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How to connect a controller to Shadow PC

Updated 

8 days ago

Shadow PC is compatible with many Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo controllers, as well as some third-party controllers. To begin using your controller, start Shadow PC and connect your controller to your device.

Make sure your local device meets Shadow PC's recommended requirements. Devices below the recommended requirements may not be capable of supporting all of Shadow PC's features and functionality, such as the Quick Menu, even if they meet the minimum requirements.

Plug in your controller

  1. Plug the controller into your device's blue USB 3.0 port.

  2. Open the Shadow PC launcher and click Start.

    Note: If your device doesn't have a USB 3.0 port, you may continue to plug the device in as you normally would, but some features may not work.

  3. Shadow PC will display a notification verifying your controller is connected.

    ​Notification displayed at the top of the screen on Shadow PC

  4. If a notification doesn't appear, restart Shadow PC while the controller is still plugged in.

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You can find more controller settings in the Quick Menu.

To open the Quick Menu, start Shadow PC and click the Shadow PC icon at the top of the screen.

If you can't see the icon, the Quick Menu is disabled or incompatible with this device. Try using keyboard shortcuts to use Quick Menu commands.

Learn more about the Quick Menu.

Pair your controller wirelessly

  1. Activate Bluetooth on your local device.

  2. Make your controller discoverable.

  3. Use your local device's Bluetooth settings to find and pair your wireless controller.

  4. Open the Shadow PC launcher and click Start.

  5. When your controller is connected, a notification will appear at the top of the screen.

    ​​Notification displayed at the top of the screen on Shadow PC

  6. If a notification doesn't appear, restart Shadow PC while the controller is paired.

Note: For help pairing a wireless controller to the Shadow Ghost, see how to set up a Bluetooth device on Shadow Ghost.

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Related questions

  1. Confirm your local device has detected your controller. Shadow PC can only detect controllers that are also detected by your local operating system.

  2. Try forwarding your controller to Shadow PC from the Quick Menu.

  3. See our guides for Xbox controllers and PlayStation controllers.

  4. Make sure your local device meets Shadow PC's recommended requirements. Devices below the recommended requirements may not be capable of supporting all of Shadow PC's features and functionality, such as the Quick Menu, even if they meet the minimum requirements.

Should you experience an issue with your controller, let us know via our Shadow controller issues form.

Firsty-party Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo controllers work best with Shadow PC. These controllers require very little bandwidth and are less susceptible to high latency. Some controllers, do not work on Windows natively without third-party software support.

Yes. Enable Gamepad as mouse in the Quick Menu to control the cursor with the touchpad.

Still have questions after reading this article?

Check out our other articles or contact Shadow Support.

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