How to Fix Rocket League not Recognizing Controller

Rocket League not recognizing a controller manifests as a lack of response from the controller in-game, despite it working flawlessly in other titles. This problem is most commonly caused by conflicts between Steam Input settings and Rocket League’s native input configuration.

Outdated drivers or firmware can also contribute, especially for Xbox and PS controllers. Additionally, Rocket League updates have been known to cause issues by resetting or corrupting input configurations.

In this article, we will discuss different ways to solve this problem.

1. Adjust Big Picture Settings

If you’re using Steam’s Big Picture Mode, adjusting its settings can fix controller recognition issues by disabling Steam Input for Rocket League. Steam’s Big Picture Mode often applies its own controller configurations, which can conflict with Rocket League’s native input system. Disabling Steam Input allows the game to directly detect and use the controller without interference, resolving most input issues.

1. Right-click Steam’s tray icon and select Big Picture.
2. In Big Picture mode, click on Library and select Rocket League, then choose Manage Game.
3. Click on Controller Options under Steam Input.

   

4. Set Steam Input Per-Game Setting to Forced Off and click Ok.

   

5. Return to Big Picture’s main page, click Settings (gear icon), and select Controller Settings.
6. Uncheck all irrelevant boxes. Keep Xbox Configuration Support and Guide Button Focuses Steam checked if using an Xbox controller.

   

   Note: Check PlayStation Configuration Support and uncheck Xbox Configuration Support for a PS4 controller. Uncheck both for a generic controller.

7. Restart Steam, launch Rocket League, and verify controller functionality.

2. Ensure Your Controller Is Recognized

To identify controller recognition issues, first check if the controller is detected by the system in “Devices and Printers” or “Device Manager” on Windows. If it’s not recognized there, the issue is likely outside of Rocket League and may require driver updates or reinstallation.

1. Open Device Manager by pressing Windows key + R, typing “devmgmt.msc”, and pressing Enter.
2. Check for your PS4 controller under Sound, video, and game controllers.
3. If it’s not listed, unplug and reconnect it to a different USB port.
4. Allow Windows to reinstall the driver and see if the device appears.
5. If found, restart your computer and check if the issue persists.

3. Recover the Steam Controller Firmware

Recovering the Steam Controller firmware can resolve recognition issues by resetting the internal software to its factory state. This eliminates conflicts or glitches from corrupted firmware, ensuring the controller interacts smoothly with Steam and Rocket League.

1. Open Steam, click Steam in the top menu, and select Settings.
2. Select Controller and click General Controller Settings.
3. Choose Recover Steam Controller Firmware at the bottom.
4. Click OK to start the recovery process, and then click Start.
5. Once complete, restart your computer and check if the issue persists.

4. Setup Up Generic Controllers

If you’re encountering this issue with a generic, cheaper controller, it’s often due to a lack of compatibility with Rocket League’s input system. Setting up support within Steam or other input software ensures the game recognizes your controller’s inputs.

1. Download x360Ce from here. This tool allows Direct Input controllers to work with Xbox 360-supported games.
2. Copy the file to:

   C:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\common\rocketleague\binaries\win32

   Note: Adjust the path if Rocket League is in a different location.

3. Place x360ce.exe in the Win32 folder and double-click to run it.
4. Allow the app to detect your controller, then click Next and Finish.

   

5. Test and configure the controller buttons, then click Save.
6. Close x360Ce and launch Rocket League via Steam. Your controller should now function correctly.

5. Force Rocket League to Use Steam Input

Activating Steam Input for Rocket League lets Steam manage controller setups, fixing detection issues. This approach standardizes input, avoiding conflicts from outdated drivers or settings. It’s especially useful for consistent input across different controllers when other solutions don’t work.

1. Open Rocket League via Steam.
2. Go to Options > Controls and enable Use Steam Input.
3. Set your Xbox One Controller to AUTO.

   

4. Restart Rocket League to see if the issue is fixed.

6. Unplug USB Headphones

Disconnecting USB headphones can affect how Rocket League detects input devices. USB audio devices may conflict with controller recognition, causing the system to prioritize them over controllers. By unplugging USB headphones, you reduce this interference, allowing the game to properly detect the controller.