Playing EA Sports FC (formerly FIFA) on PC with a PlayStation 5 DualSense controller offers a top-tier gaming experience. However, because EA Sports titles rely heavily on Microsoft’s XInput standard, PC players frequently run into frustrating control issues.
Common glitches include the right analog stick refusing to perform skill moves, buttons being swapped (e.g., Cross acting as Circle), or navigating menus causing erratic double scrolling.
Using DS5Windows resolves these compatibility bugs by emulating an Xbox 360 controller or a DualShock 4 device that EA Sports FC recognizes natively. Here is the step-by-step setup guide to get your PS5 controller working in EA Sports FC.
Why EA Sports FC Struggles with PS5 Controllers on PC
The EA app and Steam handle gamepads differently. While Steam offers built-in controller configuration tools, the EA app lacks robust controller translation layer support.
When you plug in a PS5 DualSense controller via USB or Bluetooth, Windows detects it as a generic DirectInput gamepad. This creates three major issues in EA Sports FC:
- Unresponsive Right Analog Stick: Skill moves fail to trigger because the game reads the axis values incorrectly.
- Double Input Conflict: The game reads both the physical PlayStation controller and the emulated virtual controller simultaneously, making menu selection nearly impossible.
- Wrong In-Game Button Prompts: Xbox prompts (A, B, X, Y) flickering alongside PlayStation prompts (Cross, Circle, Square, Triangle).
Step 1: Download and Configure Required Drivers
To set up DS5Windows correctly for EA FC, ensure you have the required companion drivers installed:
- DS5Windows: Download and extract the latest official build.
- ViGEmBus Driver: Responsible for creating the virtual Xbox/DS4 controller output.
- HidHide: Essential for EA FC — hides the physical PS5 controller from the EA app to completely prevent double-input glitches.
Step 2: Configure the EA FC Profile in DS5Windows
Setting up a dedicated profile in DS5Windows guarantees that your button layout and analog sticks map properly.
Emulation Mode Options. Source: dualsensex.com
- Launch DS5Windows and go to the Profiles tab.
- Click New to create a custom profile (name it
EA FC Setup). - Navigate to the Other tab on the right side of the screen.
- Set Emulated Controller to Xbox 360.
Why Xbox 360 Emulation? While DualShock 4 emulation works over a wired connection, selecting Xbox 360 guarantees 100% compatibility across both the EA app and Steam versions without breaking skill move inputs on the right stick.
- Click Save and assign this profile to your connected controller on the main screen.
Step 3: Fix Double Inputs and Right Stick Issues using HidHide
If you do not configure HidHide, EA Sports FC will detect two controllers plugged in at once. This causes menu jumping and breaks right-stick skill moves.
Follow these exact steps to lock out duplicate inputs:
1
Open HidHide Configuration
Prerequisite Step
1.Open HidHide Configuration:Prerequisite Step.
Launch the HidHide Configuration Client from your Start menu or system tray.
2
Hide Native PS5 Controller
Devices Tab
2.Hide Native PS5 Controller:Devices Tab.
Under the Devices tab, locate Sony Interactive Entertainment Wireless Controller (your DualSense) and check the box next to it.
3
Whitelist DS5Windows
Applications Tab
3.Whitelist DS5Windows:Applications Tab.
Navigate to the Applications tab, click Add, and select DS5Windows.exe. This allows DS5Windows (and only DS5Windows) to read the physical controller.
4
Enable Hiding Mode
Final Activation
4.Enable Hiding Mode:Final Activation.
Check the Enable hiding box at the bottom. A red lock icon will confirm that your physical controller is hidden from Windows apps like EA Desktop.
Step 4: Fine-Tuning Deadzones for Precision Skill Moves
Executing instant skill moves (like stepovers, rainbow flicks, and heel-to-heel flicks) requires tight analog stick calibration.
In your DS5Windows profile settings:
Right Stick (RS) Settings:
- Dead Zone: Set to
0.04–0.06. A lower deadzone ensures instant skill move activation when flicking the stick. - Max Output: Keep at
100%. - Output Curve: Set to
Linear.
Left Stick (LS) Settings:
- Dead Zone: Set to
0.03–0.05for responsive dribbling and left-stick agility turns.
Step 5: Steam vs. EA App Setup Guide
Depending on where you purchased the game, apply these launcher-specific adjustments:
For EA App / Epic Games Launcher:
- Make sure DS5Windows is running and showing a blue or green status icon (indicating active emulation).
- Launch the EA app.
- Start EA Sports FC. The game will immediately register the virtual controller without requiring additional launcher tweaks.
For Steam Users:
- Open Steam Settings > Controller.
- Disable “Steam Input for PlayStation Controllers” to avoid conflicts with DS5Windows.
- Launch EA Sports FC through Steam.
Quick Troubleshooting Summary
| Symptom | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Menu jumps 2 steps at once | Double Input bug active. | Enable HidHide and verify DS5Windows.exe is whitelisted. |
| Right stick won’t do Skill Moves | Game reading DirectInput axis. | Switch DS5Windows profile emulation mode to Xbox 360. |
| Controller disconnects mid-match | Power saving or Bluetooth signal drop. | Connect via USB-C or raise DS5Windows Bluetooth Poll Rate to 1 ms. |
Final Thoughts
Setting up your PS5 DualSense controller with DS5Windows guarantees a smooth, competitive experience in EA Sports FC. By using Xbox 360 emulation and hiding the physical controller via HidHide, you eliminate input lag, prevent double-scrolling, and get crisp, accurate skill moves on every matchday.