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This issue is common, especially if Steam Input settings are misconfigured, drivers are outdated, or third-party software conflicts exist.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.


βš™οΈ 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  • Outdated controller or USB drivers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

πŸ› οΈ Fix 1: Reconnect and Restart Your Controller

Sometimes a simple reconnection resolves the problem.

Steps:

  1. Close Jurassic World Evolution 3 completely.
  2. Disconnect your controller from USB or Bluetooth.
  3. Wait a few seconds and reconnect it.
  4. Relaunch the game.

βœ… Result: Refreshes device connection and forces the game to detect your controller.


πŸ› οΈ Fix 2: Enable Steam Input

Steam Input helps translate controller signals (Xbox, PlayStation, etc.) for PC games.

Steps:

  1. Open Steam Library.
  2. Right-click Jurassic World Evolution 3 β†’ Properties β†’ Controller.
  3. Set Override for Jurassic World Evolution 3 β†’ Enable Steam Input.
  4. Launch the game and test the controller.

Tip: If already enabled, try Use default settings instead.

βœ… Result: Ensures Steam properly handles your gamepad input.


πŸ› οΈ Fix 3: Calibrate Controller

Improper calibration can prevent buttons or sticks from responding correctly.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type joy.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Select your controller β†’ Click Properties.
  3. Test buttons and sticks.
  4. Click Settings β†’ Calibrate if needed and follow prompts.

βœ… Result: Resets input signals and fixes unresponsive controls.


πŸ› οΈ Fix 4: Update Controller and USB Drivers

Outdated drivers can prevent proper detection.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + X β†’ Device Manager.
  2. Expand Human Interface Devices and Universal Serial Bus controllers.
  3. Right-click your controller β†’ Update Driver β†’ Search automatically.
  4. Repeat for USB Root Hubs.

βœ… Result: Ensures stable communication between controller and Windows.


πŸ› οΈ Fix 5: Disable Third-Party Input Tools

Tools like DS4Windows, InputMapper, or ReWASD can interfere with Steam Input.

Steps:

  1. Close Jurassic World Evolution 3 and Steam.
  2. Exit or uninstall third-party input tools temporarily.
  3. Reopen Steam and launch the game.

βœ… Result: Prevents software conflicts between native and emulated input layers.


πŸ› οΈ Fix 6: Test Steam Big Picture Mode

Big Picture Mode helps verify controller recognition.

Steps:

  1. Open Steam β†’ View β†’ Big Picture Mode.
  2. Go to Settings β†’ Controller Settings.
  3. Enable correct configuration:
    • Xbox Configuration Support for Xbox controllers
    • PlayStation Configuration Support for DualShock/DualSense
    • Generic Gamepad Configuration Support for others
  4. Relaunch the game.

βœ… Result: Confirms Steam recognizes your controller type and applies proper bindings.


πŸ› οΈ Fix 7: Switch Between XInput and DirectInput

Some older controllers only work under a specific input mode.

Steps:

  1. Check if your controller has an X/D switch.
  2. Toggle between XInput and DirectInput.
  3. Restart the game each time to test.

βœ… Result: Ensures proper communication protocol for your controller.


πŸ› οΈ Fix 8: Reinstall Controller Drivers

If all else fails, reinstalling drivers can reset configurations.

Steps:

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Right-click your controller under Human Interface Devices β†’ Uninstall device.
  3. Unplug the controller.
  4. Reconnect it to reinstall drivers automatically.

βœ… Result: Restores clean controller functionality.


πŸ’‘ 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.

❓ FAQs

Q1: Why isn’t 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.


🎯 Conclusion

If your controller or gamepad isn’t working in Jurassic World Evolution 3, it’s 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.

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