No-VR Mod Disables Xbox Controller

[wkduffy]

As soon as I start the No-VR launcher, my controller (Xbox Series X bluetooth) becomes disabled. I have the controller working in Steam for my desktop (joystick moves cursor in desktop mode) and Steam input enabled in Alyx, but as soon as the launcher begins, controller stops working (cursor stops moving on the launcher, and doesn't work in game). This behavior is not consistent though. Out of every 30 or so restarts of the No-VR mod, suddenly the controller will work in game. But usually once I reboot the system, I have to go through dozens of restarts of the No-VR mod until it finally hooks correctly and works again. It seems as though somehow the controller is not consistently being hooked? I've tried many configurations (turning on controller before and after Steam, before and after the No-VR mod, turning controller on and off while game is running) and none of it matters. It seems when the mod wants to recognize the controller, it will, and when it doesn't, it won't. Controller working fine with everything else.

[wkduffy]

FIGURED IT OUT (after a few hours)! Will edit this in case it helps anyone else? (Or feel free to delete the entry or mark solved.) Here's what I have to do to make the controller hook properly to the mod: (Steam input is enabled ahead of time for Half-Life: Alyx in Steam; I am using the "HLA Keyboard (WASD) and Mouse" community layout)

1. Make sure controller is connected to Win 11 (bluetooth connection active). Steam NOT running.
2. WITHOUT starting Steam first, just double-click HLA-NoVR-Launcher.exe
3. No-VR mod launcher will start.
4. In the No-VR mod launcher, click Play.
5. Steam will boot up automatically.
6. Then then the No-VR Alyx mod/game will boot automatically.
7. Controller is active in game.

I guess it's a priority-related issue? Anyway, glad I can play with a controller. What a GREAT mod, btw! Thanks for your hard work.