Fix Europa Universalis V Controller / Gamepad Not Working on PC (2025 Guide)

If your controller or gamepad isn’t working in Europa Universalis V, you’re not alone. Many players have reported that their Xbox, PlayStation, or generic controllers are either not detected, partially responsive, or behaving incorrectly in-game.

These issues often occur due to driver conflicts, Steam Input misconfigurations, or outdated controller firmware. In some cases, overlay software or custom key bindings may also interfere with proper detection.

Fortunately, this guide provides multiple effective solutions to help you get your controller fully functional again in Europa Universalis V.

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⚙️ Common Causes of Controller Issues

Here are the most frequent reasons your controller may not be recognized by the game:

• Steam Input or controller configuration is disabled
• Outdated or missing controller drivers
• Conflicting background apps (like DS4Windows or reWASD)
• Incorrect input mode (XInput / DirectInput)
• Bluetooth connection instability
• Faulty or loose USB cable

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🧩 Fix 1: Enable Steam Input

If you’re playing via Steam, Europa Universalis V may not detect your controller unless Steam Input is enabled.

Steps:

1. Open Steam → Library → Europa Universalis V.
2. Click the gear icon → Properties → Controller.
3. Under Override for Europa Universalis V, select Enable Steam Input.
4. Restart Steam and relaunch the game.

✅ Result: Steam recognizes your controller as an input device for the game.

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🔌 Fix 2: Check Controller Connection

Ensure your controller is properly connected and recognized by Windows.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type joy.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Check if your controller appears under “Game Controllers.”
3. If it doesn’t appear, unplug and reconnect it to a different USB port.
4. For wireless controllers, reconnect Bluetooth or use a wired cable.

✅ Result: Confirms whether the system detects your controller correctly.

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💽 Fix 3: Update Controller Drivers

Outdated or missing drivers can prevent your controller from working properly.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + X → Device Manager → Human Interface Devices.
2. Right-click your controller → Update Driver → Search automatically.
3. If Windows doesn’t find an update, manually install one:
   • Xbox Controllers: Update via Microsoft Store → Xbox Accessories App.
   • PlayStation Controllers: Use DS4Windows or Sony’s official driver.

✅ Result: Ensures the latest controller firmware and drivers are active.

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⚙️ Fix 4: Reconfigure Steam Controller Settings

If the controller works in other games but not in Europa Universalis V, try resetting the Steam layout.

Steps:

1. In Steam, go to Steam → Settings → Controller → General Controller Settings.
2. Enable the appropriate configuration support:
   • Xbox Configuration Support
   • PlayStation Configuration Support
   • Generic Gamepad Configuration Support
3. Click OK and restart Steam.

✅ Result: Restores default mapping support for your device.

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🔧 Fix 5: Disable Third-Party Input Tools

Software like DS4Windows, InputMapper, or reWASD can interfere with Steam Input.

Steps:

1. Close the game.
2. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
3. End all background processes related to third-party input tools.
4. Relaunch Europa Universalis V.

✅ Result: Prevents double-input or device conflict errors.

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🧠 Fix 6: Switch Input Mode (XInput / DirectInput)

Some older controllers or adapters use DirectInput instead of XInput, which may cause incompatibility.

Steps:

1. Use a tool like x360ce to emulate an Xbox 360 controller if your device doesn’t support XInput.
2. Alternatively, test another controller that uses XInput (like Xbox One / Series X).

✅ Result: Ensures compatibility with the game’s input system.

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🔄 Fix 7: Reset In-Game Settings

If your controller was previously detected but suddenly stopped working, your input settings might be corrupted.

Steps:

1. Navigate to the game’s settings folder: C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Europa Universalis V\
2. Delete or rename the settings.txt file.
3. Launch the game — it will generate a new settings file automatically.

✅ Result: Restores default input configurations.

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⚡ Fix 8: Reinstall Controller Drivers

If none of the above methods work, perform a clean reinstall of your controller’s drivers.

Steps:

1. Open Device Manager → Human Interface Devices.
2. Right-click your controller → Uninstall device.
3. Disconnect and reconnect the controller.
4. Windows will automatically reinstall the default driver.

✅ Result: Fixes driver corruption or mismatched device profiles.

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💡 Additional Tips

• Use a wired connection instead of Bluetooth for better stability.
• Try connecting the controller before launching the game.
• Avoid using multiple controllers simultaneously.
• If using Steam Deck or third-party launchers, make sure controller support is enabled in launcher settings.

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❓ FAQs

Q1: My controller works in other games but not in Europa Universalis V. Why?
A: Steam Input might be disabled for this title — enable it via Steam Properties → Controller.

Q2: Does Europa Universalis V support PlayStation controllers?
A: Yes, but you may need to enable PlayStation Configuration Support in Steam.

Q3: How do I fix delayed or unresponsive inputs?
A: Use a wired connection and close background overlay apps like Discord or NVIDIA GeForce Experience.

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🎯 Conclusion

If your controller or gamepad isn’t working in Europa Universalis V, it’s most likely due to Steam Input misconfiguration, outdated drivers, or connection conflicts. By following the above steps — enabling Steam Input, updating drivers, and disabling background software — you can restore full controller functionality.

Once fixed, you’ll be able to navigate the grand strategy world of Europa Universalis V smoothly and comfortably with your preferred gamepad.