How to set up a gamepad: three effective ways

This article will discuss how to configure a gamepad on a PC for games. After all, if you purchase a device in a store, the likelihood that it will initially work correctly is extremely small. That is why it is worthwhile to understand all the tricks before sitting down for the game.

Why set up a gamepad?

As mentioned above, before you start the game, you first need to configure the gamepad. There are a lot of games using the joystick, so this article will be useful to a wide range of gamers. But you should explain why you need to configure, while the device must be prepared initially.

It is worth mentioning here: if you purchase a gamepad from XBox, then most likely it will function perfectly, but the device from another company is unlikely. This is because games that are sharpened by a joystick are cross-platform. This means that the developer makes them not only for the PC, but also for the PlayStation and XBox. And the game, accordingly, supports the device of these two flagships of the console industry.

In simple terms, if you have a third-party device, then you need to know how to configure the gamepad, because otherwise it will not function correctly or will not start working at all.

Control Panel Setup

So, let's start the story about how to configure the gamepad for a comfortable game. First and foremost, the simplest method that does not involve downloading additional applications will be analyzed. You should configure using standard Windows utilities.

First you need to enter the control panel. To do this, in the Start menu, select the section of the same name. Once you have done this, a window with a large number of icons will appear, but we are only interested in one - “Devices and Printers”.

Now you will see images of all devices connected to a personal computer. Among all, find images of your gamepad. Now you need to click the right mouse button on the icon and select "Parameters of game control devices" in the menu. Then in the window you need to open the properties of this device.

We pass to the final stage. In the window you see a series of fields that need to be filled. Each field requires the introduction of a key on the keyboard, which will be activated when you press the corresponding button on the gamepad. Fill in all the fields and then click "Save."

Now, when you enter the game, all the assigned buttons should function properly. But if this is not the case, do not despair, now another way will be discussed how to configure the gamepad for games.

Setup using x360ce

If the above instructions did not help you, you need to move on to other methods. This time, you need the help of third-party software, namely x360ce. This is an XBox 360 gamepad emulator. It makes any game perceive a PC as a device connected to an XBox joystick.

After downloading, you need to configure the program. This is a simple task, so everyone can easily cope with the configuration of this application:

1. After downloading the archive, put the files from it to any folder on your computer.
2. Now open the x360ce.exe file from this folder.
3. If the controller is connected correctly, then at startup you will hear a characteristic signal.
4. Below, click on the drop-down list. All templates will open before you.
5. From the list, select Thrustmaster Dual Tigger 3 in 1 Rumble Mods.
6. Click the Load button.

Now, clicking on the buttons of the gamepad and interacting with the sticks, you will see that the corresponding buttons will light up on the controller image. If this is not the case, then change the preset or assign the necessary buttons manually. After everything is done, click the Save button and close the window.

All that remains to be done is to copy the files from the folder, namely: x360ce.exe, x360ce.ini, xinput1_3.dll - to the root folder of the game. The root folder is the one in which the launcher is located. To find it, you can click RMB on the game’s shortcut and select “File Location”. A folder will open in which you want to place all of the above files.

Gamepad setup using XPadder

So, now we will consider how to configure the gamepad using the XPadder program. We can say that now we are moving to heavy artillery, since this program does not emulate the controller, but the keyboard of your PC, that is, you assign keyboard keys to the gamepad. This is a universal method, because with it you can play games from the device, even if they do not support joystick control at all.

So, we configure the program:

• In the program window, click on the joystick icon, which is located at the top of the window on the left.
• Click "New."
• From all buttons, select "Open."
• In the window that appears, open the controllerimages folder. It has pictures of different gamepads. Select your own and click "Open" (if your not found, select any).
• In the left pane, select "Sticks."
• In the box, check the box next to "Enabled". Following the instructions, press left, then right.
• A circle appears on the joystick image, move it to the left stick.
• In the stick settings window, check the box next to "Enabled", only now on the right, and repeat all the steps, but move the circle to the right stick.
• In the left pane, select "Cross".
• Check the box "Enabled" and, following the instructions, click the appropriate buttons on the controller.
• Drag the cross in the picture to the desired location.
• In the left pane, select "Buttons."
• Press all the buttons of the gamepad one by one. Squares will appear in the pictures: drag them to the corresponding buttons.
• In the left pane, select "Triggers."
• Press the left and then the right trigger.
• Click Accept.

Now you just have to click on the white boxes to assign the appropriate keys on the keyboard.

Now you know how to set up your gamepad using Xpadder.

What to do if the gamepad is not configurable?

Of course, it is likely that all of the above methods will not help you. Unfortunately, this means only one thing - the gamepad is malfunctioning. It remains to take it to the store and demand money back or exchange the device for another.

It is recommended to purchase an XBox gamepad. Although it is expensive, it is easy to set up: a gamer only needs to connect it to a PC, start the game and enjoy the process.

So you learned how to set up a gamepad. PC games, of course, are controlled using the keyboard and mouse, but it’s much more convenient to lie down on the couch and pick up the joystick and enjoy your favorite pastime.