Gamepad Input Globally

mpv Information

mpv v0.41.0-601-gce71cd8ae Copyright © 2000-2026 mpv/MPlayer/mplayer2 projects
 built on May  3 2026 10:05:49
libplacebo version: v7.364.0 (v7.360.0-34-gd5ef02c-dirty)
FFmpeg version: N-124318-g702b0784b
FFmpeg library versions:
   libavcodec      62.30.100
   libavdevice     62.4.100
   libavfilter     11.17.100
   libavformat     62.13.102
   libavutil       60.30.100
   libswresample   6.4.100
   libswscale      9.7.100

Other Information

- Windows version: 10 22H2 [10.0.19045.5487]
- GPU model, driver and version: DS4Windows (Xbox 360 Controller driver)
- Source of mpv: [github.com/zhongfly/mpv-winbuild/](https://github.com/zhongfly/mpv-winbuild/)
- Latest known working version: 
mpv v0.40.0-341-gdb2b4362c Copyright © 2000-2025 mpv/MPlayer/mplayer2 projects
 built on Sep 27 2025 21:05:13
libplacebo version: v7.354.0 (v7.351.0-69-g5592d88-dirty)
FFmpeg version: N-121254-g635cb4543
FFmpeg library versions:
   libavcodec      62.16.100
   libavdevice     62.2.100
   libavfilter     11.9.100
   libavformat     62.6.100
   libavutil       60.13.100
   libswresample   6.2.100
   libswscale      9.3.100
- Issue started after the following happened: Updated to the latest available build of mpv 0.41 (May 3, 2026).

Description

With --input-gamepad=yes and any game running, gamepad inputs in mpv were only captured when the mpv window was active. This allowed the gamepad to be set as a media controller without interfering with the running game.
After updating to mpv v0.41.0, gamepad inputs are now captured globally, even with games running (with mpv not in focus). This makes background/secondary use of mpv impossible during gaming, as button presses intended for the game are also registered in mpv.

(Note: Global capture with non-game applications was already present before, but this was not an issue since they don’t use the gamepad.)

Downgrading to v0.40.0 restores the previous behavior.

Reproduction Steps

Set up the gamepad, example: GAMEPAD_ACTION_DOWN cycle pause
Launch mpv with --input-gamepad=yes
Open a media file in mpv.
Switch focus to a game.
Use the gamepad in the game.

Expected Behavior

(Previous behavior)
During a game, gamepad inputs should only be captured when the mpv window is active.

Actual Behavior

Gamepad input is captured globally by mpv during a game, even when the window is not active. This causes unwanted input in mpv.

Log File

v0.41 no:
output41.txt

v0.40 ok:
output40.txt

Sample Files

No response

I carefully read all instruction and confirm that I did the following:

• I tested and confirmed that the issue exists with the latest release version or newer.
• I provided all required information including system and mpv version.
• I produced the log file with the exact same set of files, parameters, and conditions used in "Reproduction Steps", with the addition of --log-file=output.txt.
• I produced the log file while the behaviors described in "Actual Behavior" were actively observed.
• I attached the full, untruncated log file.
• I attached the backtrace in the case of a crash.

Start with the --input-gamepad=yes entry point and compare output41.txt with output40.txt, then inspect the changes between the reported v0.40 and v0.41 builds that affect gamepad focus handling. Done means gamepad input is captured by mpv only while its window is active, while the reproduction steps continue to work with a game focused.