It’s no secret that the guitar is one of the most widely played musical instruments worldwide. With its ever-increasing popularity, game developers did not take long to launch games to help you master this instrument. In today’s digital world, learning guitar is also made easier with the help of these games.
Guitar Hero is in a league of its own when it comes to guitar games. Although the game was launched years ago, it still holds the same popularity and is quite popular among expert guitarists and beginners alike. It’s a fun way to learn the basics and improves your hand-eye coordination.
The game does not have specific requirements and is compatible with most controllers, though you’d want the iconic guitar controller for the best experience. However, some gamers have repeatedly complained of Guitar Hero buttons not working. Controllers come with five buttons: green, red, yellow, blue, and orange.
Sometimes, they work fine in the menu but stop working as soon as you enter the game. If you have been facing this issue lately, here is what you need to do to fix this problem.
How to Solve Guitar Hero Buttons Not Working
Below are some reasons why Guitar Hero buttons may not work and some effective workarounds to fix it.
- Check Compatibility
If the Guitar Hero buttons do not work at all, the first thing to check is the compatibility of the controller that you are using. Of course, you cannot use any random controller to play Guitar Hero. There are third-party controllers out there, and not all of these might be compatible with your device.
However, that’s the case only if the buttons do not work at all. If the controls were working fine early but have stopped working recently, your Guitar Hero controller is compatible with the game. Apart from Guitar Hero, your game controller must also be compatible with your PC and the operating system.
If your controller is not compatible with any of the things mentioned above, the buttons won’t work at all. Similarly, if you are playing Guitar Hero on an Xbox or a console, know that only the controller designed for that specific platform will work properly. You can’t use an Xbox Guitar Hero controller with a PlayStation console, for instance.
- Check Drivers
Drivers are the software that enables your computer programs to interact with hardware devices seamlessly. In simple words, a PC needs drivers to connect to hardware devices. To play Guitar Hero, you have to connect a game controller to your PC. If you have not installed drivers on your PC, the Guitar Hero buttons will not work.
So, make sure to install the appropriate drivers on your PC, depending on your operating system. If your drivers are problematic or outdated, consider uninstalling them and restarting your PC. You will have to reinstall the drivers to connect your Guitar Hero controller.
To install drivers on your PC, find the appropriate drivers for your controller at Google. For this purpose, type your model name with the driver in the search box, and Google will show you the driver for the very controller. Alternatively, you can visit the website of your Guitar Hero controller’s manufacturer and look for its driver there.
Once you find the appropriate driver for your device, download the installer and run it. If you are using an older version of drivers, you may need to update it to run Guitar Hero smoothly.
For this purpose, you can search for “device manager” in the search bar at the bottom of your PC’s screen, or you can also right-click on the menu of your PC and click on “device manager” there. This will take you to another menu, where you will be able to find the right drivers for your device.
Right-click on your controller’s model name and click on “update drivers” to install the appropriate drivers for your Guitar Hero controller. Older Guitar Hero controllers also come with a disc that you can use to install drivers directly.
- Configure Game Controls
Gamers would know that it is crucial to configure game controls to run any game properly. If your Guitar Hero buttons are not working correctly, you may need to configure your game controls. To configure your controls, launch your game and tap on “Settings”.
Now, go to “Configure Menu”, and there, you can configure the buttons properly according to the features of Guitar Hero. Once you have configured your Guitar Hero controls, play a game or two to determine whether you are comfortable with the new controls.
This will also improve your game since you will be able to press the buttons with ease.
- Check the Controller
While it is not common, your Guitar Hero controller’s buttons or other components may also stop working for some reason. If the controls were working correctly early on but have stopped working recently or do not work sometimes, the chances are that there could be something wrong with your Guitar Hero controller.
Sometimes, you may press the buttons too forcefully while playing Guitar Hero. Of course, it will take its toll on the buttons over time, and as a result, the game will not register when you press the buttons in the game. To inspect the controller, take off its neck from its body. To remove it, see the clip at the back of your controller.
Push this clip, and it will unlock the neck of your controller. Once the clip is unlocked, you will be able to simply take it off without applying force. To inspect the controller of your guitar, you will have to take off its faceplate. To take it off, press its button at the back of your guitar, and it will come off with slight force.
If you do not see any button, you will have to move your finger along the edges of the faceplate to open it. Removing it forcefully is not recommended since it can damage your guitar. Once you have opened your guitar controller, see if there is any dust or damage.
Although it is very rare, dust particles may get inside your guitar controller over time and stop your Guitar Hero buttons from working properly. If you see dust or debris, clean your guitar controller using a cloth carefully.
- Check the Connection
A weak connection is another reason why the fret buttons may conk up now and then. Most guitars, especially cheaper ones, do not hold the neck in place tightly. The connections between the contact points of the neck and the guitar’s body tend to get weak, and as a result, the buttons may not work sometimes.
To fix this problem, you will need a tiny piece of cardboard. Start by taking off the faceplate and neck of your guitar controller. After that, cut the cardboard into little pieces. Put one part inside the place where the neck of your controller sits. If the piece is a bit big in size, consider folding it. Now, put the neck of your guitar back into place.
Push it a bit forcefully until you hear a clicking sound. The clicking sound indicates that the neck has gone back into its place properly. Once you have used the piece of cardboard, play Guitar Hero to find out whether it has resolved the issue or not. If it does not fix the button problem, it’s time to seek professional help.
The buttons of your guitar controller might have broken, so consider reaching out to a professional to replace or repair them. The good news for you is that many companies offer these services and you will be able to find one easily. And yes, repairing these buttons does not cost much.
Remember that your guitar controller is sensitive, and repairing its button on your own can damage it. Guitar controllers come with a product manual that you can read to get a better insight. Product manuals have all the information you need to open or repair your guitar controller.
So, make sure to refer to the manual if you experience any problems while playing Guitar Hero.
The Bottom Line
Guitar Hero is a popular guitar game played by millions of guitarists worldwide. Sometimes, the game does not register when you press the button. To fix this problem, be sure that your controller is compatible with the game and your PC.
If it is, make sure that you have the latest version of drivers installed on your PC. If the problem persists, reach out to a professional to fix it.