Strange occurrence with my Xbox controller in Windows 11!

Dante Humes · May 31, 2023

Ok, so I have come across a very strange issue with my Xbox core wireless controller. Before I get into the issues, I want to get out of the that I have already updated Windows, reinstalled drivers, updated firmware, plugged it in via USB, and various other fixes.

This issue just popped up just within the past few hours. Just earlier today I was playing games on the same controller and PC just fine. The controller is connected to Windows, but there is some strange behavior with the buttons. The weird part is, the buttons still work, but not in games or in the desktop. For example, I used the gamepad calibrator in Windows and all the buttons worked perfectly. I tried an online gamepad tester and it came to the same result. But the controller does not function outside of that. Normally, the controller can perform basic functions on the desktop like moving the mouse cursor, left and right-clicking, etc. Suddenly all these functions ceased to work and it won't work in any games now either.

This is a very odd situation that I haven't seen any other forums solve yet. If anyone responds, please do not tell me to do things I have already done. I need genuine answers.

:)

Dante Humes

Thank you this will help me narrow down the issue. I had no idea that wasn't a default behavior! I have no clue what application could be causing that but I will search around.

Edit: I tried connecting my controller to my laptop and there's the exact same situation. I doubt it was software then. This makes it all the more confusing

Dante Humes

Alright, I figured it out! Apparently Steam is the application that gives controllers extended features on Windows. Something was bugged within the Steam input and simply reinstalling Steam fixed the issue! Thank you for your help!

Obsessive Power

Normally, the controller can perform basic functions on the desktop like moving the mouse cursor, left and right-clicking, etc. Suddenly all these functions ceased to work and it won't work in any games now either.

That isn't default behaviour. To get the controller to also work in Windows as a mouse you'll need a third party application. Xbox controllers don't function as a desktop mouse by default.

Sounds like something you're using to get the controller to emulate a mouse is misbehaving.

Obsessive Power

I've updated the driver and used this controller on other PCs with windows 11 and the problem still persists.

The information of my system is attached below:

Hi

If your controller isn't working on other PC running Windows 11 it tells me something is wrong with your controller.

There aren't any compatibility issues with older Xbox 360 controllers and Windows 11. I've just tried my old Xbox 360 wired controller in my brand new Windows 11 based PC and it works fine. The fact that it isn't working now is likely coincidental.

Atherza

There won't be any settings, as the Xbox USB ports are always open. This is a strange occurrence, are the back USB ports working well?

Strange occurrence with my Xbox controller in Windows 11!