So you decided to play Monster Hunter Wilds with your controller. But there’s nothing worse than booting up the game, ready to dive into the action, only to find that your controller refuses to cooperate. It can be incredibly frustrating, whether it’s not responding at all or acting strangely, especially for a game that feels best when played with a controller. So, is there a fix yet for this issue? Read until the end to find out.
Controller issues in Monster Hunter Wilds can stem from a variety of factors, ranging from Steam’s input settings to conflicts with background software. Some players have reported that certain controllers aren’t being detected properly, while others experience unresponsive buttons or erratic behavior in-game. That said, here’s everything you need to know about fixing this issue for good.
Monster Hunter Wilds (MHW) Controller Not Working Issue: Is there any fix yet?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a guaranteed fix for this issue just yet. However, there are a handful of potential workarounds that have worked for some players. Until an official patch addresses the problem, you can try out these fixes and see which one works best for you!
Basic Controller Checks
If your controller isn’t working, try unplugging any unnecessary devices like additional controllers, flight sticks, racing wheels, HOTAS setups, USB dongles, or adapters. If you have multiple monitors, try running the game on a single display. Additionally, if you have virtual controller software like VJoy installed, disable or uninstall it from Device Manager and restart your system before testing the game again. If you’re using a wireless controller, removing and re-pairing it via Windows Settings > Bluetooth & Devices might help—remove your controller, click “Add a device”, select Bluetooth, and put your controller in pairing mode to reconnect it. If the wireless mode still causes issues, switching to a wired connection can provide a more stable input.
Run Steam as an Administrator
Sometimes, Steam may not have the necessary permissions to properly detect and configure controllers. To fix this, first, close Steam completely. Then, search for “Steam” in the Windows search bar, right-click on it, and select “Run as Administrator”. If you want to make this change permanent, right-click the Steam shortcut, go to Properties > Compatibility, check “Run this program as an administrator”, and click Apply and OK. Restart Steam and launch the game to see if the controller now works.
Launch Steam in Big Picture Mode
Big Picture Mode could also help with controller compatibility by optimizing Steam’s interface for gamepad use. To enable it, open Steam and click on the Big Picture Mode icon located in the top right corner. Once you enter Big Picture Mode, launch Monster Hunter Wilds from there and check if your controller is detected properly.
Enable or Disable Steam Input
To do this, open Steam, right-click on Monster Hunter Wilds in your library, and select Properties. Navigate to the Controller tab, where you’ll see an option to disable Steam Input. First, disable it and check if the controller works. If it doesn’t, go back and enable Steam Input again, then test. Some controllers function better with Steam Input enabled, while for some, you may need to turn it off.
Update Controller Firmware
For Xbox controllers, open the Microsoft Store, search for the Xbox Accessories App, and install it if you haven’t already. Connect your Xbox controller using a USB cable, open the app, click on the three dots for more options, and check for firmware updates. If an update is available, install it and restart your system. For PlayStation controllers, download the PlayStation Accessories App from the official PlayStation website. Install and open the app, then connect your DualSense or DualShock controller via USB. If an update is available, install it and restart your system.
Enable or Disable Xbox/PlayStation Controller Support in Steam
Steam’s built-in controller support can sometimes conflict with a game’s native controller settings. To adjust these options, open Steam > Settings > Controller and navigate to General Controller Settings. If you’re using an Xbox controller, try enabling Xbox Configuration Support if it’s disabled or disabling it if it’s already enabled. For PlayStation controllers, test both Enable Steam Input for PlayStation Controllers and Disable Steam Input to see which setting works best.
Use DS4Windows for PlayStation Controllers
Using DS4Windows can also help. All you have to do is download DS4Windows from the official website, install the program, and launch it. Connect your controller via USB or Bluetooth and configure the settings as needed. Once the setup is complete, launch the game and check if the controller is working.
Well, those are some of the most effective workarounds to fix controller issues in Monster Hunter Wilds. Now, before you leave, keep a tab on DigiStatement for daily guides and news on all things gaming. You can also click here to find out how to install the Ultrawide Mod for MHW.