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Troubleshooting: Input Problems

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nickybmon edited this page Aug 8, 2026 · 3 revisions

Troubleshooting: Input Problems

Keyboard or gamepad not responding in OpenEmu? Work through this checklist in order.

1. Grant Input Monitoring Permission (Required)

OpenEmu accesses input devices directly at the hardware level (via IOKit HID) rather than through standard macOS APIs. This gives it lower latency and broader controller support, but it requires a permission called Input Monitoring.

Without this permission, OpenEmu cannot read keyboard or controller input at all.

To grant it:

  1. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Input Monitoring
  2. Add OpenEmu using the + button
  3. Quit and relaunch OpenEmu

The setting says "keyboard monitoring" but it covers all input devices, including wired and wireless controllers. OpenEmu cannot read passwords — macOS blocks that regardless.

Migrating from the original OpenEmu?

If you previously had the original (non-Apple Silicon) OpenEmu installed, you may see an existing "OpenEmu" entry in Input Monitoring that looks correct — same name, same icon. OpenEmu-Silicon intentionally keeps the same underlying identifier as the original app, but is built and signed independently, so macOS can end up with a stale or conflicting permission record left over from the old install. Toggling that entry off and back on doesn't always clear it.

Fix, in order:

  1. Remove the existing "OpenEmu" entry from the Input Monitoring list, then add it back using the + button and relaunch.
  2. If that doesn't work, use Help → Reset Input Monitoring Permission… in the OpenEmu-Silicon menu bar (available from the version that shipped this fix onward). This clears the stale permission record directly and re-prompts you to grant it — you'll need to enter an administrator password.
  3. If neither works, fully quit OpenEmu, delete it from your Applications folder, and drag a fresh copy back in from the DMG before granting the permission again. This has resolved the issue for users when the steps above didn't.

2. Grant Bluetooth Permission for Wireless Controllers (macOS 12+)

If a wireless controller isn't working, it may also need Bluetooth access:

  1. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Bluetooth
  2. Add OpenEmu to the allowed list
  3. Reconnect the controller

Note: Controllers will still appear in OpenEmu's Controls preferences even without this permission — but they won't send input.

3. Check That Your Controller Is Supported

OpenEmu works with most standard USB and Bluetooth controllers that are HID-compliant. Some console-specific controllers are only partially HID-compliant and may not work or may need extra setup.

Controllers with known working automapping:

  • PlayStation DualShock 3, DualShock 4, DualSense
  • Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
  • Nintendo Wiimote (see Controllers)
  • Xbox One S / Xbox Series X wireless controllers
  • 8Bitdo controllers (use Mode 1 / Joystick Mode — hold START while powering on)
  • SteelSeries Nimbus, Stratus XL
  • Horipad Ultimate
  • Logitech Dual Action, F310, F510, F710 (set back switch to D for DirectInput)

Controllers that will NOT work:

  • Official Nintendo GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U (WUP-028) — not HID-compliant
  • Any controller or adapter that requires a proprietary driver

If your controller isn't listed, it may still work — try mapping it manually in Preferences → Controls.

4. Calibrate Analog Sticks

OpenEmu auto-calibrates analog inputs based on how you use them. This can occasionally cause unexpected behavior the first time you use a controller (overly sensitive movement, Controls preferences locking up).

Fix: Before playing, fully rotate both analog sticks 360° a few times. This teaches the calibration system the full range of your sticks.

5. Check for Interfering Applications

Some applications grab exclusive control of input devices, which prevents OpenEmu from receiving events from them.

Close these before using OpenEmu:

  • Google Chrome (HTML5 Gamepad API)
  • Steam (reconnect your controller after closing Steam)
  • DOSBox
  • Terminal with Secure Keyboard Entry enabled
  • iTerm2 with Secure Keyboard Entry enabled

Input modifier apps — incompatible, must be closed or uninstalled:

  • Karabiner / Karabiner-Elements
  • ControllerMate
  • Joystick Mapper
  • GamePad Companion
  • Enjoyable / Enjoy2
  • SteelSeries Engine
  • USB Overdrive (disable "Any Gaming, Any Application" or fully uninstall)

Remote desktop apps — will not receive input events:

  • Splashtop, Synergy, TeamViewer

If closing everything else doesn't help, restart your Mac and open only OpenEmu.

Still Not Working?

See Troubleshooting: Reporting Problems for how to open an issue with the right information.

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