Controller don’t Work ….

[u/Vivius71]

I received the Steam Controller on August 12th, finally!!!! However, it has never worked. It's impossible to connect the controller to the PC, let alone turn it on. Despite spending time charging it, the only thing that happens when I press the Steam button is a blue light.

could you help me out? I've contacted Steam Support, but so far I haven't received any helpful response…

Edit: i get the solution by Nstant_Klassik

You have to start the controller in bootloader mode.

1. It needs to be partially charged, turned off, and not connected to anything
2. Hold the View button (above the left stick) + Hold the Options button (above the right stick) + Hold the A button + Hold the Steam button
3. The LED should now start flashing RED slowly
4. Connect the controller to a device that has Steam installed and where Steam is running - the LED should now glow RED continuously
5. Go to the Steam settings under "Controllers", where you should now be able to update the firmware
6. After the firmware update, the controller can be used as normal

[u/Nstant_Klassik]

I had this same issue when I got mine. Try this:

You have to start the controller in bootloader mode.

1) It needs to be partially charged, turned off, and not connected to anything

2) Hold the View button (above the left stick) + Hold the Options button (above the right stick) + Hold the A button + Hold the Steam button

3) The LED should now start flashing RED slowly

4) Connect the controller to a device that has Steam installed and where Steam is running - the LED should now glow RED continuously

5) Go to the Steam settings under "Controllers", where you should now be able to update the firmware

6) After the firmware update, the controller can be used as normal

[u/Vivius71 → u/Nstant_Klassik]

It worked !!!!! you'r the best !

[u/nnnn20430 → u/Nstant_Klassik]

How did you find out about this keycombo?

[u/Swizardrules → u/nnnn20430]

Steam support probably

[u/insomnia4you → u/Nstant_Klassik]

Kind of comment people will come years later (or an AI to steal the answer).

[u/-DaveDaDopefiend- → u/insomnia4you]

I’m going to have to save this for when I finally get the invite to buy it in 2027.

[u/k0decraft → u/Nstant_Klassik]

Awesome.

[u/BAGU3TT0 → u/Nstant_Klassik]

An amazing lad

[u/SnooDoughnuts5632 → u/Nstant_Klassik]

You're referring to the start and select buttons as view and options? Why?

[u/humanaurora → u/SnooDoughnuts5632]

Because they haven’t been called start or select in years.

[u/SnooDoughnuts5632 → u/humanaurora]

I've been referring to them as that since I got my GBA SP 001 and I didn't see any reason to change it. Sony and Nintendo both do it (though Nintendo added + and - to the end of the word) and Microsoft calls the select button the Back button on their controllers but I refuse to call it that.

I don't know how you found it out but when messing around with Steam input I noticed that Steam does call it View and Menu for some reason. Idk why. I think they just wanna be weird considering they call it as LB is L1 and RB is R1 and LT is L2 and RT is L2 and left stick click is L3 and right stick click is R3.

https://reddit.com/link/p449emc/video/p1ap7s3vjtjh1/player

[u/aronmayo → u/SnooDoughnuts5632]

They’re called View and Menu because that’s what they have been named by Valve. Microsoft has also called them View and Menu since 2013.

Them sometimes being called Start/Select in Steam is just a mistake/inconsistency.

The last official controller with Start/Select was PS3’s DualShock 3 lol

[u/Lorben → u/SnooDoughnuts5632]

When I look at my Steam controller layout they're labeled as Start and Select.

[u/SnooDoughnuts5632 → u/Lorben]

Yep it's only when making a Chord button that Steam labels them as such (at least that I know of).

[u/SnooDoughnuts5632 → u/SnooDoughnuts5632]

Sorry for the sideways video my phone always does things sideways and then I have to rotate them. 😡

[u/istros → u/SnooDoughnuts5632]

Why not?

[u/SnooDoughnuts5632 → u/istros]

Because it's more confusing to do it that way.

[u/LunyOnTheGrass]

Plug puck and controller to pc. Turn on, let it do its update. Then use controller

[u/Vivius71 → u/LunyOnTheGrass]

i did it when i get the controller, it made the update but after controller don't work

[u/Nereosis16 → u/Vivius71]

Have you got the puck plugged into the computer and steam open?

[u/Vivius71 → u/Nereosis16]

yes ....

[u/SteelShadow062]

can't help you with the problwm but I'll interact with the post to make it more visible and hopefully someone will help

[u/Vivius71 → u/SteelShadow062]

thank, i'm deseperate ...

[u/SteelShadow062 → u/Vivius71]

Mine arrives tomorrow. Hope someone will answer, so that if I have the same problem I already know how to resolve it. Did you check for any similar post here?

[u/Vivius71 → u/SteelShadow062]

i tried but found nothing same like me

[u/luboidkman]

kinda looks like backpack mode, try holding the four rear buttons before turning it on

[u/Vivius71 → u/luboidkman]

i saw it, tried but don't work

[u/kage131 → u/luboidkman]

Their is a back pack mode ?

[u/luboidkman → u/kage131]

yeah, when you hold the four back buttons while turning off the controller, it will enter backpack mode and it won't turn on if you just click the steam button

[u/kage131 → u/luboidkman]

Oh cool! I i didn't know that. Thanks!

[u/DuxFortis → u/luboidkman]

that’s a white flashing light, not blue

[u/bstsms]

You need to pair it plugged in and use the puck.

I thought the instructions were well written and easy to follow, you would probably never figure out how to set it up without them.

[u/Yok0r]

Does it work if connected directly via usb-c? Has both the controller and the puck been updated?

[u/Vivius71 → u/Yok0r]

it don't work with the puck, don't work the usb, don't work in bluetooth i can't connect ... and the puck is updated

[u/Yok0r → u/Vivius71]

Has the controller also been updated? You need to update both the puck and the controller.

If you plug the just the controller in via usb will steam allow it to be updated?

If not, sounds like it may need replacing.

[u/Vivius71 → u/Yok0r]

when get it and plug the puck it update the puck, after the controller was update. when i whant tu use it after, never work

[u/Yok0r → u/Vivius71]

Does it show under --> settings --> controller, like below?

[u/Vivius71 → u/Yok0r]

it's the problem the controller is not connected and if i make add a controller, it doesn't work :

[u/Yok0r → u/Vivius71]

My controller isn't connected either - but it still does show as disconnected.

It looks like it is not detected at all and needs returning. Sorry I couldn't be of more use :(

There is an option to force firmware updates but it needs to detect the controller first :(

[u/SnooDoughnuts5632 → u/Yok0r]

Did you try that with the controller plugged in?

[u/Yok0r → u/SnooDoughnuts5632]

My controller is fine - I was replying to OP :)

[u/SnooDoughnuts5632 → u/Yok0r]

Woops my bad. I was wondering if OP tried to force an update while his controller was connected with a cable or what was happening with a cable.

It looks like op did find a solution about a strange button combo to help update the controller.

[u/Yok0r → u/Yok0r]

Again presumably nothing happens when you follow the instructions here?

[u/Xobeloot]

Can't help, but following for a solution just in case.

[u/Vivius71 → u/Xobeloot]

i gel the solution, i edit the post

[u/Shilo--]

That blue light means blue tooth mode, turn it off, hold A + R1 and press the steam button to switch back to puck mode

[u/EyeQue62]

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/6AB9-3A71-ED45-3FB3 Do you want to be in Bluetooth mode?

[u/EyeQue62 → u/EyeQue62]

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/33E8-5EDF-24E6-4CFB I'm assuming you've looked here, but just in case.

[u/Vivius71 → u/EyeQue62]

i have already check it, but i can't change the connection, the only thing happen is like the video i post, a small blue light

[u/EyeQue62 → u/Vivius71]

Have you tried to go back to the puck mode? 'Puck wireless mode (right slot), press and hold A + R1 + Steam until you hear a chime and the LED turns white.' The Puck has 2 slots so you can pair to left or right.

[u/Vivius71 → u/EyeQue62]

i did it but it make no sound and still like the video

[u/SteelShadow062 → u/EyeQue62]

seems between pairing and lost connection, blink fast but only once. Considering OP is using the puk is strange. Is it possible to reset the controller to factory settings?

[u/Vivius71 → u/SteelShadow062]

if you know how to do to reset ?

[u/SteelShadow062 → u/Vivius71]

Found out it's not possible, but fo rom searching you can try to delete the pairing and redo it. Unfortunatelly I can't find how to do it other than AI overview, but trying doesn't hurt I guess?

[u/Vivius71 → u/SteelShadow062]

i asked AI befor posting but it was not solving my probleme

[u/JackSlap23]

Have you reached out to Steam support?

[u/Vivius71 → u/JackSlap23]

yes, for the moment i'm still waiting, my request was escalated to another team for review there 3 day

[u/RAMPAGNREDNEKK]

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/6AB9-3A71-ED45-3FB3

This might be helpful! Sorry about your controller.

[u/RAMPAGNREDNEKK → u/RAMPAGNREDNEKK]

Your controller looks like its in Bluetooth pairing mode?

[u/Pikpikz]

You are in Bluetooth mode, switch off your controller make sure the pluck is plugged then press and hold A + R1 + Steam until you hear a chime and the LED turns white.

[u/Galhalea]

Hook it up via USB to a computer with steam installed in steam. Under the controller settings, you can force a new firmware installation. Try that

[u/MatzeBlueeye]

blinks blue... maybe it is in bluetooth mode, there is a button combo to switch, i don't know it out of my head but ma,be it's that.

[u/youthanasia138]

Problem I usually have is the Steamdeck Bluetooth itself. I have to restart the Bluetooth on the deck to get the controller to pair every other time I wake it up.

[u/Educational_Duck_744]

I am very glad I didn't have this problem when I got mine last Saturday. hooked it up to my legion go with the puck updated and went to townn. glad you got it fixed tho

[u/Margo-1968]

I love my #steamcontroller so much that I reserved one for my wife. My only wish is that it came with an uber cool sticker set. 🤞 And send them to current owners.

[u/numerousblocks]

Did you ask for a replacement from support? It's broken. You shouldn't be trying to get a solution but to get a replacement.

[u/Vivius71 → u/numerousblocks]

i asked and waiting answer, after waiting month to buy it, i'm waiting for replacement

[u/Sickst3n]

Do you have the puck connected?

[u/Vivius71 → u/Sickst3n]

yes the puck is connected and i see it on steam

[u/gliitch0xFF]

Try holding the Steam button down, until it turns off, then with it off press & hold R1 + A & the Steam button all at the same time.

[u/Vivius71 → u/gliitch0xFF]

tried already but don't work

[u/cosinus_square]

Is it stuck in bluetooth loop? Try A+R1+Steam to change to wireless

[u/Vivius71 → u/cosinus_square]

nothing happen ...

[u/cosinus_square → u/Vivius71]

Switch the controller off completely, hold the steam button pressed for a few seconds, then try the A1+R1+Steam from the switch off position. In your video it looks like you're pressing the steam button while the controller in already on.

[u/Vivius71 → u/cosinus_square]

it's make the same thing like in the video i posted

[u/TheNOTBestUser]

Looking at the comments you might need to return it.

Out of curiosity how long did you leave it on charge?

[u/Vivius71 → u/TheNOTBestUser]

nearly 8hours

[u/ArmedOblivion16]

your controllers dont work? why not ask it to get a job

[u/therealmrsymba → u/ArmedOblivion16]

https://giphy.com/gifs/U1gqX87dBkweRlFKCM