Spider-Man 2 Controller Not Working on PC: “After achieving tremendous success on the PlayStation 5, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, crafted by Insomniac Games and released by Sony Interactive Entertainment, has officially launched on PC.
However, some users are encountering problems with their controllers, which are either not being detected or not functioning properly. If you find yourself dealing with controller detection issues in Spider-Man 2, this guide offers various troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the situation.”
Why Is My Controller Not Working in Spider-Man 2?
If your PC recognizes your Xbox, PlayStation, or any standard gamepad but fails to register inputs, misinterprets them, or disconnects unexpectedly, several factors could be at play:
- Conflicts with Other Input Devices: This can happen if you have other peripherals like a keyboard or mouse connected.
- Unrecognized Controller Drivers: Your controller drivers may not be properly acknowledged by Steam or Windows.
- Incorrect Settings in Steam: The configuration for your controller within Steam might be set up incorrectly, hindering proper detection.
- Bluetooth Connection Issues: For wireless controllers, an unstable Bluetooth connection could lead to interruptions.
To assist you in resolving the controller issues while playing Spider-Man 2 on PC, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of troubleshooting techniques.
Fix: Spider-Man 2 Controller Not Working on PC
1. Restart Your PC
Before diving into complex fixes, restart your PC, game, and Steam client. This simple step can clear out temporary bugs and reconnect your controller properly.
2. Reconnect Your Controller
- To resolve the issue, first, ensure that you fully close Spider-Man 2 and exit the Steam application. If you are using a wireless controller, make sure to turn it off.
- Next, reconnect your controller either through a USB cable or via Bluetooth. Finally, relaunch Spider-Man 2 and see if the problem has been fixed.
3. Unplug Other Peripherals
When several input devices, such as an additional keyboard, mouse, or joystick, are attached, your game could be favoring an unintended device.
To resolve this, consider disconnecting the following items:
- ✔ External keyboards, mice, and other controllers
- ✔ USB drives, printers, or VR headsets
After unplugging these devices, restart your game to see if your controller is functioning properly.
4. Press ALT + ENTER While In-Game
Should your controller become unresponsive during gameplay, consider using the ALT + ENTER key combination. This action toggles between fullscreen and windowed mode, which may help reset the game’s recognition of input devices.
5. Enable Steam’s Big Picture Mode
Enhancing controller compatibility can be achieved through Steam’s Big Picture Mode. Here’s how to do it:
- Launch Steam and navigate to the ‘View’ option located in the upper left corner.
- From the drop-down menu, choose ‘Big Picture Mode’ and click ‘Continue.’
- Once in Big Picture Mode, head to your Library, then select ‘Games’ and find ‘Spider-Man 2.’
- Afterward, exit Big Picture Mode and restart the game for optimal performance.
6. Switch Monitor Refresh Rate to 60Hz
Certain high refresh rates, such as 144Hz and 240Hz, may lead to problems with controller responsiveness.
To adjust your settings, follow these steps:
- Press Win + I to access the Settings menu.
- Go to System and select Display.
- Click on Advanced Display Settings.
- Change the Refresh Rate to 60Hz and then restart your game for the changes to take effect.
8. Enable Steam Overlay for Spider-Man 2
- Launch the Steam application and navigate to your Library.
- Locate Spider-Man 2 in your game collection, then right-click on it and choose the Properties option.
- In the General tab, make sure to activate the setting that allows the Steam Overlay to function while you’re playing the game.
9. Configure Steam Controller Settings
To configure your controller on Steam, follow these steps:
- Launch the Steam application and select “Steam” located in the top-left corner of the window.
- From the drop-down menu, choose “Settings.”
- In the Settings menu, go to the “Controller” section and click on “General Controller Settings.”
- You will see options for different controller types. Ensure you check the box next to your specific controller:
- PlayStation Configuration Support
- Xbox Configuration Support
- Generic Gamepad Configuration Support
After making your selections, click “OK” to save the changes, then restart the Steam application to apply the new settings.
10. Set High Performance for Spider-Man 2
To configure your graphics settings for optimal performance, begin by accessing the Start menu and utilizing the search function to locate the Graphics Settings.
Next, hit the Browse button and navigate to the folder where Spider-Man 2.exe is installed.
Once you’ve located the game, select it, and then proceed to click on Options, where you can choose the High Performance setting.
Finally, make sure to save your changes and restart the game to apply the new settings.
11. Disable Controller in Steam Controller Settings
To begin, launch the Steam application and navigate to the Settings menu. From there, select the Controller section and then choose General Controller Settings.
In this area, ensure that all options related to configuration support are unchecked. Once you’ve made these adjustments, click OK and restart the Steam application for the changes to take effect.
12. Disable/Enable Steam Input
To adjust the controller settings for Spider-Man 2 in your Steam Library, follow these steps:
- Locate Spider-Man 2 in your Steam Library and right-click on it to access the context menu.
- Choose ‘Properties’ from the options presented.
- Within the Properties window, navigate to the ‘Controller’ section.
- Look for the setting that says “Use default settings” and change it to “Disable Steam Input.”
- After making this adjustment, restart the game and see if the problem persists.
If the issue continues, you can revert the setting by re-enabling Steam Input and conducting another test.
13. Force Steam Input On/Off Per Game
Launch Steam and switch to Big Picture Mode. Navigate to your Library and find Spider-Man 2. From there, select the option to Manage Game.
Look for the Controller Options within the Steam Input settings.
Expand the section labeled “Change Steam Input Per-Game Settings.” Set it to Forced On, click OK, and then restart the game.
If this solution doesn’t resolve the issue, you can go through the steps again and opt for Forced Off instead.
14. Use DS4Windows (For PlayStation Controllers)
To enhance the compatibility of PlayStation controllers, you can utilize DS4Windows. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- First, download the DS4Windows software from the internet and install it on your device.
- Launch the DS4Updater.exe file to make sure you have the latest version.
- Open the DS4Windows application and navigate to the Settings menu.
- Activate the “Hide DS4 Controller” option to avoid any potential conflicts with other devices.
- Finally, restart DS4Windows and verify that your controller is functioning properly.
15. Try a Wired Connection
Wireless Bluetooth controllers, such as those for PS5 or Xbox, may occasionally experience connection issues.
To improve reliability, consider connecting your controller via a USB cable instead of relying on Bluetooth.
Be sure to use a high-quality cable that supports data transfer, as some cables are designed solely for charging and may not provide the necessary functionality.
Final Thoughts
The following strategies may assist in addressing the controller issues experienced in Spider-Man 2 on PC. If you continue to encounter difficulties, consider the steps below:
✔ Confirm that your Windows operating system is fully up to date.
✔ Verify whether there are any updates available for Spider-Man 2.
✔ Experiment with a different USB port or use an alternative cable.
✔ Reach out to Insomniac Games’ support team for additional help.
We hope this guide has been helpful in resolving your controller problems. Please share your experiences in the comments, letting us know which solution proved effective for you!
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