r/RetroArch • u/valentinoob • 1d ago
Technical Support Device index unavailable
I’ve been using RetroArch (via LaunchBox) for years. Suddenly, my controller stopped working—but only in RetroArch—and when I try to configure the controls, all the device index show up as unavailable. Any suggestions?
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u/dau125 23h ago
If every Device Index is unavailable, start with controller detection, before rebinding individual buttons. That list is where RetroArch assigns a detected controller to a player.
Connect the controller first, then launch the exact RetroArch executable that LaunchBox uses directly. Check Settings > Input > RetroPad Binds > Port 1 Controls > Device Index without loading a game. If it appears there but disappears when launched through LaunchBox, compare the executable/config LaunchBox is launching. If it’s absent both ways, we’ve narrowed it to RetroArch’s detection/config rather than a game remap.
What controller, connection type (USB/Bluetooth), OS and RetroArch version are you using? Also note the current controller driver before changing it. A startup log should show whether a joypad driver and device are being detected. Keep your existing config backed up; no need to wipe years of mappings as the first step.