How to Setup and Connect Controllers to Yuzu and Fix Common Problems

Yuzu has built-in controller support by default. It supports a wide variety of controllers. Yuzu does not have the ability to automatically recognize controllers when you connect them to your device. You have to setup the controllers manually, there are various ways you can do this and this guide will focus on how you can do that and also turn on auto-mapping.

You may want to get the experience of playing on the actual Switch console hence why a controller is more suitable. They are more comfortable and also ergonomic to hold when generally compared to playing console games with a keyboard and mouse.

Yuzu has a feature called “Profiles” that allows you to create a custom configuration of yours and attach it to a controller. You can save different button mappings in a profile and every time you connect a controller it automatically connects to Yuzu and picks up that profile to use. It allows you to add up to 8 controllers depending on the game you are playing.

Further guidance is provided below on common Yuzu controller issues such as connection errors and Yuzu not recognizing an already mapped controller. This guide is universal and works for PS4, PS5 and for the Xbox controller.

Yuzu Controller Configuration and Connection

Connect and Setup a Controller on Yuzu Emulator via Bluetooth or Cable

First of all, make sure that your controller is at least connected to your device. There are two main ways you can connect a controller: Bluetooth and Cable.

Before you go to connect or setup a controller, make sure it is charged and in pairing mode. You can put a controller in pairing mode by holding the main button for a few seconds, for example on the PlayStation DualShock controllers you can do so by holding the “PS” button.

Windows 10/11 Controller Connection

Bluetooth:

To connect a controller via Bluetooth on a Windows PC follow the steps below:

  1. Go to the start menu.
  2. Now search for “Settings”.
  3. Now go to “Connections” or “Bluetooth and Devices”.
  4. Now click on the “Bluetooth” tab and make sure it is “On” or the toggle is set to “On”.
  5. Under “Devices” click on “Add device” and find and select your controller from the list.
  6. Done. Your controller should now be connected to your PC.

Cable:

Power on your controller, connect the USB C or Micro USB cable to the controller and then connect it to the PC, give it a few seconds and it should be now connected to your PC. You can verify by seeing a small USB icon in the taskbar.

Android Smartphone Controller Connection

Bluetooth:

To connect a controller via Bluetooth on an Android smartphone follow the steps below:

  1. Go to the settings app on your phone and click on “Connections” or “Bluetooth”. Alternatively, pull down the notification center and press and hold the Bluetooth icon for a few seconds. This opens the Bluetooth settings page.
  2. Here you will now need to turn on the Bluetooth of your smartphone.
  3. Now find your controller in the “Devices” list and press on “connect”.
  4. Done. Your controller is now connected to your smartphone.

Cable:

If Bluetooth is not an option to connect your controller to your smartphone, you can always directly plug it in via a USB C or Micro USB cable to the charging port.

Configuring Controllers with Yuzu on Windows

Once your controller has been connected to your device, now you need to make sure you know how to configure it and know where the settings exist.

Yuzu Controller Setup on Windows
Yuzu Controller Setup Screen on Windows

Follow the steps below to configure controllers on a PC:

  1. Make sure Yuzu is installed.
  2. Launch Yuzu and on the top menu bar, go to “Emulation” and then click on “Configure”.
  3. You have now entered the Yuzu emulator configuration menu.
  4. Now go to “Controls”.
  5. Here you will see different tabs regarding a controller, the important ones are Connect Controller, Input Device and Profile.
  6. For most of you under “Connect Controller” please select “Pro Controller”. 
  7. Under “Input Device” depending on if you have an Xbox or PlayStation controller connected it will show you the device, select yours as it displays e.g. PS5 Controller.
  8. Now you should be able to see your controller and all its buttons/layout. E.g. left stick and right stick.
  9. On the “Controls” page, you can also map the different buttons on your controller. Once you have selected the mappings you want, just press “OK” and it will save it.
  10. To create a profile for a save, simply configure your mappings on the “Controls” page and click on “New” under “Profile”, give it a name and press “OK”.
  11. That is all done, you have now configured a controller to work with Yuzu and also created a profile for it that will automatically apply every time it detects this controller connecting.

Configuring Controllers with Yuzu on Android

You can now play Switch games with a controller on your smartphone as well. Controller mapping was added to Yuzu for Android too. Most of the principles of the configuration are the same as you would do on a PC. 

Yuzu Controller Setup on Android
Yuzu Controller Setup Screen on Android

Follow the steps below to configure controllers on your Android smartphone:

  1. Make sure Yuzu is installed on your smartphone.
  2. Open the Yuzu emulator app.
  3. Now go to the “Settings” icon you see on the left menu bar.
  4. Now press on the small controller icon menu option called “Controls”.
  5. Here you will see the different players you can add, as you know now the number of players is 8 that Yuzu supports.
  6. Make sure your “Connected” toggle is set to “On”.
  7. Now press on “Input Device” and select the controller you connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
  8. You can also set the “Profile” and map your controller’s buttons here.
  9. You can set various settings here including the vibration sensitivity of the controller.
  10. All done, you now have successfully configured a controller to work with Yuzu emulator on Android.

Common Yuzu Controller Errors

Below is a list of common Yuzu controller connection errors and issues and how you can fix them:

  1. Controller not recognized: This usually happens because your controller is not connected via Bluetooth or a cable. Please check if Bluetooth is “On” or if the cable is plugged in.
  2. Controller profile not saving: This was a bug in older versions of Yuzu however has now been fixed and should not be an issue.
  3. Controller not automatically connecting: This happens most likely because your controller profile hasn’t been created, you will need to create one so Yuzu can recognize it when it is connected.
Scroll to Top