Controllers connected to Steam can sometimes unexpectedly control your mouse cursor, disrupting your desktop experience. This can occur due to configuration issues within Steam or at the operating system level. Fortunately, several methods exist to resolve this behavior and restore your controller to its intended function.
Disable the Controller from Device Manager
Disabling the controller directly through the Device Manager in Windows prevents it from sending any input signals to your computer, effectively stopping it from controlling the mouse. This is a surefire method to ensure the controller doesn’t interfere with your desktop.
Step 1: Right-click the Start Menu and select Device Manager.
Step 2: Expand the Sound, video, and game controllers section.
Step 3: Right-click your controller in the list and select Disable device.
Step 4: Click Yes to confirm.
Unbind Controller Buttons from the Layout
If your controller buttons are inadvertently mapped to mouse functions, unbinding them within Steam’s Desktop Layout settings can resolve the issue. This customization allows you to remove any accidental mouse control assignments.
Step 1: Open Steam and click the Steam icon in the top-left corner.
Step 2: Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: From the left sidebar, select Controller.
Step 4: Click Desktop Configuration.
Step 5: Unbind the controller keys that are acting like your mouse by clicking on each button and selecting Remove.
Step 6: Once done, close the configuration window and check if the issue is resolved.
Reset the Controller to Default
A misconfigured controller can lead to unintended mouse control. Resetting the controller to its default settings through Windows can clear any custom mappings or configurations that might be causing the problem.
Step 1: Press Win + S to open Windows Search.
Step 2: Type Set up USB game controllers and press Enter.
Step 3: Select your controller from the list and click Properties.
Step 4: In the Properties window, navigate to the Settings or Advanced tab (the name and location may vary depending on your controller).
Step 5: Look for an option labeled Reset to Default, Restore Defaults, or similar, and click it.
Step 6: Click OK to save the changes.
Step 7: Launch Steam and check if the issue is resolved.
Disable Steam Input
Steam Input is a system that allows for extensive controller customization, but it can sometimes cause conflicts, leading to the controller acting as a mouse, especially in Desktop Configuration mode. Disabling Steam Input can revert the controller to its default behavior.
Step 1: Open Steam and click the Steam icon in the top-left corner.
Step 2: Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: From the left sidebar, select Controller.
Step 4: Locate the Enable Steam Input for [Your Controller Type] Controller option and set it to Off.
(e.g., “Enable Steam Input for Xbox Controller”).
Step 5: Once done, close the Settings window and check if the issue is resolved.
By employing these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to effectively stop your controller from controlling the mouse cursor within Steam and restore your desired input configuration. Remember to re-enable the controller in Device Manager if you disabled it as a troubleshooting step, once you need to use it again.