protonscr

Can't play Bethesda games because of "virtual-gamepad-steamcontroller"

protonclosed
ValveSoftware/Proton#8718 · opened 2025-05-20 by RileyMeta · updated 2025-05-20 · 4 comments · github
RRileyMeta 2025-05-20 github

Your system information

  • Steam client version: 1745876290 / Apr 28 5:09 PM UTC -8:00
  • Distribution: Arch Linux (x86_64)
  • Opted into Steam client beta?: No
  • Have you checked for system updates?: Yes
  • Steam Logs: steam-logs.tar.gz
  • GPU: Nvidia RTX 3080

Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:

There's a virtual-gamepad-steamcontroller that randomly appeared on my Steam Client and is taking priority on most games, specifically Bethesda (who locks their inputs to controller) and Skyrim. I can load the game, and even get in to my latest save by spamming the enter key, but I cannot move, look around or even open the settings. I've attempted to plug in a controller to play with that, and it doesn't work, the virtual controller takes priority.

I've attempted to comment out the hid_steam in modprobe, I've set a custom udev rule to disable the controller, I've completely deleted my /dev/input (and re-plugged all my inputs). Nothing has worked.

Steps for reproducing this issue:

UNKNOWN - Randomly happened. Not User Error.

Kkisak-valve maintainer 2025-05-20 github

Hello @RileyMeta, we're tracking issues with games run with Proton in the Proton issue tracker, so I've transferred this issue report. Please add PROTON_LOG=1 %command% to a couple affected game's launch options and attach the generated $HOME/steam-$APPID.log to this issue report as a file. (Proton logs compress well if needed.)

RRileyMeta 2025-05-20 github

Here's the log:
steam-489830.log

I just noticed another update for Steam, I'm going to run it and I'll report back

RRileyMeta 2025-05-20 github

No idea why but it's fixed, what a stupid issue to have.

RRileyMeta 2025-05-20 github

This was caused by Stream Controller a linux application for operating an Elgato Stream Deck.

Launch options