Steam-Controller-Guide

Steam Controller (2015) Joystick Information

Joystick Cap

• Joystick Cap Swap / Upgrade For The Steam Controller
• My little journey in swapping my Steam Controller’s joystick cap
• “The Original Steam Controller.” - Joystick Cap Replacements (Timestamped)
  • Technical TL;DW:
    • Valve’s Steam Deck joysticks work, they can be purchased without the whole joystick modules from ExtremeRate
      • Make sure to keep the wire from getting into the way when using the joystick, either glue it down or cut it out
      • You can also get the caps from joystick modules by desoldering or cutting the capacitive touch wire
    • 8BitDo SN30 Pro, SN30 Pro+, Pro2 Joystick Rubber Replacements should work as well

Joystick Module

Joystick Calibration

• “The Original Steam Controller.” - Testing The Stock And Custom Joysticks (Timestamped)
  • Technical TL;DW:
    • Steam’s built in calibration tool doesn’t seem to do anything apart from making the controller beep
    • The joysticks calibrate themselves each session after they are used
    • You can test controllers’ circularity using the Hardware Tester - Gamepad Tester website

Stock Module

• Manufacturer: ALPS
• Pinout: Doesn’t match PS4, PS5 or Xbox Series

Custom Hall-Effect / TMR Module

• Replaced the joystick with Hall Effect sensors on Steam Controller
• Steam Controller: I can has Hall Effect module!
• “The Original Steam Controller.” - TMR Joystick Module Upgrade (Timestamped)
  • Technical TL;DW:
    • Soldering Guide
    • Get pinout of original joystick module using a voltmeter in continuity mode
    • Desolder the old module
    • Make a new joystick module that matches the original one
      • Eg.: get 2 Xbox modules and swap the side parts
    • Solder in the new module