, and disable keyboard and mouse, some games did this, and you dont get it why you cant use it, untill the dime drop why.

and as you see its complicated as hell, in faulth finding, and thats why you see post with back to basic remove all usb unit and let keyboard and mouse and rediscover and reconfiguration its port and add its software again, and then controller after this, try avoid add usb printer or other things while testing, and know what is usb2 and 3 and give them the right ports.

example i just test a mouse scroll issue, new mouse with 6400dpi , problem gone
you can simple end up with its hardware and no software can help here.

core cable to reciver or reciver issue so many what if here.

ps.
Not Recognized Until Unplug/Replug
can be seen as software issue or hardware stop responding and get flagged off as broken.

and most dont have spare unit, so its actual very hard to help then it dont work as it should.
maybe try friends unit to ruleout own controller issue could be seen as best test.
sorry if i did not explan either you confirm it or it my controller and not steam and its way or configuration of it.

you can see post with reconfiguration of x-input and y-input, but afaik ms xbox360 and one and nitendo dont seem to need such they normaly just work or dont work at all.


and dont forget now win11 in top of this, even that can be a issue, unless all win11 user start to complain over it's Nitendo controller. ( PowerA Nintendo Switch controller) if this matter or just your device that has a issue and not rest of them.

gl with it.

Given that I have no problems with this controller on any other game, that would point to either a Steam error or a game error. However, I had to turn on Steam support for Switch controllers before TOME would even recognize input from mine, so I doubt that it's the game either.

You wouldn't happen to know how to completely reset all controller configs for an individual game, or to just reset Steam controller configuration in its entirety to base settings, would you?

[Iceira]

Have you not tried the steam setting, then controller option its all there.

[tintingaroo]

If there's nothing under Recommended for the game config, try via Big Picture mode to reset things to default/initial config:

Access the game's Library page > gear icon > Developer > Clear Selected Controller Layout

(Can also get to same menu from the game's cover image > press + on your controller)

[John Stellarum]

Originally posted by Iceira W10:

Have you not tried the steam setting, then controller option its all there.

I've tried, but Steam just keeps doing the same thing. Thing is, it didn't start off this way. I don't know what's going on and it's been bugging me for ages.

Originally posted by tintingaroo:

If there's nothing under Recommended for the game config, try via Big Picture mode to reset things to default/initial config:

Access the game's Library page > gear icon > Developer > Clear Selected Controller Layout

(Can also get to same menu from the game's cover image > press + on your controller)

I did discover this and tried it, but Steam seems intent on remembering everything. I'm beginning to think I should delete the layouts I uploaded to the community and then uninstall the game entirely, but I don't know if that would completely reset everything or if Steam would find some other means of remembering.

Another thing that bothers me is that while in Big Picture Mode, when trying to set general controller settings, there are two tabs, one for Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, and another for NSW Spectra Wired Controller. In the Spectra tab, I have the option to Setup Device Inputs, but when I've set all the inputs it just... I dunno, gets stuck. I suspect this is related to the problem.

EDIT: Okay, scratch the "double-controller-vision" thing happening in Big Picture Mode. I fixed that by going to the general controller settings in Big Picture, unplugging the controller, and then plugging it back in. Now it only sees one.

Still can't figure out how to make Steam forget all controller configs for the one game, though. Changing the config doesn't help, manually setting all the buttons doesn't help, editing or deleting config.vdf doesn't help, a soft reset doesn't help... no matter what I do, I cannot get my controller to work in TOME without unplugging it and plugging it back in first.

[John Stellarum]

Another solution that has failed: I tried uninstalling the game and then reinstalling it, but Steam didn't forget any of the configs that it had before. Does ANYONE have any ideas?