How To Fix Steam Not Detecting The PS5 Controller?

Users often face the situation of Steam not detecting the PS5 controller despite it being connected to the computer. There can be many causes, like outdated firmware/Steam app, unstable connection between the controller and PC, low battery levels in the PS5 controller, incorrect Steam configurations, or incompatibility issues between the controller and Steam game. Try changing Steam settings and reconnecting the controller to eliminate the trouble. 

Key Takeaways

• It may arise due to incorrect Steam settings, faulty connection between the controller and PC, incompatibility issues, or using outdated PS5 controller firmware.
• Change controller settings, tweak the defaults, and disable DualSense to fix the issue.
• Third-party software like HidHide and DS4Windows can also help with the connectivity problem.

Modify Controller Configurations

Although this is about the PS5 controller, I found that tweaking a few Xbox-related settings in Steam also resolves this problem. Additionally, learn what to do if the PS5 controller fails to connect to the console.

Take note of the method below:

1. Open the Steam App > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings.
2. Mark the options Xbox Configuration Support, PlayStation Configuration Support, and Xbox Extended Feature.

   

3. The system will download related drivers > Restart once done > Connect the PS5 controller again and check if it works.

Plus, I found while investigating that users in the Steam Community also resolved the issue using this method.

Turn Off Steam Input For A Particular Game

Alternatively, you can disable the Steam Input for the game you are trying to play for a smoother experience. Doing so will prevent Steam from interfering with controller settings. However, here is what you can do if the PS5 controller is not working on your PC.

Resort to these simple steps:

1. Right-click on the game in Steam > Properties
2. In the Override box, select Disable Steam Input.

   

Change The Default Controller Settings

While testing the fixes, I noticed that the default controller in Steam is always set to Xbox One Controller, no matter which controller is connected. Hence, I changed this setting and ensured that Steam recognizes the controller as a PS5 controller. 

Here are the steps we followed:

1. Close Steam > Disconnect the controller.
2. Head to the PC > Go to Local Disk C > Progam Files (x86) > Steam.
3. Click the Search Bar on the top-right > Type config.vdf > Initiate the search > Click Config > Launch it in the Notepad.
4. You need to delete a certain line in this code. To find it easily, press Ctrl+F > Execute dev in the box.
5. Look for the data that begins with SDL_GamepadBind > Delete this whole line. It might look like this:

   SDL_GamepadBind" "030000006d04000016c2000000000000,example_controller_name,a:b1,b:b2,y:b3,x:b0,start:b9,back:b8,leftstick:b10,rightstick:b11,leftshoulder:b4,rightshoulder:b5,dpup:h0.1,dpleft:h0.8,dpdown:h0.4,dpright:h0.2,leftx:a0,lefty:a1,rightx:a2,righty:a3,lefttrigger:b6,righttrigger:b7

6. Save the changes > Restart Steam, and it should now work with the PS5 controller.

Disable Steam Input Completely

You can also prevent Steam from configuring your PlayStation controller via the Settings menu. Access Controller Settings in Steam > Turn off the option Enable Steam Input For PlayStation Controllers.

Disable DualSense

Moreover, I disabled the DualSense option in-game and connected the PS5 controller to the PC using a compatible USB cable instead of a wireless connection. Consequently, Steam detected my controller. Additionally, users across Reddit also got rid of the trouble with this same technique.

Use HidHide App

Downloading a third-party software, HidHide, that prevents Steam from detecting any controller or peripheral was also a practical fix for me. By configuring the software, I manually set the PS5 controller to work on Steam games. 

Use DS4Windows

DS4Windows is an application that helps connect and configure gaming controllers on a Windows PC. I resorted to the software to make Steam recognize the connected PS5 controller, and it did.

These steps will guide you:

1. Download and open DS4Windows > Settings > Device Options.

   

2. Mark the DualSense option > Return to the main tab > Hit Start.

While researching, I learned that it is a common problem faced by Steam users, as reported in several communities like Steam Community and EA Answers, usually resulting after Steam updates or messing up with the in-app controller settings. However, I effectively got the controller working using the above solutions in no time. If the problem persists on your end, even after trying the fixes, refer to Steam Support. 

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Malik Usman

[News Reporter]

Malik Usman is student of Computer Science focused on using his knowledge to produce detailed and informative articles covering the latest findings from the tech industry. His expertise allows him to cover subjects like processors, graphics cards, and more. In addition to the latest hardware, Malik can be found writing about the gaming industry from time to time. He is fond of games like God of War, and his work has been mentioned on websites like Whatculture, VG247, IGN, and Eurogamer.