How To Keep Controller In Game While Tabed

Most games pause or lose controller input when you tab out. To keep controller in game while tabed, use a program like ‘Borderless Gaming’ which forces the game into a borderless windowed mode, allowing it to continue running in the background and accepting controller input even when you focus on another window.

Have you ever been in the zone, gaming intensely, only to have everything come to a halt the second you tab out to check a message? It’s frustrating, right? You want to quickly do something on your computer without losing your controller input, and that is completely understandable. But, how to keep controller in game while tabed is not always obvious. This is a common struggle gamers face, especially those who like multitasking.

How to Keep Controller in Game While Tabbed

Ever been in the middle of an epic game, only to tab out to check something real quick and suddenly your controller stops working? It’s like your character has decided to take a nap while you’re gone! It’s a super common problem for gamers, especially those who like to multitask. We’ve all been there, and it can be a real drag when you are trying to chat with friends or look something up on the internet without the game pausing or losing controller input. The good news is, there are several methods and tips to address this problem. This guide will take you through how to ensure your controller stays connected and responsive even when your game window is not in the foreground.

Understanding the Issue: Why Does My Controller Stop Working?

Before we jump into solutions, let’s understand the reasons behind the problem. When you tab out of a game, you’re essentially switching focus away from it. Most games are designed to only accept input when they are the active, or focused window. When the window loses focus, the game assumes you are no longer actively playing, and it stops listening for inputs, including those from your controller. It’s like a house that only opens the door when someone knocks directly. This behavior helps free up system resources when you are not actively playing, ensuring that other applications run smoothly. However, it can be frustrating when you want to keep playing without any interruptions.

This is not an issue with your controller, it’s the way the game is programmed to work. Think about it like this: the game is only paying attention to what is in front of it. When you switch to another window, you take that “attention” away from the game. Different games manage input focus in different ways, which means there is no single solution that works for all situations. The way that Windows, or your computer’s operating system, handles input and active windows also comes into play. If there is an option for the game itself that you can change, it’s usually found somewhere in the settings.

General Solutions: Keeping Your Controller Active

While the ideal solution varies depending on the game, here are some general methods you can try. These tips are great first steps to try because they may solve the controller issue without requiring you to make advanced changes to your computer settings. These techniques are aimed at tricking the game into believing that it still has focus. It helps to experiment a bit to see which method works best for a specific game.

Running Your Game in Borderless Windowed Mode

This is often the easiest and most effective fix. Fullscreen mode takes complete control over the display, and as we talked about above, it stops listening for inputs from controllers when it loses focus. Borderless windowed mode, on the other hand, makes a windowed application appear as if it is running in fullscreen mode. It allows you to easily switch between applications without minimizing the game. This way, the game still remains in focus, even when you have another window active on top of it, and this allows your controller to stay active too. Here’s how you can usually switch to borderless windowed mode:

Start your game.
Navigate to the game’s settings menu. Look for “Graphics” or “Display” settings.
Find an option for “Display Mode”, “Window Mode” or something similar.
Select “Borderless Windowed,” “Windowed (Fullscreen),” or similar option.
Save the changes and restart the game if necessary.

While playing in Borderless mode, it is possible you may experience a slight performance drop in some games. If this is a problem, you can always switch back to fullscreen mode and continue with troubleshooting other methods.

Using a Third-Party Utility: Input Hooking Software

Another option is to use a software utility that can hook into the game’s input system, and help the game to register the inputs from your controller. These tools act as a bridge between your controller and the game. They can force the game to recognize controller inputs even when it is not in focus. This method can be particularly useful for games that do not have a borderless windowed mode. There are various applications designed for this purpose. Here are some to look at:

Xpadder: This application lets you map controller inputs to keyboard and mouse commands. This allows you to send commands to the game even if the game isn’t actively in focus. This program costs money to purchase, but it is a very effective tool.
DS4Windows: If you are using a PlayStation DualShock 4 controller on a PC, this is a common tool to install. It allows you to have controller support for games that don’t natively support the DualShock 4. This program is commonly used because it is a free, open-source tool.
Steam Input: If you play games using the Steam platform, Steam has a built-in controller support tool that can help games recognize your controller when you alt-tab. You need to have Steam launched and the game needs to be running from Steam. Many Steam games utilize this tool by default.

Before using any of these tools, make sure they are from a reputable source and that you understand their function. Some tools may require you to adjust settings before they work correctly. Here’s a simple guide on how to utilize these input-hooking programs:

Download and install your chosen program.
Run the program and follow its instructions. This usually involves selecting the game executable and your controller.
Some programs may require you to configure specific settings, like assigning gamepad buttons.
Launch the game and test your controller while tabbed out.

Game Specific Options: Checking In-Game Settings

Sometimes, the answer is much simpler. Many games now have specific options related to input and background activity. These options vary from game to game, but they are worth checking before looking into more complex fixes. Here’s a general idea of what to look for:

Go to the game’s options or settings menu.
Look for settings labeled “Input,” “Controls,” or something similar.
Check if there are any options like “Background Input,” “Controller in Background,” or “Allow Input When Minimized.”
If you find a relevant setting, enable it and try playing.

Take a look at your game’s manual, or check the online forums or communities for the game for more specific details. If these options exist, they can often fix the controller issue and keep your controller active.

Advanced Solutions: Delving Deeper

If the previous solutions do not solve the problem, there are some advanced solutions to explore. These methods involve more technical steps and might require a better understanding of how your operating system and games work. It’s a good idea to back up your computer before making these types of changes. If you are uncomfortable doing these steps, seek out a tech-savvy friend who can assist you.

Editing Game Configuration Files

Some games store their configurations in external files, usually .ini or .cfg files. These files often contain variables that control the game’s behavior, including how it handles input. You can sometimes modify these files to allow your controller to remain active when the game is not in focus. However, modifying these files can be risky, so it’s essential to know what you’re doing. Making changes to the wrong file can prevent the game from launching correctly.

You should always make a backup of the original file before you start editing it.

Here’s a general way to go about it:

Locate your game’s installation folder. Usually, it’s found under your “Program Files” directory.
Look for configuration files. These often have names like “config.ini,” “game.ini,” or “settings.cfg.”
Open the file using a text editor such as Notepad.
Look for lines that are associated with input or focus. The language will vary depending on the game, but some lines may have words like “active,” “focus,” or “background.”
Modify the values of these variables. For example, change “false” to “true” or 0 to 1 to attempt to force the game to receive input when tabbed.
Save the changes and start the game to test them.

If the game crashes, or the controller still doesn’t work, restore the game configuration file from your backup. This method is not for beginners, as there can be errors. If you find the specific configuration file setting online, you will increase the odds that you will change the correct value. Game communities will sometimes compile a list of changes that users have tested and verified to be successful.

Using Virtual Machines

This is a more complex solution. It involves running the game within a virtual machine on your computer. A virtual machine creates an isolated operating system within your main one. This isolation can prevent the game from losing input focus when you switch windows on your main operating system.

Here’s a simplified explanation:

Install a virtual machine program, such as VirtualBox or VMware. These are common software programs for making virtual machines.
Create a new virtual machine and install the same operating system as your computer, such as Windows.
Install the game and any necessary drivers on the virtual machine.
Run the game inside the virtual machine.

Switching to other windows on your main operating system won’t cause the game to lose input focus, as the game is still running inside the virtual environment. This method is generally more useful when you need to run different operating systems or when you need to separate programs for security reasons. This method is not normally necessary if all of the above methods fail, or if you are trying to keep the game running in the background while you do other things on your main desktop environment.

Operating System Settings: Adjusting Focus Behaviors

Sometimes the issue lies within your operating system itself. Windows has several settings that manage how applications gain and lose focus. While it is uncommon, it is possible that these settings are interfering with controller functionality. This method is also very advanced, and making changes to these setting should be made only when absolutely necessary.

Focus Assist Settings: Focus assist is a Windows feature that manages notifications and can impact input focus. Try adjusting the settings of Focus Assist to make sure it isn’t interfering with the controller input. You can search for “Focus Assist” in your Start Menu and navigate to its settings.
Hardware and Device Troubleshooting: Use the Windows troubleshooter for hardware devices, it can often identify any potential device conflicts and automatically resolve them. Search for “Troubleshoot” in the start menu and find the hardware troubleshooter.

It’s important to remember that changes made to system settings should be carefully considered. If you are unfamiliar with these settings, proceed with caution, and only adjust settings if you have tried all other methods of fixing the controller input issue.

Troubleshooting: What to Do When Things Still Don’t Work

Even after trying the methods we’ve discussed, you might still face issues. Here are some general troubleshooting steps:

Check Controller Drivers: Make sure your controller drivers are up to date. Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause issues with input. You can usually download controller drivers from the controller manufacturer’s website.
Try Different USB Ports: Sometimes, switching the controller to a different USB port can help. There may be an issue with the port itself. If you have a wireless controller, try testing with a wired connection to isolate any issues with wireless connections.
Restart Your Computer: It sounds simple, but a restart can sometimes clear temporary glitches that are causing problems with input. It’s also an easy step to test.
Test on Other Games: Try your controller on other games to see if the problem is specific to one game or is a broader issue. This can help you narrow down the cause of the issue.
Check Game Forums: Often other gamers may have experienced the same issue. Try searching game forums or online communities to see what other players have done to resolve the problem.

Troubleshooting is often a process of elimination. By testing different things, you can isolate the problem and figure out a solution.

Keeping a controller active while tabbed out of a game can be tricky, but it is a common problem many players face. By using the methods and tips described above, you can find a solution to your specific issue. The most common and easiest solution is to run your game in borderless windowed mode, but if that doesn’t work, you can try the other more advanced solutions. Remember to always save backups of configuration files and to proceed with caution when making changes to your operating system.

you can do this with a normal controller too

Final Thoughts

To maintain controller input while tabbed out, you must ensure the game is not minimized. Some games offer specific settings to allow background input. Try running the game in borderless windowed mode.

This setting often prevents the game from losing focus. If the game lacks these features, consider using third party tools that simulate controller input even when tabbed out. This helps with how to keep controller in game while tabed.