Wait for your controller to appear on the screen then select it with the A button to pair.Turn Bluetooth on then press and hold the controller’s pairing button.On your Steam Deck, navigate to settings > Bluetooth.If you’ve ever hooked up an Xbox controller wirelessly to Windows 11 without an Xbox Wireless Adapter, then the following steps should feel somewhat familiar:
How to make the steam controller wired how to#
Here’s how to use an external controller on Steam Deck: How to use an Xbox controller on Steam Deckīluetooth devices can be fiddly, but SteamOS makes the whole affair feel like a doddle. That said, connecting an Xbox, PlayStation, Razer, Scuff, or just about any compatible controller gives the handheld more versatility than console alternatives. Unless you own the now-discontinued Steam Controller, there’s nothing quite like the Steam Deck’s trackpads making PC strategy games playable. You’re going to have a hard time using an external gamepad with the device if you’re out and about – unless you’re Goro from Mortal Kombat – but it could enhance your experience tenfold if you prefer to hang out on the couch or at your gaming desk. The Steam Deck’s built-in controls are a boon if you love gaming on the go, but there are plenty of reasons to pair the portable powerhouse with the best PC controller. The Steam Deck walks the fine line between handheld and desktop, meaning it can do just about anything a gaming PC can, including connecting to external controllers via Bluetooth and USB. Better still, Valve’s Steam Input software makes pairing and configuring your weapon of choice a breeze, meaning you won’t have to faff around.