How to Fix Controller Not Working in Starfield

Starfield is a space role-playing game by the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

You can create any character and go on a journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.

Customize your character’s appearance, decide their background, and select their traits.

Join Constellation, the last group of space explorers finding artifacts throughout the galaxy.

Explore more than one thousand planets, navigate cities, and traverse wild landcapes.

You can also pilot and command the ship of your dreams, personalize the look of it, and more.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to fix your gamepad or PS4/PS5/Xbox controller not working, detecting, or switching in Starfield.

• Fix 1: Disable/enable 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/enable Steam Input

1. Open Steam and log in to your account.
2. Go to your library and right-click “Starfield”.
3. Select Properties > Controller > Override for “Starfield”.
4. 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 “Starfield” application > properties > Compatibility > Run this program as an administrator > tick > Apply > OK.

Fix 3: Enable configuration support

1. Open Steam and log in to your account.
2. Select Steam > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings.
3. If you’re using a PlayStation controller, enable “PlayStation Configuration Support”.
4. 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

• 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).
• Launch Steam in big picture mode and then launch the game (Starfield-specific).
• If you’re using an Xbox controller, install the Xbox Accessories app and update the controller (Starfield-specific).

Further reading

How to Fix Controller Not Working in Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon

How to Fix Controller Not Working in The Last of Us Part 1

How to Fix Controller Not Working in Dead Space