How to fix Elden Ring controller issues: Xbox & PlayStation controller settings

Liam Mackay
Elden Ring controller settings

FromSoftware’s games are often played on a controller, where joysticks allow precise movement to dodge devastating blows. Elden Ring is here and we’re detailing the Xbox and PlayStation settings as well as how to fix controller issues.

While Elden Ring is set to be slightly easier than games such as Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro, it’s still not for the faint of heart. Bosses, and even common enemies, will deal incredible damage, and dying is just part of the cycle.

It’s just you and your skills against the monsters that plague the Lands Between, so you’ll need to know every action at your fingertips. Here are all of the controller settings for Elden Ring, and how to change them to suit your own playstyle.

elden ring player fighting monster

How to fix Elden Ring controller issues

Elden Ring players have reported that Elden Ring isn’t registering their PlayStation and Xbox controllers, but there’s are a few solutions that have been confirmed to work.

Delete vJoy from your PC

Super Smash Bros. Melee pro ‘iBDWSSBM’ revealed that you should delete vJoy from Apps & features, and many confirmed that it fixed their controller issues.

vJoy is a joystick application for PCs that many use for fighting games and racing sims. It seems to conflict with Elden Ring for some reason and deleting it will allow your controller to work when exploring the Lands Between.

But this won’t be much use if you don’t have vJoy installed, so we have more solutions below.

Unplug other controller devices

Steam user ‘John $ick’ suggested that you should unplug any other device that acts as a controller, such as steering wheels for racing games or even your mouse and keyboard.

Elden Ring appears to recognize these devices over your PlayStation or Xbox controller, so you can try unplugging everything except your controller before launching the game.

Turn on Controller Configuration Support

Steam Xbox controller settings

The Steam user also suggested turning on Steam’s Controller Configuration support, but this has had mixed results so far.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Launch Steam
  2. Open Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings
  3. Tick either the Xbox or PlayStation Controller Support boxes, depending on which you’re playing on
  4. Right click on Elden Ring in your Steam Library
  5. Select Properties > Controller
  6. Open the drop-down menu underneath ‘Override for Elden Ring’
  7. Select ‘Enable Steam Controller’
  8. Launch Elden Ring

Elden Ring PlayStation controller settings

Elden Ring PlayStation controller settings

Elden Ring’s PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 controller settings are what you’d expect to see from a Souls game.

With how difficult Souls-like games can be, it’s worth taking in all of the controls so you’re not fumbling to change weapons in battle.

  • L1: Skill
  • L2: Guard (LH Armament)
  • R1: Attack (RH & Two-Handed Armament)
  • R2: Strong Attack (RH & 2H Armament)
  • D-Pad Up: Switch Sorcery / Incantaion
  • D-Pad Down: Switch Item
  • D-Pad Left: Switch Left-Hand Armament
  • D-Pad Right: Switch Right-Hand Armament
  • △: Event Action (Examine, Open, etc.)
  • ✖: Jump
  • ⭘: Backstep, Dodge Roll, Dash
  • ☐: Use Item
  • Left Joystick: Movement
  • L3: Crouch / Stand Up
  • Right Joystick: Move Camera / Change Target
  • R3: Reset Camera / Lock-On / Remove Target
  • Touchpad: Map
  • Options: Menu
  • Hold Down △ + L1 or L2: Switch between One-Handed and Two-Handed Left-Hand Armaments
  • Hold Down △ + R1 or R2: Switch between One-Handed and Two-Handed Right-Hand Armaments

Elden Ring Xbox controller settings

Elden Ring Xbox controller settings

Elden Ring’s standard Xbox controls are exactly the same as PlayStation’s, and you’ll likely be able to customize them to suit your own preferences.

Here are Elden Ring’s Xbox controller settings:

  • LB: Skill
  • LT: Guard (LH Armament)
  • RB: Attack (RH & Two-Handed Armament)
  • RT: Strong Attack (RH & 2H Armament)
  • D-Pad Up: Switch Sorcery / Incantaion
  • D-Pad Down: Switch Item
  • D-Pad Left: Switch Left-Hand Armament
  • D-Pad Right: Switch Right-Hand Armament
  • Y: Event Action (Examine, Open, etc.)
  • A: Jump
  • B: Backstep, Dodge Roll, Dash
  • X: Use Item
  • Left Joystick: Movement
  • L: Crouch / Stand Up
  • Right Joystick: Move Camera / Change Target
  • R: Reset Camera / Lock-On / Remove Target
  • Change View: Map
  • Options: Menu
  • Hold Down Y + LB or LT: Switch between One-Handed and Two-Handed Left-Hand Armaments
  • Hold Down Y + RB or RT: Switch between One-Handed and Two-Handed Right-Hand Armaments

How to change controller settings in Elden Ring

Castle in Elden Ring

Bandai Namco revealed that players will be able to change their Elden Ring controller settings by going to Menu > System > Controller Settings.

Previous FromSoftware games such as Sekiro have allowed players to completely rebind their controls, putting actions on whatever button they choose.

Elden Ring offers the same level of customization, so we’ll be sure to update this piece if there are any settings worth changing to help you survive the Lands Between.


For more gaming news, you can check out everything we know about the upcoming Mobile version of Apex Legends.

Image Credit: FromSoftware

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About The Author

Liam is CharlieIntel's Editor who focuses on Call of Duty but also plays lots of fantasy RPGs or anything else in his massive gaming backlog. After graduating in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University, Liam freelanced in games journalism before joining CharlieIntel in November 2020. You can contact Liam at [email protected].