FFXI Config Not Detecting Any Controller

So I recently came back and was using my PS4 controller with DS4 and everything was fine for a while. I alternated controllers because I'd have the PS4 active with youtube or streaming and would swap them out when one needed to be charged. One of these times the game just decided it didn't want to detect my controller. Since then I've battled this controller issue and ran it through top to bottom.

Basically the issue is I can get any controller (PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) to work/detect in Windows 10 and function normally using either DS4 or Xbox Accessories. The wireless ones could be used wirelessly and worked fine when tested with Windows. But at the same time I CANNOT get FFXI Config to register ANYTHING. The only thing I get is a vibration when I do the vibration test in FFXI Config.

Things I've tried:
Update drivers
Uninstall/Reinstall every associated Driver
Tried Direct input via DS4
XInput off/on within config with every controller (even though I know Xbox are XI) both with every combination of XI/DI off/on for every controller with every preset possible (Used test gamepad to see if any button presses were detected)
Uninstalled DS4controller
Different DS4controller
Repaired all C++ Redistibutable
Configured and calibrated all controllers with various apps (DS4, Advanced settings under the devices manager, Steam, etc)
Completely removed DS4
Uninstalled FFXI from steam and reinstalled normally bypassing steam
Attempted every method I could find on google for people with the same issues

Now to me, it seems the issue is Windows > FFXI communication. I cant for the life of me. Ive basically run into a brick wall and I don't know what to do other than play with the Keyboard (which I suck at because of a PS2 > Xbox 360 > PC with controller FFXI career) If worse comes to worse I'll relearn how to use the keyboard but I'm rusty enough as is trying to remember how to play my jobs in general. I haven't even participated in any content because I don't feel confident I can play to a decent ability level. Switching to a keyboard style game I haven't used in a decade will require quite a bit of time to adjust to so I'd prefer to fix this problem instead.

I'm out of ideas. I suspect something in the registry or deep windows settings or some other issue that is far beyond my skills to find/fix.

Please help lol

FFXI is an old game, I had the same problem when I came back. I actually had to order a USB Logitech controller to get it working again. Logitech seems to be the only brand of controller that works consistently with FFXI.

Yeah that's what baffles me. It worked fine for 4-5 days then all of a sudden it just stopped working completely. Hell I didn't even have to do anything other than plug in my PS4 controller to start playing when I logged in the account even after a 2 year hiatus.

I'd say it's likely a problem with your OS install, reinstall windows or troubleshoot that.

Thanks bud. That fixed it. Had to basically reinstall everything useful on my computer again and re-download the update I downloaded yesterday but I'm back in action.

Much appreciated Jeta :D

Not a "solution" I'd usually use as a go-to but based on the symptom it seemed likely anyway.

Sooo about controllers.

I use them exclusively with the micro keyboard, (PS2 days..)

When it comes to ffxi, you want to fool the game into thinking its a xbox / microsoft controller.

You can do this easily with ANY X INPUT converter.
Its a mimic and XI will see it as a xb controller and will always work properly once setup.

This also works with switch lite controllers, retro controllers, and all converters with x input capability. (cronusmax & all its clones)

Hopefully that helps incase you or anyone else runs into controller problems.

X input is the way to go. 8 bit do retro sn30 pro / sf30 pro are literally ps4 controllers with a BUILT IN input CONVERTER

Also one thing to note, in my system Nvidia shadowplay stops my controller being recognised by ffxi, so I have to disable it during ffxi sessions.

Not sure if it's the same for everyone, I use a ps4 controller with ds4windows, well I did till this week, using a dualsense now, but did test and same thing happens with that too.

yeah, this is blatantly inaccurate information

I'm having this same issue but only on a ps5 controller ps4 works fine. Any idea what the issue might be?

My laptop got 3 USB ports and my PS4 controller only works on one of them for ffxi.
All other games, all the usb works.
Occasionally the one that works doesn't work, and I have to do the, restarting of the computer and it works
.

I had a very similar issue and it was only FFXI that gave me problems. Used to face to delete the USB device from the Device Manager, then restart the computer and activate it. I’ve since scrapped that controller and now I use a cheap usb controller from Amazon and it’s never given me any issues. No idea what it is, but ffxi seems to have problems with Xbox or ps4 controllers

As this fixed the OP: