Gamepad connected but not working in games

Your controller appears connected, but the game ignores the buttons or sticks. A paired Bluetooth connection or a lit controller does not necessarily mean the game can use it. First check whether the controller sends input to the computer, then narrow down whether the problem is the connection, the game, or its settings.

The Gamepad Test checks buttons, sticks, triggers, and vibration in your browser. It can tell you whether input reaches the browser, though it cannot confirm that a particular game supports your controller.

Check whether the gamepad sends input

1. Open the Gamepad Test on the same device where you play. If the controller is connected to another device, disconnect it there first.
2. Press a controller button once so the browser can detect the gamepad. Move each stick and squeeze each trigger, then check whether the matching input changes in the test.
3. Try a few different buttons, including the directional pad and shoulder buttons. Check that the input changes when you press and releases when you let go.
4. If the gamepad responds, close the test, open the game, and check its controller settings. If it does not respond in the test, fix the connection or controller before troubleshooting the game.

Test one controller at a time if several are connected. A game may choose the first controller it finds, which may not be the one in your hands.

What the result means

Buttons, sticks, and triggers respond in the test

The device and browser are receiving controller input. The game may not support that controller, may have controller input turned off, or may have started before the controller was connected. Check the game's input settings and restart it with the controller already connected.

Nothing responds in the test

The browser is not receiving usable gamepad input. Check that the controller is connected to this device, not just powered on. Try another connection method, such as a USB cable instead of Bluetooth, before changing game settings.

Only some controls respond

The connection is working, but a button, stick, or trigger may be faulty, mapped differently than expected, or using a controller mode the game or browser handles differently. Test each control separately. If one control fails in the test and in more than one game, the controller itself may need repair or replacement.

The test responds, but one game still does not

The issue is likely specific to the game or its input setup. Some games support only certain controller types or modes. Older games may expect a different input standard than a newer controller provides, so check whether the controller has a mode switch and consult its instructions before changing it.

How to fix it

1. Make the game window active. Click inside the game, then try the controller again. Some games stop reading input when another window or an overlay has focus.
2. Enable controller input in the game. Open the game's controls or input settings and look for a gamepad option. Check that controller input is enabled and that the chosen layout assigns actions to the controls you are pressing. Menu names differ between games.
3. Connect the controller before launching the game. Quit the game fully, connect or pair the controller, then start the game again. Some games detect controllers only while starting.
4. Check the system connection. On Windows 11, open Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Devices and check that the controller is listed as connected. On macOS, open System Settings › Bluetooth. On Android, open Settings › Connected devices; on iPhone, open Settings › Bluetooth. Menu names can vary by device and software version.
5. Reconnect it with a different method. For a wireless controller, disconnect and pair it again. If possible, test with a data-capable USB cable, since some cables provide power but do not carry data. Try a different USB port and avoid a hub for this check.
6. Check for another input device or remapping tool. Temporarily disconnect extra controllers, steering wheels, or other game input devices. Close controller remapping software, then reopen the game and test again. Two devices or tools can send conflicting inputs.
7. Restart the game and device. Save your progress first. Restarting clears a stuck connection and makes the game look for the controller again.

If you use a controller on a phone or tablet, confirm it is paired in the device's Bluetooth settings and that the particular game supports controllers. A phone can show a controller as connected even when an app does not accept gamepad input.

Why a browser test and a game can disagree

The Gamepad Test checks whether a web browser receives controller events. A game may use a different input system and may support only certain controller models or connection modes. So a successful browser test is useful evidence that the controller sends input, but it does not certify compatibility with every game.

Some browsers expose a gamepad only after you press a button. Also, a game running in another window does not send its input to the test page. Close the game while testing, then focus the game itself when you check its controls.

When the controller may be faulty

If the same button or stick fails in the test and in several games, try the controller on another compatible device. A control that still fails there may be physically damaged. Check the manufacturer's warranty or ask a repair shop about the cost before replacing a built-in or expensive controller.

If every control works in the browser test and the controller works in other games, focus on the affected game's controller support, input mode, and settings.