Alex Ruben
How To Play Hollow Knight with a Controller: Complete Guide to Gamepad Setup and Compatibility
Getting a controller to work smoothly with Hollow Knight on PC or Steam Deck can sometimes feel like chasing ghosts. You plug it in, think everything’s fine, only to find out the game or Steam doesn’t recognize it properly. Kind of annoying, right? But once it’s set up right, fighting through Hallownest with a controller feels just better. This isn’t just about plugging in; it’s about making sure Steam recognizes your controller, configuring the right settings, and dealing with some common hiccups. Expect smoother gameplay and fewer frustration moments if these tweaks work as they did on various setups.
How to Set Up and Troubleshoot Your Controller for Hollow Knight
Ensure the controller is properly connected and recognized
First, the basics. If your controller isn’t being detected, the whole process stalls. Wired controllers? Just plug them into a USB port. Wireless? Pair via Bluetooth or use that handy USB dongle. On some setups, Bluetooth can be a mess—drivers or interference can cause issues. Make sure your controller shows up as connected in your system’s device list (like in Device Manager on Windows). Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary. On some machines, the controller might show as connected but not recognized properly in Steam or the game. Always test it in the Games & Apps section or via the Controllers Settings to see if inputs register.
Enable controller support in Steam, because of course, it’s not on by default
This step is the magic sauce. Steam has a lot of hidden options that make your controller “just work.” Go to Steam > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings. Check the boxes that match your controller type – Xbox, PlayStation, or a generic controller. When you check them, Steam runs some internal calibration and configuration. Ideally, your controller should show as “Detected” or “Active”—if not, try reconnecting or restarting Steam. On one setup it worked right after doing this, on another… not so much. But hey, it’s worth trying. This setup influences how the game reads your inputs, and it usually makes Hollow Knight respond better to your commands.
Launch Hollow Knight and ensure it uses the controller
Launch the game normally from your Steam library. Sometimes, the game just detects your controller without fuss, other times it doesn’t. If it’s not working, try starting Steam in Big Picture Mode because it tends to push controller support to the front. In some cases, unchecking and rechecking controller support in Steam’s settings, then restarting the game, helps clear up recognition issues. Also check that you don’t have any other overlays or background apps (like Discord overlays, or screen recorders) that might interfere with input detection. Weird, but happens.
Customize controller settings for smooth gameplay
If your buttons feel weird or unresponsive, revisit Steam > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings. Here you can remap buttons, calibrate thumbsticks, or disable certain inputs if they’re causing trouble. Some players like to set up custom configs, especially if they prefer alternative button mappings. This can be done via Steam Big Picture or with community configs shared online. Because, honestly, a little tweaking can make your time in Hallownest way more comfy without sacrificing controls.
Fix common problems: input lag, unresponsiveness, detection issues
If your controller is blinking, but the game isn’t responding, consider these quick fixes. First, try disconnecting and reconnecting the controller. Also, check your Device Manager to see if the drivers are up to date—especially on Windows. For wireless controllers, avoid Bluetooth interference by staying away from crowded wireless channels or USB hubs. Sometimes, switching to a wired connection helps with lag and responsiveness. Turning off other Bluetooth devices or disabling Bluetooth adapters temporarily can also clear up input issues. Additionally, lowering in-game graphic settings sometimes reduces lag, even in controller input. One trick that worked on a few PCs was to restart Steam, re-enable controller support, and restart the game from a clean launch—and voila, inputs got recognized again.
Extra Tips & Common Troubleshooting Tips
More of a failsafe… If your controller still refuses to budge, check if the latest system drivers are installed. Updating your Windows, graphics driver, and controller firmware is never a bad idea. On some setups, installing custom drivers or tweaking registry entries slightly (not recommended for faint-hearted) can help. Also, look at external tools like Winhance for advanced remapping if needed. Remember, with Steam, sometimes a simple reinstall or resetting controller configurations can do wonders.
Conclusion
Setting up a controller for Hollow Knight isn’t always straightforward, but with a bit of patience, it gets better. Making sure Steam’s controller configs are right, your device is recognized, and the game is launched properly can turn a frustrating experience into a smooth one. Sometimes, just unplugging and replugging, or toggling some settings helps when things go sideways. It’s all about reducing those input hiccups and making your adventures in Hallownest feel natural.
Summary
- Ensure controller is properly connected and recognized by your system.
- Enable controller support in Steam’s settings.
- Launch Hollow Knight via Steam, preferably in Big Picture Mode.
- Customize button mappings if needed.
- Deal with hiccups by updating drivers, reconnecting, or tweaking Steam configs.
Wrap-up
Hopefully, these steps help ditch some of the frustration. A lot of times, it’s just about that one toggle or reconnect that finally makes everything smooth. Once it’s working, diving into Hallownest with a controller is way more fun. Good luck, and may your bugs be tiny and your spikes be few!