While I’m a steadfast keyboard and mouse enthusiast for PC gaming—about 98% of my playtime revolves around them—I’ll admit there are moments when using a controller can be quite enjoyable. Take, for instance, those cozy gaming sessions on my 65-inch TV. In those cases, nothing beats lounging on the couch with a gamepad in hand. Who says a gaming PC can’t offer a console-like atmosphere?
However, I’ve encountered my fair share of hiccups with controllers not functioning optimally right from the start. The crucial step I’ve learned is to configure them correctly within Steam before diving into my games. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set it up properly…
Setting Up Your Controller in Steam
First, launch Steam and navigate to the Settings option located in the top left corner. Scroll down and select Controller.
In the External Gamepad settings, check the box corresponding to your controller type. For instance, mark Enable Steam Input for Xbox Controllers if you’re using an Xbox controller, or select Enable Steam Input for Generic Controllers if your controller is of a more universal variety.
Dominic Bayley / IDG
Next, back out of those menus and click on Library from the top menu.
Scroll through your game list to find the title you wish to play with your controller. Right-click on it and choose Properties.
Then select Controllers from the options on the left. On the right side, you’ll see options like Use default settings or Disable Steam Input. Change this to Enable Steam Input. Afterward, restart your computer to ensure the settings are applied correctly.
Dominic Bayley / IDG
And that’s all there is to it! Your controller should now work seamlessly with the specific Steam game you’ve configured. Feel free to repeat the process for any other games you wish to play with your controller as well.
Pro Tip: You can also fine-tune your controller settings by accessing Calibration and Advanced Settings, found within the same controller selection menu.