Many players of Jurassic World Evolution 3 report that their controllers or gamepads are not working on PC. You might notice:
- Buttons not responding
- Analog sticks not registering
- Controller not detected by the game
This issue is common, especially if Steam Input settings are misconfigured, drivers are outdated, or third-party software conflicts exist.
This guide provides step-by-step solutions to get your controller working seamlessly.
βοΈ Common Causes
- Steam Input misconfigured or disabled
- Outdated controller or USB drivers
- Incorrect input mode (XInput vs DirectInput)
- Conflicts with third-party tools (DS4Windows, InputMapper, ReWASD)
- Bluetooth or USB connectivity issues
- Game not automatically detecting the controller
π οΈ Fix 1: Reconnect and Restart Your Controller
Sometimes a simple reconnection resolves the problem.
Steps:
- Close Jurassic World Evolution 3 completely.
- Disconnect your controller from USB or Bluetooth.
- Wait a few seconds and reconnect it.
- Relaunch the game.
β Result: Refreshes device connection and forces the game to detect your controller.
π οΈ Fix 2: Enable Steam Input
Steam Input helps translate controller signals (Xbox, PlayStation, etc.) for PC games.
Steps:
- Open Steam Library.
- Right-click Jurassic World Evolution 3 β Properties β Controller.
- Set Override for Jurassic World Evolution 3 β Enable Steam Input.
- Launch the game and test the controller.
Tip: If already enabled, try Use default settings instead.
β Result: Ensures Steam properly handles your gamepad input.
π οΈ Fix 3: Calibrate Controller
Improper calibration can prevent buttons or sticks from responding correctly.
Steps:
- Press Windows + R, type
joy.cpl
, and press Enter. - Select your controller β Click Properties.
- Test buttons and sticks.
- Click Settings β Calibrate if needed and follow prompts.
β Result: Resets input signals and fixes unresponsive controls.
π οΈ Fix 4: Update Controller and USB Drivers
Outdated drivers can prevent proper detection.
Steps:
- Press Windows + X β Device Manager.
- Expand Human Interface Devices and Universal Serial Bus controllers.
- Right-click your controller β Update Driver β Search automatically.
- Repeat for USB Root Hubs.
β Result: Ensures stable communication between controller and Windows.
π οΈ Fix 5: Disable Third-Party Input Tools
Tools like DS4Windows, InputMapper, or ReWASD can interfere with Steam Input.
Steps:
- Close Jurassic World Evolution 3 and Steam.
- Exit or uninstall third-party input tools temporarily.
- Reopen Steam and launch the game.
β Result: Prevents software conflicts between native and emulated input layers.
π οΈ Fix 6: Test Steam Big Picture Mode
Big Picture Mode helps verify controller recognition.
Steps:
- Open Steam β View β Big Picture Mode.
- Go to Settings β Controller Settings.
- Enable correct configuration:
- Xbox Configuration Support for Xbox controllers
- PlayStation Configuration Support for DualShock/DualSense
- Generic Gamepad Configuration Support for others
- Relaunch the game.
β Result: Confirms Steam recognizes your controller type and applies proper bindings.
π οΈ Fix 7: Switch Between XInput and DirectInput
Some older controllers only work under a specific input mode.
Steps:
- Check if your controller has an X/D switch.
- Toggle between XInput and DirectInput.
- Restart the game each time to test.
β Result: Ensures proper communication protocol for your controller.
π οΈ Fix 8: Reinstall Controller Drivers
If all else fails, reinstalling drivers can reset configurations.
Steps:
- Open Device Manager.
- Right-click your controller under Human Interface Devices β Uninstall device.
- Unplug the controller.
- Reconnect it to reinstall drivers automatically.
β Result: Restores clean controller functionality.
π‘ Additional Tips
- Use a different USB port or cable; avoid USB hubs.
- Disable Steam Overlay if interfering.
- Keep your game and Windows updated.
- If using Bluetooth, ensure battery is sufficient.
- Test another controller to rule out hardware issues.
β FAQs
Q1: Why isnβt my controller detected in Jurassic World Evolution 3?
A: Likely due to Steam Input conflicts, outdated drivers, or incorrect input mode.
Q2: Can I use PS4 or PS5 controllers?
A: Yes, enable PlayStation Configuration Support in Steam.
Q3: My controller works in other games but not here β what do I do?
A: Verify Steam Input settings and disable third-party tools.
Q4: Do I need to reinstall the game?
A: Not usually; the issue is almost always driver or input-related.
π― Conclusion
If your controller or gamepad isnβt working in Jurassic World Evolution 3, itβs usually due to Steam Input settings, outdated drivers, or third-party software conflicts.
Following the steps above β reconnecting, enabling Steam Input, updating drivers, and calibrating β will restore full controller functionality so you can enjoy seamless gameplay.