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How to Change Control Settings in Iracing

Learn how to change control settings in iRacing quickly — a calm, clear guide for iRacing beginners and those new to iRacing, so you drive more comfortably today.

If you’ve ever launched iRacing and stared at a maze of menus wondering where to begin, you’re not alone. The good news: changing controls is simple once you know where to look. This guide for iRacing beginners will clear the confusion and get you comfortable behind the wheel.

Quick Answer: how to change control settings in iracing

Open iRacing, go to Options > Controls, select the device (wheel, pedals, or controller), then map axes and buttons, set deadzones and sensitivities, and save as a profile. That’s the core flow.

Why this matters for beginners

Control settings are how the sim translates your inputs into steering, throttle, and braking. If your wheel feels twitchy, your throttle lurches, or buttons don’t work, you’ll be frustrated — and slower. Understanding basic control setup helps you seat comfortably, learn how iRacing works, and make driving feel intuitive from the first lap.

Simple step-by-step guide

Launch iRacing and click Options (top-right) → Controls.
In the Controls screen, pick your device from the drop-down (e.g., Fanatec, Logitech, Xbox controller).
Click “Edit” to map steering, throttle, brake, clutch, shifter, and handbrake. Move the input to assign it.
Tweak axis settings: set deadzone (small value to ignore noise), sensitivity, and linearity if needed. Keep changes small.
Save your setup as a named profile so you can switch cars or revert later.

Tip: For wheels, use the manufacturer’s drivers or console utility first, then fine-tune inside iRacing.

Common mistakes (and fixes)

Mistake: Mapping the wrong axis (throttle vs brake). Fix: Test each input in the Controls screen before saving — the preview shows axis movement.
Mistake: Huge deadzones or inverted axis. Fix: Set deadzones small (0–5%) and flip axis only if movement is opposite.
Mistake: Not saving profiles. Fix: Name and save profiles per wheel and per car — it prevents redoing setup every session.

Quick pro tips (short, actionable)

Start with default settings then make one small change per session.
Use a steering wheel and pedals for best realism; controllers can be tuned but feel different.
Record a baseline profile called “Default” to recover quickly.
Reduce wheel force if it’s too strong — comfort beats maximum force for learning.
Read the car’s setup notes — some cars need different steering sensitivity.

When to ask for help

If controls still don’t feel right after basic tweaks, ask specific questions: “My brake axis jumps when idle” or “wheel center drifts.” iRacing communities (forums and Discord servers) are very helpful — share screenshots of your Controls panel and device model for faster answers.

FAQs

Q: Can I use the same control profile for all cars?
A: You can, but different cars behave differently. It’s useful to create a separate profile for very different cars (open-wheel vs. GT).

Q: My wheel isn’t recognized. What do I do?
A: Install or update the wheel drivers, restart iRacing, and check Windows device manager. Then reselect the device in Options > Controls.

Q: Is it better to change settings in-game or in driver software?
A: Use manufacturer software for firmware and broad force settings; use iRacing for mapping, deadzones, and sensitivities.

Final takeaways

You don’t need to be an expert to get comfortable controls. Follow the simple steps, save a profile, and tweak incrementally. Next step: create a “Practice” profile and try a 10-minute track session to feel the difference. For specific issues, community Discords and the iRacing forums are a great next stop.