You play GTA V Enhanced on PC with a DualSense (PS5) controller. It works for moving and aiming, but the triggers have no resistance and the game shows Xbox controller buttons. Rockstar Games does announce DualSense support with adaptive triggers in the Enhanced version. In most cases, the game does not "see" a DualSense but an emulated Xbox controller, created by Steam Input or by a third-party utility. This guide explains how to check this, step by step.
Problem
- The L2/R2 triggers stay soft in GTA V Enhanced, with no resistance effect.
- The game shows the A, B, X, Y buttons instead of PlayStation symbols.
- The DualSense controller works for moving, driving and aiming.
- You often launch the game from Steam, or a controller remapping tool runs in the background.
What to know before you start
- GTA V Enhanced only: Rockstar lists "DualSense controller support, with adaptive triggers" among the technical improvements of the Enhanced version (announcements of February 21 and March 5, 2025). This feature is not announced for GTA V Legacy.
- What Steam Input does: according to Valve's documentation, when Steam Input handles a controller in a game, Steam injects an emulated Xbox controller and the controller "will show up in your game as an Xbox controller". Valve does not publish a list of features lost in that case. But a game that believes it is using an Xbox controller has, logically, no reason to drive a DualSense's adaptive triggers. This is therefore the first thing to check.
- Steam Remote Play: Valve also states that Steam Remote Play uses Steam Input to provide input. When streaming, the controller therefore goes through this emulation.
- Other launchers: with the Rockstar Games Launcher or Epic Games, Steam Input is not involved, unless you added the game to Steam as a "non-Steam game". However, a third-party remapping utility can have the same effect.
- Labels: the Steam and Windows menu names below may differ slightly depending on version and language.
Step 1: check the game version and the launcher
When to use it: always, first.
Suggested solution
- Check that you launch Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced and not Grand Theft Auto V Legacy. Both versions appear separately in Steam, the Rockstar Games Launcher and Epic Games.
- Note the launcher you use: Steam, Rockstar Games Launcher or Epic Games.
Expected result: you know whether the feature is supposed to exist (Enhanced) and whether Steam Input can be involved (launch through Steam).
When to stop: on GTA V Legacy, adaptive trigger support is not announced by Rockstar. To choose between the two versions, see the guide GTA V Enhanced or Legacy on PC: choosing the version for your setup.
Step 2: disable Steam Input for GTA V Enhanced only
When to use it: the game is launched from Steam and shows Xbox buttons with your DualSense.
Suggested solution
- Close GTA V Enhanced.
- In your Steam Library, right-click Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced, then choose Properties.
- Open the Controller section.
- In the game-specific override list, choose Disable Steam Input (the label may differ).
- Relaunch the game, then press a DualSense button in the menus.
Expected result: PlayStation symbols are displayed and the triggers resist in the situations the game provides for (shooting, driving, depending on weapons and vehicles).
Rollback: in the same list, go back to Use default settings. The setting only affects this game: your other Steam games do not change. Note that a custom Steam Input configuration for this game (remapped buttons, gyro) is no longer applied while Steam Input is disabled.
When to stop: if the game still shows Xbox buttons, Steam Input is probably not the only cause. Go to step 3 without changing other Steam settings.
Step 3: look for another virtual Xbox controller
When to use it: Xbox buttons persist, whatever the launcher.
Suggested solution
- Close the game and Steam.
- Press Windows + R, type the command below and confirm. It opens the list of Game Controllers recognised by Windows.
joy.cpl
- With only the DualSense connected, look at the names displayed. A PS5 controller usually appears under a name such as "Wireless Controller" or "DualSense Wireless Controller". If an Xbox 360 or Xbox controller appears while no Xbox controller is connected, some software is creating a virtual controller.
- Close controller remapping or emulation utilities running in the background (notification area on the right of the taskbar), then relaunch the game.
Expected result: only the DualSense appears, and the game shows PlayStation symbols.
Rollback: simply restart the utility you closed if you need it for other games.
When to stop: do not uninstall system drivers or Windows components for this test. Closing the utility is enough to check whether it is the cause.
Step 4: test the USB connection
When to use it: the controller is recognised as a DualSense (PlayStation symbols), but the triggers stay soft over Bluetooth.
Suggested solution
- Connect the DualSense to the PC with a USB-C cable that can transfer data (some cables are charge-only).
- Relaunch the game and test a weapon or a vehicle.
Expected result: you know whether the effect works over USB, over Bluetooth, or both.
Rollback: unplug the cable to go back to Bluetooth.
When to stop: Rockstar does not state whether adaptive triggers work over Bluetooth on PC. This test only checks it on your own setup. If the effect only works over USB, keep the cable for GTA V Enhanced.
Step 5: update the DualSense firmware
When to use it: the previous steps changed nothing.
Suggested solution
- Download Sony's official PlayStation Accessories app from Sony's page about the DualSense on PC. It requires Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11.
- Connect the controller as the app instructs (USB cable or Bluetooth), then follow the update instructions.
- Do not unplug the controller or turn off the PC during the update.
Expected result: the app shows that the firmware is up to date.
Rollback: the app does not offer one. This is Sony's official update, which Sony recommends installing as soon as it is released.
When to stop: if the update fails, follow the "When something isn't working properly" section of Sony's page. If Windows no longer recognises the controller at all, see the guide PS5 DualSense controller not recognised on PC: causes and solutions (French guide).
Special cases
| Situation | What to know |
|---|---|
| GTA V Legacy | Rockstar only announces adaptive triggers for the Enhanced version. |
| Game played through Steam Remote Play or Steam Link | Valve states that Remote Play uses Steam Input: the controller goes through emulation, which can deprive the game of DualSense-specific features. |
| Rockstar Games Launcher or Epic Games | Steam Input is not involved, unless the game was added to Steam. Focus on step 3. |
| An Xbox controller and a DualSense connected at the same time | Unplug the Xbox controller during the test to know which controller the game uses. |
| DualSense Edge | The same checks apply. The PlayStation Accessories app also lets you manage its profiles. |
| You want to keep your Steam Input configuration | Disabling Steam Input for this game suspends it. You have to choose between that configuration and adaptive triggers. |
Final check
- ☐ You launch GTA V Enhanced, not Legacy.
- ☐ Steam Input is disabled for this game only (if the game is launched through Steam).
- ☐ joy.cpl shows no virtual Xbox controller.
- ☐ The game shows PlayStation symbols.
- ☐ The DualSense firmware is up to date.
Sources
- Rockstar Games: Free Upgrade for Grand Theft Auto V on PC Coming March 4 (official announcement on Steam, February 21, 2025: "DualSense controller support, with adaptive triggers")
- Rockstar Games: Free Upgrade for Grand Theft Auto V on PC Now Available (official announcement on Steam, March 5, 2025)
- Steamworks: Steam Input gamepad emulation best practices (emulated Xbox controller, Remote Play)
- Sony: PlayStation Accessories, the DualSense on a Windows PC (firmware update, system requirements, USB or Bluetooth connection)
- Steam: Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced store page
Still having the problem?
Reply in this topic with the game version (Enhanced or Legacy), the launcher you use, the connection type (USB or Bluetooth), the Steam Input setting chosen for the game, the names shown in joy.cpl and the controller software installed. Never post your email address, Rockstar ID or password.