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How Can I Reset Controls in Iracing

Learn how can i reset controls in iracing quickly. A friendly step-by-step guide for iRacing beginners and those new to iRacing to restore defaults and fix controls.


If you’ve opened iRacing, fiddled with a wheel or gamepad, and suddenly nothing responds the way it used to, you’re not alone. Asking “how can i reset controls in iracing” is the right first step — and it’s simpler than it looks. This short guide gives calm, clear steps and practical iRacing tips so you can get back on track.

Quick Answer — how can i reset controls in iracing

Open the iRacing simulator, go to Options → Controls, choose the device you want to reset (wheel, pedals, controller), then click the “Restore Defaults” (or “Load Default Controls”) button. Apply the changes, restart the sim if needed, and verify inputs in a test session. (About 45 words)

Why this matters for iRacing beginners

New to iRacing? Controls are the bridge between you and the car. When bindings or axes are wrong, the car behaves unpredictably, and that’s scary for rookies. Resetting brings you back to a known base setup — the same default that most iRacing beginners start from — so you can learn how iRacing works without fighting your hardware.

Simple step-by-step guide

  1. Launch iRacing and enter a practice or the main UI.
  2. Click Options (gear icon) and open the Controls tab.
  3. From the device dropdown, select your wheel, pedals, or controller.
  4. Click “Restore Defaults” or “Load Default Controls” for that device.
  5. Click Apply / OK, then test in a short on-track session. If axes still feel off, fully restart iRacing and your wheel/base software.

(Each step is intentionally short so you can follow without getting lost.)

Common mistakes and fixes

  • Mistake: Resetting the wrong device. Fix: Double-check the device name in the dropdown (e.g., “Fanatec” vs “Xbox Controller”).
  • Mistake: Not clicking Apply before leaving the menu. Fix: Always Apply and then OK to save changes.
  • Mistake: Expecting wheel driver settings to change. Fix: A reset in iRacing won’t change your wheel’s firmware or base settings — open your wheel’s control panel too.

Quick pro tips

  • Backup your current control profile before resetting (Export profile if available).
  • If you use third-party wheel software, update drivers and firmware before troubleshooting.
  • After reset, re-center and calibrate your wheel in both iRacing and the wheel utility.
  • Use the default profile as your baseline, then make one change at a time.
  • If stuck, the iRacing Discord communities are friendly places to ask for device-specific help.

FAQs

Q: Will resetting controls delete my custom bindings?
A: Yes — restoring defaults replaces your current bindings for the selected device. Export/save profiles first if you want to keep them.

Q: My wheel still steers the opposite way after reset. What now?
A: Check for an “Invert Axis” option in iRacing or your wheel software; also verify that the wheel is centered before loading defaults.

Q: Can I reset all devices at once?
A: Most versions require selecting each device and restoring defaults individually. Repeat the process for wheel, pedals, and controllers.

Q: Do I need to reinstall iRacing to fix control problems?
A: Rarely. Resetting controls and updating wheel drivers or restarting the sim fixes most issues.

Final takeaway

Resetting controls is a safe, quick way to return to a predictable setup and keep learning. Next step: restore defaults for your wheel, do a 5-minute practice lap, and then make one small adjustment (sensitivity or deadzone) so you can learn what changes actually do. You’ll be more confident in no time.