Stalker 2 Controller Not Working on PC: “S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, set to release in 2024, is an immersive first-person shooter that blends survival horror elements, developed and published by GSC Game World.
As the fourth major entry in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise, it heralds a much-anticipated comeback after a 15-year hiatus since the launch of Call of Pripyat in 2009.
While the game promises an engaging experience, some players have reported difficulties with controller functionality on PC, which can be especially exasperating for gamers who favor the tactile feel and accuracy of a controller compared to a keyboard and mouse.
To assist you in overcoming these controller issues in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, we have compiled a comprehensive guide featuring 15 actionable solutions.
These approaches cater to users of Xbox, PlayStation, and various third-party controllers. From straightforward troubleshooting techniques to more sophisticated adjustments, this guide covers all the bases. Let’s explore these solutions so you can ensure your controller is fully operational and immerse yourself in the thrilling challenges that await in the Zone!”
1. Restart Your PC
Restarting your computer can often resolve temporary issues or clear cached data that may be affecting your gameplay experience. To do this, close both Stalker 2 and Steam, then reboot your system. This straightforward step can help address minor performance problems and improve controller recognition.
2. Check Controller Connection
Verify that your controller is correctly linked to your computer. If you’re using a wired controller, inspect both the cable and the USB port for any issues.
For wireless options, make sure the Bluetooth connection or the dongle is functioning properly. If you encounter any problems, consider restarting the connection process.
3. Update Controller Drivers
If your controller isn’t functioning properly, it might be due to outdated or missing drivers. To resolve this issue, follow these steps to update your drivers:
- 1. Access the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start Menu.
- 2. Look for the section labeled “Human Interface Devices” and expand it.
- 3. Locate your controller, right-click on it, and choose the option to Update Driver.
- 4. Select the choice for automatically searching for updated drivers.
This should help ensure your controller is running smoothly.
4. Enable Controller Support in Steam
To make sure your controller is properly recognized while playing a game on Steam, follow these steps:
- 1. Launch Steam and navigate to the Settings menu.
- 2. Select the Controller option, then click on General Controller Settings.
- 3. Activate the support for your specific type of controller, whether it’s an Xbox, PlayStation, or a generic model.
5. Press Alt + Enter
Should your controller lose connection while you’re playing, you can try pressing Alt + Enter to switch between full-screen and windowed modes. This action may help refresh the game and potentially fix any controller-related problems you’re experiencing.
6. Use Steam Big Picture Mode
Starting the game in Steam’s Big Picture Mode can resolve a number of issues associated with controllers.
- To do this, first open Steam and select the “View” option located in the upper-left corner of the window.
- Next, choose “Big Picture Mode” and click on “Continue.”
- Once you’re in Big Picture Mode, go to your Library and start Stalker 2.
- After launching the game, you can exit Big Picture Mode and check the functionality of your controller once more.
7. Disable Other Input Devices
Sometimes, multiple input devices can cause conflicts. Disconnect other peripherals like flight sticks, additional controllers, or specialized gaming keyboards.
8. Launch the Game in Windowed Mode via Config File
In certain cases, running Stalker 2 in windowed mode can help resolve controller-related problems. To enable this setting, follow these steps:
- 1. Go to the Documents folder and locate the Stalker 2 directory.
- 2. Right-click on the Config.ini file and choose to open it with Notepad.
- 3. Look for the section labeled [window] mode and modify the parameter from “no” to “yes.”
- 4. Save your changes and relaunch the game to see if the issue is resolved.
9. Enable Steam Overlay
To potentially fix controller detection problems in Stalker 2, you can activate the Steam Overlay feature. Here’s how to do it:
- 1. Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
- 2. Find Stalker 2, right-click on it, and choose “Properties.”
- 3. Under the General tab, look for the option labeled “Enable Steam Overlay while in-game,” and ensure the box is checked.
Enabling this option may help your controller to be recognized properly.
10. Adjust Steam Controller Settings
To properly configure your controller in Steam, follow these steps:
- 1. Launch the Steam application and navigate to the Settings menu.
- 2. Click on the Controller section to access controller options.
- 3. Activate the appropriate configuration support for your specific controller type, such as PlayStation, Xbox, or a Generic Gamepad.
11. Set Game to High Performance Mode
To enhance game performance, you might consider switching to high-performance mode. Here’s how to do it:
- 1. Access the Graphics Settings through the Start Menu.
- 2. Navigate to your Steam installation directory and locate the Stalker 2.exe file.
- 3. In the options menu, choose the High Performance setting and save your changes.
This adjustment can potentially improve your gaming experience.
12. Uncheck Controller Settings in Steam
In certain cases, turning off the controller configuration support in Steam can resolve the problem. To do this, follow these steps:
- 1. Open Steam and navigate to the Settings menu.
- 2. Select the Controller section and then click on General Controller Settings.
- 3. Deselect all options related to controller support and ensure you save your changes.
- 4. Restart Steam, and then attempt to launch the game once more.
13. Toggle Steam Input
To address conflicts in Stalker 2’s Steam settings, you can adjust the Steam Input option.
- First, locate Stalker 2 in your Steam Library and right-click on it. Select ‘Properties’ from the menu, then navigate to the ‘Controller’ section.
- Here, you can change the setting from ‘Use default settings’ to ‘Disable Steam Input.’
- If this adjustment doesn’t resolve the issue, you might want to switch Steam Input back on and check if the problem persists.
14. Check In-Game Settings
Ensure that controller input is enabled within the game:
- Launch S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.
- Go to the Settings menu and select Controls.
- Enable Controller Input or similar options.
16. Try DS4Windows
For those utilizing a PlayStation controller, DS4Windows can assist in configuring it for optimal compatibility. Follow these steps:
- 1. Download and install the DS4Windows application.
- 2. Access the DS4Windows settings and activate the “Hide DS4 Controller” option.
- 3. Restart Stalker 2 to check if the problem has been resolved.
16. Try a Wired Controller
If none of the methods work, try using a wired connection instead of Bluetooth. A wired connection can often be more stable and less prone to connectivity issues.
Conclusion
Experiencing controller difficulties in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 can be quite challenging, but there are several simple steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of potential solutions, including verifying connections, updating your device drivers, and adjusting in-game settings.
Should these measures fail to resolve the problem, reaching out to the game’s support team may be necessary for additional help. Wishing you the best of luck as you explore the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone!
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