How to use Stadia Controller on PC or Steam [Two Methods]

Google‘s Stadia controller remains one of the most comfortable and well-designed gaming peripherals on the market, even after Google shut down its cloud gaming service in January 2023. The good news? Your Stadia controller doesn‘t have to gather dust. With the right setup, you can use it on your PC and with Steam games, giving this premium controller a second life.

This guide walks you through two proven methods to connect your Stadia controller to your PC, offering detailed instructions for both wired and wireless connections. Whether you‘re playing through Steam or other PC platforms, we‘ve got you covered with step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting tips, and configuration advice.

Stadia Controller: What You Need to Know in 2023

Before diving into connection methods, let‘s address the elephant in the room: Google Stadia as a service is gone, but the controller lives on. Here‘s what you should know:

• Current Status: While Google discontinued Stadia in January 2023, they released a firmware update that unlocked Bluetooth capability on all Stadia controllers, allowing wireless connections to various devices.

• Where to Get One: Official sales stopped with the service closure, but you can find controllers on second-hand markets like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Amazon‘s used section, typically ranging from $25-45.

• Controller Features:

  • Ergonomic design with textured grips
  • Standard layout with dual analog sticks, D-pad, and ABXY buttons
  • Built-in rechargeable battery (charged via USB-C)
  • Haptic feedback
  • Screenshot button
  • Google Assistant button (non-functional for PC gaming)
  • Now has Bluetooth functionality thanks to the firmware update

• Battery Life: Approximately 6-7 hours of continuous gameplay on a full charge.

Method 1: Connecting Stadia Controller to PC via USB (Wired Mode)

The wired connection method is straightforward, reliable, and works immediately without additional firmware updates.

What You‘ll Need:

• Stadia controller
• USB-C to USB-A cable (included with controller)
• PC with available USB port
• Steam (optional, but recommended for gaming)

Step-by-Step Connection Process:

1. Connect Your Controller

   • Plug the USB-C end into your Stadia controller
   • Connect the USB-A end to your PC
   • The controller will automatically power on with a white light around the Stadia button

2. Driver Installation

   • Windows should automatically install the necessary drivers
   • Wait for the installation to complete (usually takes just a few seconds)
   • You‘ll know it‘s ready when Windows plays the device connection sound

3. Testing Basic Functionality

   • On Windows, press Windows key + R
   • Type "joy.cpl" and press Enter
   • Select the controller (listed as "Controller" or "USB Gamepad")
   • Click "Properties"
   • Test buttons in the "Test" tab to verify functionality

Setting Up the Controller in Steam:

1. Launch Steam and log into your account

2. Enable Controller Support:

   • Click on "Steam" in the top-left corner
   • Select "Settings"
   • Click "Controller" in the side menu
   • Select "General Controller Settings"
   • Check the box next to "Generic Gamepad Configuration Support"

3. Configure Button Mapping:

   • While still in Controller Settings, your Stadia controller should appear in the detected controllers list
   • Select it to customize button mapping
   • Steam allows you to create multiple profiles for different game types

4. Enable Big Picture Mode:

   • Click the "Big Picture Mode" icon in the top-right corner of the Steam client
   • This interface is optimized for controller navigation
   • You can now browse and launch games using your Stadia controller

5. Game-Specific Configuration:

   • Many games automatically recognize the controller
   • For those that don‘t, right-click the game in your library
   • Select "Properties" > "Controller" > "Enable Steam Input"
   • You can create game-specific button profiles this way

Method 2: Connecting Stadia Controller Wirelessly (Bluetooth Mode)

Thanks to Google‘s firmware update, you can now use your Stadia controller wirelessly with your PC via Bluetooth. This method requires a one-time firmware update if you haven‘t applied it yet.

Prerequisites:

• Stadia controller
• PC with Bluetooth capability
• Chrome browser (for firmware update, if needed)
• USB-C to USB-A cable (for firmware update)

Step 1: Update Firmware (If Not Already Done)

The Bluetooth update was made available after Stadia shut down. If you haven‘t updated your controller yet:

1. Visit stadia.google.com/controller using Chrome

2. Click "Start" and follow the on-screen instructions:

   • Connect your controller to your computer with the USB-C cable
   • Press and hold the "…" (Options) button while powering on the controller
   • The website will verify your controller and offer the update
   • Follow the guided process which takes about 10 minutes

3. Verify successful update:

   • After completion, your controller can enter Bluetooth pairing mode by pressing and holding the Y button + Stadia button until the status light pulses orange

Step 2: Pair Controller with Your PC

1. Put Controller in Bluetooth Pairing Mode:

   • Make sure controller is powered off
   • Press and hold Y + Stadia button until status light pulses orange

2. Connect from PC:

   • Open Windows Settings
   • Navigate to "Bluetooth & devices"
   • Click "Add device"
   • Select "Bluetooth"
   • Choose "Stadia Controller" from the list of available devices
   • Click "Connect"
   • Wait for pairing to complete

3. Verify Connection:

   • The controller‘s status light will stop blinking once connected
   • Windows will show a notification that the device is ready to use
   • Test basic functionality as described in Method 1

Step 3: Configure in Steam

The configuration process in Steam is identical to the wired method:

1. Open Steam > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings
2. Enable "Generic Gamepad Configuration Support"
3. The controller should now be detected as a generic gamepad
4. Configure button mapping as needed

Button Layout for Steam Games

When using the Stadia controller with Steam, understanding the button mapping is crucial:

Advanced Configuration Tips

Custom Button Mapping

For those wanting more control over their Stadia controller experience:

1. Steam Input Profiles:

   • In Steam Big Picture Mode, navigate to "Library" > "Games"
   • Select any game, then "Manage Game" > "Controller Configuration"
   • Create custom layouts that can be saved and applied to different games

2. Using Third-Party Tools:

   • DS4Windows: While designed for PlayStation controllers, recent versions can work with Stadia controllers
   • JoyToKey: Maps controller inputs to keyboard keys, useful for games without controller support
   • reWASD: Offers advanced mapping features and macro creation

Optimizing Wireless Performance

If you‘re using the Bluetooth method, maximize your connection stability:

1. Minimize Interference:

   • Keep the controller within 10 feet of your PC
   • Avoid placing metal objects or other Bluetooth devices between the controller and PC
   • Consider using a USB Bluetooth adapter if your PC‘s built-in Bluetooth performs poorly

2. Battery Management:

   • The controller will enter sleep mode after 15 minutes of inactivity
   • To check battery level, press the Stadia button briefly and observe the LED pulses (4 pulses = full, 1 pulse = low)
   • For longer gaming sessions, keep the USB-C cable handy for charging while playing

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Controller Not Detected (Wired Mode)

1. Check Cable Connection:

   • Try a different USB port, preferably directly on your computer (not through a hub)
   • Test with a different USB-C cable to rule out cable issues

2. Driver Issues:

   • Open Device Manager (right-click Start Menu > Device Manager)
   • Look under "Human Interface Devices" for unknown devices
   • If you see a yellow warning icon, right-click the device and select "Update driver"
   • Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software"

3. Reset Controller:

   • Press and hold the Stadia button for 10 seconds until the controller shuts off
   • Power it back on and try connecting again

Bluetooth Pairing Problems

1. Controller Won‘t Enter Pairing Mode:

   • Ensure the controller is fully powered off before holding Y + Stadia button
   • Make sure the controller has sufficient battery charge
   • Try resetting the controller by holding the Stadia button for 10 seconds

2. PC Doesn‘t Detect Controller:

   • Restart your PC‘s Bluetooth service (Settings > Bluetooth & devices > turn off/on)
   • Remove any previously paired Stadia controllers in Windows Bluetooth settings
   • Update your PC‘s Bluetooth drivers from the manufacturer‘s website

3. Connection Drops During Play:

   • Check for interference from other wireless devices
   • Update your PC‘s Bluetooth drivers
   • Consider switching to wired mode for critical gaming sessions

Input Lag Issues

1. Wired Mode:

   • Disable controller vibration in game settings
   • Check for USB power management settings that might be affecting performance
   • Use USB 3.0 ports if available

2. Wireless Mode:

   • Reduce distance between controller and PC
   • Close other Bluetooth-connected devices that aren‘t being used
   • Consider switching to wired mode for competitive gaming where every millisecond counts

Comparing Stadia Controller with Alternatives

How does the Stadia controller stack up against other popular options?

For PC gaming specifically, the Stadia controller offers excellent value considering its current second-hand prices and build quality. While it lacks some of the advanced features of newer controllers, its comfort and reliability make it a solid choice.

Using the Stadia Controller with Non-Steam Games

While Steam offers the most straightforward method for configuring your Stadia controller, you can use it with other game platforms too:

Epic Games Store:

1. Add the Epic Games launcher as a non-Steam game:
   • In Steam, click "Add a Game" (bottom left) > "Add a Non-Steam Game"
   • Browse to the Epic Games launcher executable and add it
   • Launch Epic through Steam to use the controller

GOG Galaxy:

1. Similar to Epic, add the GOG Galaxy client as a non-Steam game
2. Alternatively, use third-party tools like DS4Windows to create a virtual Xbox controller

Emulators:

1. Most modern emulators like RetroArch have native controller support
2. For others, configure the controller through Steam or use mapping software like JoyToKey

Web-Based Games:

1. For browser games, use the controller through a Steam browser instance
2. Chrome has basic support for gamepads, though results may vary

Conclusion

The Stadia controller‘s journey didn‘t end with Google‘s cloud gaming service. Thanks to both wired connectivity and the Bluetooth update, this well-designed controller can find new life as your go-to PC gaming controller. The premium build quality, comfortable design, and increasingly affordable second-hand prices make it a compelling option.

Whether you prefer the reliability of a wired connection or the freedom of wireless play, this guide has provided everything you need to get your Stadia controller working with your PC games. The initial setup might take a few minutes, but the result is a seamless gaming experience with a controller that stands toe-to-toe with more expensive alternatives.

Have you repurposed your Stadia controller for PC gaming? Which method works best for your setup? Share your experiences and any additional tips you‘ve discovered in the comments below!