Are you a fan of classic Nintendo 64 games but frustrated because your controller isn’t working with Project64? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Many gamers encounter issues when trying to connect and use controllers with Project64, a popular N64 emulator for Windows.
In this blog, we’ll explore various troubleshooting steps and solutions to help you fix the Project64 controller not working issue.
How To Fix Project64 Controller Not Working?
To fix Project64 Controller not working, you can update controller drivers, ensure proper installation and drivers, and try different controller plugins. Additionally, you can calibrate controller in windows, and check for controller compatibility.
1. Update Controller Drivers
Outdated or incorrect drivers can prevent Project64 from recognizing or correctly utilizing your controller.
Updating your drivers ensures that your controller can communicate effectively with your PC and the emulator.
- Connect your controller to your PC.
- Open the Device Manager on your Windows PC.
- Find your controller in the list of devices and right-click on it.
- Select “Update driver” and choose to search automatically for updated driver software.
- If an update is available, follow the prompts to install it.
- Once the drivers are updated, restart Project64 and check if the controller works.
2. Ensure Proper Installation And Drivers
If Project64 is not detecting your controller, it may be due to improper installation of the emulator or the controller’s drivers not being installed correctly.
Ensuring that both are set up correctly will allow for proper communication between your controller and Project64.
- Unplug your controller and plug it back in to ensure a secure connection.
- Visit the manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers for your controller.
- Install the drivers following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Restart your computer to ensure all driver changes are correctly applied.
- Open Project64 and navigate to “Options” > “Configure Controller Plugin” to set up your controller.
- Test the controller in Project64 to confirm it’s working properly.
3. Try Different Controller Plugin
Project64 supports various controller plugins, and some may work better with certain controllers than others.
Trying a different plugin can sometimes resolve compatibility issues.
- Open Project64 and go to the “Options” menu.
- Select “Settings” and navigate to the “Plugins” tab.
- In the “Input (controller)” section, choose a different controller plugin from the dropdown list.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
- Configure the new plugin by going to “Options” and then “Configure Controller Plugin.“
- Assign the buttons and sticks for your controller as you did with the previous plugin.
- Save the configuration and test the controller within a game to see if it’s now working.
4. Calibrate Controller In Windows
Sometimes, the issue may not be with Project64, but with how Windows has configured or recognized your controller.
Calibrating your controller in Windows can help ensure that it is recognized properly by Project64.
- Open the Windows Control Panel.
- Navigate to “Hardware and Sound” and then “Devices and Printers.“
- Find your controller, right-click on it, and select “Game controller settings.“
- In the dialog that appears, select your controller and click on “Properties.“
- Go to the “Settings” tab and click on “Calibrate,” then follow the on-screen instructions.
- After calibration, open Project64 and check if the controller is now working.
5. Check For Controller Compatibility
Not all controllers may be compatible with Project64, or specific features might not work as expected.
Checking for controller compatibility can prevent issues where the controller is not recognized or does not function correctly.
- Refer to Project64’s documentation to confirm if your controller model is supported.
- Look for any known issues or patches that might be required for your controller model.
- If your controller is not officially supported, consider using a different controller known to work with Project64, or look for third-party tools that can help map your controller to a compatible input format.
6. Check USB Connection
A faulty or loose USB connection can cause the controller to not be recognized by Project64.
Ensuring a stable connection is crucial for the controller to work properly with the emulator.
- Disconnect and reconnect your controller to a different USB port to rule out a potential port issue.
- If you are using a USB hub, try connecting the controller directly to the computer instead.
- Check the USB cable for any damage or signs of wear that could affect connectivity.
- If possible, test the controller on another computer to determine if the USB connection issue is with the controller itself.
7. Uninstall And Reinstall Project64
If none of the above solutions work, there might be an issue with your Project64 installation.
Uninstalling and reinstalling the emulator can resolve any corrupt files or configurations that might be causing the controller issues.
- Uninstall Project64 through the Control Panel or by using its uninstaller, if available.
- Go to the Project64 website and download the latest version of the emulator.
- Install Project64 and run it after installation is complete.
- Configure your controller settings once again to see if the issue has been resolved.
8. Contact Project64 Support
If all previous troubleshooting steps fail, reaching out to support team can provide a solution.
The support team or community may offer insights specific to your controller model or setup that are not covered in general troubleshooting guides.