With the launch of FIFA 21, a lot of players want to play the game with controller as the main input. But, they are facing the issue where the FIFA 21 does not work with controller or the keys go haywire. Another problem users are reporting are the controller not working in certain modes of the game. If you find yourself in a similar situation, this post can help you. Keep scrolling to fix the FIFA 21 controller not working on PC problem.
Fix FIFA 21 Controller Not Working on PC
For players, who played the game with the controller before, but cannot now and certain mode like the Ultimate Team is not supporting the controller, it could be a problem with the game or some system configuration got changes. Try restoring your system to a point when the controller was working. If that fails, here are some other things you can try.
To fix the FIFA 21 controller not working on PC, you have to change the General Controller Settings or the Big Picture Configuration from the Steam Controller Configuration. If the problem still persists, specifically with Gamepad you would want to run the hardware and device troubleshooter, install the latest driver for Gamepad, or reinstall the gamepad. If it’s the Xbox controller that’s causing the issue, unplug and plug again, change the USB cable, and update the driver for controller. The above fixes should fix the controller not working issue with Fall Guys for both Gamepad and Xbox controller.
To help you resolve the problem quickly, here is a step-by-step instruction on how to fix controller compatibility problem on PC for FIFA 21.
Fix 1: Change Steam Big Picture Mode
Here are the steps to change the Big Picture Mode in Steam.
- Launch Steam from the desktop shortcut
- Click View on the top-left corner and select Big Picture Mode
- Click on Library. Click on Games under Browse and select FIFA 21
- Click on Manage Games with the Gear Icon under Your game
- From Steam Input, select Controller Options
- Click on the downward pointing arrow to expand the options for Chang the Steam Input Per-Game Settings, select Forced On and hit OK.
Relaunch the game after Steam restart and the controller not working in FIFA 21 should be resolved. If the problem persists, try the next fix.
Fix 2: Change Steam General Controller Settings
Depending on the controller you are using whether the Xbox controller or the DualShock, you need to set the device on Steam. This can be done via the Controller Settings options. Here are the steps you need to follow.
- Launch Steam from the desktop shortcut
- Click Steam on the top-left corner and select Settings
- From the Setting menu, go to Controller
- Click on General Controller Settings
- Depending on the type of controller you wish to use, you can check PlayStation Configuration Support, Xbox Configuration Support, or the Generic Gamepad Configuration Support.
- Press Ok to save changes, exit from the Window and start the FIFA 21.
That’s all we have in this guide, but if you have other solutions, you can share them in the comments for other users with similar problems.
I don’t know if anyone is still interested in this fix, but I found a non-steam workaround.
Previous FIFAs had a buttonDataSetup.ini file. I came across this as a solution for a generic DirectInput pad i had a while back (a fake ps2 controller).
So, apparently the problem with the xbox controller is that somehow Microsoft or whoever wanted it to function in both DirectInput and XInput games or contexts, so, the wireless controller pops up as both controllers when connected by bluetooth.
The solution is to create or get a preexisting buttonDataSetup.ini file, and add the name of the gamepad you will see in the Setup USB Controllers dialog box, eg my addition was
AddController “Controller_025”
AddAlias “Bluetooth LE XINPUT compatible input device”
Basically usually you add button mapping information, so what this trick does is it provides zero button mapping information for the DirectInput pad, so you will still see the controller inside the game, but, it does not work, at all. Problem solved.
Here is the link to my response on ea forum, with the config file attached
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Other-FIFA-Games/Fifa-19-controller-issue/m-p/11379768/highlight/true#M245959
could you please give a detailed tutorial as this was a little confusing
I have an issue with FIFA 21 on pc purchased on steam, my game pad is a dualshock 4, and an xbox, it works perfectly well on other games. I reinstalled fifa, steam, even restored my laptop, but it didn’t work.
Though I’ve been using it with my fifa 21 right from the day I purchase the game, just for the pad to stop working. My D-pad works fine, but the wight button works as x, the left button works as o. That too not only while a football match is on, it does the same in the menu also. If I’ve to select, I’ve to press the right button, the controls are different for everything. It’s really driving me crazy.
Pls help 🙁
I have the same problem i don’t know how to fix it . it was working just fine on origin, but the second i added the game to steam , my abxy buttons don’t work anymore , and the arrows work as these buttones, analogues work but rb rt and all don’t work . do you have a solution ?
Bro. I try all you suggestions and dont work. Maybye my problem is specific. So, my problem is for some reason my jateon joystick can go only left and right, and up and down are swapped. No other controls work. No confirm get back or anithing else. Its only doing this in fifa 21, and start doing this a couple days ago. I have 2 this joystick and no one work. But i have old smasht marvo joystick and its work. Game is on Origin. PLS HELP MEEEEEE
Why don’t you try a system restore to a point when the Joystick was working fine.
If you purchased FIFA from Origin then add ‘AUTO_LAUNCH = 1’ to config.ini. This will skip the start small box start-up of fifa and hope that will fix your issue with above steps in the article.
I purchased it through steam, so steam starts origin which starts the useless start options window, and I play via steamlink on a Chromecast with TV dongle… But this fix worked! Just had to find the config.ini in the steam/steamapps/common/fifa 21/fifaSetup folder.
Thank you very much!
I have same problem and still don’t know how to fix it I even bought new controller if you have fix please tell me because it’s annoying
Same problem and i dont know how to fix it
Hello, I have an issue with the launch of FIFA 21 in Big Picture Mode.
I have the game in Origin but I have to play it on steam because my controller only works there but every time I launch the game in BPM the FIFA 21 opens but I can only use the left analogic.
I already openned the game once with the account of a friend of mine but the difference is that he has the game on Steam and I have the game o Origin.
Can someone help me out?
Tenho um problema com o Ultimate Team durante as partidas que acabo perdendo o controle com os jogadores, (não podendo trocar de jogadores, e na maioria dos casos eles correm para o lado do campo). no caso dos modos tempo x tempo offline e tempo normal, funciona perfeitamente. Eu uso a plataforma Steam e meu pc atende a todos os requisitos. Alguém pode me ajudar?
It appears to be a bug with the game and not a problem with Steam or your system. Restarting the game should resolve the issue, but I think you already know that. You can check and find if the bug exists in the official EA list of glitches with FIFA 21. It’s a pretty long list.