Xbox Controller working in Steam GUI but not in games

[StuzaTheGreat]

Hey all!

Strange one.

I've got two original Xbox controllers that connect via BlueTooth. Both work perfectly on my laptop but, both have issues on my desktop (Windows 11, 24H2) - I've run windows update to death.

Here are the symptoms on the main PC:

- they are recognised by the Steam app and even work perfectly in the button test

- they work very badly in games; i can press A on the controller and can even press the centre X button to bring up Game Bar or Steam (depending on setting)

- pretty much no other buttons work in games. I can't navigate any in game menus. I certainly can't "play" a game

- Clearly this isn't a BlueTooth issue as the Steam button test works perfectly fine


Here's the kicker - they both work perfectly on Forza 5 through Game Pass, confirming they are connected and working correctly.

Attempts to fix involve:
1 Completely removing Xbox app, companion app and anything else that appears in Apps with a filter of "Xbox". Reboot. Run CCleaner for registry. Reboot. Then reinstalled all in case this might update a driver of some sort.
2 Deleted the devices from Device Manager
3 Deleted the BT pairing, reconnected after.
4 Run SFC /scannow - "Did not find any integrity violations"
5 Run DISM /online /cleanup-image /checkhealth - "No component store corruption detected"

I'm not sure steps 2 or 3, with various reboots would make a difference given the Steam button test works perfectly but, anyway, I've done it and no difference.


Given that they work in Forza 5 this seems to be some sort of broken software interface layer, something like DirectX input is corrupted? Maybe Forza 5 uses a different input method that most other games use?

[C1REX]

Does the controller work when wired?

[_I_]

make sure steam input is enabled globally and for each game
browse browse, and select defaults and apply

[StuzaTheGreat]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von C1REX:

Does the controller work when wired?

Exactly the same results

[C1REX]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von StuzaTheGreat:

Ursprünglich geschrieben von C1REX:

Does the controller work when wired?

Exactly the same results

Maybe try coping my settings and see if it works?
Steam recognises it as xbox one controller but it's actually series X gamepad. I personally use wired connection.

https://ibb.co/sqHR5Wx
https://ibb.co/3YdX8DN

[StuzaTheGreat]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von C1REX:

Ursprünglich geschrieben von StuzaTheGreat:

Exactly the same results

Maybe try coping my settings and see if it works?
Steam recognises it as xbox one controller but it's actually series X gamepad. I personally use wired connection.

https://ibb.co/sqHR5Wx
https://ibb.co/3YdX8DN

Thank you very much for taking the time to print/upload those!

I matched your settings but, it didn't make any difference.

Upon further testing of my own to see if this is a Steam issue or OS I've come to the conclusion that this is almost certainly OS (DLL/SDK?) related. I have downloaded Lies of P and Hi-Fi Rush from Game Pass and these have exactly the same symptoms i.e. I can press the A button and the X button but nothing else. Further, the Xbox Companion app registers all clicks/buttons so, it's certainly not a transport (BT) issue.

There must be two (or more) methods of reading the controller and app developers can choose which method to use. One method works for me (Forza Horizon 5, Stalker 2) and the other(s) do not.

I'm at a point now that a wipe and rebuild might be the next step but, the thought of doing that to what is also my home media center/server is not appealing!

[_I_]

check joy.cpl make sure it shows up and tests ok

[StuzaTheGreat]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von _I_:

check joy.cpl make sure it shows up and tests ok

Yeap, all works fine.

Given it works in JOY.CPL, Xbox Accessories app and Steam interface, it just goes to prove there is nothing wrong with the comms or, even the OS. This is really smelling like an API/DLL issue.