Screw Drivers Controller Setup Guide

Controller Support in Screw Drivers

Screw Drivers supports gamepad and controller input alongside the default keyboard-and-mouse scheme. The game features automatic controller detection, which means most standard gamepads work immediately without any configuration. However, this auto-detection can also cause problems if you have multiple input devices connected, as the game may switch away from your preferred device unexpectedly.

This guide covers everything you need to know about using a controller in Screw Drivers, from basic setup to advanced customization with Steam Input and third-party tools.

Basic Controller Setup

For most players, using a controller in Screw Drivers is as simple as plugging it in. The game detects Xbox, PlayStation, and generic DirectInput controllers automatically. Once detected, the game switches the active input scheme:

• Left stick — Steering and menu navigation
• Right stick — Camera control
• Triggers — Throttle (right trigger) and brake (left trigger). In the parts menu, hold the left trigger to jump straight to the shop (v1.0).
• Face buttons — Handbrake, build mode toggle, and other actions
• Start/Options — Pause menu

v1.0 added full gamepad navigation through car selection, garage, tech tree, settings, and tutorials, plus Xbox button sprites in on-screen text. Menu tutorial after the driving tutorial walks the same pad paths. If your controller is not recognized, try disconnecting and reconnecting it, or restart the game with the controller already plugged in.

Fixing Controller Conflicts

A common issue occurs when you have a steering wheel or other HID game controller connected alongside a regular gamepad. The game may detect the wrong device, causing your inputs to behave unexpectedly or not register at all.

To resolve this:

1. Open the settings menu by pressing Esc (or Start on your controller).
2. Navigate to the input settings using the directional pad or arrow keys.
3. Manually select your preferred input device from the list.
4. Return to the game to verify that your inputs are working.

If problems persist, disconnect any unused input devices from your PC. The game only needs one controller active at a time.

Using Steam Input for Custom Bindings

Screw Drivers does not offer native key remapping in its settings menu. If you want to customize your controller layout, Steam Input is the best solution. Steam Input lets you remap every button on your controller, create action sets for build mode and driving mode, and even set up gyro steering if your controller supports it.

To set up Steam Input for Screw Drivers:

1. Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
2. Right-click Screw Drivers and select Properties.
3. Go to the Controller tab.
4. Click Controller Configuration to open the Steam Input editor.
5. Remap buttons to your preferred layout. You can assign keyboard keys to controller buttons, which effectively lets you create any control scheme you want.
6. Save your configuration and launch the game.

Steam Input configurations are saved per-game, so your custom layout will persist across sessions. You can also browse community-shared configurations from the Steam Input editor if you want to try layouts created by other players.

JoyToKey as an Alternative

If you prefer not to use Steam Input, JoyToKey is a popular third-party alternative that maps controller inputs to keyboard keys. This is especially useful if you own the game outside of Steam or want more granular control over button mapping.

To use JoyToKey:

1. Download and install JoyToKey from the official website.
2. Create a new profile for Screw Drivers.
3. Map each controller button to the corresponding keyboard key (WASD for steering, Space for handbrake, and so on).
4. Launch Screw Drivers and play with your custom mappings.

JoyToKey runs in the background and translates your controller inputs into keyboard presses before the game sees them. This means the game thinks you are using a keyboard, which bypasses the auto-detection system entirely.

Manual Gear Shifting on Controller

For players who have built a vehicle with a manual transmission using gears, controller triggers provide a natural throttle and brake feel. Combined with stepper motors assigned to specific buttons, you can create a pseudo-manual shifting experience. Assign stepper motors to different gear ratios and toggle them using mapped controller buttons for on-the-fly gear changes.

This approach requires some building experimentation, but it gives you fine control over power delivery, which is valuable in competitive racing.

Steering Wheel Compatibility

Screw Drivers can detect steering wheel peripherals, but compatibility varies. Some wheels work out of the box, while others may conflict with the game’s HID controller detection. If your steering wheel is not working correctly:

1. Ensure no other gamepads or HID devices are connected.
2. Check that your wheel drivers are up to date.
3. Use the game’s settings menu to manually select the wheel as the input device.
4. If the game still does not respond, try using Steam Input to map the wheel inputs to keyboard keys.

Force feedback is not officially supported, so steering will feel lighter than in dedicated racing simulators.

Recommended Controller Settings

For the best experience with a standard gamepad, consider these recommendations:

• Sensitivity — Start with the default and adjust based on your vehicle. Heavier builds with large wheels may benefit from higher steering sensitivity.
• Dead zones — If your sticks drift, increase the dead zone slightly in Steam Input or your controller software.
• Trigger range — Ensure your triggers are calibrated for full range so you get maximum throttle and braking power.

For troubleshooting other game issues, see the Troubleshooting Guide. If you prefer keyboard input, check out the Keyboard Controls reference.