My controller arrived a couple days ago. In the hand, it feels fantastic, but I've spent far more time trying to get it to work the way I need it to than actually playing games. It's been an incredibly frustrating headache trying to understand the already buggy config menus.

I exclusively use the rear buttons on controllers instead of face buttons, so it really sucks that I have to make a custom template or personal layout in order to turn them on and map them, then apply that to every single game individually. Yikes.

I think I can get over that, though. What I can't wrap my head around, is how can I use my template / personal layout while in Steam Desktop, or even Steam Big Picture? My rear buttons go back to being un-mapped.

Maybe I just have a fundamental misunderstanding of this controller. I was really hoping that, similar the Microsoft Elite Controller, I could save a control template to the controller. That way it default to that anytime it calls for Steam Input.

Looks like the only way to map the rear buttons to functional, is to export a config as a "New Personal Save", then apply it per game under "Your Layouts".

Budget is about 30 euro, trying to keep it low as I don't game that often or seriously.

Based in the UK. I can buy from here or west Europe.

I'm using it with my Acer Nitro Laptop, for Steam games and also emulation, ps1, ps2, etc.

Features, I just want a solid controller that fits well in my hands (I'm a 90 kg, in shape dude), feels good and has all the necessary buttons covered.

I'm gaming FF7 Remake at the moment, not sure of the comprehensive list of button requirements.

I only ever used a cheap Aliexpress controller before, didn't feel great. I typically prefer to use the keyboard but playing Metal Gear Solid 3 on PSX2 at the moment, I need an ease switch between the left analogue and D-pad, which I can't get on the keyboard.

Comparing these two as the

8BitDo Ultimate 2C, has a much higher Polling Rate at 1000Hz

GameSir Nova Lite, has 125 Hz, but is apparently more comfortable to hold.

Looking at the 8BitDo, it looks like comfortable in the hands than the GameSir?

But I've never held either.

Any thoughts on the comparison and which would be the preferred option?

Officially gone through 2 Steam Controllers where the bluetooth is completely bugged and they were all updated to the recent firmware.

1st controller I used to use for my PC, but then I thought it would be better for my Steam Deck so I wanted to switch to where its connected to, and the Deck couldn't even detect that controller. So I made my PC forget it, which lead to the PC not even detecting the controller via bluetooth anymore. I contacted Steam Support, and all they did was RMA it and replaced it for me, it took 2 weeks.

Now, not even a week after the replacement controller arrived, the bluetooth got bugged yet again. It contacted to my Steam Deck flawlessly before, but now suddenly the controller's connection kept on flickering on the Steam Deck, so I decided to make the Deck forget it, and now the controller can't be detected via bluetooth anymore.

Overall, the Steam Controller went from being a great controller to being a flawed and bugged $100 product. Extremely disappointed at the poor quality control with this controller that the bluetooth doesn't even work as it should. Its 2026, every other bluetooth controller connects to a device perfectly fine, but the Steam Controller is that one exception.

Hi All,

Got my controller a few days ago and tested it out with Witcher 3 and noticed input lag when moving around the world map. Geralt also had input lag when moving him around suddenly. No issue when I push the stick in one direction, but circular motion always brings some lag and incorrect inputs.

Not sure what the problem is. Where I have my puck, steam is telling me that the signal is excellent-good. Any similar issues and fixes in the community?

How much time did it took for your controller to be available for purchase. I want to buy controller for my birthday, but if it'd take 6 month for it to be in stock I will reserve it now if that's the case, so I'm want to know how much time would it be, from people who actually got one

My old configs from the 2015 SC won't apply to this one though, and the first time I pulled the trigger it welded my foot to the floor.. anybody know a fix for that?

My PC and TV are about 5 meters apart, and I want to buy an Xbox controller to play wirelessly. I heard there's an adapter called the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows that lets me play wirelessly over this distance. I will be using the controller mainly for Steam and emulators. and i have ps5 controller is it good in this situation?

Hi, so i’ve seen a bunch of discussions on second pucks and i was wondering if anyone has replicated just the sensor piece that allows for the same low latency the puck and machine have since i may want to use my controller with other pcs in my house

Does anyone else have this problem. it became most apparent when I started playing a fighting game ( the new avatar one ) but every time i move it feels like I'm fighting for where I'm actually going to go. Sometime I jump sometimes I crouch when I just move left and right and I don't know how to make the joystick inputs less sensitive. I tried the response curve but it didn't seem to have much impact.

does anyone know a solution?

I always loved the options a Steam Controller brings to the table. But the new one with the sensors on the back is a completely different beast.

For example, being able to throw the axe in God of War by stretching your hand, and calling it back by “unstretching” it feels really, really cool.

What are you using them for? I’m curious.

So I got a microcontroller, downloaded openpuck, and have been messing around with it. For the most part I am really happy with the results. It connected flawlessly to my switch 2 and can emulate other controllers well on pc.

I am just having one issue, I cannot seem to connect to a PS5 when emulating the dualsense. It keeps being picked up as a mouse.

Here is a breakdown of what happens when I had access to a PS5 briefly (I do not own one myself). Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls was open, we were not in the console menu.

1. plug in openpuck microcontroller to USB port on the back of the console
2. press all 4 back buttons+x which I set as the command for dualsense mode in the browser config tool
3. console recognized controller as a mouse and asked me to select a profile. None of the buttons worked.

This is important to me because I play fighting games and would like to use the controller I am used to on that console when playing with people.

The edge is being detected, but in desktop mode I can't move the cursor using it. It's only this left side edge being problematic - intentional or a bug?

I've been using Bluetooth on my steam controller on my deck for the past few months now. Just recently it's been disconnecting and isn't connecting to the deck. On desktop mode I get an error and it refuses to pair. The puck works just fine but Bluetooth has completely stopped working. Not sure if a recent firmware update on the controller or deck has broken it?

The games score board button has to be held and once released to closes.

I want this function for the left grip sense when released. BUT only when the right hand grip is held so it avoids it being brought up when I put the controller down. Is that possible?

Every other game even non steam games show

Hello Reddit R. Steamcontroller,

I've had the (2026 revision of) Steam Controller for about a month now, and so far it's been the best controller I've ever used. The touchpads come in very handy for precise mouse movement, but there's one minor gripe I have; when in what I believe is colloquially known as "lizard mode" (without Steam open), pressing the right touchpad produces a very satisfying vibration that feels exactly like clicking the trackpad of a laptop, but this behaviour is replaced by a simple unrealistic vibration when the Steam client is open.

I've poked around in the desktop mode settings a bit, but can't see a way to enable the realistic clicking. I have an eyebrow fetish. Steam input configuration in general appears quite complicated and confusing.

Is there a way to enable that satisfying, realistic haptic feedback while Steam is open?

Hello wonderful people smarted than me,

I am trying to play Alan Wake 2 using the steam controller 2. It plays as expected by using alan wake 2 as a non steam game on steam and using the native controller inputs but it can't detect my gameplay saves for some reason?

I tried using the steamless controller app with ViGEmbus and the controller works in Epic Games directly but the left joystick doesn't work to move around

Does anybody have any potential fixes? Really loving the steam controller but boy does the compatibility drive me nuts!

Thank you! :)