Having your controller stop working in Elden Ring on PC can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of an intense boss fight. Let’s walk through some common issues and fixes that’ll get you back to rolling through the Lands Between.
Common Causes of Controller Issues
The most frequent culprit I’ve seen is Steam’s controller configuration getting tangled up with Elden Ring’s native controller support. It’s like having two people try to drive the same car – something’s bound to go wrong. Often, your PC might be trying to process controller inputs through both Steam and the game simultaneously.
Quick Fixes to Try First
Before we dive into more complex solutions, let’s try these immediate fixes:
– Unplug your controller and plug it back in (sounds simple, but works surprisingly often)
– Restart Steam completely, not just minimizing it
– Close any other programs that might be intercepting controller inputs (like DS4Windows)
Steam Configuration Solutions
Here’s a trick that’s worked for many players I’ve helped: Open Steam’s Big Picture Mode, find Elden Ring in your library, and adjust the controller configuration settings. Sometimes, simply disabling Steam Input for Elden Ring can resolve the issue instantly.
For Xbox Controllers
If you’re using an Xbox controller, you’re in luck – these usually have the best native compatibility. However, if you’re still having issues:
– Make sure you have the latest Xbox controller drivers installed
– Try connecting via USB if you’re using wireless
– Disable Steam Input specifically for Xbox controllers
For PlayStation Controllers
PS4 and PS5 controllers need a bit more attention. I’ve found that using Steam’s PlayStation Configuration Support often works better than third-party tools. Enable this in Steam’s general controller settings, but make sure you’re not running DS4Windows simultaneously.
Windows-Level Fixes
Sometimes the issue goes deeper into Windows itself. Here’s what you can try:
1. Open Device Manager
2. Find your controller under “Human Interface Devices”
3. Right-click and select “Uninstall device”
4. Disconnect your controller
5. Restart your PC
6. Reconnect your controller
This process essentially gives Windows a fresh start with your controller, often clearing up any conflicting drivers or settings that might have been causing issues.
Remember, Elden Ring is particularly sensitive to controller configurations, and what works for other games might not work here. If you’re still having trouble after trying these solutions, let me know – there are more advanced fixes we can explore together.
