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Can Two Controlers Be Used in Iracing

Answers whether can two controlers be used in iRacing and shows iRacing drivers how to connect and map two devices fast. Fix recognition and setup issues quickly.

If you’re asking “can two controlers be used in iracing,” the short answer is yes — with limits. You can use two separate input devices (for example, a wheel + pedals or wheel + gamepad) by assigning each device to specific axes/buttons in iRacing’s control settings. This article shows exactly what to check and how to fix common problems fast.

Quick Answer — can two controlers be used in iracing

Yes. iRacing accepts multiple input devices at once and lets you map axes and buttons from different devices. However, you can’t easily merge two devices into a single axis without extra software, and some device types (XInput vs DirectInput) can cause recognition issues.

What’s really going on

iRacing reads the controllers Windows exposes to the game. Each physical device shows up independently in iRacing’s Controls menu so you can assign steering, throttle, clutch, handbrake, or buttons to separate devices. Problems happen when:

  • A device isn’t recognized by Windows (so iRacing can’t see it).
  • Two devices try to control the same axis (conflict or jitter).
  • An XInput device (Xbox controller) doesn’t appear the same way as DirectInput devices.

Knowing that helps you focus on device recognition first, then mapping.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Check Windows first: Press Windows key, type “Set up USB game controllers” and open it. Verify both devices show up and respond in the test window.
  2. Reconnect and power: If a device is missing, unplug and reconnect it, try a different USB port (avoid hubs), and turn off Bluetooth pairing for a fresh connection.
  3. Open iRacing Controls: From the sim, go to Options → Controls → Select Device. Each device should be listed; pick the device for Steering, Throttle, Brake, etc.
  4. Assign axes and buttons: Click the axis/button you want, then move or press the control on the selected device. iRacing records it. Repeat for each control needed.
  5. Resolve conflicts: If two devices fight over one axis, unmap the unused device for that axis (clear the mapping) or use iRacing’s “Clear Input” and reassign only from the intended device.
  6. Use third-party tools only if needed: To combine axes (for example, two separate pedal sets into one virtual pedal), use Joystick Gremlin or vJoy — but only after device mapping in iRacing fails to give the result you want.

Extra tips / checklist

  • Prefer a single wheel + dedicated pedals for steering/throttle/brake to avoid mixed axis issues.
  • If an Xbox controller doesn’t appear, try switching it to DirectInput mode (third-party wrapper) or use a different controller type.
  • Disable controller vibration in Windows if you see jitter.
  • Update device drivers and run iRacing as admin if permission issues block detection.
  • Avoid using two full wheels at once — iRacing won’t merge them and behaviour will be unpredictable.

FAQs

Q: Can I use a wheel and an Xbox controller at the same time in iRacing?
A: Yes — assign the wheel to steering and pedals, and use the Xbox controller for extra buttons or handbrake. Map each device in Options → Controls.

Q: Why won’t iRacing see my second controller?
A: Check Windows Game Controllers first. Reconnect the device, change USB port, update drivers, and ensure it isn’t in Bluetooth sleep mode.

Q: Can I split a single axis across two devices (combine two throttles)?
A: Not natively. You’ll need a virtual device tool (vJoy, Joystick Gremlin) to merge inputs before iRacing sees them.

Q: Will using two controllers hurt my SR or iRating?
A: No — only driving behavior matters. But improper mapping can make the car hard to control, which could cost safety rating (SR) or performance.

Short wrap-up

Yes — you can use two controllers in iRacing, and mapping them correctly fixes most issues. Start by confirming both devices in Windows, then assign each control in iRacing. If you need to combine axes, use a virtual device tool as a last step.