[HIGH] [SDL #7759] [Windows] The xbox controllers do not respond if the computer has been remote controlled by the 'mstsc.exe'.

[Chevalier12]

Tracking upstream SDL issue libsdl-org#7759

• Priority: HIGH — provisional triage from SDL-OPEN-ISSUES-PRIORITIES.md, NOT an official SDL severity.
• Source: [Windows] The xbox controllers do not respond if the computer has been remote controlled by the 'mstsc.exe'. libsdl-org/SDL#7759
• Original title: [Windows] The xbox controllers do not respond if the computer has been remote controlled by the 'mstsc.exe'.
• Reported by: yanyu-xww
• Upstream state at capture: open; state reason: reopened
• Created: 2023-05-30T03:10:13.0000000Z; updated: 2026-05-04T09:00:52.0000000Z
• Snapshot captured: 2026-09-07T17:43:50.9783822Z
• Upstream labels:
• Upstream milestone (not affected versions): 3.x (https://github.com/libsdl-org/SDL/milestone/6)
• Upstream assignees: slouken
• Upstream comments included: 17
• Locked: False; lock reason:
• Triage rationale: Input absent sau rezultate de randare greșite raportate; verificați regresia și scenariul activ.

This is an attributed tracking copy, not a locally reproduced or confirmed Graphix defect. Applicability, affected versions and ownership still require validation. No automatic synchronization or resolution is implied. Original descriptions and comments are preserved literally in Markdown code blocks to avoid notifying mentioned users or resolving SDL references against Graphix. Attachments, logs, patches and other linked resources remain at their original URLs; external resource contents and edit/event histories are not copied.

Graphix validation checklist

• Read the current upstream issue and discussion.
• Establish affected versions/platforms and whether Graphix is affected.
• Reproduce the reported behavior and identify the invariant owner.
• Implement an ownership-correct fix or document an upstream/external resolution.
• Verify regression coverage and applicable platform/runtime gates.

Original description

As the title, if the computer has been controlled by the 'mstsc.exe', my Xbox controllers do not return any events except 'SDL_EVENT_JOYSTICK_ADDED' and 'SDL_EVENT_JOYSTICK_REMOVED'. 
I can only restart the computer to solve this problem. 

Original discussion (chronological)

Original comment by slouken

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-05-30T12:55:17.0000000Z; updated: 2023-05-30T12:55:17.0000000Z; association: COLLABORATOR

Does https://github.com/libsdl-org/SDL/commit/b2e88ecfeb5e4d7db021e43c1b9bc4c9d14f615c fix it for you?

Original comment by yanyu-xww

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-05-31T02:20:47.0000000Z; updated: 2023-05-31T02:22:56.0000000Z; association: NONE

Sorry,  it seems to be some time difference between us. Back to the topic
, this patch doesn't work.

Original comment by yanyu-xww

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-05-31T02:37:32.0000000Z; updated: 2023-05-31T02:37:32.0000000Z; association: NONE

After I replied to your message, I found that it now has some returns, but it has a big delay.

Original comment by yanyu-xww

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-06-02T06:45:30.0000000Z; updated: 2023-06-02T06:45:30.0000000Z; association: NONE

If I close the connection, xbox controllers also do not have any response except ‘LT’ and 'RT'.

Original comment by slouken

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-06-02T15:57:15.0000000Z; updated: 2023-06-02T15:57:15.0000000Z; association: COLLABORATOR

I am able to reproduce this, thanks!

Original comment by yanyu-xww

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-06-05T02:59:54.0000000Z; updated: 2023-06-05T02:59:54.0000000Z; association: NONE

Thanks, the first issue has been solved. But the second problem remains. And now it do not have any response including ‘LT’ and 'RT'. You can reproduce it by "Disconnect all Xbox controllers -> Activate the Remote Desktop -> Close the Remote Desktop -> Connect an Xbox controller - Reproduce".

Original comment by slouken

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-06-05T16:03:52.0000000Z; updated: 2023-06-05T16:03:52.0000000Z; association: COLLABORATOR

I can reproduce this as well. It's crazy, the WM_INPUT messages just stop being delivered if Remote Desktop has connected.

Original comment by slouken

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-06-05T17:38:11.0000000Z; updated: 2023-06-05T17:38:57.0000000Z; association: COLLABORATOR

I don't have a solution for this. If you read the raw input device you can get input, but only while the application has focus. If you handle WM_INPUT messages you can get input while in the background, but apparently you stop getting these messages after Remote Desktop has connected, until the computer has been restarted. This seems like a Windows bug, possibly introduced recently?

Original comment by yanyu-xww

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-06-06T02:46:29.0000000Z; updated: 2023-06-06T02:46:29.0000000Z; association: NONE

No, it seems introduced for a long time. I have tested Win10 19H2 and Win11 22H2. They can all reproduce this. And I cannot reproduce it with any other types of controllers. May an XBox controller bug? I will ask them for help.

Original comment by yanyu-xww

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-06-06T10:36:33.0000000Z; updated: 2023-06-06T10:38:30.0000000Z; association: NONE

I consulted the technical support of Microsoft and they judged it is most likely a bug.

Original comment by yanyu-xww

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-06-26T01:18:53.0000000Z; updated: 2023-06-26T01:18:53.0000000Z; association: NONE

They can finally reproduce the problem and are looking for more information.
You can see the progress here: https://forums.xboxlive.com/questions/152665/windows-the-xbox-controllers-do-not-respond-if-the.html

Original comment by Squall-Leonhart

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-07-01T06:02:27.0000000Z; updated: 2023-07-01T06:02:27.0000000Z; association: NONE

Also https://github.com/microsoft/GDK/issues/28

Original comment by slouken

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-11-08T05:02:57.0000000Z; updated: 2023-11-08T05:02:57.0000000Z; association: COLLABORATOR

Was there any resolution on Microsoft's side?

Original comment by Squall-Leonhart

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-11-08T05:28:01.0000000Z; updated: 2023-11-08T05:28:01.0000000Z; association: NONE

I have heard there is some back and forth dialog in the Xbox Dev Forum report, but am not privy to it.

Original comment by slouken

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2023-11-22T17:17:21.0000000Z; updated: 2023-11-22T17:17:21.0000000Z; association: COLLABORATOR

I'm going to close this here, and hopefully Microsoft will have a fix coming.

Original comment by Squall-Leonhart

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2025-08-28T14:17:59.0000000Z; updated: 2025-08-28T14:17:59.0000000Z; association: NONE

Microsoft wants the WGI Redist from https://www.nuget.org/packages/Microsoft.GameInput/2.0.26100.5334 tested.

Original comment by Squall-Leonhart

Source: libsdl-org#7759 (comment)
Created: 2026-05-04T09:00:52.0000000Z; updated: 2026-05-04T09:00:52.0000000Z; association: NONE

Just affirming this is not fixed, despite microsofts insistence lol.