Windows 10: Joystick appears in Devices and Printers but not in Windows Game Controllers.

Under Devices and Printers, Windows detects my controllers, however, they aren't listed in the game controllers list. As a result, games like DCS and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 do not acknowledge them as controllers, rendering my controller useless. This issue has persisted ever since I first used Windows 10. and I'm now on Windows 11, I've had the same issue on many machines with varied hardware. My PC may occasionally run well for months or even years; nevertheless, my controllers vanished tonight for no apparent cause. Any help with this matter would be highly appreciated.

:)

 

How does Windows' 'Game Controllers' properties connect to a joystick?

The situation:
We need to use a new game controller (with a joystick only) hardware on Windows 10 IoT. In the properties of "Game Controllers", moving the joystick is visible in the displayed rectangle with the '+'. Our software using DirectX8 API only reads 0 values for x/y axes.

What I've tried so far:

• DirectX8 obviously doesn't work, also, it's deprecated
  
• Using Gaming.Input: not an option, we have no UWP
  
• XInput: not an option, we have no XBox (compatible) device
  
• Using joyGetPosEx from MultiMediaSystem: doesn't work
  

The question:
Obviously Windows somehow can "see" the controller and also recognizes the joystick movements; so what API do they use in this little "Game Controllers" window?

Any other suggestion on how to read joystick data?

 

joystick

Hello,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

1. Which version of Windows are you currently using?
   
2. Since when are you facing this issue?
   
3. What is the make and model of the joystick?
   

You can try few troubleshooting steps and check if that helps. Run the
Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. Refer the steps mentioned below:

1. Tap on Windows + I on the keyboard.
   
2. Click on Update and Security.
   
3. Select Troubleshoot option.
   
4. Now click on Hardware and Devices and
   Run the troubleshooter.
   

You can also refer the following article to
troubleshoot game controllers in Microsoft games.

Hope it helps.

Sandeep Kumar M

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

Microsoft store apps and Generic joystick.

We appreciate your response. Joysticks or game controllers are usually plug and play devices. To better understand your concern, we'd like to know the following:

• If the joystick is connected via the USB port on your device.
• If you've tried using the specified device on another computer.
• If the game controller requires installation based on its manual.
• The version and build of Windows 10 that you're using on your device. To check this, you can perform the steps posted on this
  
  link.

We look forward to an update on your concern.