XBox Controller doesn’t work for Ubisoft Games Purchased via Steam

[UsuallyUnperturbed]

For Ubisoft PC games (running on Windows 11) purchased via steam (for example, Far Cry 5), XBox compatible controllers do not work when the 'Disable Steam Input' option is selected for the game. I'm aware that controllers work, to some degree, when Steam input is enabled, but I want to bypass the Steam layer which should work.

I've verified that the controller works for several Ubisoft games purchased directly from Ubisoft, but not for any of their games purchased via Steam.

I've noted that when an affected game is started, a message indicating that the controller is detected appears when toggling from DInput mode to XInput mode, but none of the controls work at all. Given that other forums discussing similar issues have advised that the Ubisoft overlay can interfere with controllers and should be disabled, I've disabled the overlay. Afterwards, toggling the mode switch doesn't display the controller detection message, as expected, but other symptoms remain the same.

Another discussion suggests disabling all steam controller functions, exiting Steam, and starting the games via Ubisoft. This hasn't worked for me either since the launcher will request login to both Steam and Ubisoft before the game will load.

Hours have been spent reviewing other forums within the Steam community and none of the suggested solutions have worked for this problem.

Does anyone know how to resolve this issue?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Double-check the controller within BigPictureMode

[UsuallyUnperturbed]

Thank you Bad 💀 Motha,

I experience the same problem when toggling the controller mode within Big Picture Mode.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Not sure what the issue is then.
Most of my Ubi games are through Steam and over the years never had any issues using my Xbo360, XboxOne, 8bitDo, or Sony-DS4 controllers for every game on Steam, Uplay, EA Games clients.

[UsuallyUnperturbed]

The games do work with 'Steam Input Enabled', but not when it's disabled. Other discussions within this forum suggest that accessing games via the Ubisoft store without logging in to Steam works for some. That isn't an option in my case though since if either service isn't logged in to, the affected games will not start.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Leaving Steam Input enabled is all good and fine; as long as it is not resulting in "double input" problems.

[dzine4c]

I am having the same issue! It is frustrataing, I will not buy another game from Steam.

[Eric Starbuck]

I don't understand why most of the ubisoft games from years 2014-2017 don't recognize or work proprely with Xbox Joypads. I bought them on their store and I have to manually add them to steam and use steam input to make them work as intended. I remember playing GR wildlands 5 years ago, and i discovered that it worked correctly if I connected the pad with a cable... but nowadays I prefer to use steam input to use the pad.

Far Cry 4 and Watch Dogs 2 have the same issue, older games work properly such as AC Unity and Splinter cell Blacklist, as well as newer games such as the new assassin's creeds or Far Cry 5.

I wonder why they never patched them or why there is no discussion on the internet about this.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Try disable Steam Input; launch Steam and UConnect via run as admin.
Launch game from UConnect

[wnsfm.29]

I had the same issue w/my Elite 2 controllers, my Vader Pro 4 & Gulikit KK3 MAX while trying to run Cyber Punk.
I maybe remembering this wrong, but, I swear I had to install a couple of Proton plug-ins related to ext. controllers & one of them was labelled as "Proton plug-in exp. XbX controller", or something to that effect.
All I know is I couldn't get either one of my Elite 2's I use exclusively on both my Steam Decks to work, nor could I get my Vader Pro 4, or my Gulikit KK3 MAX to work.
Then I get a pop up out of nowhere to update my Proton plug-ins & w/that, 3 new plug-ins also pop up for install & BOOM !
After that all 4 of my controllers listed above were working fantastically 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️