Since today, every controller I use with Dolphin on Windows 11 has started behaving like a mouse instead of providing background controller input. This affects both my DualSense and Xbox controller, and the mouse behavior also appears in Chrome and Firefox even when Dolphin is closed. Updating the controller drivers fixes the issue temporarily, but it returns after I restart or shut down the computer. My Switch Pro Controller normally does not have this problem, although it starts acting like a mouse when I use BetterJoy until I disable it. I have already tried DS4Windows, but it did not restore background input, and Steam is not running in the background. What could be causing Windows to reapply this behavior after every reboot, and how can I stop it?
2 Answers
Steam is not running, so Steam Input is unlikely to be responsible. Since updating the drivers only fixes the issue until the next reboot, check Device Manager for duplicate or virtual HID devices and uninstall the affected controller or mapping devices with the option to remove their driver software. Then reconnect the controllers and install only the normal Windows drivers.
DS4Windows does not appear to be the cause here, since it did not change the behavior. The fact that multiple controllers are affected and they also control the mouse outside Dolphin suggests that Windows is loading a controller-to-mouse or HID mapping layer. Check recently installed input, accessibility, remapping, or virtual-controller software and remove or disable it, then restart and test again.
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