Controller problems

[Makilahy]

I have tried multiple PS2 style controllers (multiple vendors), and they are all having the same problem. The first time I run the FFXI Config and set the gamepad settings, everything works fine, including in the test. But once I enter the game, the D-pad and left analog stick start controlling the same things, the Analog button won't turn off (always on), and buttons 1, 2, 5-8 lose their configuration and do nothing. Exiting out and returning to the gamepad config in FFXI Config, Analog still will not turn off, the D-pad and left analog controller are still acting the same, though the other buttons work correctly. Completely uninstalling the reinstalling the controller doesn't help.

No other games have this problem. I'm running Windows 10 64-bit on a Surface Pro 6.

I know everyone likes the keyboard better, but when I'm lying in bed and playing solo, the controller is a lot easier to use. I really want to figure this out.

[Kanjitai]

I'm having similar issues and posted a thread before I saw yours. I like to say this is a windows 10 issue but from my google searches I've seen it happens across 7 and 8 too. I got my controller to work but had to go through a convoluted mess to get it to work and have to start it up a special way to ensure no issues. I'll let you know if I find any info but so far I got nothing official.

[Kanjitai]

Makilahy I wanted to let you know at least for me if I connect my PS4 controller to my laptop via a micro USB cable I have no problem setting up the controller in the gamepad config. I select pattern A under the predefined settings and only swap the confirm and cancel buttons since I'm more used to X being confirmed and O being canceled. I hope this helps you. I rather use wireless but I think there are windows/FF11 issues that make that a problem right now.

[Yadam]

It's so weird, my ps4 controller was working for about year perfectly without any third party programs. Since september it's been weird and buggy. Seems like so many people are having issues. We all gotta figure this out! ; ;

[kragor]

Has anyone found a fix for this? Coming back to the game and while my controllers all used to work without any issues, that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. I feel like I've tried everything at this point. Any troubleshooting I've tried seems to fix one thing while introducing another problem, i.e. installing an xinput conversion driver like dshidmini causes strange button misalignments and triggers being detected as the right stick instead of buttons... Doesn't help that when I just say screw it and plug in an xbox controller that just doesn't get detected at all - though I'm thinking *that* might just be a windows 10 problem as steam doesn't seem to recognize it either.
If anyone has any ideas or solutions that haven't already been discussed exhaustively elsewhere online, I'm all ears.
Also, apologies for the necro post.

Update - In my frustration I went with the semi-nuclear option and reinstalled everything I could short of a full OS reset, and it seems like a newer version of the dshidmini driver than what I was using before fixes every issue I was having. If I had to guess, a Windows 10/11 update broke something, but thankfully there are newer versions of the driver now that appear to address this. Your mileage may vary but if you're using a PS2/PS3 controller, this appears to be the fix as the overlapping L-stick and D-pad issue isn't present, the triggers appear to correctly function as mappable buttons, and when Xinput is enabled in Final Fantasy XI's controller configuration all of the buttons match their appropriate equivalent - no more weird mismatches.
Now to figure out why my 360 controller won't work....

[Bedavere]

Having the same issue, Ive exhausted so many avenues its actually made me stop playing for months. everything is inverted or not, dpad doesnt work, yes Xinput blah fkin ahhh blah. I want top try a re instal but I dont think thats going to workecuse i play Horizon as well, and both are experiencing the same exact issue. Im so tired man.

[Votraftur]

Good morning! Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XI Technical Support Forums.

We apologize for any inconvenience you have been experiencing. There are a few situations that can cause the error you are describing. Please try the following troubleshooting methods to resolve the issue:

- Please make sure that the gamepad setting is enabled as well as the gamepad settings necessary to run as you would like.
- Try plugging the controller into different ports (both front and back).
- Make sure all drivers for the controller are fully up to date, even if the device is new often the drivers are not updated while it is in storage. Most times, the controller will work without them in a "plug and play" style, but for an issue like this, we must recommend that you install the official drivers for the controller.
- Hide DS4 controller, please try enabling/disabling this option.
- Disable all other device drivers, leaving the mouse, keyboard, and controller as the only active devices.
- Try unplugging all other devices and only plugging in the mouse, keyboard, and controller.
- Make sure Windows has been fully updated from the Microsoft/Windows Update website.
- Re-calibrate the controller.
- Delete all USB and gamepad devices via the Device Manager. Restart your computer and allow the device to rediscover the devices and reinstall the drives.
- Fully uninstall the controller, reboot the computer, and reinstall the controller.
- If you have a specialized gaming keyboard you may want to try using a different keyboard to be sure there are no conflicts with that device.
- Launch FINAL FANTASY XI preferably with a cleanboot. To open a cleanboot, please open the Task Manager (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC) and select the "Start Up" tab. Disable every nonessential program here, and restart the computer.
- If possible, please try using other controllers.

We recommend that the game be installed on the C: drive, as installing it on any drive that is not the default may cause more problems.

Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums!