Loading into Subnautica 2 only to realize your character won’t move is a pretty brutal way to start a survival game. Right now, a lot of players are reporting a frustrating bug where the keyboard, mouse, or PS5 controller works perfectly fine in menus, but completely stops responding once gameplay begins.
The issue is showing up across PC, Steam Deck, and DualSense setups, with most players running into the same problem: menus work, keybinds look normal, but gameplay inputs simply aren’t being detected.
Fortunately, the bug doesn’t seem to be tied to broken hardware. Based on reports from Reddit, Steam discussions, and controller troubleshooting forums, the problem is usually connected to Steam Input conflicts, controller priority issues, or multiple input devices interfering with each other.
Here’s how to fix the Subnautica 2 keyboard and mouse not working bug, along with solutions for PS5 controllers, Steam Input problems, and gameplay controls not responding on PC.
Read also: Subnautica 2 Multiplayer Not Working? Here’s How To Fix Co-Op Disconnects, Lag, and Desync
Quick Fix for Subnautica 2 Inputs Not Detected
If you want the fastest solution first, these are the fixes helping most players immediately:
- Reorder controllers in Steam Big Picture Mode
- Disable Steam Input for Subnautica 2
- Disconnect extra USB devices
- Launch the game with only one input method connected
- Close DS4Windows or ReWASD
For many players, one of these fixes restores movement instantly.
Why Subnautica 2 Controls Stop Working
The current early access build appears to have an input detection bug affecting:
- keyboard and mouse controls
- PS5 controllers
- DualSense on PC
- Steam Deck controls
- Steam Input compatibility
Most reports describe the same symptoms:
- menus work normally
- gameplay controls stop responding
- character cannot move
- mouse movement not detected
- keyboard inputs ignored
- PS5 controller connected but unusable
In many cases, the game incorrectly detects another device as the primary input source.
How to Fix Subnautica 2 Keyboard and Mouse Not Working
Fix 1: Reorder Controllers in Steam Big Picture Mode
This is currently the most successful fix for the Subnautica 2 controller not working issue.
Steam can sometimes prioritize the wrong device during gameplay, especially if multiple controllers or USB devices are connected.
How to reorder controllers
- Open Steam
- Enter Big Picture Mode
- Go to:
- Settings → Controller
- Select:
- Reorder Controllers
- Move your preferred device to the top
- Restart Subnautica 2
If you use a PS5 controller, try placing the DualSense first. If that doesn’t work, set keyboard and mouse as the primary input instead.
Several Steam Deck players report this instantly fixed gameplay movement.
Fix 2: Disable Steam Input for Subnautica 2
Steam Input is one of the biggest causes of the current Subnautica 2 input bug.
Even players who normally use Steam Input without issues are finding that it can break gameplay controls in the current build.
How to disable Steam Input
- Right-click Subnautica 2 in Steam
- Open:
- Properties
- Click:
- Controller
- Find:
- Override for Subnautica 2
- Set it to:
- Disable Steam Input
Launch the game again and test movement.
If disabling Steam Input doesn’t work
Try enabling it instead.
Yes, it sounds backwards, but controller support currently behaves differently depending on:
- controller firmware
- USB connection
- Steam configuration
- controller type
Some players only restored controls after forcing Steam Input ON.
Fix 3: Disconnect Extra USB Devices
This fix sounds random, but it works surprisingly often.
The game may accidentally assign movement controls to another connected device.
Disconnect:
- racing wheels
- HOTAS setups
- drawing tablets
- USB keypads
- secondary controllers
- macro pads
- unused USB devices
Then relaunch Subnautica 2 with only:
- keyboard and mouse connected
or - a single PS5 controller connected
Many players found the game was detecting a completely different device as Player 1.
Fix 4: Close DS4Windows, ReWASD, and Input Software
If you use:
- DS4Windows
- ReWASD
- HidHide
- InputMapper
close them completely before starting the game.
Subnautica 2 already supports controllers natively, so additional controller software can create double-input conflicts.
This often causes:
- menus working but gameplay controls failing
- frozen movement
- incorrect button prompts
- controller detection bugs
Fix 5: Launch the Game With Only One Input Method
A lot of players fixed the issue by simplifying their setup completely.
Test keyboard and mouse only
- Disconnect controller
- Restart the game
- Load into your save
Test PS5 controller only
- Disconnect unnecessary USB devices
- Connect only the DualSense controller
- Launch the game again
Avoid connecting new devices after the game already launches.
Fix 6: Reset Controls to Default
Even if your keybinds look correct, the control profile itself may be corrupted.
Reset controls
- Open Settings
- Go to Controls
- Select:
- Restore Defaults
- Apply changes
- Restart Subnautica 2
This has fixed frozen controls for some players after failed launches or updates.
Fix 7: Disable Steam Overlay and Discord Overlay
Overlay software can occasionally interfere with controller detection.
Try disabling:
- Steam Overlay
- Discord Overlay
- NVIDIA Overlay
- MSI Afterburner overlay
Then relaunch the game.
This isn’t the most common fix, but several players report it helped restore keyboard and controller functionality.
Fix 8: Start a New Save File
Some players believe the bug can trigger during the intro sequence or first world load.
Try:
- creating a fresh save
- skipping intro cinematics
- switching to windowed mode
- restarting after loading into the world
Older Subnautica games had similar intro-related input bugs, so this may be connected.
What’s Causing the Subnautica 2 Input Bug?
Right now, the issue appears to be tied to:
- Steam Input conflicts
- DualSense compatibility problems
- multiple connected controllers
- incorrect device priority detection
- early access input bugs
Because Subnautica 2 is still in early access, input stability will likely improve in future patches.
For now, the three most reliable fixes are:
- Reordering controllers
- Disabling Steam Input
- Disconnecting extra USB devices
Those solutions currently have the highest success rate across Reddit and Steam discussions.
Final Thoughts
The Subnautica 2 keyboard and mouse not working bug is definitely frustrating, especially when menus seem completely normal before gameplay suddenly stops detecting inputs.
Thankfully, most players have been able to fix the issue by adjusting Steam Input settings, changing controller priority, or removing conflicting USB devices.
If your controls still aren’t working after trying every fix above, the problem is likely tied to the current early access version rather than your actual hardware.
Until Unknown Worlds releases a proper patch, these workarounds are currently the best fixes available.
FAQ
Why is my keyboard and mouse not working in Subnautica 2?
The issue is usually caused by Steam Input conflicts, incorrect controller priority, or multiple connected input devices interfering with gameplay controls.
Why do menus work but gameplay controls don’t in Subnautica 2?
This bug allows menu navigation while failing to properly assign gameplay movement controls once you enter the game world.
Does Subnautica 2 support PS5 controllers on PC?
Yes, Subnautica 2 supports DualSense controllers, but some players are experiencing Steam Input compatibility issues.
Should Steam Input be enabled or disabled in Subnautica 2?
Try both options. Some players fixed the issue by disabling Steam Input, while others only restored controls after enabling it.
How do I fix controller inputs not detected in Subnautica 2?
Try:
- reordering controllers in Steam
- disconnecting extra USB devices
- disabling Steam Input
- closing DS4Windows
- resetting controls to default
These are currently the most effective fixes reported by players.