Nintendo Switch N64 Controller not working in other programs if Steam is open - trapping inputs

[Dangus ))<>(( Taargus]

OS Windows 11

I have the Switch N64 controller, and if Steam is running I can't use it in emulators (simple64) as well as test its inputs in the Windows controller utility - no buttons register as pressed.

The moment I quit Steam, it works properly in other applications. Restart Steam and it no longer works anywhere else BUT Steam, immediately. In the event it does let me bind inputs in other applications, the joypad numbers are wildly inaccurate to what they'd normally be. Button 0 will report as button 6, for instance (not exactly these numbers, but you get the idea).

I've disabled generic controller support in Big Picture and Switch controller support and nothing changes. This doesn't happen for, say, my Series X controller, or an actual N64 controller connected via a USB adapter.

Is this an intended feature of the steam input utility? It seems like a bug - I don't see why Steam should take full control from a controller connected to the system in such a way that it would stop working entirely elsewhere.

Any ideas?

[Balderick]

Originally posted by Dangus ))<>(( Taargus:

Is this an intended feature of the steam input utility?

No, this is a bug caused by Valve rebuilding Steam Input from ground up for adding Steam Deck controls to Steam Input. Steam Input should allow mapping of detected controller and allow saving as different controller type in global controller settings like we used to see but these have been removed for everybody except those with a Steam Deck. It is currently pretty broken even for Steam deck users so we may be waiting some time before we can expect to see it be provided for other controllers on other platforms/devices. ref: https://imgur.com/ZAUvHN3

Connecting another controller and hide your N64 controller from Steam Input should get things working for you. Follow the links in this other discussion for better instructions
https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/0/5427423328663862370
Though to get your N64 controller working in Steam games like expected again we are at the mercy of Valve providing fixes to reinstate the map layout and save as controller type options again in global controller settings.
Commenting in the Feature Request thread linked to in that other discussion will help bump it for better visibility, so would be appreciated but only comment if you agree those features should be provided ASAP.