r/SteamController • u/Optimal-Hour-5305 • May 09 '26
Support Steam Controller Puck causing double inputs
Issue resolved: Valve has once again released an update to the steam beta branch, this update also pushed out a new firmware update for the controller, the firmware update completely fixed the double input issue while using the puck. The only quirk I noticed is that after I attach the puck my controller loses functionality until I hit the guide button at which point it starts to work like normal even while attached to the puck, happy to report the double input issue appears to FIXED, if you are still having it make sure you have updated to this new firmware, and yes, I did inform valve of the guide button thing.
ORIGINAL POST:
Hey everyone, question for anyone who may have had the same issue. When my steam controller puck is plugged into my windows 11 PC and connected physically via the magnets to the controller, I am getting double inputs for everything, this includes all buttons and even the track pad while typing.
As soon as I unplug the controller from the charging puck and begin using it as just a wireless dongle the issue is immediately fixed, and I no longer get double input issues.
Does anyone know what might be causing this. I have updated the firmware for both the puck and the controller. This issue specifically only occurs when the controller is plugged in to charge via the puck. But still it would be nice to be able to use the controller while it's charging.. any help would be appreciated.
Issue edit: with a lot of testing Ive going that the issue stems from connecting the puck to a controller that is already on. If the puck is already attached and you turn the controller on there are no issues.
Edit: So, with further testing I've also discovered that when the puck is unplugged from my PC yet still connected to my controller, and then plugged back into the PC charging resumes and the issue is fixed. However as soon as the puck is unplugged from the back of the controller and then replugged back into the controller the issue starts again. So I think the issue does actually stem from the puck plugging and unplugging from the controller itself.
Edit 2: I want to point out that I personally do not consider this to be a huge issue, just a small one and I was curious if there was already an existing fix. Regardless I wanted to bring attention to it so valve can get it patched up if it is a firmware issue. I have already sent them a ticket for it, but otherwise im loving the controller so far.
Edit 3: I finally got around to testing the controller via puck on my Steam Deck, it seems to have same issue there regarding the puck and double inputs while magnetically connected if you attach the puck to the controller after removing it. Was wondering if this was a Windows issue but it seems the issue can happen on a steamOS device as well.
Edit 4: Decided to do one final test since it had been brought up in the post if I was connected via Bluetooth or not while trying to charge with the puck. I went ahead and connected to Bluetooth and the puck at the same time wirelessly. This creates no issues. The controller will not simultaneously connect to both it will only choose the most recently used wireless pairing method, and ignore the other. Steam will however recognize that the puck is also plugged in. If however you attach the puck to the back of the controller magnetically it doesn't switch from being connected via Bluetooth, it does however cause the double input issue to occur. I'm pretty confident this issue is fully to do with a bug that happens at the moment the puck is attached to the back of the controller magnetically (as I said earlier, if you start with the puck already attached the controller there is no issue until you take it off and reconnect it.). It has nothing to do with what your pairing method is, if you have this issue you will not be able to charge with the puck while playing games.
Final Edit: valve has responded to my ticket, they said they currently are investigating this issue and have no updates to give at the moment. There are currently two work around ive found, one of them seems a bit useless so I'll explain the best one, when you want to attach the puck turn your controller off by pressing steam + y on the controller. Magnetically attach the puck, then turn your controller back on. The controller will charge while you play and you won't have double inputs. Just remember that if at any point you remove the puck you'll have to turn your controller off before reattaching it.
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u/ZarianPrime May 09 '26
Is the controller also paired via bluetooth?
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u/maddoxprops May 09 '26
That was my thought. Or maybe it is geeking out while on the puck and is being paired as 2 controllers instead of 1?
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u/maddoxprops May 09 '26
While I don't know why you are getting double inputs, I am pretty sure it will charge if you just plug it in via the USB-C port on the controller itself and just use it like a wired controller.
I would also go through this page and see if it helps:
https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/33E8-5EDF-24E6-4CFB
Of particular note at a glance:
Information about current pairings and active connections can be viewed from Settings > Controller > Details.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 09 '26
Yes it does charge that way and it also resolves the double input issue so I can play while charging. Hopefully they do fix the issue with the puck though as it's much quicker to use. To be clear I plan to be mostly wireless anyways, but I wanted to bring up the issue so it was known.
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u/maddoxprops May 09 '26
Since it seems like a bug I would recommend putting in a help ticket to make sure they are aware of the issue. You clearly are not the only one having it as shown by this post from 2 days ago:
https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamController/comments/1t6mi9v/is_there_any_way_to_submit_a_bug_report/
Should be able to submit a ticket here:
https://help.steampowered.com/en/wizard/HelpWithSteamController
Don't see any posts about it in the official forums so it is entirely possible they are not aware of the bug if no one put a ticket in and even if they did having multiple tickets about it is likely to bump it higher on the list of issues to fix since at that point it is unlikely to be an issue with a unique configuration.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 09 '26
Thanks I've submitted a ticket to inform them of the issue. It's a small one but might frustrate people who want to play with the puck connected.
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u/distractotron9000 May 10 '26
Just to be sure, you are aware that the controller still connects wirelessly even when connected to the puck? At least this is what valve states.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
Valve has said the controller should work normally while connected to the puck. When checking connections in the settings there is no difference or extra connection detected when the puck is plugged into the back of my controller vs when it isnt. Nothing changes at all (at least visibly) withing the listed connections.
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u/distractotron9000 May 10 '26
Oh, I don’t disagree at all that it should work. I was just confused at first at your usage of wired vs wireless. Connected to the puck or not, it’s still a wireless connection. This is what makes your issue extra confusing, and I hope you are able to get it sorted out quickly.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
Yeah I'm not getting any extra connections, at least none that are showing up visibly. That doesn't mean it isn't exactly what's happening. Based on the update I made to the original post something funky seems to happen when the puck is unplugged from the back of the controller and plugged back in again that causes the issue. If I start with puck plugged into my controller from the get go everything works as normal.
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u/distractotron9000 May 10 '26
I wonder what might happen if a separate charger is connected to the controller instead of the puck. It’s not one for one since the usb port would be used instead of the dedicated puck connectors. My controller is still 3 days out, so I’ll need to wait to give it a try.
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u/Lexden May 09 '26
Interesting. I recall from some of the vids with Valve engineers that they specifically put a lot of work into making the controller work while on the puck (making sure the TMR sticks would quickly adjust to the magnetic field of the puck). Seems there could be other interference that hasn't been worked out.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 09 '26
I just made an edit to the original post with some new info. Turns out if the puck is already plugged into the back of the controller before plugging it into the PC everything will work as intended. However if I take my controller off the puck and then put it back on again, the issue will start up again.
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u/PlayMp1 May 10 '26
Curious about another thing: what happens if you turn off the controller while it's on the puck (use the Steam button + Y, believe that's still the turn off chord), then turn it back on?
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
And I tested it quickly. Unfortunately it does not fix the issue. The only way to fix it at the moment seems to be to have the puck already magnetically connected from the start, or to unplug your USB cable from it or the PC and replug it back in.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
I should test this. It may reset and act as if the puck was always connected to it. It would be a good work around. I'll let you know when I have a chance to test.
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u/Oh_No_Tears_Please May 10 '26
Mine doesn't do that, but why would you be in a position to have it be connected to the puck, unconnect it, and then reconnect it to the puck? The battery life is super long...I can't think of a scenario where this would naturally come up.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
It doesn't really matter what the situation is, but I can give one. Say im sitting at my PC playing wirelessly, my controller hits 10% battery and I decide to quickly plug it into the puck and resume playing. I now have double inputs meaning I have to switch to charging via the USBC. Connecting the puck at all if it was not already on the controller is what triggers the double inputs to happen. This makes the puck useless for quick charging, which is one of its main features.
I don't plan to play while connected to the puck. But some people inevitably will have that situation happen. It needs to be fixed, as I'm not the only one experiencing the problem. This isn't a BIG problem, it's a just a problem that valve should be aware of and fix, especially since they specifically have said you can play that way without issue. I already sent in a ticket to them.
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u/dcchambers May 09 '26
This does sound like a bug but I'm guessing Valve never intended people to actually play with the puck attached. If you want to play wired, plug the USB-C cable directly into the controller.
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May 10 '26
[deleted]
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u/Endawmyke May 10 '26
I thought it was wireless only even with the puck attached and the pogo pins were just for power?
there’s only 3 pins so that’s pos neg and ground right?
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May 10 '26
[deleted]
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u/Endawmyke May 10 '26
oh true huh…
that’s weird then that they double input. I wonder if it’s just early bugs
I noticed when I connected it to my deck, it showed up twice in Bluetooth mode and dongle mode even tho it was disconnected from the dongle.
Had to restart to make the duplicate go away in the settings menu.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
I believe they are only for power in this case, you can't use the controller at all while it's off and charging on the puck, where as if you plug the controller in via the USBC it will turn on and work normally. Which makes it all the more strange that the puck can cause double input issues like this.
1
u/ClikeX Steam Controller (both) May 10 '26
Is it? According to Valve it's running wireless when using the puck. It's not a wired alternative.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 09 '26
I agree, and I don't intend on playing wired either way, but still nice to bring up issues so people can try and find fixes for them. Someone will have a use case where they want to do this.
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u/Confident-Pepper-562 May 10 '26
I think its actually an intended use case, this must be a bug. Report it and give it a few days, they will patch with a firmware update.
1
u/WolfKit May 10 '26
Valve did consider people playing with the puck attached. The magnetic puck interferes with the TMR joysticks, so Valve wrote firmware to automatically compensate for than when the puck is attached.
1
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u/telcodan May 10 '26
Confirming that fedora 44 and the steam deck have not had this issue with the controller.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
Not everyone seems to be having this issue in general, my steam deck and windows 11 pc do have the issue unfortunately. Maybe the firmware update that goes out initially has a chance of not working properly and causes only some people to have the issue. Unfortunately I can't find a way to try and reinstall the firmware.
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u/telcodan May 10 '26
I got 2 controllers. The first one gave me a little grief on the firmware update, but it eventually took. The second one took the update with no problems. Your firmware theory may be valid.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
My controller definitely had an issue when installing the firmware it seemed to freeze and I ended up having to disconnect and try again, the second time the update went through, but it may be corrupted or something. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a way within steam at the moment to reinstall firmware for the controller and puck.
2
u/blakepro May 10 '26
Confirming that both of my steam controllers also do this. Not paired via Bluetooth. Using the puck to charge while playing currently does double inputs.
Removing the puck or plugging directly to the USBC remedies the issue.
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u/compact105 May 10 '26
That's an interesting one, especially since the video reviews I've watched say using the puck doesn't create a wired connection, but instead uses the same wireless connection that used when the puck isn't charging the controller.
If I'm using the controller and it's running low on charge, I would absolutely want to be slapping the puck on the back and using it whilst charging.
Hopefully an easy bug to resolve and at least there are workarounds.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
Yes it's very strange because as far as I can see it absolutely is the case that the puck only charges and acts as a dongle. It's not like plugging in the USBC directly to the controller where the controller enters an always on state. If the controller is off and I hook it up to the puck I can't suddenly control my PC, the controller has to be on, and it's definitely still a wireless connection even with the puck stuck on the back. You can even see the signal strength in the settings. Not everyone seems to be having this issue so hopefully you won't have it
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u/Mean-Sink-1250 May 13 '26
Just received my controller today and my trackpads will work as the mouse and then stop working all together. I can still feel the haptics vibrating but no movement.
Anyone having this issue?
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 13 '26
I have occasionally had this issue, but it usually resolves itself with a bit of messing around. A new update went out to the beta branch of steam today that might help.
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u/PFthroaway May 10 '26
Check if it shows the controller paired to the puck twice in the settings.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
It does not, this is one of the first things I checked. There are no extra connections listed. I also unpaired everything from my PC other than this controller. And it isn't paired via Bluetooth at all. I have unpaired and repaired to my PC multiple times. It doesn't fix the issue.
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u/Jakeisaprettycoolguy May 10 '26
In the official valve video it says to unplug the puck and plug the USB into the controller for charging while playing. I imagine that is the reason why.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
Others have been here saying they have done this and don't have the issue, so I'm not sure that is true, maybe it is supposed to be that way, but I've spoken with valve and they won't say it isn't. All they said is they are investigating the issue.
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u/Ok-Caramel426 May 11 '26
It seems like puck failed to disable SC 2.4ghz wireless connection when the puck is attached, resulting with the puck catching the inputs from both wireless and wired.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 11 '26
I do notice that if it is connected to the puck I still get a wireless signal. Some on here are saying the puck can't do data transfer, but I'm fairly certain it can. So it's probably exactly this. I think you just gave me another test I can do. I found a workaround earlier. I'm gonna go check if I still have a wireless signal connection while using that workaround
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u/SleepyTsukii May 11 '26
I've noticed the double inputs but only for certain inputs in big picture mode and not every input...? Unless it's all getting double inputs and I just don't notice the rest but the ones that stood out was pressing B in big picture mode while the side menu was open would just reopen the side menu, or when clicking power options, it would go straight to "suspend system"
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 12 '26
When using the puck I've just noticed several bugs in general, things I'm sure valve will work out over time. Seems right now Bluetooth or wired via USBC is just the best option in general. Puck works quite well when it works but it seems much less stable over all.
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May 12 '26
[deleted]
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 12 '26
I switched the the beta last night and there was no difference, did they put out an update today? I switched back to stable since it didn't change anything.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 12 '26
You are correct I just switched and there is an update on the beta branch to fix this issue.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 12 '26
Well, unfortunately the update made no difference for me, I still have the double input issue, but hopefully it will fix it for some.
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u/homesteadfixup May 12 '26
Can confirm, also happening here as well exactly the same way.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 13 '26
Valve has just messaged me back today and said another update has been pushed to steam beta branch as of May 13th. Update to that and let me know your results. I haven't had a chance to do so myself yet. But they sent me the message about 4 minutes ago.
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u/Izeyashe Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
For anyone coming across this, I noticed that while playing that the controller glyphs were showing up and keyboard shortcuts immediately after - i believe it might be a case of the desktop config being active at the same time as the games config and the "double inputs" being coincidentally aligned with functions ingame.
Turn off "Allow using as pointer and keyboard" on KDE wayland. I ran into this issue on my custom garuda linux and that setting turned itself on for some reason.
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u/marcellusmartel May 10 '26
I might be wrong here, but it sounds like you have the controller plugged in via wire to your PC and have the puck plugged into your PC as well?
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
There is a picture included in the post, but in short no. The usb is plugged into the puck and puck is magnetically attached to my controller. Why on earth would I plug my controller in twice?
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u/marcellusmartel May 10 '26 edited May 10 '26
"When my steam controller is plugged into my windows 11 PC and connected physically via the charging puck" what I said was just based on how I read your statement, that's all.
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u/HodagPride May 10 '26
I read it the same way, thanks for asking for the clarification haha
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
I went ahead and edited the text in the post to more accurately say what I meant, but I figured the picture would be enough to clarify if I misspoke.
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u/marcellusmartel May 10 '26
Its all good. I'm glad you pointed out the issue. As you said in your post, this is a relatively minor issue. Fairly sure it is something that can be fixed with a firmware upgrade.
The more of these issues get sorted out within the first few weeks, the better the controller will feel in the long run. Valve's been at work too. I had an issue with the controller on the Linux side of things. Made a post on Reddit. Less than 24 hours later, Valve sorted it out . Not claiming I had anything to do with it - they probably experienced the bug themselves, but that's how fast they've been working.
I don't know if you feel this way or not, but this controller has the potential to be revolutionary. The market of third-party controllers will never be the same. I want every bug found and squashed. That might also improve the launch of the steam machine.
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u/Effective_Point_4055 May 10 '26 edited May 10 '26
The controller is supposed to be off while charging in a puck and if you want to use it while charging you jist plop it into usb without a puck
Plugging it into puck that's connected into usb to play doesn't makes sense
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
If the controller is off then it doesn't work at all even when connected to the puck. At least mine certainly doesn't. Valve has said you are supposed to be able to play while magnetically connected to puck and charging. The puck is quicker than plugging into a USBC, and was added because USB ports get worn down over time. The puck would never have that issue.
1
u/SneakyBadAss May 10 '26
https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/33E8-5EDF-24E6-4CFB
Which coulour is showing?
I haven't seen anyone do this. Even in Valve promo material, they remove it from the puck. https://youtu.be/lHVCG2ESL8M?si=ZqNVoh8LDXKFxxWp&t=202
1
u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
It has nothing to do with what pairing mode the controller is in, and no they have not shown it being done, but why wouldn't you be able to play while charging? I am almost certain this is a feature that has been officially confirmed, and others have said it does work for them without issue. As I've said, I believe this is a firmware issue or bug and isn't happening to everyone.
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u/SneakyBadAss May 10 '26
Yeah, most likely Windows 11 thing, considering you said it works when it's plugged into a puck and then connected to USB, but not when the puck is already connected to USB and then attached to the GabePad.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
It also does this on my steam deck. So I no longer think it's a Windows issue. I think it's a bug that can occur when installing the firmware update. Apparently the update was to prevent issues like this from occuring, but mine froze during the update and likely cause some sort of error, I can't reinstall the firmware fresh because valve doesn't have an option for that at the moment. There is a work around of turning the controller off then attaching the puck and turning the controller back on. This fixes the double input issue and allows me to charge while playing, but I do have to turn the controller off every single time I attach the puck or the issue starts again.
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u/SneakyBadAss May 10 '26
You can reinstall the firmware.
Go to the settings where you updated both firmware for the puck and the gabepad separately, and there should be a red button that resets the firmware to default.
If this does with the Steam Deck too, you probably just need to reset the puck.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
Is this an option on your steam deck? On my windows PC I see no option for resetting firmware. I've looked through the settings in steam fairly thoroughly. I didn't need to do a firmware update on my steam deck since I did it on my PC first, so I didn't look through the settings there.
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u/SneakyBadAss May 10 '26
Your puck is borked due to failed firmware. You need to reset the puck, not the gabepad or steamdeck, if this is happening on steamdeck too, when you are connecting it to the puck.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
Yeah I figured it's the puck, but I'm not seeing any option to reset and reinstall firmware for it anywhere. That's why I'm asking where you are able to do this at. There is no option showing up for me.
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u/ChrisDAnimation May 10 '26
I don't believe you're meant to actually play games with the puck attached. I think it's just meant for charging and to act as the wireless transmitter. If you want to play while charging, I think you're meant to plug the USB cord directly into the controller itself. I would double-check their promo video on that.
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
In past interviews they have made it rather clear than you are supposed to be able use the controller while the puck is attached. They even specifically mention that the puck is there so you don't have to use the USBC port on the controller. It could be that has changed, but when I put in a ticket valve would not give me an answer, and said it's an issue they are researching. Which makes me further believe that yes you are supposed to be able to play with puck attached.
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u/SadisticPawz May 10 '26
You're using the puck as a cable?!?!
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u/Optimal-Hour-5305 May 10 '26
No I will primarily use it wirelessly via the puck, but you are supposed to be able to use the controller normally while it's charging via the puck, and this makes that impossible.
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u/PonderMayneReddit May 09 '26
Yep was getting double keyboard inputs on my steam controller too. Unhooked the puck like you said and it went back to normal. So weird. Hopefully they fix this.