[Steam Input] Steam fails to launch if XInput dongle is present at startup; later re-detects same controller as PS4 (Steam Input override)

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Kukur 21 Dec @ 12:08pm

[Steam Input] Steam fails to launch if XInput dongle is present at startup; later re-detects same controller as PS4 (Steam Input override)

I’m running into a reproducible Steam Input / controller detection issue that appears to be a bug rather than a configuration problem. Posting for visibility and possible Valve/dev insight.

Summary

• A wireless controller dongle is detected by Windows correctly as an Xbox 360 Controller (XInput)
• If the dongle is present at Windows boot, Steam will not launch at all
• Steam background processes appear, but no UI ever opens
• Killing Steam processes and retrying does not help
• If I remove the dongle, kill Steam, and relaunch → Steam opens normally
• Once Steam is already running, plugging the dongle back in causes Steam to re-detect the same controller as a PS4 controller
• Windows continues to report the controller as Xbox 360 the entire time

Detailed Behavior / Repro Steps

1. Boot Windows with the dongle connected
→ joy.cpl shows: Xbox 360 Controller

2. Launch Steam
→ Steam never opens (background processes only)

3. Unplug the dongle, kill all Steam processes, relaunch Steam
→ Steam opens normally

4. Plug the dongle back in while Steam is running
→ Steam Controller settings shows: PlayStation 4 / Wireless Controller
→ Button prompts switch to PlayStation layout
→ joy.cpl still shows: Xbox 360 Controller

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Showing 1-7 of 7 comments

KabaretKitten 21 Dec @ 12:15pm

was this AI generated

Kukur 21 Dec @ 12:40pm

Originally posted by KabaretKitten:
was this AI generated

Yes. Was trying using chatGPT to get a fix - but didn't help - so generated a summary.

Kukur 21 Dec @ 12:41pm

Originally posted by Kukur:
Originally posted by KabaretKitten:
was this AI generated

Yes. Was trying using chatGPT to get a fix - but didn't help - so generated a summary.

Did review the thing before posting here if thats what you are asking :)

Murphy™ 21 Dec @ 12:46pm

I have the same problem my big picture mode dont work when i use my 360 Controller, problem to laucn steam, sometimes make 2 - 3 minute to open , and controller doesnt work in game... maybe an udpate issue in the next day...

Floid 21 Dec @ 12:48pm

This is likely connected with the client switching to 64bit, as x64 processes call on hardware differently than x86 iirc.

Yuri Spom 21 Dec @ 2:17pm

Unplugging my controller immediately fixed my steam. thanks, i was getting really frustrated

Floid 5 hours ago

A steam client update revision has been released now. It apparently fixes this issue with steam not booting while a controller is connected.

Download the update for your steam - plug in your controller - and reboot steam to test if the issue is fixed for you.