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How to update/configure/link your steam controller in 2025.

By (_BLACK_MAMBA_)

Who is this guide for?

If you encounter problems with your steam controller:
1) Modes are not switched.
2) There is no pairing with USB dongle (key).
3) Does not work in Bluetooth mode.
4) You cannot link your controller to your account.
5) Control settings and button configuration are not saved/switched.
and the like, then this guide should definitely help you.

Award

Created by

(_BLACK_MAMBA_)
Online

Languages: English

Posted

Updated

30 Jan, 2024 @ 2:18am

6 Jan @ 8:14am

3,478	Unique Visitors
50	Current Favorites

Guide Index

Overview

What is the problem?

And then what should we do?

Have a nice game!

Comments

What is the problem?

As of today (December 2023), steam has officially discontinued support for the steam controller internal configurator. Because of this, many functions related to setting up gamepads and steam controller stopped working properly. For example, the "bind controller" button in the current version of steam does not work at all.
Steam technical support says that it is not going to fix this in any way and offers to download the so-called "update tool".
However, I tried to use it, but for me it only made the situation worse.

Just in case, I'm attaching a link to "Official Steam Controller Update Tool"

And then what should we do?

I found a working method. All you need to do is install the old version of steam with the "configurator" of the gamepads, which is still working.

The most suitable steam version is from May 30, 2023. It is presented in this guide:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3039867754
Here is a link to the archive with this version from this guide: Old version Steam [mega.nz]

Next you need to:
1) Unzip the archive downloaded from the manual I shared.
2) Be sure to close steam if it works for you.
3) From the unpacked archive, run steam.exe and follow the usual login procedure.
4) Then go to settings and select "controller". Next, click on the "general controller settings" button. You should have a separate window - the gamepad configurator. After that, connect your controller via a USB cable. It should check in your list of controllers, and there you can interact with it.

If for some reason you cannot launch the old steam from the unpacked folder, try to completely delete the steam you already have.
But I have tried my method listed above several times and I assure you, if you do everything right, then this should not be necessary. Just make sure that it is completely closed before opening the old steam from the downloaded folder.

An important point. After you complete everything (it is advisable to reset your controller to factory settings, then install the latest firmware version, as well as bind a USB key, if you have one), you can safely use the current version of steam, it should work flawlessly. But be sure to delete the steam shortcut on the desktop and create a new shortcut from the folder of your current steam version. Because the steam shortcut has been updated to the latest version of the running steam.

For your convenience, I tried to record the screen, to be honest, I'm not a pro at this, but I hope it helps you!

Have a nice game!

I hope this guide turned out to be useful for you!

Данное руководство на русском языке

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3123148068

24 Comments

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utah6 1 Jun @ 10:11pm

I also found a better way to do this without downloading the downgrade files from a third party source (sort of). Steam Client Downgrades & Survival Kit

Šм☉КЇℵĢ_ℙųРργ 15 Mar @ 12:50am

Thank you for the guide, I can finally pair my controller without receiver.

Batencat 15 Jan @ 10:44am

Thank you for making this, but I found a different and easier way of doing this and without having to uninstall steam. It is as simple as following the 6 steps in the "How do I install this firmware?" section. It is important to remember that the controller is to be connected to computer directly and not by using the dongle. Good luck.

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1796-5FC3-88B3-C85F

Ampersand 10 Jan @ 9:21am

Worked for me today. Many thanks!

(_BLACK_MAMBA_) [author] 9 Jan @ 11:44pm

yomegonightcore
If everything is working fine for you, I'm happy for you. When I purchased my controller, I had some problems setting it up and pairing it with my computer. The most annoying thing was that the control settings on the controller were not saved. The thing was that the controller was not normally linked to the steam account, since in the modern version of steam it is no longer possible to pair the account with the controller (although there is still a button for this, but it is useless).

yomegonightcore 9 Jan @ 11:40pm

do we really need to do this? i bought mine in great condition off ebay and everything just worked right out of the box. i prefer not to use bluetooth anyway

(_BLACK_MAMBA_) [author] 10 Dec, 2024 @ 10:05am

Tylotov
Hello, I recently upgraded my PC and reinstalled windows and after your message I tried to launch the old steam client. I managed to log in and also successfully open the controller settings. But when logging into steam, I was asked for permission by the Windows Firewall whether to trust steam or not. Try to view your Firewall settings or disable it when logging into the old steam client.

Tylotov 9 Dec, 2024 @ 6:35am

Hello, first of all, thanks for the help, this will be great if it works; currently my controller only works on cable.

I'm trying this out as of |December 2024, and the old, local, steam version does not authenticate; I tried both the QR code and the username/password, both being authorized by the app on my phone, and neither completes the login process. With that, I am locked outside the app and can't get to the controller update portion of it.

any ideas/suggestions are welcome :)

(_BLACK_MAMBA_) [author] 29 Oct, 2024 @ 1:04am

60
Of course not.
You can continue to use the modern version of Steam after successfully pairing your Steam controller.

60 28 Oct, 2024 @ 4:48pm

Dumb question but do i need to use Old Steam anytime i wanna use the controller?

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