WWE 2K25 is here, bringing intense action, jaw-dropping moves, and a stacked roster, and like many, you must have chosen to play the game with a controller. But where’s the fun if your controller keeps disconnecting or stops working mid-match? Whether you’re trying to pull off a devastating finisher or just navigating menus, a controller issue can ruin the experience. So, here’s our guide to fixing the controller disconnecting or not working issue in WWE 2K25.
Some WWE 2K25 players have reported a frustrating issue where their Xbox controllers work perfectly in menus and cutscenes but suddenly stop responding once they enter a match in MyRISE mode. This means they can navigate everything outside of gameplay but lose all control when the action starts. If you’re experiencing this, you’re not alone, as many players are looking for a fix to get their controllers working properly in matches. That said, here are some effective workarounds for you to try.
WWE 2K25 Controller Disconnecting/Not Working Issue: Is there any fix yet
This isn’t an issue unique to WWE 2K25. Similar controller problems have been reported in previous WWE titles and other games as well. While we’ve listed some player-suggested fixes, there are also other potential solutions that might be worth trying. If none of the workarounds help, keep an eye out for official updates or patches from the developers.
Connect First
The first thing to try is to make sure your controller is powered on and connected to your PC before launching the game. This problem has been seen in previous WWE 2K games as well, and ensuring the controller is recognized before the game starts can help prevent it from defaulting to Player 2 or becoming unresponsive during matches.
Unplug and Reconnect
Another quick fix is to unplug and replug your controller or, if you’re using a Bluetooth one, disconnect and reconnect it. If possible, switching to a wired connection is also recommended, as it provides a more stable input and can help avoid random disconnects during gameplay.
Disconnect other devices
A common fix is to check for conflicting USB devices. If you have multiple peripherals connected, a flight stick, or even a keyboard/mouse combo, it might be interfering with your controller in use. Try unplugging all unnecessary USB devices and then restarting the game with only your controller connected.
Unplug Keyboard Before Game Launch
Another effective workaround shared by players is to unplug keyboards before launching the game. Some users have found that having a keyboard connected at startup can interfere with controller functionality, especially in MyRISE matches. Once the game is running, you can plug the keyboard back in after you’re done playing.
Enabling Steam Input
Some players have experienced controller issues, specifically in WWE 2K25 MyRISE, similar to what was seen in WWE 2K24. If restarting the match or even relaunching the game multiple times doesn’t help, enabling Steam Input might be the solution. To do this, open Steam, locate WWE 2K25 in the library, right-click on it, and select Properties. Now, select the Controller tab. Here, select “Enable Steam Input” and test if the controller works correctly. While this has been particularly effective for players using an Xbox One controller wirelessly, it’s worth trying with other controllers as well.
Using Big Picture Mode
Another potential fix is launching Steam in Big Picture Mode, as this can sometimes help resolve controller detection issues. To enable Big Picture Mode, open Steam, then click on the Big Picture Mode icon in the top-right corner of the screen. This will switch Steam into a controller-friendly interface. Once inside Big Picture Mode, launch WWE 2K25 from there and check if your controller now works properly.
Delete the CrashPad Folder
The game’s CrashPad folder can sometimes cause issues with controllers, so deleting it might resolve the problem. Follow these steps:
- Open Steam, right-click on WWE 2K25, and go to Manage > Browse Local Files.
- Locate the CrashPad folder. Before deleting it, create a backup by copying the folder to a different location.
- Then, delete the CrashPad folder from the game directory.
- Launch the game and check if your controller starts working.
If you experience any problems, you can always restore the folder from your backup.
Update Your Controller Using Accessories Apps
If you’re using an Xbox controller, open the Microsoft Store and download the Xbox Accessories App. Connect your Xbox controller via USB. Open the app, click on the three dots, and check if there’s an Update option. If available, update your controller and restart the game. For those with a PlayStation controller: Search for PlayStation Accessories App on Google and download it from the official PlayStation website. Install the app, connect your DualSense controller, and check if an update is available. Keeping your controller firmware up to date ensures proper compatibility with new games.
DS4
If you have a PS4 or PS5 controller, you can use DS4 Windows to improve compatibility. All you have to do is download DS4 Windows from the official website. Install and configure it to emulate an Xbox controller. Launch the game and see if your controller works properly.
Final steps
If none of the previous workarounds resolve the issue, you may need to try some last-resort solutions. First, verify the integrity of game files in Steam by right-clicking WWE 2K25 in your library, selecting Properties > Installed Files, and clicking Verify Integrity of Game Files—this will check for any missing or corrupted files and replace them. Next, check for game updates, as developers often release patches to fix bugs and improve compatibility. If the problem persists, reinstalling the game might be necessary. Uninstall WWE 2K25 completely, restart your PC, and then perform a fresh installation so that no corrupted files or misconfigurations exist.
These are the workarounds that have helped many players resolve the controller issues in WWE 2K25. We hope that at least one of them will work for you and get your controller functioning properly. While these temporary fixes can help, we are expecting the developers to address these issues in the future. That said, keep visiting DigiStatement for more guides and news like this on all things gaming. Click here to find out where the saved files for the game are located.
