How to Connect Controllers to Your Steam Deck

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You can connect controllers to your Steam Deck in different ways, depending on the controller and other accessories you have access to. The easiest method is to plug one directly into the Steam Deck’s single USB-C port, but this requires a controller that supports a USB-C connection – like the Steam Controller – or a USB-A to USB-C adapter, like this Anker adapter. This is fine if you’re playing alone, but there’s a lot more you can do if you want multiple controllers or a smoother experience.

To connect multiple controllers, you can use wireless connections, such as built-in Bluetooth or external RF (radio frequency) dongles. Most controllers support Bluetooth natively and you can connect them quite easily. First, press the Steam buttonopen Settingsthen go to Bluetooth to activate it. Next, enable pairing mode on your controller and connect to it on your Steam Deck screen. Alternatively, you can use a puck that allows you to connect multiple controllers directly to the Steam Deck, like the one that comes with the Steam Controller. You can also use an adapter and connect a 2.4 GHz dongle to the Deck.

You can also use multiple wired controllers, but this requires getting a docking station. The official Steam Deck Dock costs $79 and allows for three USB connections, but there are cheaper alternatives as well. With a dock connected to your Steam Deck, you can plug controllers directly into the dock’s USB ports. Getting a dock also has other benefits, such as the ability to connect your Steam Deck to a TV and Ethernet connectivity, making it a worthwhile purchase beyond just connecting multiple controllers.

Controller support is handled very differently across companies. Sony, for example, does not allow third-party connections to its PlayStation consoles unless they are officially licensed. Likewise, the Nintendo Switch 2 only offers connectivity to specific controllers out of the box. The Steam Deck differs here: whether via Bluetooth, with wired cables, or using RF connectivity dongles, just about any controller will connect. This includes most major first-party controllers, such as the PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch Pro controllers, and most third-party controllers are also supported. It even works with niche options like Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons. The best Steam Deck controller for you depends on your particular needs, but chances are your favorite controllers will connect without issue.

Most of the controllers mentioned connect to a dock the same way you connect them to a console or PC. To connect one of these wireless controllers to the Deck via Bluetooth, you will need to enable pairing or sharing mode on the controller, depending on which controller you are using. For Sony controllers, hold the button PS button and the Share button (or the Create button on PS5 controllers). With a Steam controller, hold B and the right bumperthen press the key Steam button once. With an Xbox controller, hold pairing button on the upper edge, between the left and right bumpers. For the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller or Joy-Cons, press and hold the button. Sync button (located next to the USB-C port on the controller and on the inner side of the Joy-Cons) until the lights start flashing. If you want to use Puck instead of Bluetooth on a Steam controller, turn it off, hold down the button. A and the right bumperthen press the key Steam button.

SteamOS supports up to 16 controllers simultaneously, which is more than most people would need. However, in real life this number depends heavily on the type of connection you are using. On a Steam Deck LCD, you can only connect up to four controllers at a time via Bluetooth before you start experiencing issues due to clogged bandwidth. This number increases to 5 or 6 on a Steam Deck OLED due to the upgrade from Bluetooth 5.0 to Bluetooth 5.3. It’s important to note that some controllers consume more bandwidth than others, so this number may vary depending on which ones you have.

Wired controllers and RF dongles do not face these restrictions. Here the limit becomes the number of ports you have access to. Without a dock, you can only connect one, while the official Valve Steam Deck Dock has three USB ports, allowing you to plug in three wired controllers or wireless dongles directly. Some of the best docks for the Steam Deck may have more ports, like the $40 Ugreen 9-in-1 Steam Deck Dock, which has four.

In practice, you may want to combine the different methods – wired, Bluetooth and RF – to get the best results. Alternatively, you can use a Steam controller or one that supports multiple connections through the same USB dongle or puck. Four Steam controllers can connect to a single puck, while eight Xbox One controllers can connect to a single Microsoft Wireless Adapter. These don’t suffer from the same bandwidth issues as Bluetooth, so if you have 16 Steam controllers and four USB ports for Steam controller pucks, you can use them all simultaneously with the Steam Deck.