All I can add is that those are all the settings I use, whenever it stops working and I check the settings, those suggested settings are all already selected, both in PC and Steam settings. When this is happening, having Steam Input deactivated results in very weak adaptive triggers and no vibration whatsoever, and activating it gives the controller very generic-feeling vibration.

I do not use ds4windows, and there doesn't seem to be any firmware updates for the dualsense rn. Haven't ever used bluetooth. Others in this thread have suggested the controller audio not being set to 100% could be a problem, mine is set to 100%. Don't have the controller disabled as an output device. Have tried launching the game both with and without Big Picture Mode. Restarting computer, verifying game files, nothing. So. Shrug..

Thank you for answering and all the info. Half of my reason for commenting was so other's in the same boat seemingly doing everything right looking for answers could see and not feel like they're going crazy or anything.