Troubleshooting: What To Do If Your Controller/Wheel Isn’T Detected

Controller or wheel not detected in NASCAR 25? Follow this quick troubleshooting guide to get your device recognized and back on track in minutes.

You fire up NASCAR 25, but your controller or wheel does nothing—no steering, no throttle, no menu navigation. Frustrating, especially when you just want to race. This guide walks you through troubleshooting what to do if your controller/wheel isn’t detected, from quick checks to deeper fixes.

Quick answer

If NASCAR 25 isn’t seeing your controller or wheel, first restart the game with only that device plugged in, then confirm it works in your system settings (Windows/console) before touching in‑game options. Most detection issues come from USB port problems, conflicting devices (like extra controllers), outdated drivers, or console input settings.

Once your system recognizes the device, go into NASCAR 25’s options/settings menu, look for “Controls,” “Input,” or “Controller/Wheel,” and make sure your device is selected, calibrated, and assigned to Player 1. If that still doesn’t work, try switching USB ports, using a wired connection, updating drivers/firmware, and disabling background input software.

Do this now (60 seconds)

• Unplug and replug your controller/wheel into a different USB port (preferably on the back of a PC or primary port on console).
• Close and relaunch NASCAR 25 with the controller/wheel already connected before the game starts.
• Check system detection: make sure your OS/console sees the device in its own controller/accessory settings.
• Disconnect extra input devices (extra pads, wheels, HOTAS, etc.) and leave only one controller/wheel connected.

If none of that works, continue with the detailed steps below.

What this means in NASCAR 25

When your controller or wheel isn’t detected, the game either:

• Doesn’t see any input device at all, or
• Sees a device, but not the one you expect (or not as Player 1).

In racing games like NASCAR 25, clean, reliable control input is everything. Without the game correctly detecting your wheel or controller, you:

• Can’t steer, brake, or accelerate
• Can’t navigate menus properly
• Might be stuck with keyboard controls (on PC) or no input at all

You’ll see terms like:

• Input device – Your controller, wheel, or keyboard/mouse.
• Calibration – Aligning your wheel/pedals so full left/right and full throttle/brake are recognized correctly.
• Deadzone – A small range of movement around center where input is ignored (helps with drift, but not detection itself).

First, we make sure your system can see the device. Then we make sure NASCAR 25 is using it as the primary input and that nothing else is conflicting.

Symptoms → likely causes → fixes (beginner-focused)

Use this as a quick “what you see vs what to try” map.

Common symptoms and fixes

Symptom 1: Controller/wheel does nothing in NASCAR 25, but works in other games

• Likely cause: NASCAR 25 is set to a different device or “keyboard only.”
• Fix: In-game settings, find “Controls/Input/Controller” and manually choose your device profile, then restart the game.

Symptom 2: No input in menus, but the system detects the device

• Likely cause: Controller order or player assignment issue (Player 2/Guest instead of Player 1).
• Fix: Disconnect all other controllers/wheels, restart the console/PC, launch NASCAR 25 with only your main device connected.

Symptom 3: Wheel powers on (lights/force feedback), but NASCAR 25 doesn’t respond

• Likely cause: Missing or outdated wheel drivers/firmware (common on PC), or unsupported mode.
• Fix: Install/update drivers from the wheel manufacturer site; check for firmware update; make sure the wheel is in the correct platform mode (PC/Xbox/PlayStation) if it has a switch.

Symptom 4: Controller doesn’t work in NASCAR 25 or the system menus

• Likely cause: Bad cable, dead batteries, broken USB port.
• Fix: Try a different USB port; try another cable; replace batteries; test on another device (PC, console, or phone if possible).

Symptom 5: Input lags or cuts in and out

• Likely cause: Wireless interference, low batteries, or USB power issue.
• Fix: Use a wired connection if possible; replace/recharge batteries; avoid USB hubs and plug directly into the PC/console.

Symptom 6: Keyboard works on PC, but game ignores controller/wheel

• Likely cause: Game locked to keyboard/mouse or conflicting background software (like Steam Input or other remappers).
• Fix: In launcher/platform (Steam/Epic/console), disable extra remapping, set NASCAR 25 to use the controller; in-game, switch input mode to controller/wheel.

Step-by-step: How to do it

1. Confirm the device works outside NASCAR 25

On PC (Windows)

1. Close NASCAR 25 completely.
2. Connect your controller or wheel directly to a USB port (avoid USB hubs for now).
3. Open Windows Settings → look for Devices or Bluetooth & devices.
4. Check “Controllers” / “Game controllers” / “Other devices” for your device name (e.g., Xbox Controller, G923, T300, etc.).
5. If you see it, test it:
   • Search Windows for something like “Set up USB game controllers”.
   • Select your device → click Properties/Test and move the sticks/wheel, press buttons.
   • You should see axes/bars moving for steering, pedals, buttons.

Common gotcha: If nothing shows here, NASCAR 25 cannot see it either. Fix the device/driver issue first (see Step 3).

On console (PlayStation / Xbox)

1. Power off the console fully (not rest mode).
2. Plug the controller/wheel into a main USB port on the console.
3. Turn the console on using the controller/wheel button if supported (or the console power button).
4. Navigate the console Home screen:
   • If you can move around with the device, the console detects it.
   • If not, try another USB port, cable, or controller to confirm the port works.

2. Launch NASCAR 25 with only the main device connected

1. Close NASCAR 25.
2. Disconnect all other controllers/wheels/HOTAS/USB input devices.
3. Leave only the controller or wheel you want to use connected.
4. Launch NASCAR 25 again.
5. On the title screen, try pressing A / X / Enter / a main button on your device.

You should be able to:

• Confirm the “Press Any Button” or equivalent prompt
• Move through the main menu using your controller/wheel’s D-pad or stick/hat

Common gotcha: Sometimes the game will silently select the first device it detected. If that was a different pad or wheel, your main device may be ignored until you disconnect the others.

3. Update drivers and firmware (PC & supported wheels)

This is crucial for wheels and some premium controllers.

1. Go to your device manufacturer’s website (e.g., Logitech, Thrustmaster, Fanatec).
2. Download and install:
   • The latest Windows driver for your exact model
   • Any firmware updater or control panel they recommend
3. Run the firmware update tool if it exists and follow the on-screen steps.
4. After updating, restart your PC.
5. Repeat Step 1 to confirm everything tests correctly in Windows.

Common gotcha: Some wheels have multiple “modes” (e.g., PS/Xbox/PC, or compatibility modes). Make sure the physical switch or button combo sets it to the correct platform mode for NASCAR 25.

4. Set up your controller/wheel inside NASCAR 25

NASCAR 25’s exact menus may vary, so use this as a “what to look for” guide rather than exact wording.

1. From the main menu, look for an Options, Settings, or Gameplay Settings menu.
2. Inside that, find a tab or sub-menu that mentions:
   • Controls
   • Controller
   • Input
   • Or Wheel / Steering Wheel
3. In that section, look for options like:
   • Input Device / Active Device
   • Controller Type or Wheel Type
   • Device Profile / Preset
4. Set it to your device, if listed (e.g., “Xbox Controller,” “Wheel,” or a specific model name).
5. Look for a Calibration or Test Input option:
   • Turn the wheel fully left and right.
   • Press throttle and brake fully.
   • Press a few buttons.
   • You should see visual bars or indicators moving.

What you should see/feel when it’s working:

• Steering input shown on a bar or graph when you turn the wheel.
• Throttle/brake bars filling when you press pedals.
• Button icons lighting up or changing when pressed.

Common gotcha: Some games auto-switch to “keyboard/mouse” if it sees mouse movement or keyboard input during launch. If that happens, re-open the controls/input menu and manually switch back to controller/wheel.

5. Fix conflicts with overlays and remapping software (PC)

Extra software can “steal” or remap your controller/wheel input.

1. If you’re using Steam:
   • Right-click NASCAR 25 in your library.
   • Open Properties → look for a Controller or Input section.
   • Try setting it to “Disable Steam Input” for this game, or to “Use default” and test.
2. Close or disable any third-party mapping tools while testing, such as:
   • DS4Windows
   • reWASD
   • X360CE
   • Any generic “gamepad to keyboard” software
3. Restart NASCAR 25 and retest your controller/wheel.

Common gotcha: If your controller appears as both an XInput device and as a virtual device (from remapping software), the game may lock on to the wrong one or get confused.

6. Try different ports, cables, and power (hardware sanity check)

If nothing has worked yet:

1. Try a different USB port on the PC/console (rear ports on a desktop are usually best).
2. If your device uses a detachable cable, swap the USB cable with a known good one.
3. For wireless controllers:
   • Plug in a USB cable and test in wired mode.
   • Replace or recharge batteries.
4. If you can, test the device on a different PC or console with any game:
   • If it fails there too, your device may be faulty.

Beginner settings & assists (recommended)

If NASCAR 25 has control presets or assists linked to controllers/wheels, use these guidelines once your device is detected:

• Beginner (first time with wheel/controller in a NASCAR game)

  • Use any “Beginner,” “Casual,” or “Assisted” control preset if available.
  • Turn on strong steering assist and stability/traction assists if offered.
  • Why: Lets you focus on basic car control while you get used to the feel of your device.

• Intermediate

  • Reduce steering and stability assists to “Medium” or “Some,” if options exist.
  • Start lowering any braking assists to give you more control into corners.
  • Why: More direct feel, better lap times, but still a safety net.

• Advanced

  • Minimal or no assists; use a wheel-specific preset if offered.
  • Fine-tune sensitivity and deadzones so small movements give precise control.
  • Why: Maximum control and realism once you’re comfortable and your device is consistently detected.

If NASCAR 25 doesn’t use explicit “assist” labels, look for anything mentioning steering help, braking help, stability control, or traction control and adjust along the same logic.

Practice drill (10 minutes)

Once your controller or wheel is detected and calibrated, run this quick drill to confirm it’s really working well.

1. Pick a wide, forgiving oval (any track with long straights and gentle corners will do).
2. Run 5–10 laps in a solo session (no AI) with no pressure.
3. Focus on:
   • Smooth steering inputs (no jerky movements).
   • Gradual throttle and brake application.
   • Consistent lap lines.
4. Watch for:
   • Any sudden spikes in steering or throttle when you’re not moving the device (could indicate calibration or deadzone issues).
   • Input cutting out briefly (might be cable/USB issues).

Success looks like:

• You can run several laps in a row without the car randomly darting or losing input.
• Steering and pedals feel predictable and repeatable.

One mistake to avoid:

• Don’t immediately jump into a full race with a brand-new wheel/controller setup. A few calm laps first saves a lot of frustration.

Common beginner mistakes (and the fix)

1. Leaving multiple controllers/wheels plugged in

   • What it looks like: Your wheel is connected, but the game keeps responding to a different gamepad.
   • Why it happens: The game often grabs the first device it finds.
   • Fix: Unplug all extra devices, restart the game, then plug in only the one you want to use.

2. Assuming detection is an in-game problem when Windows/console doesn’t see the device

   • What it looks like: NASCAR 25 doesn’t respond, and no other game does either.
   • Why it happens: Device, cable, or port issue being mistaken for a game bug.
   • Fix: Always verify in system settings first; if the OS doesn’t see it, fix that before touching game settings.

3. Skipping driver/firmware updates for wheels

   • What it looks like: Wheel lights up but doesn’t show in games or behaves strangely.
   • Why it happens: Old firmware isn’t fully compatible with newer titles or OS updates.
   • Fix: Install the official driver and run the firmware updater from the manufacturer.

4. Using unstable USB hubs or front-panel ports

   • What it looks like: Device connects, then disconnects randomly, or only works sometimes.
   • Why it happens: Hubs or weak ports can’t provide enough power or stable data.
   • Fix: Plug directly into a rear motherboard USB port on PC, or a main port on the console.

5. Not checking controller modes (for multi-platform wheels)

   • What it looks like: Wheel works on console but not on PC, or vice versa.
   • Why it happens: Mode switch (PC/Xbox/PS) set to the wrong platform.
   • Fix: Set the wheel to the correct platform mode and restart the game.

6. Changing too many settings at once in-game

   • What it looks like: After lots of tweaking, nothing works and you don’t know what broke it.
   • Why it happens: Multiple small changes stack up and hide the root issue.
   • Fix: Use a default or preset controller/wheel profile, confirm detection, then tweak gradually.

FAQs

Why isn’t my controller showing up in NASCAR 25 at all?

First, confirm that your controller works in other games or in your system menus. If it doesn’t, fix that first (cable, batteries, drivers). If it does, launch NASCAR 25 with only that controller connected, then check the in-game controls/input settings to select the correct device or preset.

Why won’t NASCAR 25 detect my racing wheel?

Most wheel issues come from missing drivers/firmware, wrong platform mode, or the game defaulting to a gamepad profile. On PC, install the latest driver and firmware from the wheel manufacturer and verify the wheel in Windows’ game controller settings. In NASCAR 25, open the controls/input menu and choose a wheel profile or calibration option if available.

My controller works on the console home screen but not in NASCAR 25. What now?

That usually means the console sees it, but NASCAR 25 is locked onto another device or input mode. Unplug any second controllers or wheels, restart the game, and from the options/settings menu, look for a “Controller/Input” section and make sure your device is the active controller for Player 1.

NASCAR 25 keeps switching back to keyboard/mouse on PC. How do I stop that?

If you move the mouse or type on the keyboard, some games automatically switch input modes. After launching NASCAR 25, use only the controller/wheel during startup and menu navigation. Then, in the game’s settings, confirm “Controller/Gamepad/Wheel” is selected as the input mode; avoid unnecessary mouse/keyboard input while playing.

Can I use a generic or unbranded wheel with NASCAR 25?

If Windows or your console recognizes the wheel as a standard game controller, NASCAR 25 might still accept it, but support is less certain than with major brands. Check system detection first; if it appears as a game controller and you can see inputs in the OS test screen, then try mapping/calibrating it in NASCAR 25’s control settings.

Do I need special software to use my controller on PC?

For most modern Xbox and many PlayStation controllers on Windows, you don’t need extra software—just up-to-date system drivers. Extra tools (like DS4Windows or reWASD) can help in some cases but can also confuse detection, so start by trying the controller without any third-party remappers enabled.

Next steps

Once your controller or wheel is detected and responding correctly, take a few calm laps to dial in how it feels before jumping into full races. If problems return, revisit system detection first, then in-game settings—it’s almost always one of those two layers.

Next, you may want to:

• Fine-tune your wheel or controller sensitivity and deadzones
• Adjust assists to match your comfort level
• Practice consistent lap lines on a simple oval before tackling tougher tracks

Related articles (suggested):

• “Beginner’s Guide: Best Controller Settings for NASCAR 25”
• “How To Calibrate Your Wheel and Pedals in NASCAR 25”
• “Racing Assists Explained: What To Turn On (and Off) in NASCAR 25”
• “How To Drive Clean Laps: Braking and Throttle Control Basics”
• “Multiplayer Prep: Getting Your Controls and Network Ready in NASCAR 25”