5 Ways to Fix a Fortnite PC Controller Not Working

Many players play Fortnite on Windows PCs with gamepad controllers rather than mice and keyboards. However, some players have reported that Fortnite doesn’t recognize their PC game controllers. One Reddit post reported that issue as follows: “I’ve always used my controller on my PC, and this week it won’t recognize my controller in Fortnite. I’ve tried other games, and it works perfectly fine.” Consequently, players can’t play Fortnite with their Windows PC gamepads. This is how you can fix a Fortnite PC controller not working.

Looking for more Fortnite guides from KeenGamer?

• 6 Ways to Fix the Fortnite “Network Connection Lost” Error on Windows PCs
• 6 Ways to Fix the “Easy Anti-Cheat is Not Installed” Fortnite Error on a Windows PC
• 4 Ways to Fix the Fortnite ESP-DIST-001 Error on a Windows PC
• 8 Ways to Fix Fortnite FPS Drops on a Windows PC
• 7 Ways You Can Fix Fortnite Not Launching on a Windows PC

Disable Ignore Gamepad Input

Disabling the Ignore gamepad input setting is one of the most widely confirmed ways to fix a Fortnite PC controller not working. That’s a setting you can change within the Fortnite game. This is how you can disable the Ignore gamepad input option.

1. Start the Fortnite game.
2. Click the menu button at the top-left corner of Fortnite.
3. Next, press the cog button.
4. Click Settings to access options.
5. Select the keyboard/mouse tab.
6. Now select Off for the Ignore Gamepad Input option.
   
   

   The Ignore Gamepad Input option

7. Click Apply and try playing Fortnite with your controller.

Disable the Lock Input Method as Mouse Setting

Some players have also confirmed they’ve fixed their Fortnite PC controllers not working by turning off the Lock Input Method as Mouse setting in Fortnite. That option is directly below the Ignore Gamepad Input option in Fortnite’s settings. So, try turning off that setting as well if it’s on.

Close the Steam Background App

If you have Steam installed, make sure that the gaming client isn’t running in the background when trying to play Fortnite. Some Steam settings can cause Fortnite controller issues to occur. You close the Steam background app by right-clicking its system tray icon and selecting Exit Steam. Or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select Steam in the Processes tab, and click its End task button.

The Exit Steam option

Plug the Controller into an Alternative USB Port

Unplugging and plugging a gamepad back into the PC is a simple potential resolution for fixing a Fortnite PC controller not working. However, try plugging the gamepad into a different USB port on your PC. You might find the controller works fine when connected to an alternative USB port on your PC.

Troubleshoot Your Controller via the Control Panel

If the potential resolutions above don’t fix your Fortnite PC controller not working, try troubleshooting the gamepad. You can do that by running the Devices and Printers troubleshooter for a connected gamepad via the Control Panel. This is how you can run that troubleshooter.

1. Press the Windows logo + R keys, enter Control Panel into Run, and press Enter.
2. Select Large icons on the View by menu within the Control Panel.
3. Click Devices and Printers to view peripherals.
4. Right-click your connected gamepad and select Troubleshoot.
   
   

   The Troubleshoot option

5. Select to apply any resolutions suggested by the troubleshooter, if it detects gamepad issues.
   
   

   The Devices and Printers troubleshooter

Windows also includes a calibration tool that could be useful for game controller troubleshooting. Input Set up USB game controllers in the search box and select the matching result to find that tool. Select your gamepad in the Game Controllers window and click Properties > Settings > Calibrate. Go through the steps in the calibration wizard that opens.

The Game Device Calibration wizard

So, you don’t have to go back to keyboard controls when your Fortnite PC controller is not working. Many players have got their Fortnite PC gamepads working again by applying the potential resolutions above. That doesn’t mean they’ll fix Fortnite PC controller issues for everybody, but they’re worth trying.