How to play Elden Ring with controller on PC

The PC port supports controllers (Image via FromSoftware)
The PC port supports controllers (Image via FromSoftware)

FromSoftware’s Elden Ring has taken the gaming world by storm, even surpassing Dark Souls 3 in copies sold. As of March, 12 million copies have landed in the hands of gamers worldwide, ushered into a world created by the minds of FromSoftware's Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R. R. Martin of Game of Thrones fame.

Being available on several platforms has no doubt helped the title reach those heights. Elden Ring can be played on PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and Microsoft Windows.

If you picked up a copy of Elden Ring on PC, then yes, you can use a controller to play it. While some options are arguably better than others, so long as you have an Xbox or PS4/PS5 controller, the game can be enjoyed with a controller on PCs.


Elden Ring: How to play the PC port with a controller

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Before you start playing using a controller, you need to first prepare Steam to accept the controller. For this step, if Elden Ring is running in the background, close it before continuing. Afterward, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Launch Steam. Click the Steam tab in the top-right corner. In the drop-down menu, choose Settings.
  • Step 2: In the pop-up window, select Controller. Choose General Controller Settings.
  • Step 3: Select the type of controller support based on the controller you’re using. For example, checkmark “Xbox Configuration Support” if you’re using an Xbox controller.
  • Step 4: Plug in the controller via USB. Use the most up-to-date USB port. For example, if you have an open USB 3.0 port, use that. If you only have USB 2.0, then choose that.
Click Identify to ensure it’s recognized (Image via Sportskeeda)
Click Identify to ensure it’s recognized (Image via Sportskeeda)
  • Step 5: Now click Identify to ensure it’s being recognized, then select Calibrate — provided changes need to be made; otherwise, leave it be.
  • Step 6: Right-click on the game from your Steam Library and choose Properties from the drop-down menu.
  • Step 7: Choose the Controller tab from the pop-up menu. Under OVERRIDE FOR ELDEN RING, ensure it’s set to Enable Steam Input.
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Now launch and explore the Lands Between using a controller. It should be noted that if you’re using a DualShock or DualSense controller (PS4 and PS5, respectively), the button prompts will not change. They will be Xbox, PC, or Steam button prompts. Additionally, you can also use the Nintendo Switch Pro controller, but will have to make it work with Xbox prompts.

Also, it’s worth going into the game’s controller settings and changing keybindings. Sekiro had full customization, and FromSoftware extended the same level of customization to their latest souls-like title.

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