If the game simply doesn't recognize your controller, follow these steps: Use the Settings.exe : Navigate to the PES 2016 installation folder, right-click settings.exe , and select Run as Administrator Controller Ensure your controller is plugged in opening this file. Set the "Input" to for modern controllers or DirectInput for older USB gamepads. Enable Steam Input Steam Library , right-click Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 Properties Controller , and select Enable Steam Input from the dropdown menu. Big Picture Mode : Launch the game through Steam Big Picture Mode
If your triggers or sticks are reversed, go to Settings.exe (the separate launcher in the PES 2016 folder, not the Steam launcher) and remap them manually. Do not rely on Steam's generic "Gamepad" template—use the "Keyboard (WASD) + Mouse" template and assign joystick axes manually.
: This error often points to a missing component in the Microsoft Visual C++ library.
Sometimes, Steam lacks the privileges to inject the controller settings into the game. Close Steam completely (ensure it is not in the system tray). Right-click the Steam icon on your desktop and select "Run as administrator" . 4. Advanced Troubleshooting: Driver and System Conflicts pes 2016 steam controller could not be located link
The game executable ( PES2016.exe ) was compiled to look specifically for a Steam Controller's unique hardware ID and driver signature. If the game doesn’t detect that specific peripheral, it refuses to launch the controller configuration screen. It does not natively recognize DirectInput (older PC gamepads) or XInput (Xbox-style controllers) without a workaround.
PES 2016 uses a standalone configuration utility that must be set up before the game recognizes your controller.
Download and install both the and x64 (64-bit) architectures for the following versions: Visual Studio 2010 (VC++ 10.0) Visual Studio 2012 (VC++ 11.0) Visual Studio 2013 (VC++ 12.0) Visual Studio 2015-2022 unified package If the game simply doesn't recognize your controller,
Download and install the packages (specifically versions 2005, 2008, 2010, and 2013) from the official Microsoft website. Restart your PC after the installation is complete.
Before diving into the fixes, it helps to understand why PES 2016 loses track of your controller setup:
Restart the game through Big Picture Mode. This forces the Steam Overlay to inject the controller link directly into the game engine. 3. Use x360ce (For Generic and dInput Controllers) Big Picture Mode : Launch the game through
Ensure third-party software like or HidHide is not causing a conflict by running in the background while Steam is trying to manage the controller.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 (PES 2016) is a classic entry in the Konami series, but players attempting to use modern hardware—specifically the Steam Controller—often face the frustrating error message indicating the or simply that the controller is not detected by the game.
Resolving the "Steam Controller Could Not Be Located" Error in PES 2016