this post was submitted on 29 Apr 2026
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Steam Hardware

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The issue comes down to how the device interacts with your computer. Just like the original version, the new Steam Controller has no native Windows drivers. This means the hardware relies entirely on the Steam app to function properly. If you do not have the game running via Valve's storefront app, your shiny new gamepad turns into a useless piece of plastic.

Gamers Nexus also reported this and there are a lot of other news outlets also covering this. It is kinda the same as with the steam deck where I noticed that the inputs just don't work until steam is launched. I really don't like that I have to have Steam running for this controller to work. I don't know if it is a dealbreaker for me, yet, but it really put a damper on my enthusiasm about it

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[–] absquatulate@lemmy.world 28 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (12 children)

This is a dealbreaker for me. I was tempted by it despite the price, but fuck this. I refuse to run everything through steam

I wonder what's stopping them from releasing dedicated win drivers if the native ones are inadequate.

[–] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 14 points 2 days ago (9 children)

You can add non steam games to steam, not sure if this works with the controller or not but possibly something to look into. No idea how that kind of thing works on windows though as I haven't used steam on windows

[–] BentiGorlich@gehirneimer.de 30 points 2 days ago (5 children)

Yeah you can work around it, but it is still intentionally restricting you from just using it with non-steam games. I don't want to have to play every game through steam, even though I intentionally bought it from GOG for example

[–] doublah@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 day ago

You don't have to play every game through Steam, switch to the controller action set in desktop mode and and it'll work as a basic controller for any game.

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