Share this article
This article is translated in
Improve this guide
Gamepad Recognized But Not Working in Games? Try This!
Check for compatibility and firmware issues right away
5 min. read
Updated onSeptember 23, 2024
updated onSeptember 23, 2024
Share this article
This article is translated in
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
Your gamepad being recognized but not working in games, there might be anissue with the USB connection.Compatibility issues with the XInput API, firmware problems as well as outadted drivers can also cause this.
Luckily, apart from compatibility issues, none of the underlying causes are serious. Just follow the steps below to fix them in no time.
What do I do if my PC controller is detected but not working?
1. Run Windows Troubleshooter
Running the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter should resolve the issue if you’re experiencing problems with a recently installed device or hardware on your computer.
2. Reinstall USB drivers
Once you restart the computer, Windows will automatically reinstall USBcontrollerson your PC and run the devices properly.
Alternatively, if Windows cannot accurately identify the device, you can use athird-party driver updatersuch asPC Helpsoft Driver Updater.
3. Remove ghost devices
Ghost devices are devices that are no longer attached to your PC. Windows kept a record of these devices, but the information was not removed when the device was unattached. And this often leads to conflicts.
4. Restart the PC in Safe Mode
When youboot Windows intoSafe Mode, it will load with limited files, services, and drivers if the gamepad problem isn’t there while inSafe Mode, then your default settings and primary drivers are not contributing to the issue.
5. Remove duplicate devices
While deleting the entries in the Device Manager, remove only the duplicate ones and not both. Once done, verify if the gamepad is recognized but not working in the problem of the game is resolved. If it’s still there, head to the last method.
6. Contact your gamepad device’s manufacturer
As a final resort, you can contact thegamepad’smanufacturer for more on how to resolve the issue. Any device manufacturer has a website where you can find contact options.
Usually, you can also find FAQs and knowledge base articles on the manufacturer’s website that may address the problem. If that doesn’t help, look for a live chat option or drop the support team an email.
How do I test my gamepad on Windows
Windows offers a simple and effective built-in tool to test the gamepad in Windows 10 and 11. Besides, you could also use a website likeGamepad Testerfor the purpose.
And, of course, if nothing else works, there’s always the option toperform a system restore, orreset Windows 11 to its factory settings.
These are all the ways to solve gamepad issues on Windows and enjoy your gaming session without the OS or the controller throwing any errors. Besides, if you find that thecontroller only works in Steamand not other games, disable Steam input!
Also, check thebest controllers compatible with Windows, and enjoy the gameplay like it’s supposed to.
Let us know in the comments section whether these steps and solutions worked for you.
More about the topics:gamepad,windows fix
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
