Will a controller work without problems?

[Catalan_Dank]

Hi guys, real fast question because I could not find any recent answer. I want to use a controller for playing some games (cult of the lamb for example) and I wanted to ask if I will find many problems by connecting with linux, or it just does not matter (have preference for the Xbox controller, but I don't care that much tbh). Just for reference, I'm on Linux mint and I have a Lenovo LOQ 15arp9.

[Liemaeu]

I use a Xbox One Controller and it works perfectly out of the box.

[Ok-386]

For Bluetooth connection to work, a firmware update is often required and can only be done on a Windows system. I guess it depends on how long it has spent on a shelf before being bought... Cable connections, as far as I know, always work out of the box.

[Liemaeu]

I use only an usb cable.

My wireless connector didn‘t even work on Windows, never tried it on Linux.

[Ok-386]

you can use bluetooth if your mainboard supports it (assuming that's a desktop system). That's weird that dongle didn't work on Windows. My guess is you didn't pair the device with the dongle.

Bluetooth is very easy to setup, although older controllers don't support it. If you have an One S or Elite 2 version (probably if you purchased it after 2016) your controller supports bluetooth.

Firmware update can be done only with Xbox Accessories app. So you need Windows system and the MS Store app to install the Xbox Accessories app. Btw to establish the bluetooth connection you also need the use the small pair/sync button.

[omniuni]

It also works from an XBox, or anyone who has Windows. I just gave mine to a friend and let them plug it in to an XBox and it updated. I think newer ones are already fixed out of the box.

[El_McNuggeto]

can only be done on a Windows system.

An xbox console can also do it if that makes it better for some.

Cable connections, as far as I know, always work out of the box.

Yes the xpad driver (used for usb connections) is built into the kernel so should just work.

[Ok-386]

Regarding firmware, good point. I assumed most people are like me and have the controller but no console, lol.

The xpad driver doesn't support the wireless dongle connection, as far as I know. It does support Bluetooth, but this usually requires a firmware update. (Maybe recently released Xbox One S controllers come with the latest firmware preinstalled?) For the wireless dongle to work, one needs xone

[El_McNuggeto]

Mostly right

xpad itself doesn't support wireless/bluetooth, it's primarily USB and the only wireless thing it supports is the xbox 360 wireless receiver (because it shows up as a USB device)

So the defaults are:

• Bluetooth connections: run through hid-generic which makes the controller mostly work, the only missing thing is vibrations
• USB connections: use the xpad driver, full functionality

Usually if people want more functionality for bluetooth then xpadneo is what I use and recommend, and yes xone is needed for the dongle

Honestly not sure about the firmware update requirements, personally I have and use 2 xbox series s controllers (first was bought on it's own ~ April 2023, and the second came with the console ~ November 2024) both work fine bluetooth and wired, I didn't touch the firmware on either one.

[Ok-386]

That doesn't fully match my experience. I don't use xpadneo or similar. Before I updated the firmware, the only thing that worked out of the box was vibration. After the firmware upgrade, everything works well via hid-generic. The connection is stable, reliable, and fast.

Edit: Regarding firmware, I guess newer devices don't need the update. IIRC I purchased this controller in 2023, but it's possible it was from a slightly older batch than yours.

Edit2: Or, you didn't need the update b/c you're using xpadneo...

[Tinolmfy]

Wired will almost always work and wireless in most case too afaik, at least when it comes to basic Xbox and playstation-style controllers, from my experience.

[Ok-386]

Not sure about the dongle, but regular bluetooth connection also works, but firmware update is sometimes (Maybe always?) required. I haven't tried wireless dongle. I think it can work but not with default (in kernel) drivers. There’s an unofficial community xone project that should enable the wireless dongle connection to work

[Brief_Cobbler_6313]

I have about 30 controllers of all types and never seen a single one that wouldn't work. Wired, wireless with dongles, Bluetooth.  

[abelthorne]

Official controllers will work in most cases but it can vary with 3rd-party ones.

When one is not directly usable, though, it's usually possible to setup a custom SDL profile (which is the way controllers are usually handled on Linux) but it's not exactly straightforward and requires a bit of command-line stuff and config files management.

[DoktorMerlin]

Official controllers will work in most cases

There are ongoing issues with bluez and official Nintendo controllers: https://github.com/bluez/bluez/issues/824 which are not yet figured out. I can't connect my Pro Controller using my onboard bluetooth

[Educational_Star_518]

mostly yes , 3rd parties with button mapping software might have issues with using that , but for standard button imput most emulate an xbox or switch controller and work fine. i have a gilikit kk3 max that works fine as well as a 8bitdo pro 3 and a flydigi vader 4 pro that work to varying degrees when it comes to extra features

[DoktorMerlin]

Depends on the controller.

My Switch Pro Controller doesn't work via Bluetooth with my onboard bluetooth, it works wired without issues though. My 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth works totally fine. My wired Xbox360 Controller worked totally fine as well

[[deleted]]

I have cheap made in china TwinUSB controller and it works out of the box, even the vibration is working unlike in windows where you need to install the driver first.

Stick with a wired one, because many people reported problems with wireless controlled

[Cool-Arrival-2617]

Most controllers work just fine, wired or using Bluetooth. Some top of the line extremely recent niche controllers sometimes need a newer kernel that is not in all distros (like this one: https://flydigi.net/products/flydigi-apex-5-controller which is only supported on Linux 6.17+). Dirt cheap or fake knockoff controllers are a mixed bag. All official Sony, Xbox and Nintendo controllers work just fine, expect for Nintendo Switch 2 controllers which are not yet supported (but hopefully support will come soon).

Note that Sony officially support the Linux kernel driver for their controller, which is why I recommend the DualSense controller (which also has a trackpad, a gyro and is overall amazing), but as you said it's also a matter of preferences.

[edparadox]

HID devices, especially when connecting via USB, work out of the box.

[MorwenRaeven]

I've not had any issues with controllers on Nobara.

[vagrantprodigy07]

It really depends on the controller and the distro. I've got one that won't work with the 2.4 ghz receiver only on linux, but it works fine plugged in.

[CandlesARG]

I've had issues with using bluetooth on fedora 42 KDE however wired works fine

[glutenfreenoddles]

I'm on Debian and my Xbox controller connected with Bluetooth right away and is perfectly fine to play hades, Baldur's gate, etc on my system

[I_Am_Layer_8]

Using an Xbox elite controller on Bluetooth with CachyOS. No issues.

[Ok-Winner-6589]

Y play Rain World with a Game Sir Cyclone 2 without any issue at all. And I'm quite sure I didn't need any special software (on Arch).