No controller vibration since 7.0

Ever since 7.0, I haven't been able to get my controller to vibrate no matter what setting(s) I use.

I typically use DS4 Windows to connect my controller to my PC via Bluetooth since I have issues with XIV sometimes not detecting any inputs if it's just connected without, and I ended up preferring the sensitivity settings for button presses. It does end up giving me two inputs to choose from the vast majority of the time, there the top option will work, the bottom will not. I do have a small issue where it seems to prefer the bottom input and will default to that, and swaps to it any time anything else is connected/disconnected from the PC... but that's a whole other kettle of fish I've learned to live with.

I mention this because occassionally it would end up giving me three input options. One won't work at all, one will detect inputs, the other will have vibration. I can solve this by disconnecting/reconnecting or restarting DS4 until it gives me the two inputs I've come to expect. So, initially I thought this was like that issue from before, but no amount of disconnects/reconnects, PC restarts, DS4 restarts, swapping the selected input in-game or toggling vibration on or off gives me vibration.

I've tried closing DS4 and connecting the controller directly to my PC, both Bluetooth and cable, re-pairing the controller... no dice.

It's the same controller I used before 7.0 (not an official PS4 dualshock controller but a very good knockoff) with the same settings in game and in DS4, same Bluetooth dongle. I've checked through the rumble test function in DS4 and confirmed that it's not the controller breaking, it's just... XIV doesn't tell it to vibrate anymore.

I know there was something in the patchnotes about dualsense controllers lacking haptic feedback when used with Bluetooth, but nothing about dualshock. And it worked before...

I'm curious if anybody else has encountered this issue, if it's just my machine or if it's a bug I should be reporting, if it's intentional or a tech limitation I just somehow managed to circumvent pre-7.0, if anybody has any other suggestions for fixes... I rely on the rumble primarily for fishing rather than the sound or visual (and reminding me to connect my controller/swap to the functional input when a duty pops!), so I would be very greatful if someone could help me fix it!

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

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

- Please make sure that the gamepad setting is enabled: System Configuration > Gamepad Settings > "Enable gamepad."
- 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 under the System Configuration Menu under the Gamepad Settings tab.
- 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 XIV 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.

Should the issue still persist after attempting all the listed troubleshooting, we advise that you reinstall the game (make sure to remove or rename the 'Final Fantasy XIV' folder in the 'My Documents' > 'My Games' folder). You can re-download the game client via the Steam library or at the following link for the Windows client: http://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/playersdownload/na

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!