Make sure the firmware is updated on the controllers. Check the developers website to see if there is any.

Originally posted by RPG Gamer Man:

Make sure the firmware is updated on the controllers. Check the developers website to see if there is any.

Firmware is fully updated, again is also an issue that only seems to pop up on steam

My temporary solution has been just using my controllers wired, and that seems to work just fine.

love how nobody on the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ internet knows how to fix this RETARDED ASS ISSUE

Originally posted by NPC:

love how nobody on the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ internet knows how to fix this RETARDED ASS ISSUE

Yeah. Still doesn't work for me, and is for sure a steam side issue.

Giving this a bump, and can confirm that it seems to be a Steam related issue. I usually launch a lot of games through steam because it's PS5 controller friendly and easier to set up, but the past month I've seen my controllers go skitzo while using steam, PS5 and X1 on BT. Problem doesn't follow if I boot up one of my non-Steam games outside of Steam. Usually occurs after I interact with a menu or dialog tree, something that takes you out of the movement and action phase of play so to speak.

One temporary fix I've found was turning Steam input on or off, didn't seem to really matter which mode it is enabled when it occurs since it occurs in both. Another temporary fix is turning off bluetooth on the PC which turns off the controller, a hard reset basically. But they're only temporary because it happens again while in the same playthrough. Sometimes it's hours, sometimes it's 30 minutes, but it seems to always happen now. Reinforces my theory that this is a Steam issue, but nobody has a fix.

Worst culprits right now are Tainted Grail and Ready or Not. I just recently got TG so that might have its own performance issues, but the controller lag is undeniable. Ready or Not had zero issues until earlier this month (July 2025). Mechwarrior 5 has been my test platform between Steam/no-Steam, might try older more stable games like Space Marine 1 later, but the problem seems software related in the Steam side so far.

What about electromagnetic interference from other sources? Have you considered that guys? Bluetooth uses 2.4 Ghz frequency to connect devices.
Modern apartments and gamer rooms have many wireless sources/devices.
Wireless mouse, keyboard, speakers. Wireless modems and routers, wireless headphones, printers, etc. Most of them use the same frequency of 2.4 Ghz.

All that can cause interference - problems with the signal. Try a wired connection via a USB cable.
The distance of the controller from the BT dongle is another problem. Furniture, walls, metal elements can block or distort the signal. So try to bring the BT dongle closer to the gamepad.

In my room I don't have many EM sources. Only my smartphone and router, but my PC is connect to the internet with a cable. Also my BT dongle is very close to my Xbox gamepad.
When i play the distance between the gamepad and BT adapter is less than 100cm or 1m.

I use Xbox series S/X controller - model 1914.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_Wireless_Controller

Keep in mind that Xbox controllers since Elite 2 model 1797 use only bluetooth BLE - or low energy BT. So other stronger BT sources can and will affect it.

I hope it helps a bit.

Originally posted by Vegasskill:

What about electromagnetic interference from other sources?

I'm not having this issue anymore, but it seems that this still happens for some. In my experience, I was able to play games on other platforms with my controller wireless with no trouble at all, while it was a consistent issue over steam.

Honestly I don't remember at all when the shift happened and it started working again, so I can't really add onto this much.

I'm inclined to agree it's a Steam issue, I just had this start happening to me on July 25th. One moment was fine in Helldivers 2, next moment my inputs and aim were swinging around like a drunken sailor. None of my non-steam games have this issue, and my controller is brand new with a fresh firmware update.