MHFZ Controller Troubleshooting

IMPORTANT: This guide assumes you have checked the top sections of this pastebin first. PLEASE, remember to re-check these sections again before asking for help in the discord server.
- If this does not help you, ask for help in #mhfz-help in Mai LBG's Discord PewPewDojo:
https://discord.gg/KryuhFbhjy
- If a fix needs to be added to this guide, tag or dm me @ Stormetro#9788
- If all else fails you, Supream and I personally recommend buying an 8bitdo pro 2 controller ($50) which can switch between Xbox and Switch Pro controllers via a switch on the back, and allows you to store multiple control profiles. Useful for changing weapon types where you want different control schemes.
- Extra info about Frontier's many mechanics at SephVII's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sephvii5398

BEFORE ANYTHING - applies to all controllers!
[IF CONTROLLER IS WORKING]
- If on an Xbox controller, you need Xinput. If you don't have it, go to the Xbox section of this pastebin.
- If simple mode is on, turn it off immediately via input options. You're then free to change controls however you like.
- If your right joystick is being used for attacks instead of controlling the camera, open input options\key settings in Frontier and change the control type to "Portable Mode".
- If your controls are scrambled for some reason, delete keyconfig.cfg in your client folder if you have one.
- You can always manually swap inputs in input options\key settings.
- If only your joystick(s) aren't working, try calibrating them in input options\key settings.
- If you want MHFZ to display controller or keyboard inputs, change it in Display (Gen, Quests) options.

[IF CONTROLLER IS NOT WORKING]
- For troubleshooting sake, close Steam and open task manager. Scroll down to background processes and end the very top Steam task to end all other Steam tasks.
- If using XInput Plus, close Frontier and open XInput Plus. Go to the DirectInput --> Advanced. Click the detect button that is next to Controller 1 then try playing the game again.
- Open mhf.ini with notepad. It's in the same folder as your mhf.exe you use to launch the game. Go down to GAMEPAD PRIORITY and make sure that your controller has a 00 at the beginning of the line.
- If you have attempted DS4Windows or Xinput: If two lines in mhf.ini GAMEPAD PRIORITY have the same controller ID, you must delete the line that you do not want to use. If in doubt, delete both lines and restart frontier.
- Try opening Frontier again before continuing.
- If ever in doubt, try restarting your pc and try again. Fixes many things.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Contents:
-PS4/PS5 controller -- [Line 35]
-Switch controllers -- [Line 45]
-Xbox controllers ---- [Line 53]
--Xinput Plus -------- [Line 57]
--x360ce ------------- [Line 76]


[PS4/PS5 Controllers]
- Just connect the controller to your pc without any external software at all. Do not use DS4Windows.
- Until you have your controller working properly, use your controller wired as wireless typically does not work. Have your controller plugged in before launching mhf.exe.
- Recently some people have had issues with PS4 controllers even while wired. If this happens, try running your controller through DS4Windows as a PS4 controller and restart frontier; if you do this you must refer to the ENTIRE section at line 16 in this pastebin again. Each step.

- Some PS4 controllers seem to work native wirelessly while most don't. My only guess is that newer ones work.
- May be able to get more PS4 controllers working in frontier with DS4Windows assuming you have HidHide installed per DS4Windows recommendations.

Note: Currently need info on making PS controllers work properly via Bluetooth consistently. Contact me if you figure anything out.

[Switch Controllers]
- Note that Switch PRO controllers normally only work properly via Bluetooth.
- If you want to use it wired, you can add mhf.exe to your steam list as a non-steam game by clicking "Add a Game" at the bottom left.
- If you don't want to end Steam tasks all the time, you can deactivate Switch Pro Config Support.
- In Steam open big picture mode > settings > controller settings > uncheck Switch Pro Config Support.
- Do not use external software at all such as Xinput.
- Joycons require BetterJoy for the controller to be read as an Xbox360 controller. At that point go down to the Xbox guide.

[Xbox Controllers]
- Xbox controllers require external software to function correctly. Here I will recommend you use either Xinput Plus or x360ce.
- REMEMBER: If ever only your joysticks do not work, go to input settings in MHFZ and toggle the joysticks.

  [Xinput Plus]
- Here is Seph's video guide on how to setup Xinput.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OymcUdpAPoWJ29EB444T3P2xzfSDfoDL/view

- Alternatively, here is rhobiusvoid's Xinput guide
1. Download the XInputPlus here: https://files.catbox.moe/vknn68.zip
2. Extract it wherever you want
3. Run XInputPlus.exe
4. Press the "Select" button next to "Target Program."
5. Select mhf.exe
6. Go into "DirectInput" tab.
7. Enable "DirectInput Output."
8. Change Right Stick to "Z Axis/Z Rot."
9. Change LT/RT into Button 11/12.
10. Change GUIDE to Button 13.
11. Click Apply.
12. Click OK.
13. Restart the game.

  [x360ce (MAEL's guide)]
- x360ce is highly recommended by MAEL. Go check out his app and follow his channel in PewPewDojo server.
- x360ce github:
https://github.com/x360ce/x360ce/releases/tag/3.2.9.82

- This version especially works very good with old games (with new too dont worry).

Note: It may not work with gamepads that have trigger type back buttons that have additional axis
split between left and right.

1. Open program.
2. On popup create, allow to create .dll file.
3. Wait for your gamepad getting detected (Buttons will light up in window instead of being greyed out)
4. Map your pad (click on dropdown arrow and press record, press lit up button)
5. Click save
6. Close software
7. Check location of exe, 2 new files are created (x360ce.ini and xinput1_3.dll)
8. Copy these 2 files and paste them in same directory you run game exe from.
(9. Optional/Advised) In game change control type to portable and remap gamepad buttons.
Unless you wanna hurt yourself.

Q: And thats all?
A: Yes.

Q: What games are new/old? Which ones it works with.
A: Hard to tell. It worked for me in every game despite Version 4 claiming it wont.

Q: Which are?
A: Dungeon Defenders, MHW Iceborne, For Honor, Portal 2, Soulcalibur 6 along many others.