5 Ways to Fix the Elden Ring Controller Not Working on a Windows PC

Some players have reported they can’t play Elden Ring with their gamepad controllers on Windows 11/10 PCs. For example, this is what one ER player said on Reddit, “I tried to play Elden Ring with my PS4 controller, but it is not recognised by the game. The controller is working fine.” Sure, players can always play Elden Ring with keyboards when their controllers don’t work, but that’s not the same as playing with gamepads. This is how you can fix the Elden Ring controller not working on a Windows PC.

Read also: 8 Ways to Fix Elden Ring Not Launching on a Windows PC

Configure Steam’s Controller Settings

First, try configuring the controller settings in Steam. This means setting controller configuration support options in Steam to match the gamepad you’re trying to utilize. These are the steps for configuring Steam’s controller settings.

1. Open the Steam program window.
2. Click on the Steam menu and its Settings option.
3. Select Controller in the Settings window.
   
   

   The Controller tab

4. Press the General Controller Settings button.
5. Select a controller controller configuration that best matches the gamepad for your PC. For example, select Xbox Configuration Support if you utilize an Xbox controller.
   
   

   The Controller Settings

Enabling Steam Input

Enabling Steam input is a resolution some players confirm can fix the Elden Ring controller not working. This is how you can enable Steam input for Elden Ring.

1. Start Steam to go into that software’s game Library tab.
2. Click your Elden Ring game with the right mouse button to select Properties.
3. Next, click Controller in the properties window for Elden Ring.
4. Select Enable Steam Input on the drop-down menu.
   
   

   The Enable Steam Input setting

5. Try playing Elden Ring with the Enable Steam Input option set. If that doesn’t work, try selecting the opposite Disable Steam Input option.

Disconnect Unneeded Extra Peripheral Devices

To ensure there aren’t any peripheral device conflicts with the gamepad, disconnect all unneeded extra peripheral devices connected to your PC. This means things like USB sticks, keypads, webcams, external DVD drives etc. Then try playing Elden Ring with your controller without excess devices connect.

Some users confirm they’ve fixed their Elden Ring controllers not working by disconnecting keyboards and mice. Some users might say they’re more essential peripherals. However, a keyboard and mouse aren’t essential for playing Elden Ring if you intend to utilize a gamepad. So, try disconnecting your keyboard and mouse if you’re a desktop PC user.

Disable the HID-Compliant Game Controller

Another possible way to fix an Elden Ring controller not working is to disable HID-compliant game controllers in Device Manager, which has worked for some players. However, be careful not to disable anything other than HID-compliant game controller. You can disable an HID-compliant game controller as follows.

1. Right-click Start to select Run, input devmgmt.msc, and click OK.
2. Double-click Human Interface Devices to expand that category.
3. Right-click the HID-compliant game controller and select Disable device.
   
   

   The Disable device option

4. Click Yes when prompted to confirm.

Uninstall VJoy

VJoy is joystick driver device emulator software that can cause Elden Ring controller issues. It has been confirmed by players that uninstalling vJoy can fix the Elden Ring controller not working. Do you have vJoy installed on your PC? If you do, try uninstalling that app like this.

1. Activate the file finder tool by right-clicking Start and selecting Search.
2. Next, enter an apps & features search phrase.
3. Select Apps & features to access a tool for removing software.
   
   

   The Apps & features tool

4. Next, select vJoy in Apps & features and click Uninstall.

The potential resolutions outlined above are widely confirmed ways to fix the Elden Ring controller not working issue. So, there’s a pretty good chance one of those fixes will enable you to play Elden Ring with your PC gamepad again. However, there could be more ways to resolve this ER controller issue, and players who’ve discovered alternative fixes are most welcome to share them below.