How to Fix Hollow Knight Silksong Controller Not Working Error

Hollow Knight: Silksong has captivated players with its mesmerizing visuals, fluid combat, and intricate platforming. But for some PC gamers, the experience has been frustratingly inaccessible due to a recurring issue: their controllers simply aren’t being recognized by the game. Whether you're using an Xbox, PlayStation, or third-party controller, this bug has sparked widespread complaints across Reddit, X, and gaming forums. Fortunately, there are several practical solutions that can help resolve this issue. While not every fix will work for every setup, many players have found success with the following steps. Let’s walk through the most effective methods to get your controller working again in Silksong.

🛠️ Fixes for Hollow Knight: Silksong Controller Detection Issues

🔁 Reconnect Your Controller During Gameplay

It might sound too simple to be true, but unplugging and reconnecting your controller while the game is running has worked for many users. This trick forces Windows to reload the device driver, which may have silently failed in the background. If your controller was working earlier and suddenly stopped being detected, this is a good first step. Just make sure to reconnect it while Silksong is open—some players report that doing it before launching the game doesn’t always work.

🔌 Use a Wired Connection Instead of Bluetooth

Wireless controllers are convenient, but Bluetooth can beunreliable—especially on PCs with older or unstable drivers. If you'reusing an Xbox Series X/S, PS5, or PS4 controller via Bluetooth, tryswitching to a wired USB connection.

A direct cable connection eliminates potential interference andensures a stable link between your controller and the game. Many players have found that switching to wired mode immediately resolved thedetection issue.

⚙️ Enable Steam Input for Silksong

Steam Input is a powerful tool that bridges the gap between yourcontroller and games that don’t natively support every device. If Silksong isn’t recognizing your controller, enabling Steam Input can often fix the problem.

Here’s how to enable Steam Input:

Open your Steam Library and find Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Click the gear icon to open the game’s Properties.

Navigate to the Controller tab.

Under “Override for Hollow Knight: Silksong,” select Enable Steam Input.

Restart the game after making this change. Steam Input helpsstandardize controller behavior, especially for non-Xbox devices likeDualSense or Switch Pro controllers.

🧩 Select the Correct Controller Layout in Big Picture Mode

If your controller is detected but the buttons aren’t respondingcorrectly, the issue might be with the layout configuration. Steam’s Big Picture Mode allows you to manually assign the correct layout.

Steps to adjust layout:

• Launch Steam in Big Picture Mode.
• Navigate to Silksong and select Manage Game.
• Choose Controller Layout and select Gamepad (XInput).

Avoid keyboard/mouse templates unless you're using mods or customsetups. This step ensures your controller behaves as expected in-game.

🧼 Disable Third-Party Mapping Tools

Apps like DS4Windows, reWASD, or Joy2Key can interfere with Steam’snative controller support. If you’re running any of these tools, trydisabling them temporarily.

In some cases, these programs cause the game to detect multiplecontrollers simultaneously, leading to input conflicts. If you must usethem, enable options like “Hide DS4 Controller” to prevent duplication.

🔄 Re-Pair Your Controller or Reset Bluetooth

If you're committed to using Bluetooth, consider re-pairing yourcontroller through Windows Settings. Remove the device from yourBluetooth list, restart your PC, and pair it again.

Also, check for Bluetooth driver updates via Device Manager. A faulty or outdated driver can cause intermittent connection drops, especiallyduring gameplay.

🧠 Update Your Controller’s Firmware

Outdated firmware can lead to compatibility issues with newer games.Manufacturers often release firmware updates to improve performance andfix bugs.

For Xbox controllers:

• Download the Xbox Accessories app from the Microsoft Store.
• Connect your controller via USB.
• Launch the app and follow prompts to update firmware.

For PlayStation controllers:

• Use the DS4Windows app or official PlayStation software (if available).
• Connect your controller and check for firmware updates.

Keeping your controller firmware current ensures optimal compatibility with modern titles like Silksong.

🧹 Remove Hidden or Ghost Devices

Windows sometimes retains old device profiles that can confuse input detection. Cleaning up these “ghost” devices can help.

To remove hidden devices:

• Open Device Manager.
• Click View → Show hidden devices.
• Expand Human Interface Devices and uninstall any grayed-out gamepads.
• Restart your PC and reconnect your main controller.

This step can resolve lingering conflicts from previously connected controllers.

🏁 Final Thoughts

While Hollow Knight: Silksong delivers an unforgettableexperience, technical hiccups like controller detection issues can be amajor roadblock. Thankfully, most of these problems stem from commonconfiguration mismatches or outdated drivers—and they’re fixable with abit of patience.

Try the steps above in order, starting with the simplest. If none ofthem work, feel free to share your setup details and I’ll help youtroubleshoot further. Let’s make sure nothing stands between you andHornet’s journey.

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