Hey guys! Are you having trouble setting up your controller in PES 2013 on your PC? Don't worry, it's a common issue, and I'm here to help you out. Getting your gamepad working properly can significantly enhance your gaming experience, making those crucial passes and shots feel more intuitive. This guide will walk you through various methods to configure your controller, ensuring you can get back to dominating the virtual pitch in no time.

Understanding the Problem

Before diving into the solutions, it's important to understand why your controller might not be working correctly. Several factors can cause this issue, including driver problems, incorrect in-game settings, or compatibility issues with the game itself. Sometimes, the game might not automatically recognize your controller, or the button mappings might be off, leading to a frustrating gaming experience. Knowing the potential causes helps in troubleshooting and applying the right fixes.

Common Causes:

• Driver Issues: Outdated or corrupted drivers are a primary cause. Your computer needs the correct drivers to communicate properly with the controller.
• In-Game Settings: The game might not be set to recognize your controller, or the button configurations might be incorrect.
• Compatibility: Some controllers might not be fully compatible with PES 2013 without additional software or tweaks.
• DirectInput vs. XInput: PES 2013 might favor one input method over the other. Understanding the difference is key to resolving compatibility issues.

Method 1: Basic In-Game Configuration

First, let's start with the simplest solution: checking and configuring the controller settings directly within PES 2013. This is often the quickest way to get your controller working if the game recognizes it but the buttons are mapped incorrectly. This part is very important because if your controller is not properly configured in the game, you may have problems with some commands, for example, not being able to pass the ball or not being able to shoot, so pay close attention to this part.

Steps:

1. Launch PES 2013: Start the game and navigate to the main menu.
2. Go to Settings: Look for the 'Settings' or 'System Settings' option. This is usually found in the main menu or under an 'Options' tab.
3. Controller Settings: Find the 'Controller' or 'Gamepad' settings. It might be labeled as 'Input Device Settings' or something similar.
4. Select Your Controller: Ensure your controller is detected and selected as the primary input device. If you see multiple controllers listed, choose the one you're using.
5. Button Configuration: Here, you can customize the button mappings according to your preference. Test each button to ensure it performs the correct action. You might need to reassign buttons to match your desired layout. Make sure that each command is set for the correct button, so you will need to test each one.
6. Save Changes: Once you've configured the buttons, save the changes and exit the settings menu.
7. Test in a Match: Start a quick match or training session to test your new settings. Adjust as needed until you're comfortable with the configuration.

Method 2: Updating Controller Drivers

If the in-game configuration doesn't work, the next step is to ensure your controller drivers are up to date. Outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent your computer from recognizing the controller properly. Updating the drivers can often resolve these issues.

Steps:

1. Open Device Manager:
   • Press Win + X and select 'Device Manager' from the menu, or
   • Search for 'Device Manager' in the Windows search bar.
2. Locate Your Controller: Look for your controller under 'Human Interface Devices' or 'Sound, video and game controllers.' It might appear as 'Unknown device' if the drivers are not installed correctly.
3. Update Drivers:
   • Right-click on your controller and select 'Update driver.'
   • Choose 'Search automatically for drivers.' Windows will search for the latest drivers online. If Windows doesn't find a suitable driver, you can try searching for drivers on the controller manufacturer's website.
4. Install Drivers: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the drivers. You might need to restart your computer after installation.
5. Test the Controller: After restarting, check if the controller is now recognized by PES 2013. If not, proceed to the next method.

Method 3: Using X360CE (Xbox 360 Controller Emulator)

PES 2013 is designed to work well with Xbox 360 controllers. If you're using a different type of controller, such as a PlayStation controller or a generic gamepad, you might need to use an emulator like X360CE. This program emulates an Xbox 360 controller, allowing the game to recognize your device.

Steps:

1. Download X360CE:
   • Go to the official X360CE website or a trusted download source and download the latest version of X360CE.
2. Extract the Files:
   • Extract the downloaded ZIP file to the PES 2013 installation directory. This is usually located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Konami\Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 or a similar path, depending on where you installed the game.
3. Run X360CE:
   • Run the x360ce.exe file as an administrator. You might need to allow it through your firewall.
4. Configure Your Controller:
   • X360CE should automatically detect your controller. If it doesn't, make sure your controller is plugged in and click 'Search automatically for controllers.'
   • Configure the buttons by mapping them to the corresponding Xbox 360 controller buttons. The program usually suggests mappings automatically, but you can customize them as needed.
5. Create xinput1_3.dll:
   • X360CE will likely prompt you to create an xinput1_3.dll file. This file is necessary for the emulation to work. Click 'Create' to generate the file.
6. Save and Close:
   • Save the configuration and close X360CE.
7. Run PES 2013:
   • Start PES 2013. The game should now recognize your controller as an Xbox 360 controller.

Method 4: DirectInput Wrapper

Some older controllers might work better with a DirectInput wrapper. This method involves using a wrapper that translates DirectInput signals to XInput, which PES 2013 can understand more easily. If X360CE doesn't fully resolve the issue, this could be a viable alternative.

Steps:

1. Download a DirectInput Wrapper:
   • Search online for a DirectInput to XInput wrapper. One popular option is 'dinput8.dll' wrapper.
2. Extract the Wrapper:
   • Extract the downloaded file to the PES 2013 installation directory, alongside the game's executable file.
3. Configure the Wrapper (if necessary):
   • Some wrappers require configuration. Look for a configuration file (usually a .ini file) and adjust the settings as needed. This might involve mapping the buttons manually.
4. Run PES 2013:
   • Start PES 2013 and check if your controller is now working correctly. The game should recognize the controller through the wrapper.

Method 5: Running PES 2013 as Administrator

Sometimes, simply running the game as an administrator can resolve controller issues. This gives the game the necessary permissions to access and use the controller properly. Here are the steps to do this method:

Steps:

1. Locate the PES 2013 Executable: Find the pes2013.exe file in the game's installation directory.
2. Run as Administrator: Right-click on the pes2013.exe file and select 'Run as administrator.'
3. Test the Controller: Check if the controller now works correctly in the game. This simple step can sometimes bypass permission-related issues that prevent the controller from being recognized.

Method 6: Reinstalling PES 2013

If none of the above methods work, a more drastic step is to reinstall PES 2013. This can resolve issues caused by corrupted game files or incorrect installations. Before reinstalling, make sure to back up any important game data, such as saved games or custom settings.

Steps:

1. Uninstall PES 2013:
   • Go to 'Control Panel' -> 'Programs' -> 'Programs and Features.'
   • Find PES 2013 in the list of installed programs and select 'Uninstall.'
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the game.
2. Delete Installation Folder:
   • After uninstalling, manually delete the PES 2013 installation folder to remove any remaining files.
3. Reinstall PES 2013:
   • Insert the PES 2013 game disc or run the downloaded installer.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the game. Make sure to install it to a location where you have full administrative rights.
4. Test the Controller:
   • After reinstalling, try configuring the controller using the methods described above. The reinstallation might have fixed underlying issues that were preventing the controller from working.

Conclusion

Configuring your controller in PES 2013 on PC can sometimes be a bit tricky, but with these methods, you should be able to get it working. Remember to start with the simplest solutions, such as checking in-game settings and updating drivers, before moving on to more advanced techniques like using emulators or wrappers. With a little patience and troubleshooting, you'll be back on the field, scoring goals and enjoying the game in no time! Happy gaming, guys!