The Steam Deck is a much-anticipated portable gaming device that is expected to transform the gaming experience.
Boasting robust hardware and user-friendly controls, it has the potential to revolutionize portable gaming.
Nevertheless, like all new technological innovations, it is susceptible to technical problems.
One of the frequently reported problems by Steam Deck users is the malfunctioning of controls.
This article will delve into the reasons behind this issue and provide solutions to fix it.
Why Is Steam Deck Controls Not Working
There are various factors that could contribute to the Steam Deck controls not functioning correctly. A frequent culprit is software-related issues.
The Steam Deck operates on a customized version of SteamOS, which is a Linux-based system.
Consequently, some games may not be optimized for the Steam Deck’s hardware and may not identify the device’s controls.
In addition, the SteamOS software may have glitches or compatibility problems that could cause the controls to malfunction.
Another factor that could contribute to the problem is a hardware issue.
The Steam Deck’s controls are built to be responsive and long-lasting, but they may experience wear and tear after extended use or physical damage, resulting in malfunctioning controls.
How To Fix Steam Deck Controls Not Working
If you encounter problems with the Steam Deck controls, there are various troubleshooting techniques you can try to fix the issue. The following are some of the most effective methods:
1. Force Restart The Steam Deck
Performing a force restart on the Steam Deck can be a potential solution for the issue of malfunctioning controls.
A force restart clears out any temporary glitches or software bugs that might be causing problems with the controls.
To force restart the device, simply press and hold the power button for 10 seconds until the device powers off, and then press the power button again to turn it back on.
2. Update Your Steam Deck Software
Software updates can potentially resolve the issue of Steam Deck controls not working properly.
SteamOS receives regular updates from Valve, and these updates often contain bug fixes and performance improvements that can resolve control issues.
Once the software update has been installed, test the controls again to see if the issue has been resolved.
3. Unhide Devices On Desktop Mode
By selecting the option to Unhide Devices, users may be able to make the Steam Controller visible and regain control functionality.
This action enables the Steam Deck to properly detect and synchronize with the controller, allowing users to operate the controls as intended.
Here are the steps to Unhide Devices on Desktop Mode for Steam Deck:
- Open Steam on your desktop computer.
- Click on the “Steam” dropdown menu in the upper left corner of the window and select “Settings.”
- In the Settings window, select “Controller” from the left-hand menu.
- Click on “General Controller Settings.”
- Click on the “Unhide Devices” button.
- Check if the Steam Controller appears in the list of detected devices. If it does, select it and make sure it is set as the default controller.
- Connect the Steam Controller to the Steam Deck using a USB cable or Bluetooth.
- Restart both the Steam Deck and the Steam client on your desktop computer.
- Launch a game and test the controls to see if they are functioning properly.
4. Delete Proton And Check The Experimental Box
Deleting Proton allows the game to run natively on Linux, eliminating any compatibility layers that may cause issues with the Steam Deck controls.
In addition, checking the experimental box can activate experimental features and compatibility options that optimize the game even further for the device’s hardware and controls.
Here are the steps to delete Proton and check the experimental box:
- Go to the Steam Deck settings and find the “Developer” option.
- Check the box next to “Developer” to turn it on.
- Launch the game you’re experiencing issues with.
- In the game’s settings, find the “Developer options” section.
- Look for the option to delete Proton and select it.
- After deleting Proton, go back to the game’s settings.
- Find the “Properties” section and select it.
- In the “Properties” section, look for the “Compatibility” option.
- Check the box next to “Experimental” to turn it on.
- Save the changes and exit the settings.
- Restart the game and check if the Steam Deck controls are now functioning properly.
5. Contact Steam Support
If you have tried all of the above steps and are still experiencing control issues, it may be necessary to contact Steam Deck support.
Valve provides comprehensive support for the Steam Deck, and their support team can help diagnose and resolve any hardware or software issues you may be experiencing.
Here is the link to Steam Support:https://help.steampowered.com/en/
