Dead Space is a sci-fi survival horror game that returns to bring you an immersive experience.
The remake has visual fidelity, atmospheric sounds, and gameplay improvements.
In the game, Isaac Clarke is an engineer who is set to repair a mining ship.
While on the ship, Clarke discovered that the crew was slaughtered and his partner, Nicole, is nowhere to be found.
He is alone and on a mission to find Nicole as hostile creatures roam the ship.
The game has detailed rooms, workspaces, and eerie atmospheric sounds.
Isaac Clarke needs to survive by uncovering the secrets behind the ship and the final logs of the crew.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to fix your gamepad or PS4/PS5/Xbox controller not working, detecting, or switching in Dead Space.
- Fix 1: Disable Steam Input
- Fix 2: Launch Steam and the game as an administrator
- Fix 3: Enable configuration support
- Fix 4: Other troubleshooting methods
Fix 1: Disable Steam Input

- Open Steam and log in to your account.
- Go to your library and right-click “Dead Space”.
- Select Properties > Controller > Override for Dead Space.
- Select “Disable Steam Input”.
Note: If disabling Steam Input does not fix your controller, try enabling it instead.
Fix 2: Launch Steam and the game as an administrator
- Right-click Steam > properties > Compatibility > Run this program as an administrator > tick > Apply > OK.
- Right-click the Dead Space application > properties > Compatibility > Run this program as an administrator > tick > Apply > OK.
Fix 3: Enable configuration support
- Open Steam and log in to your account.
- Select Steam > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings.
- If you’re using a PlayStation controller, enable “PlayStation Configuration Support”.
- If you’re using an Xbox controller, enable “Xbox Configuration Support”.
Note: If your controller is still not working, try disabling PlayStation/Xbox Configuration Support instead.
Fix 4: Other troubleshooting methods
- If you’re having an issue with controller bindings, plug your controller into your PC instead (Dead Space-specific).
- Launch the game from Steam instead of the EA app (Dead Space-specific).
- Add the “EADesktop” app to Steam (Library > Add a Game > Add a Non-Steam Game > EADesktop) and launch the game on Steam (Dead Space-specific).
- Unplug external unused USB devices (Logitech racing wheel, Thrustmaster racing wheel, additional controllers, etc.).
- Open Steam > Steam > Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache.
- Unplug and replug your controller (it can be simply a loose plug).
Further reading
How to Fix Controller Not Working in Need for Speed Unbound