Joystick doesnt work

User Support Hub Hardware & Peripherals
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It isn’t terribly difficult to create the control bindings (sometimes called mappings) yourself. You will want to start with the basic flight, engine, and view controls first and then add any other controls to whatever inputs you have left. Please do a Search for the MS Force Feedback in the Peripherals Self-Help section - there have been a lot of other people that have had to do the exact same thing. You will also find a lot of the same information if you search for Saitek and CH controllers - they mostly all require that the bindings be set up manually.

Here are a couple of resources to help you get started. They describe the process of using the Controls setup screen and also the important commands that you will want to set up on your joystick:

These are also some basic tips that I’ve been collecting to try to help with the process.
I know the Control setup interface can be intimidating, but it actually works well once you understand the process. The hardest part is finding the correct MSFS Commands that you need to bind. If you have other questions or if any of the information doesn’t make sense, let us know and we will try to help you get flying! Rick

  • The Control Filter at the bottom of the left part of the screen defaults to “Assigned” which only shows the commands that are currently bound to the selected controller. If the controller doesn’t have default bindings, you won’t see anything! To see all the commands, change the filter to “All”. To see a recommended set of starting commands select “Essentials”. The “Search By Name” will let you narrow down the (very long!) list of commands. Helpful Name searches are “Axis” (see below) and the various views “Cockpit”, “Instrument”, “Drone”, “External”.
  • To bind an input (button, switch, slider, axis) you don’t need to know the actual input number for your controller. MSFS can recognize the input just by activating it during binding. When you click on a command, it will bring up the “binding window”. Click on the space that says “Search By Input” and it will light up. Now physically activate the input on your controller. The space should fill in with the input number. Click “Validate” to complete the binding.
  • All “linear” controls need to use the “AXIS” commands, not the basic commands. That is the issue you are having with your control inputs. This includes control surfaces, engine controls (throttle, etc), brakes, etc. Basically anything that needs proportional input will use the “Axis” version of the command.
  • Unless you have a complex throttle quadrant with multiple throttles, make sure you bind your Throttle to the “Throttle Axis” command and not any of the numbered Throttles. This will control all throttles on multi-engine aircraft simultaneously.
  • A lot of the MSFS default controller profiles use the “Cockpit Quickview” commands which snap back to center. The secret to smooth panning around the Cockpit is to use the “Cockpit Look” commands. Make sure you delete any currently assigned Cockpit View commands for the Hat and then create new bindings using “Cockpit Look”. Depending on your hat, you can map 4 or 8 directions.
  • You can actually access and change Control bindings while inside the live sim (use Esc to get to the main menus). This is helpful if you are trying to fine tune or debug things.
  • You can create multiple binding Profiles for each of your Controllers. This is helpful if you want to map your controls differently for different aircraft. It is also useful if you need to adjust the Sensitivity settings differently for different aircraft. Just make sure you select the correct Profile for each session by using the little scroll bar under each controller in the Controls screen…
  • I have not used any external controller management or calibration applications or drivers. If you do, your mileage may vary! For sure any control input assignments you make outside MSFS will not carry through inside the sim. The CH Manager application has caused problems for some users of CH products.
  • Adding an Xbox Game Controller (wired or wireless) makes controlling the Drone Cam and Slew really easy and intuitive! MSFS immediately recognizes it and sets up all the bindings by Default.
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