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My Throttle or Brake Isn’t Working in Iracing
Troubleshooting when my throttle or brake isn’t working in iracing — a calm, step-by-step guide for new to iRacing players. Quick checks, fixes, and next steps.
If you’ve ever loaded iRacing, pressed the pedal, and felt nothing happen, that sudden panic is normal. Many iRacing beginners type “my throttle or brake isn’t working in iracing” into forums before they even check the simplest things. Relax — this guide breaks it down so you can fix it fast.
Quick Answer: my throttle or brake isn’t working in iracing
Most of the time the problem is a settings or calibration issue: either the wheel/pedal device isn’t detected, axis mapping is wrong, or the pedals need recalibration in Windows/iRacing. Rarely it’s hardware failure — start with software checks first.
Why this matters for iRacing beginners
If you’re new to iRacing, the software looks like a cockpit full of options. Understanding how iRacing works with your hardware prevents frustration and helps you learn faster. Fixing pedal issues early means safer, more consistent practice and fewer DNS’s (did not start) on race day.
Common mistakes and quick fixes
- Device not selected in iRacing: Open Options > Controls and ensure your wheel/pedal set is chosen as the controller. If it’s “None” or a different device, select the correct one.
- Wrong axis mapping or deadzone: Many pedals show up but are mapped incorrectly (brake and throttle swapped or assigned to steering). In Controls, check axis assignments and use the calibration preview to confirm movement.
- Windows or driver issues: If Windows game controllers (win + type “joy.cpl”) don’t show the pedal or readings are erratic, reinstall or update drivers and any manufacturer software (Thrustmaster, Fanatec, Logitech).
Simple step-by-step guide
- Check physical connections: unplug and replug USB, power on the wheel base, and restart iRacing. Simple reconnects often fix detection issues.
- Verify Windows sees the pedals: open “Set up USB game controllers” (joy.cpl) and watch axis values while you press pedals. If nothing moves, the issue is outside iRacing.
- In iRacing go to Options > Controls > Edit Controls and choose your device. Click “Calibrate” and follow the on-screen prompts; then save the profile.
- Test in a Practice session with telemetry overlay or the control preview. If throttle/brake still act weird, swap pedals in the profile (assign different axes) to isolate mapping problems.
- If behavior is inconsistent, update firmware/drivers for your hardware and reboot the PC. If lights on the wheel behave oddly, consult the manufacturer.
When to ask for help
If you’ve run the steps above and things still fail, ask for help before replacing hardware. Take a short video of the pedal behavior, note Windows device readings, and post in friendly communities (official iRacing forums or iRacing Discord channels). Include make/model, OS, and what you’ve tried — that speeds troubleshooting.
FAQs
Q: My throttle moves in Windows but not in iRacing — why?
A: Likely a mapping or profile issue. Re-select the device in iRacing’s Controls and recalibrate the axes.
Q: The brake feels too soft in-game — can iRacing adjust that?
A: Yes. You can set brake saturation/linearity in your wheel software or apply a pedal curve in iRacing controls for more bite.
Q: Pedals are detected but reversed — how to fix?
A: In Controls > Edit Controls, swap the throttle and brake axis assignments or invert the axis as needed, then recalibrate.
Q: Is this a hardware problem or software?
A: Start with software. If pedals show no response in Windows, it’s probably hardware or USB/cable. If Windows shows movement but iRacing doesn’t, it’s a settings issue.
Final takeaway: Start with the basics — check connections, confirm Windows sees movement, then recalibrate in iRacing. Try the steps in a quick practice session and, if stuck, share clear details in the iRacing Discord or forums for friendly help.