Ace Combat 8 Xbox controller not working on PC: detection and Steam Input checks

Check power and Steam detection first

In the original Steam thread, Sabateur eventually found that their new pad did not power on automatically when connected. Check the controller’s power state before installing another driver.

Open Steam’s controller settings and verify that it recognizes the intended device. Fatbackwards reports an Xbox One pad first appearing as “Bluetooth XINPUT Device”; disconnecting and pairing it again eventually produced the correct Xbox One identification. That is a separate detection case, not proof that every Bluetooth controller needs re-pairing.

Try the confirmed Steam Input restart sequence

Airship Canon’s reply #7 on September 29 gives the sequence below. Will’s reply #8 on October 2 confirms it also worked. Their exact controller models are not specified in those replies.

1. With AC8 running, enable Steam Input for the game.
2. Reach a safe stopping point, preserve your progress and close AC8 normally.
3. Disconnect the controller, then reconnect it and confirm it is powered on.
4. Relaunch AC8 and test menu navigation before entering a mission.

The progress check is our precaution around the reported restart, not an instruction to force-close during a save. Once menus respond, check pitch, roll and weapon selection in training before returning to the failed sortie.

Separate a successful connection from a new symptom

Success means the intended pad operates AC8, not just that Steam displays its name. If menus work but the aircraft feels slow near center, continue with the response-adjustment guide. If one button does the wrong action, inspect the selected layout before repeating connection steps.

If the pad still has no input, restore the prior Steam Input state and record the controller model, USB or Bluetooth connection, Steam detection and whether AC8 alone fails. The thread also contains suggestions to disable Steam Input or other wrappers, but these are not the same confirmed sequence. Do not repeatedly reinstall drivers or disconnect unrelated devices on the assumption that every report has one cause.