Hardware & Technical Any idea why my HOTAS has started freezing up randomly during gameplay?

[Branithar]

The only game I play with it is Elite: Dangerous. It’s a Logitech X56 HOTAS, but the only thing that freezes up is the stick: the throttle works fine. Sometimes it happens when I’m trying to request docking, sometimes during a PvP duel (where it will either not let me fire my weapons at all, or manage pips, or it will take it upon itself to fire my weapons automatically, until I dive for the computer and yank the stick’s USB cord and plug it back in). When I plug the stick back in, it goes back to normal.

It started happening a few days ago. Any idea what’s causing the stick to stop responding? Anything I can do to fix it? Or does it sound like the controller is already starting to fail?

It’s plugged directly into my computer, and I’ve tried multiple ports: both USB 2.0 & 3.0. And I’ve tried completely uninstalling the driver, and have updated it to the latest driver.

It happens most often when I jump into a new system, drop out of supercruise, or in the middle of a fight.

 

[Morbad]

Probably a dirty or loose internal connection, possibly a damaged wire.

First thing I'd do is remove the grip and clean the contacts between the grip and the base. If that doesn't resolve your issues, open the grip and the base and ensure all the wire connectors are secure. If you still have issues, some more in depth diagnostics will be required, such as plugging it in while it's disassembled and moving stuff to see if you can induce an issue, then looking for damage/testing continuity in that area, etc.

 

[Necronaught]

The only game I play with it is Elite: Dangerous. It’s a Logitech X56 HOTAS, but the only thing that freezes up is the stick: the throttle works fine. Sometimes it happens when I’m trying to request docking, sometimes during a PvP duel (where it will either not let me fire my weapons at all, or manage pips, or it will take it upon itself to fire my weapons automatically, until I dive for the computer and yank the stick’s USB cord and plug it back in). When I plug the stick back in, it goes back to normal.

It started happening a few days ago. Any idea what’s causing the stick to stop responding? Anything I can do to fix it? Or does it sound like the controller is already starting to fail?

It’s plugged directly into my computer, and I’ve tried multiple ports: both USB 2.0 & 3.0. And I’ve tried completely uninstalling the driver, and have updated it to the latest driver.

It happens most often when I jump into a new system, drop out of supercruise, or in the middle of a fight.

Sounds like that weird driver issue that the X52 suffers from. The fix was simply to keep the control panel open when you play. Right-click the icon for your HOTAS, in the taskbar. Left click control panel and that will fix it. If it's the same bug.

The issue was caused by something cycling and keeping the control panel open prevents that happening. I had it many times. The stick would fail but the throttle would be fine.

 

[DD_Crash]

Check the cable between the trottle and stick. The X52 was prone for bad connections.

 

[Branithar]

Probably a dirty or loose internal connection, possibly a damaged wire.

First thing I'd do is remove the grip and clean the contacts between the grip and the base. If that doesn't resolve your issues, open the grip and the base and ensure all the wire connectors are secure. If you still have issues, some more in depth diagnostics will be required, such as plugging it in while it's disassembled and moving stuff to see if you can induce an issue, then looking for damage/testing continuity in that area, etc.

Thanks! I disconnected and reattached the stick from the base and I haven’t noticed a single lag or hiccup for a couple days.