How to connect Xiaomi joystick to your computer: all ways + error solving

Xiaomi’s gamepads are a popular solution for gamers who want to get quality control without overpaying for the brand. However, connecting these joysticks to a PC often raises questions: Windows does not recognize the device, buttons work incorrectly, there are problems with compatibility in games. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of connecting, from standard Bluetooth to using specialized utilities, and also solve typical errors that users encounter.

Xiaomi joysticks (such as Mi Game Controller or Black Shark Gamepad 2/3/4) are mobile-friendly, meaning that you may need to adjust your drivers or even firmware to work properly on your PC, but don't worry, it's easier than it sounds if you know the nuances. We tested all the methods on Windows 10/11 and only put together working solutions.

Important: If you use a Xiaomi joystick from a Mi Box or TV, some steps may be different, so check the compatibility section to avoid driver conflicts.

1. What Xiaomi joysticks support PC connectivity

Not all Xiaomi gamepads work equally well with computers, but here is a list of models that you can connect to a PC, and their features:

• 🎮 Xiaomi Mi Game Controller is a basic model with Bluetooth 4.0 support and wired connection via Micro-USB. Works in most games, but may require manual button tuning.
• 🎮 Black Shark Gamepad 2/3/4 — Advanced gamepads with Hall Effect triggers and Bluetooth support 5.0. Better optimized for PC, but need proprietary software for full functionality.
• 🎮 Xiaomi Wireless Game Controller (Model 2022)+) — compatible with XInput (like Xbox), making it easier to connect to PC games.
• 🎮 Mi TV Game Controller - joystick for Mi TVs TV. Connects to PC, but may not be recognized in some games without DirectInput emulation.

If your model is not included in the list, check its name on the official Xiaomi website or in the documentation. Gamepads released before 2019 (for example, Mi Game Controller erste Generation) often have compatibility problems on Windows 11 due to outdated Bluetooth protocols.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi joysticks designed for smartphones (such as Black Shark FunCooler Pro) may not have full support for PCs. x360ce or DS4Windows.

2. Connect Xiaomi joystick to PC via Bluetooth

The most versatile way is wireless, but there's a nuance here: some Xiaomi models require a special pairing mode, otherwise the PC won't see them. Let's take the process Step-by-step.

Before starting, make sure that:

• 🔋 Joystick charged (at least 30%).
• 📶 Bluetooth adapter on PC supports version no lower than 4.0 (for new models – 5.0).
• 🔄 The joystick has disabled the connection to other devices (reset the pairing if it was connected to a phone or console).

Instructions:

1. Activate the pairing mode on the joystick: For Mi Game Controller: press Home + A for 3 seconds until the indicator blinks. For Black Shark Gamepad: pinch Share + Home until vibrating.

Parameters → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices

Add the device → Bluetooth

Mi Game Controller

Wireless Controller

0000

1234

⚠️ Note: If the joystick doesn’t appear in the list of devices, try updating the Bluetooth adapter driver through Device Manager. To do this, find the device in the Bluetooth section, right-click and select Update Driver.

Joystick defined in the system as "Game controller" | Buttons react in the "Gamepad Check" menu (Control Panel → Devices and printers) | The indicator on the joystick stopped flashing and burns constantly | In games, it is recognized as XInput or DirectInput device

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If the buttons are not working properly after you connect (for example, analog sticks do not respond), it is likely that Windows recognized the joystick as DirectInput, not XInput, and this is solved using utilities like DS4Windows or x360ce - more about this in the next section.

3. Wired USB Connection: When Bluetooth is Not Working

If wireless connectivity is not possible (for example, due to the lack of a Bluetooth adapter or driver conflict), you can use wired mode.

• 🔌 Micro-USB for older models (Mi Game Controller).
• 🔌 USB-C Black Shark Gamepad 4, Xiaomi Wireless 2022+).

Instructions:

1. Connect the joystick to your PC with a cable. Use the original cable or certified cable (cheap cables may not transmit data).
2. Wait for the drivers to be installed. The Device Manager should have USB Controllers or Game Devices.
3. Check the work in the Control Panel menu → Devices and printers → Controller properties.

If the joystick is not determined:

• 🔄 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0, as some gamepads are incompatible with USB 3.0).
• 🔧 Install the driver manually: Download the driver for XInput from Microsoft's website (search on Xbox 360 Controller Driver). In Device Manager, find an unidentified device, right-click and select Update Driver. → Search for drivers on this computer.

💡

If the joystick is defined as "Unknown". USB-"device," try to connect it to another PC or laptop. If the problem persists, the cable or port on the gamepad malfunctions.

Important: Some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi Game Controller first revision) work only as DirectInput in wired mode, which limits compatibility with modern games, in which case XInput emulation via x360ce will help.

4. Joystick setup for games: XInput vs DirectInput

Most modern PC games support two management standards:

• 🎯 XInput is a standard from Microsoft used in Xbox controllers, and almost all new games are optimized for it.
• 🎯 DirectInput is an outdated standard that may not be recognized in games after 2015.

The problem is that Xiaomi’s default joysticks are often defined as DirectInput. To fix this, use one of the utilities:

Method 1: DS4Windows (recommended for most models)

DS4Windows is a free program that emulates XInput for any gamepad. It supports:

• 🔹 Customization of buttons and analog sticks.
• 🔹 Vibration and gyroscope emulation (for supported models).
• 🔹 Keeping multiple profiles.