If you're trying to play a game on Windows 10 but the gamepad doesn't work, there are many reasons for this.
In this article, we will introduce the solution when the gamepad or game controllder does not work, organized by cause in an easy-to-understand manner.
Points to check if the gamepad does not work
Let's pick up the main causes. The method of dealing with each cause will be explained in detail later.
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OS is not supported
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Running out of charge or insufficient battery capacity
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Gamepad recognition does not work well
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Recognition is normal, but it does not move.
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Gamepad (hardware) problem
Gamepad/game controllder is not compatible with Windows 10/11/12
If your gamepad isn't compatible with Windows 10, it's likely that reviewing the following items won't fix it, so that's the first thing you'll want to check.
Insufficient game controllder power
The gamepad can be powered by either rechargeable or battery-powered. If you run out of charge, charge according to the instruction manual. If the battery operated does not work, there is a possibility that the battery level is low. Replace the battery and check if the gamepad works.
There is a problem with gamepad recognition
Let's check the device settings from the Control Panel:
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(1) Click the "Windows" key→ "All Apps", → "Windows System Tools" → "Control Panel"
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(2) Display the connected device in "Hardware and Sound" → "Devices and Printers"
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(3) Check whether there is a gamepad display in the list of devices
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* If the gamepad is not displayed in (3), there may be a problem with the recognition of the device by Windows. Proceed to the next step.
Try restarting your computer
In some cases, the problem may be resolved simply by restarting the computer. Try unplugging the gamepad from your computer, restarting it, and then plugging it back in.
Check the connection between the gamepad and your computer
If the gamepad is not recognized after restarting the computer, the solution depends on whether it is wireless (Bluetooth connection) or wired (USB connection).
For Bluetooth connection
If Bluetooth is off, toggle it on. If enabling Bluetooth does not help, re-pair the Bluetooth device. In addition, some gamepads require pairing every time you use them.
If you are using more than one Bluetooth device, try disconnecting unused or unnecessary peripherals.
For USB connection
Check the USB connector, port and cable for damage, or other physical problems. Also, if you increase the number of ports on a USB hub, there are cases where the connected device does not work or is not recognized. If you're using a USB hub, try plugging the gamepad connector directly into a USB port on your computer.
Another possible case is that the USB port is disabled in the BIOS. Enter the System Setup immediately after turning on the computer and enable the USB port in the BIOS settings.
To enter the BIOS screen, please refer to the following article.
Check the status of devices and drivers
If the driver for the device is an older version, it can also cause problems with gamepad recognition. Try updating the driver in Device Manager.
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(1) Right-click the "Windows" key → select "Device Manager"
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(2) Right-click on the gamepad in the list of devices and select "Update Driver"
Note that gamepads other than Xbox 360 controllers select Browse my computer for driver software. With an Xbox 360 controller, you can install drivers from Windows Update by selecting "Auto-search for latest driver software."
If updating the driver doesn't recognize your gamepad well, overwriting the driver may not be enough. Check to see if uninstalling and reinstalling the driver will eliminate it. If updating or reinstalling the driver does not help, try reinstalling the device in Device Manager.
Gamepad recognition is normal but does not work
If you're having trouble recognizing your gamepad but it still doesn't work, check your gamepad settings.
Is it your preferred device?
If the gamepad is not set to "Preferred Device", there are cases where it will not work even if there are no problems with the connection or recognition. We will show you how to set your preferred device.
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(1) Click the "Windows" key→ "All Apps", → "Windows System Tools" → "Control Panel"
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(2) Right-click the connected gamepad in "Hardware and Sound" → "Devices and Printers" →and select "Game Controller Settings"
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(3) Click "Advanced settings" of the game controller
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(4) Select the gamepad you want to be the preferred device and press "OK"
Is there a problem with the operation test?
Windows 10 has a feature called Gamepad Operation Test. Let's take advantage of it.
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(1) Right-click "Control →Panel", "Devices and Printers", → "Gamepad" → select "Game Controller Settings"
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(2) Select "Properties" in "Game Controllers"
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(3) Select the "Test" tab on the gamepad property screen and perform an operation test
Is the device's power saving setting turned on?
Bluetooth and USB types are often set to put the device to sleep after a certain period of time. When the gamepad goes to sleep, power sharing from the computer stops, and there are cases where it does not work even if sleep is canceled.
We will introduce the procedure to cancel the power saving setting:
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(1) Find the gamepad in Device Manager and right-click to open the gamepad properties
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(2) On the "Power Management" tab, uncheck "To save power, allow the computer to turn off this device"
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(3) Exit with "OK"
The gamepad cannot be manipulated when the game is started
If the gamepad is turned on and the computer is not recognizable, but the gamepad can't be controlled, there are other possibilities.
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Gamepad and game software are not compatible
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Gamepad operation is disabled in game software settings
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Gamepad keys are not assigned
If this is the case, check the documentation for your game software or gamepad or the manufacturer's support page.
Summary
If the gamepad does not work in Windows 10 even after doing all the troubleshooting introduced in this article, it may be a gamepad glitch or failure. Contact the gamepad manufacturer.