If you’ve ever spent hours flying between No Man’s Sky’s procedurally generated star systems with a mouse and keyboard, you’ve probably felt the hand cramp that comes with holding down the W key for 30 minutes straight. A controller makes that relaxed, meandering exploration way more comfortable, but a lot of PC players run into annoying bugs when they try to switch input methods. That’s why we put together this guide covering how to use controller on No Man's Sky PC, from initial setup to fixing common issues and tweaking controls to match your playstyle. We’ve tested every step with Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch Pro controllers to make sure the tips work for every popular model.
How to Use Controller on No Man’s Sky PC: Initial Setup Steps
The good news is most modern controllers work natively with No Man’s Sky on PC, so you won’t need to download third-party software in most cases. For wired controllers, simply plug your Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch Pro controller into a USB port on your PC before launching the game. Once you’re in the main menu, head to Settings, then Controls, and select “Controller” as your primary input method. Always make sure your controller firmware is updated before connecting to your PC, as outdated firmware is the number one cause of undetected controllers.
For wireless connections, first pair your controller to your PC via Windows Bluetooth settings, wait for the system to confirm the connection is stable, then launch the game. If you’re playing via Steam, you can enable Steam Input for No Man’s Sky to add support for less common controller models, like 8BitDo or third-party Xbox copies. You won’t have to adjust any extra settings after that, unless you want to tweak the default button layout to your preferences.
Fixing Common Controller Compatibility Issues in No Man’s Sky PC
Even if you follow the setup steps perfectly, you might run into small issues like input lag, wrong button mapping, or your controller not showing up in the settings menu at all. Most of these problems have super simple fixes that take less than a minute to try. Here are the first three fixes we recommend if your controller isn’t working:
- Restart No Man’s Sky with your controller already connected, rather than plugging it in mid-game, as the game often fails to detect new input devices once it’s fully launched
- Enable Steam Input for No Man’s Sky via your Steam library game settings page, even if you’re using a common controller model that usually works natively
- Disconnect any other input devices like flight sticks, drawing tablets, or even old wired mice that may be conflicting with your controller input
If you’re dealing with input lag instead of detection issues, the fix is usually even simpler. Input lag is almost always caused by Bluetooth connection interference, so if you notice delayed responses when turning your ship or opening your inventory, switch to a wired connection or move other wireless devices like routers or wireless headsets away from your PC. For PlayStation 5 DualSense users, you can enable haptic feedback in the No Man’s Sky controller settings for a more immersive experience – you’ll feel the rumble of your ship’s engines and the texture of different terrain as you walk across planets.
Customizing Controller Layouts for Your Playstyle
The default controller layout for No Man’s Sky works fine for casual play, but it’s not optimized for every type of gameplay. If you spend most of your time exploring and scanning for rare fauna, for example, you don’t want to have to take your thumb off the movement joystick to hit the scan button every few seconds. You can adjust every single button mapping in the Controls menu, and save up to three separate custom layouts to switch between depending on what you’re doing. You don’t have to stick to the default layout to get the most out of your controller, most players spend 5-10 minutes tweaking controls to cut down on unnecessary input time.
If you do a lot of base building, map the build menu toggle to one of the upper shoulder buttons so you can pull it up without fumbling with the D-pad. If you play a lot of multiplayer combat, map the grenade throw and melee attack to easy-to-reach buttons so you can react faster to sentinel attacks or other players. Turn off controller vibration if you’re playing for long sessions, it drains battery faster and can cause hand fatigue over time if you’re holding the controller for hours at a stretch. You can also adjust joystick sensitivity for both movement and camera controls if the default settings feel too fast or too slow for your taste.
Controller vs Mouse and Keyboard: Which Is Better for No Man’s Sky PC?
There’s no right answer here, it all depends on what you’re doing in the game and how you prefer to play. Controllers are unbeatable for relaxed exploration, couch play, or long sessions where you don’t want to be hunched over your desk. They’re also way more comfortable for flying ships or driving exocraft across rough terrain, since the joysticks give you smoother control over movement than a keyboard does. Many players also find that controller input makes cutscenes and story moments feel more cinematic, especially if you’re playing on a larger monitor or TV.
But mouse and keyboard is still the better option for precise tasks, like placing small base parts, editing terrain, or fast-paced combat where you need to aim quickly. The best part is you don’t have to pick one permanently. You can switch between controller and mouse and keyboard at any time, no restart required. I keep a controller plugged in next to my desk for when I’m just flying between systems looking for interesting planets to name, and swap to mouse and keyboard when I’m building a new base or fighting off a squad of aggressive sentinels. You can even use a controller for movement and a mouse for aiming if you want to mix and match inputs to make your perfect setup.
At the end of the day, learning how to use controller on No Man's Sky PC opens up a more relaxed, comfortable way to enjoy one of the most expansive open world games ever made. You don't have to be stuck with one input method, and tweaking your setup to fit how you play will make every hour you spend exploring the galaxy that much more enjoyable. If you run into issues that aren't covered here, a quick restart of both your controller and the game usually fixes 90% of remaining bugs, and you can always adjust your control layout any time you pick up a new gameplay habit.