It Takes Two Doesn't Recognize DualSense Controller: Fixes

What to Do When It Takes Two Doesn't Recognize DualSense Controller Input

Ready to play as Cody and May, but your PS5 controller won’t get past the menu? When It Takes Two doesn't recognize DualSense controller input, start by reconnecting through USB, checking detection in Steam, and applying a gamepad layout so both players can join. If It Takes Two doesn't recognize DualSense controller input after that, work through the PC or PS5 steps below to separate a connection problem from a player assignment problem.

The Steam version supports DualSense controllers. You don’t need to replace your controller simply because the game defaults to keyboard controls. Start with the connection, then check how the controller is configured.

Reconnect Before Changing Settings

Close the game, disconnect your controller, and reconnect it. If you were using Bluetooth, try a USB connection before launching again. Restart your computer if reconnecting alone doesn’t help.

A wired connection is a useful troubleshooting step because it lets you test the controller without continuing to troubleshoot Bluetooth at the same time.

What you’re seeing	What to check next
Steam doesn’t detect the controller	Reconnect it, try USB, and restart the PC
Steam detects it, but the game ignores it	Check Steam Input and the selected controller layout
Controller buttons produce keyboard inputs	Replace the keyboard mapping with a gamepad layout
One player joins, but the other cannot	Check each input device and return to Play Local

Check Windows detection separately from the game. Search Windows for Set up USB game controllers, select your controller when it appears, and open Properties. This gives you a place to inspect the device before changing game settings.

Keep calibration separate from recognition. Calibration is useful for checking controller behavior, but it doesn’t replace getting the device detected in the first place. Avoid working through calibration repeatedly while Steam still fails to see the controller.

Official page: It Takes Two (ea.com)

Check Steam Input and Apply a Gamepad Layout

If It Takes Two doesn't recognize DualSense controller input even though Steam detects the device, check the game’s controller configuration.

Open Steam > Settings > Controller and check the controller settings. Then select It Takes Two in your library and open its controller configuration. Enable Steam Input if it’s disabled, select a Gamepad layout, and apply it.

The important distinction is between sending gamepad inputs and translating your buttons into keyboard commands. A controller can move through menus while still being configured as a keyboard.

Configuration area	What to inspect	Action to try
Steam controller settings	Whether Steam detects your DualSense	Reconnect before adjusting the layout
Game controller configuration	Whether Steam Input is enabled	Enable it and apply the configuration
Controller layout	Gamepad inputs versus keyboard bindings	Select a Gamepad template
Desktop layout	Desktop bindings when game input behaves incorrectly	Try the Disabled desktop layout

Replace Keyboard Emulation

Open the layout and inspect the bindings. If controller buttons are assigned to keyboard keys, select a gamepad template instead.

This matters especially when the controller appears to work but the game identifies the active input as keyboard and mouse. Mapping a controller button to a keyboard key still sends that key; it doesn’t give the second player a separate gamepad input.

Apply the layout, return to the game, and test Play Local again. Check whether each player can join independently rather than stopping once the menu responds.

Try Another Gamepad Template

If the current layout still fails, open the template selection and choose another gamepad layout. A template named It Takes Two: Gamepad is another option to try when available.

Apply the selected template before returning to the game. After both controllers work, close and reopen the game to check that the configuration remains usable. Reconnect the controller as well if the problem originally appeared after unplugging it.

If controller input still behaves like desktop input, try the Disabled option under Steam’s Desktop Layout settings. Keep that change separate from the game-specific layout so you can tell which adjustment helps.

Change one setting at a time. Repeatedly switching layouts, connections, and launcher settings together makes it harder to retain a working setup.

Get Both Players Recognized in Local Co-op

When It Takes Two doesn't recognize DualSense controller input for the second player, focus on whether the game receives separate inputs for each person.

On PC, local co-op can use a keyboard and a controller. However, a controller configured to imitate the keyboard can leave both people trying to operate the same keyboard input.

That explains a frustrating symptom: either device can navigate the menu, yet neither will add the second player.

Local setup	What to check
Keyboard and DualSense on PC	Configure the DualSense as a gamepad
Two controllers on PC	Check that Steam detects each controller
Controller navigates menus as keyboard and mouse	Inspect the layout for keyboard bindings
Two DualSense controllers on PS5	Assign the additional controller to another user or guest

Test Each Device Before Joining

For a two-controller PC setup, connect both controllers and check each one in Steam. Don’t assume that detecting one means both are ready.

Return to Play Local and use each device to join its respective player. If one controller works and the other doesn’t, inspect the nonworking controller’s connection and layout individually.

For keyboard-and-controller play, keep the keyboard as one input and apply a gamepad layout to the DualSense. Test joining again after applying the change.

Watch the player slots, not just the menu cursor. Moving through options proves that an input reaches the game; successfully adding the other player proves the setup is ready for local co-op.

Keep the Working Configuration

Once both players join, continue through character selection and check that each person controls their own character.

Then test the situation that previously caused trouble. If the controller stopped working after relaunching, reopen the game. If it failed after reconnecting, disconnect and reconnect it.

Keep the layout that survives that check. There’s little value in continuing to cycle through templates once your actual co-op setup works.

Use the Troubleshooting Path for Your PC Version

If It Takes Two doesn't recognize DualSense controller input on PC, check whether you’re launching the Steam version, an EA app installation, or an older Friend’s Pass installation.

The current Steam version no longer requires the EA app launcher. That changed with the May 2024 update, so reinstalling the EA app shouldn’t be your starting point for a Steam controller problem.

For the Steam version, concentrate on USB detection, Steam Input, and gamepad layouts. Reinstalling a separate launcher adds work without addressing those settings.

Steam and Friend’s Pass

Launch the Steam edition from your Steam library while testing its controller configuration.

The newer Steam Friend’s Pass also runs without the EA app launcher. An older Friend’s Pass installation can still launch through the EA app. If you want the Steam version, choose the newer Steam Friend’s Pass installation.

Keep online access separate from controller troubleshooting. The Steam edition still requires a linked EA account for connecting to EA servers online, while local play and Steam Remote Play Together don’t require an EA account.

EA App Installations

For a game installed outside Steam, adding it as a non-Steam game is a controller configuration option to try:

1. Open Steam and choose Add a Game.
2. Select Add a Non-Steam Game.
3. Choose the game and add the selected program.
4. Open its Steam library entry.
5. Configure Steam Input and apply a gamepad layout.
6. Launch through that entry and test the controller.

Use this as a troubleshooting option, rather than treating it as a guaranteed fix. Check both detection and the ability to join before considering the setup complete.

If It Takes Two doesn't recognize DualSense controller input after these changes, return to the connection check. Confirm that the controller still appears in Steam before spending more time adjusting templates.

Pair and Assign the Second DualSense on PS5

On PS5, check pairing and user assignment before returning to the game. The additional controller needs to connect to the console and be assigned to another user or guest.

You can handle this from the PS5 home screen using the controller that already works.

Step	PS5 action
Open accessory settings	Go to Settings > Accessories > Bluetooth Accessories
Start pairing	Hold PS + Create on the additional DualSense until its light bar flashes
Register the controller	Select the wireless controller using the connected controller
Assign a player	Choose another user, or use Add User and the guest quick-play option
Join the game	Return to Play Local and press X on the second controller

Make sure you hold Create with the PS button when entering pairing mode. Wait for the flashing light bar, then select the controller in Bluetooth Accessories.

After registration, complete the user selection on the additional controller. For a guest session, use the guest quick-play option.

Return to It Takes Two, open Play Local, and press X on the second controller to join. Once the guest or additional player appears, continue to character selection.

If It Takes Two doesn't recognize DualSense controller input on PS5, repeat the pairing and user assignment checks before retrying the join prompt. Confirm the second player actually appears in the lobby before starting.

FAQ

Why doesn't It Takes Two recognize my DualSense even though Steam detects it?

Check Steam Input and the controller layout. Steam detection and the game’s input configuration are separate checks. Enable Steam Input, apply a gamepad template, and test joining through Play Local. Replace any layout that maps controller buttons to keyboard commands.

Can I play with a DualSense and a keyboard on PC?

Yes. Configure the DualSense to send gamepad inputs, then use the keyboard and controller as separate inputs in Play Local. If both devices operate the same player, inspect the controller layout for keyboard bindings.

Should I reinstall the EA app if It Takes Two doesn't recognize DualSense controller input?

Start with the connection and controller configuration. The current Steam version no longer requires the EA app launcher. Check USB detection, Steam Input, and the gamepad layout before reinstalling software.

How do I add a second DualSense controller on PS5?

Pair it through Bluetooth Accessories by holding PS + Create until the light bar flashes. Register it, assign another user or guest, then return to Play Local and press X on that controller to join.