How to Fix Counter-Strike 2 Controller Not Working on PC

Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) by Valve Corporation is a newer, more enhanced game than its predecessor, CS:GO, with better graphics and features. It was first tested by some players and was released to the public on September 27, 2023, for Windows PC and Linux. However, some players face problems, particularly with the PC version of Counter-Strike 2, like the controller not working properly, which frustrates many players.

Many reports suggest there might be a bug causing the controller to stop working unexpectedly. The exact reason for this issue is still unclear, but it seems to affect players using PlayStation and Xbox controllers the most. But that doesn’t mean that users of Steam Games are free from facing this problem. It’s likely that having an outdated game version, connectivity issues with the controller, or corrupted game files might be causing this issue.

Counter-Strike 2’s Controller Support is broken at the moment
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How to Fix Counter-Strike 2 Controller Not Working on PC

Luckily, here we’ve shared with you a couple of possible workarounds that should be useful. Make sure to follow all troubleshooting methods until the problem has been fixed. So, without further ado, let’s jump into it.

1. Restart the PC

First, you’ll have to restart the PC manually to ensure there is no issue with the temporary system glitch or cache data. Sometimes, temporary glitches can trigger several issues to some extent.

2. Disconnect and Reconnect the Controller

You can also try disconnecting and reconnecting the controller on the PC to ensure there is no connectivity glitch occurring at your end. Any kind of loose connection or issues with the USB port can be problematic.

3. Set Steam Controller Settings

Another thing you should do is adjust the Steam controller settings on the PC by following the steps below to check if there is no issue with the controller connectivity.

• Open the Steam client on your PC.
• Click on View from the top-left corner.
• Now, choose Big Picture Mode > If prompted, click on Continue.
• Click on Library > Go to Games under the Browse section.
• Select Counter-Strike 2 > Click on Manage Games (Gear icon).
• Choose Controller Options from the Steam Input option.
• Expand the Change the Steam Input Per-Game Settings list.
• Choose Forced On and click on OK to save changes.
• Finally, restart your Steam client, and check for the issue.

Please Note: If not working, make sure to select Forced Off or None. Then click on OK to save changes.

4. Enable Controller Configuration

It’s also a better idea to enable the controller configuration on Steam by following the steps below to check if the controller not working issue has been fixed or not.

• Open the Steam launcher > Click on the Steam tab.
• Go to the Settings menu > Click on the Controller tab.
• Now, click on the General Controller Configuration option.
• Under the Controller Settings menu, you should Enable the Configuration Support option.

5. Disable Steam Input

You should try enabling the Steam Input option by following the steps below on your PC to ensure there is no issue with the Counter-Strike 2 controller not working.

• Open the Steam client > Go to Library.
• Right-click on Counter-Strike 2 > Go to Properties.
• Go to the Controller tab > Make sure to Disable Steam Input.
• Once done, relaunch the game, and check for the issue again.

6. Update the Controller Driver

You’ll need to update the controller driver on the PC by following the steps below to ensure there is no issue with the outdated controller driver version. Sometimes an outdated or corrupted device driver might also trigger several issues with connectivity and performance.

• Press the Win+X keys to open the Quick Link Menu.
• Click on Device Manager > Double-click on the Sound, video and game controllers.
• Now, click on Update Driver > Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
• If there is an update available, make sure to follow the on-screen instructions to finish it.
• Once done, reboot the PC to apply changes.

Please Note: You can also check for updates in the Human Interface Devices if there is an update pending or not.

7. Use DS4 Windows for PlayStation Controllers

You’ll need to connect your PS5 DualSense controller to DS4Windows on the PC by following the steps below to fix detection issues.

• You’ll need to download the latest DS4Windows application on the PC.
• Go to the DS4Windows folder > Run the DS4Windows.exe program.
• You’ll be prompted to save the profile.
• If you want to store the profile on a USB, select Program Folder.
  • If you want a complete install on your PC, select Appdata.
• Now, click on Step 1: Install ViGEmBus Driver in the Welcome to DS4Windows screen.
• Relaunch DS4Windows.exe and connect your controller via Bluetooth or USB.
• Launch Counter-Strike 2 to check if the controller is working or not.

8. Run Counter-Strike 2 as an Administrator

Make sure to run the game app file on your PC as administrator access to allow the User Account Control (UAC) access to the system. In some cases, your system requires the UAC access permission to run a program which is quite important. By following the steps below you’ll have to allow the admin access for once and it won’t ask you for the same again. To do so:

• Go to the installed Counter-Strike 2 game directory.
• Right-click on the game application file on your PC.
• Click on Properties > Click on the Compatibility tab.

• Click on the Run this program as an administrator checkbox to enable it.
• Once done, click on Apply and then OK to save changes.
• Finally, run the game to check for the issue.

9. Update Counter-Strike 2

It’s recommended to update the game version to the latest because an outdated patch can trigger multiple issues with the game running in some cases. To do so:

• Open the Steam client > Go to Library.
• Click on Counter-Strike 2 from the list of installed games on the left pane.
• Now, the client will automatically search for the available update.
• If there is an update available, click on the Update option.
• Wait for a couple of minutes or so until the game update completes.
• Once done, make sure to close the Steam client.
• Finally, reboot your PC to apply changes.

10. Verify and Repair the Game Files

Sometimes corrupted or missing game files on the PC may trigger some issues with the game running smoothly. Make sure to verify the game files and repair them via the Steam client by following the steps below:

• Open the Steam client on the PC and log into the account > Head over to Library.
• Right-click on the Counter-Strike 2 game from the left pane.
• Click on Properties > Click on the Local Files tab.
• Then click on Verify Integrity of game files.
• Now, wait for the process to complete, and close the Steam client.
• Finally, restart the PC to apply changes.

11. Select PlayStation or Xbox Configuration Support

Make sure to select the PlayStation or Xbox Configuration support on Steam manually, depending on which controller mode you’re using.

• Open the Steam launcher > Click on the Steam tab.
• Go to the Settings menu > Click on the Controller tab.
• Now, click on the General Controller Configuration option.
• Under the Controller Settings menu, you should Enable the Configuration Support option.
• Select Xbox Configuration or PlayStation Configuration support.

12. Try Charging Your Controller

Sometimes, a low-on-charge aspect can also play a major role for the controllers. You should always try charging the controller to fulfil the charge requirement if it’s wireless.

13. Try Using Another Controller

Also, try using another controller on the PC to ensure no issue with the existing controller (hardware). If the other controller works fine then try repairing your controller or get a new one.

In conclusion, while Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) marks a significant advancement from its predecessor, CS:GO, and offers players enhanced graphics and features, its launch hasn’t been without hitches. The issues faced by players, especially concerning controller functionality on the PC version, underline the complexities involved in game development and rollout. Valve Corporation, known for its dedication to gaming communities, will likely address these concerns in upcoming patches. It’s essential for players to provide feedback and report issues, ensuring a smoother gaming experience for everyone in the future.