Troubleshooting

Find PC returns nothing

• Is the receiver running? The PC tray app must be open — look for its icon by the clock. If it's not there, launch Controller Gateway on the PC. If it's not installed yet, on the PC go to controller-gateway.com/pc (or tap Set up your PC in the app to send yourself the link).
• Firewall. On the receiver's first run, Windows asks to allow it — choose Allow on Private networks. If you dismissed it, re-run the installer or add an inbound rule for the app.
• Same network. Phone and PC must be on the same Wi-Fi/LAN. Guest networks and some VPNs isolate devices — turn the VPN off or switch networks.

Joy-Cons or a Pro Controller aren't mapping

Nintendo controllers have their own set of gotchas: which device they're paired to, the "Use Joy-Cons as one controller" toggle, how you're holding them, and app version 2.4.1 being the first with Joy-Con support. There's a dedicated, step-by-step page for it: Switch controller not working? The checklist.

The controller is controlling my phone, not the game

While relaying — including with the screen dimmed — the app takes exclusive control of the controller so Android stops also delivering its input to whatever's on screen. If you see double input, make sure you're on the latest version and that the status line actually shows it streaming. Stopping and restarting the relay clears a stale session.

The PlayStation / Guide button quits Moonlight

The PlayStation (PS) or Xbox Guide button can be captured by Moonlight (or Windows itself), closing the streaming session — this is platform behaviour, not something Controller Gateway can intercept. Use Moonlight's own quit hotkey instead: L1 + R1 + Select/Options + Start/Create. Simply avoid the PS/Guide button during a session.

No rumble

Rumble round-trips on PC for games that support force feedback — some games have it off by default, so check the game's settings.

Free play messages

• "Free play: 10 minutes left", and the controller buzzes. The app warns you at 30, 10, 5 and 1 minute of free play left: controllers with vibration on buzz 1, 2, 3 or 4 times (where the controller supports it), and the phone shows a reminder with the time left. One long buzz means free play has run out and relaying has stopped.
• "Stopped: couldn't reach the Controller Gateway server to count your free play time. Check this phone's internet connection, then tap Start again." Free play time is counted on our server, so free play needs the phone to be online. Check its Wi-Fi or mobile data actually reaches the internet (not just your PC), then tap Start. Premium doesn't need an internet connection.
• "Your free play time is used — unlock to keep playing." Your 6 hours of free play are up. Relaying stops until you buy the one-time £2.99 unlock for unlimited play; pairing, battery readout and controller calibration still work. Reinstalling the app doesn't reset free play, because the time is counted on our server.

Premium unlock problems

• Bought premium but it's still locked. The £2.99 unlock is a one-time purchase made inside the app through Google Play. Make sure you're signed into the same Google account you paid with, then close and reopen the app.
• Reinstalled the app, or switched phones. There's no key to re-enter — purchases restore automatically as soon as you sign in with the same Google account and open the app.
• Still not unlocking. Check Play Store → profile icon → Payments & subscriptions to confirm the purchase went through, then email support with the Google account you purchased with.