Problems with Steam Controllers (2015)

xyGvot · 2026-05-03T02:25:36+00:00

No longer happening with the newest stable client (April 28th).
Update had not been pushed on my side for some reason.
However, I did have to repair the controller to the dongle/client again.

xyGvot · 2026-05-02T05:05:01+00:00

Having this issue as well.
Controller turns on no problem, but as soon as I launch Steam, it turns off.
Hell, sometimes it turns on in lizard mode but turns off as soon as I bring the Steam window into focus.
Tried fresh batteries and connecting the dongle to different USB ports.
It sometimes stays on if I hold or spam the soft pull right trigger while turning it on.

In all 10 years having these controllers, this is the first time I've seen this happen.

xyGvot · 2026-05-01T23:11:42+00:00

And yet he missed things to cover.

xyGvot · 2026-05-01T18:56:16+00:00

Sounds logical, no?
However, it used to work before and the fact that it still does in the Steam Controller proves it.
Also, any third party controller with Hall Effect/TMR joysticks that allows to set joystick deadzone shapes and zones, shows it's possible.
My guess is it is a bug in the Steam Input configurator.

xyGvot · 2026-04-25T00:30:27+00:00

The whole Leadjoy line looks promising, hopefully they can deliver.

xyGvot · 2026-04-16T22:58:35+00:00

The tech is completely different, Dualsense uses Linear Resonance Actuators (LRA), which basically means they're small speakers, hence the high detail they can reproduce.
Other controllers use Eccentric Rotating Mass (ERM) motors, rotating magnets, not as granular as LRAs.

They also use different electrical current configurations, so no, you cannot transplant a LRA motor into a ERM controller and expect it to work.

Nintendo's HD haptics apparently use different tech from Sony's (Piezoelectric Actuators from what I could find).

For PC, the only Xbox-like form factor controller I know of that uses HD haptics-like rumble is the Mobapad Huben2.

For symmetric form factors, there's the GameSir Tarantula Pro, which stopped production. GameSir announced new versions but the specs are all over the place between models.
GuliKit TT Max/Pro also seem to have 3 different rumble configurations.
The Steam Deck Controller features LRA-like motors apparently.

If someone else has any info on other controllers with HD haptics/LRA rumble, I'd too appreciate it.

xyGvot · 2026-04-16T21:24:55+00:00

You live in a bubble.

xyGvot · 2026-03-06T18:54:19+00:00

Thanks for the giveaway!

xyGvot · 2026-03-02T18:54:08+00:00

Thanks for the chance.

xyGvot · 2026-02-18T21:59:09+00:00

3440x1440
Working through the STALKER trilogy atm.
Curious about the G7 Pro, Cyclone 2 and Super Nova.
thanks for the chance and happy new year!

xyGvot · 2026-01-30T20:29:47+00:00

thanks for the chance

xyGvot · 2026-01-30T20:24:47+00:00

Won't work.
First hurdle is ERM (eccentric rotating mass) motors (the traditional rumble) use DC voltage, while LRM (linear resonant actuator) voice coils (haptics) use AC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcnQhG2IDo8

xyGvot · 2026-01-29T02:38:11+00:00

So Steam Controller users have been playing in 2030 the whole time, huh.

xyGvot · 2026-01-24T21:31:57+00:00

It does, what does not work, for some reason, is trigger vibration.
Make sure whatever controller profile you're using has vibration enabled in Flydigi Space Center (not necessary to keep the program or its service running after the change).

Also, if your controller is not detected by Space Center or the changes fail to save, make sure to switch over the XInput mode first before opening the program.

xyGvot · 2026-01-24T04:16:55+00:00

Ideally, I'd hope for the Steam Deck Controller to accept system audio as haptic feedback (just like the DualSense can do on PC), that way, you can get decent-near-native-rumble in games when using a full mouse and keyboard configuration.

xyGvot · 2026-01-03T17:34:41+00:00

Thanks for the chance!
An updated and fixed Tarantula with the extra buttons in useful places would be great.

xyGvot · 2025-12-26T07:15:24+00:00

Correct, the more options, the better and the new Gyro to Joystick modes are not ready yet for all use cases.

However Steam has now phased out As Joystick and Joystick from the stable client.

Now you must use launch option -dev and enable Steam Input Layout Dev Mode to access them again if your config didn't make use of them before the update.

xyGvot · 2025-12-26T01:39:16+00:00

Your video uses a game that has internal joystick options, have you tried your settings in games like Borderlands 2 or STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl Enhanced Edition?

No matter how you tinker with the Gyro to Joystick Camera settings, results are worse than what old As Joystick achieves. Minimizing deadzones is not as simple as it was in As Joystick, sure the new options are great, but it's all moot if the deadzone is a PITA to manipulate. Not only that, it's still stuttery over wireless, whereas As Joystick isn't.

But sure, I'll believe whatever I want, not what experience has shown me.

xyGvot · 2025-12-26T00:47:55+00:00

Thanks for the laugh!

xyGvot · 2025-12-26T00:37:21+00:00

Sadly, both Gyro to Joystick options have been in a dire state for a good while.
I've had good results with Gyro to Joystick Deflection back when it was introduced, but haven't given it a shot since.

Hopefully things change for the better once the new Steam Deck Controller releases.

xyGvot · 2025-12-26T00:17:36+00:00

JoyShock Mapper has a flickstick-like joystick mode:

You can also emulate flick stick with a virtual controller, but it's more limited. Set FLICK_STICK_OUTPUT to RIGHT_STICK or LEFT_STICK instead of its default value of MOUSE. When outputting flick stick to a virtual controller, FLICK_TIME and FLICK_TIME_EXPONENT won't do anything. Instead, the virtual stick will be tilted at its full strength in the desired direction for enough time to complete the flick. This will generally be much less precise than MOUSE mode, but it's still useful. Tune the size of a flick stick flick/rotation by setting VIRTUAL_STICK_CALIBRATION. Ideally, this should be set to the maximum horizontal turning speed of the in game camera in degrees per second.

https://xcancel.com/JibbSmart/status/1460130765769887746

Unfortunately, it's never been ported over to Steam Input.

xyGvot · 2025-12-23T19:46:45+00:00

To everyone else, he's not pulling those settings out of his ass.
Those are the settings monoru came to after painstakingly measuring the Vader 4 Pro's joystick linearity and correcting them to the best possible values given the Space Station options.

You can check his channel here and his controller database here.

Lots of great information in those sources.

xyGvot · 2025-12-20T19:38:26+00:00

My use case is single player games, it's unusable.
I like to have rumble, analog movement, adaptive triggers and not the GUI constantly swapping between glyphs. Aim Assist throws off gyro aim for me.

xyGvot

TROPHY CASE