Controller issues after RetroArch shutdown

[Aethelhaze]

Hi,

I have the issue, that when I end a game in RetroArch, the controller is no longer working in BigBox. I have read a lot about the focus issue, but it seems not be a focus issue. Big Box can still be controlled with the kyboard. Also Alt-Tab or mousclicking dows not work. It seems that there is an issue with the driver or sth. I use a dualSense controller and as driver SDL. I have read sth. that it seems that retroArch is not correclty closign the driver or sth. like that but all I tried did not work.

Someone else is facing this issue? Any Idead for me would be great!

Best regards,

Athelhaze

[Caroline Harper]

This usually happens when RetroArch keeps control of the gamepad after it closes, so BigBox doesn’t get the controller back.

Try these steps:

1. In RetroArch, make sure you fully quit RetroArch (not just “Close Content”). Use “Quit RetroArch” so it releases the controller.

2. In BigBox/LaunchBox, enable the option that closes the emulator process on exit (force close on exit), so RetroArch can’t stay running in the background.

3. If you use Steam Input for the DualSense, turn it off for RetroArch and BigBox, or make sure only one of them is using it. Conflicts can cause the pad to stop responding.

4. Try switching the controller driver in RetroArch (XInput vs SDL) and keep it consistent with what BigBox expects.

5. As a quick test, exit RetroArch, then check Task Manager and end any remaining RetroArch process. If the controller works immediately after that, the issue is RetroArch not exiting cleanly.

If you share how you launch RetroArch (standalone, Steam, or through a launcher) and which input driver you selected, it’s easier to narrow down.