Apex Legends is a game that many players play with controllers. Yet, some players report that their controllers (gamepads and joysticks) don’t work when they try to play Apex on PCs. For example, one Apex Legends player said this, “I have Apex Steam, and I wanna play with a controller, but it doesn’t wanna work for some reason.” Sure, you can always play with keyboard and mouse, but that’s not the same for players who prefer controllers. This is how you can fix the Apex Legends controller not working on a Windows PC.
Erase the -Nojoy Launch Parameter
Many players confirm they’ve fixed the Apex Legends controller not working by deleting a -nojoy Steam parameter for the game. That parameter disables joystick input if set. So, try erasing the -nojoy parameter like this:
- Start Steam and select Library, within its tab bar.
- Right-click Apex Legends (on the sidebar) to select Properties.
- Erase the -nojoy parameter from the Launch Options box on the General tab if set.
The Steam launch settings
Disconnect Superfluous Peripherals
Try disconnecting all unnecessary external devices connected to your PC (excluding the controller) that you don’t need for playing Apex Legends. For example, disconnect peripherals such as your mouse, steering wheels, USB sticks, Razer Tartarus, USB adapters, etc. Such additional devices can potentially conflict with your controller.
Enable or Disable Steam Input
Enabling/disabling Steam input is another confirmed way to fix an Apex Legends controller not working. Steam includes an option you can select to enable or stop Valve’s games client from handling controller input. You can select the Enable/Disable Steam Input options for Apex Legends like this:
- Open the Steam window and click Library inside it.
- Click Apex Legends with the right mouse button to select Properties.
- Select the Controller tab.
- First, select the Enable Steam Input option on the drop-down menu.
The Steam input options
- Try playing Apex Legends again.
- If enabling doesn’t work, select the Disable Steam Input option from the drop-down menu.
Change the Deadzone Joystick Settings
Some players have also been able to fix the Apex Legends controller not working by adjusting the Deadzone joystick settings. Adjusting those settings can fix controller issues caused by Steam updates. Note that this can also be a fix for an Apex Legends controller not working right, rather than not at all. This is how you can change Deadzone joystick settings to apply this potential fix:
- Run your Steam client with a controller plugged into the PC.
- Click View to select Small Mode.
- Next, click the Steam menu to select Settings.
- Click on Open for the Calibration & Advanced Settings on the Controller tab.
The Calibration & Advanced Settings option
- Select the Joysticks tab.
- Drag the slider on the Left Joystick Deadzone bar to the far left to set a zero value.
The Joysticks tab
- Click on the Right Joystick button.
- Then, set the Right Joystick Deadzone option to 0 by dragging its bar slider to the far left.
Try Plugging the Controller in a Different USB Port
Controllers can sometimes stop working because of USB port issues. To address this possible cause, try plugging your gamepad into a different USB slot on your PC. Make sure you plug your controller firmly into an alternative USB slot when applying this possible fix.
USB slots on a laptop
So, try applying the possible resolutions above to fix an Apex Legends Controller not working on your Windows PCs. They’re troubleshooting methods that have fixed controller issues for some Apex Legends players. If you have an Xbox gamepad, some of the possible fixes in this KeenGamer guide might also be worth trying.
