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Most “Player 2: Press any key” stalls in the documented PC game Kitaria Fables are caused by controller assignment order, Steam’s input layer, or a controller that the game does not recognize in that co-op session. Start the game with every controller disconnected, use the keyboard to choose Local Co-op, then connect only Player 2’s controller and press a button at the prompt. If that fails, test each pad alone, review Steam controller configuration, and try a wired Xbox-compatible USB controller as a diagnostic.
There is an important naming issue: the official Steam support page available for this troubleshooting sequence is for Kitaria Fables, released September 1, 2021. It documents shared/split-screen local co-op and Steam Remote Play Together, but no official controller or networking support page for a separately released Kitaria Fables 2 was available. If you are using a sequel demo or unreleased build, treat every result below as build-specific rather than proof that the sequel has identical behavior.
First confirm which Kitaria Fables build you are running
Before changing drivers or buying another controller, verify the product name and build in Steam. The documented game is Kitaria Fables, published by PQube and developed by Twin Hearts and Secret Level Studios, with a September 1, 2021 release date. Its Steam listing identifies shared/split-screen co-op and Remote Play Together.
A test performed in a sequel demo, private test, console version, or unreleased build can produce different results. Write down the exact title shown in your library, platform, build or branch, and co-op mode. Use the steps in this guide first for the released Steam game; describe sequel results as conditional when contacting support.
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Match the symptom to the likely cause
| What you see | Most useful first test | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Player 2 remains on “Press any key” | Disconnect all pads, select Local Co-op with the keyboard, then connect only Player 2’s controller. | Community reports indicate that pressing a controller button before selecting co-op can assign both pads to Player 1. |
| The controller works in menus but not after co-op starts | Exit completely and repeat the keyboard-first sequence. | The game may have captured the device during the initial assignment instead of at the Player 2 prompt. |
| Both controllers control Player 1 | Disconnect both, relaunch, and connect one controller only after the Player 2 prompt appears. | Changing connection order can clear an incorrect Player 1 assignment. |
| One pad is invisible | Test that controller by itself, then reverse which controller is connected first. | Some reports found the second pad appeared when the first was removed. |
| Wireless or off-brand pads fail while another pad works | Review Steam controller configuration and perform a wired Xbox-compatible USB test. | Reported compatibility varies by model, wireless state, and input translation. |
Reset player assignment with the keyboard-first method
This is the most specific workaround for a Player 2 prompt that never accepts input. It comes from a Steam Community user report, not a developer guarantee, but it directly addresses the reported assignment problem.
- Exit the game. Do not merely return to the title screen. Close the game so its current input assignments are released.
- Disconnect every controller. Unplug wired USB pads. For wireless pads, switch them off or disconnect their receiver. Leave the keyboard connected.
- Relaunch the game. Wait until the main menu is visible before reconnecting a controller.
- Use the keyboard to choose Local Co-op. Do not press a controller button while navigating to this mode.
- Wait for the Player 2 prompt. When the screen asks Player 2 to press a key or button, connect only the controller intended for Player 2.
- Press one button on that controller. Give the game a moment to register it before connecting another device.
- Test movement with both players. Confirm that the original keyboard player still controls Player 1 and the newly connected pad controls Player 2.
DylanCheetah described the key change on September 19, 2023: “I had the same issue and I solved it by making sure I used the keyboard to select co-op mode before pressing any buttons on the controller.” That is community experience, not verified developer documentation, so repeat the test after every other input change rather than assuming it works for every setup.
Test each controller separately
If the keyboard-first reset does not detect Player 2, isolate the hardware and connection order. Multiple devices make it difficult to tell whether the game, Steam, or one controller is responsible.
- Exit the game and disconnect both controllers.
- Connect only the controller you normally use for Player 2.
- Launch the game, select Local Co-op with the keyboard, and press the Player 2 button.
- If it is detected, exit and repeat with only the other controller.
- If one pad works alone and the other does not, swap USB ports or wireless receivers and test again.
- If each pad works alone but not together, repeat the sequence with the first pad connected only after Player 2 has joined.
A user report specifically noted that removing the first controller made the other controller appear. This does not establish a universal two-controller compatibility rule, but it makes one-device testing a more informative step than repeatedly launching with both pads already active.
Check Steam controller configuration without stacking input layers
Steam can translate controller input before the game receives it. A separate remapper, manufacturer utility, virtual gamepad driver, or overlay can translate the same input again. The reports cover Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, wireless, off-brand, and other controllers, with success depending on Steam configuration and whether the controller was powered before launch.
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Use one translation path at a time
- Choose either Steam’s controller configuration or another remapping layer for the test, not several at once.
- After changing a Steam controller setting, fully exit the game and relaunch it; do not judge the change from a session that already has an assignment.
- Keep the controller powered or connected before launching when testing a configuration that expects Steam to initialize it at startup.
- After each change, repeat the keyboard-first Local Co-op procedure so connection order remains controlled.
The available community evidence does not establish one universal Steam Input setting. A setting that helps a PS4 pad may be unnecessary or harmful for an Xbox-compatible pad. Record the setting used for each test instead of changing several options at once.
What to record while testing
- Controller model and whether it is Xbox, PlayStation, generic, or off-brand.
- Wired USB, Bluetooth, or wireless receiver connection.
- Whether the controller was powered before the game launched.
- Steam controller configuration or Input status used for that attempt.
- Which device was connected first and which input selected Local Co-op.
- The exact prompt, icon, or player label displayed when detection failed.
Use a wired controller as a diagnostic, not a guarantee
One report says two wired Xbox controllers worked for co-op, while other users reported failures with wireless or off-brand devices. A wired Xbox-compatible USB controller is therefore a reasonable compatibility test: it removes Bluetooth pairing, battery state, receiver enumeration, and some translation variables. It is not proof that every wired controller will work, nor does it guarantee that the original pads are defective.
- Disconnect wireless receivers and other pads.
- Connect one wired Xbox-compatible USB controller directly to the PC, avoiding a hub for the first test.
- Launch the game with the keyboard, choose Local Co-op, and connect the second wired controller only at the Player 2 prompt.
- If both work, reconnect your usual controllers one at a time to identify whether the failure follows a particular model or connection type.
If the wired test fails in exactly the same way, the issue is less likely to be Bluetooth pairing alone. Continue with assignment order and Steam configuration rather than assuming new hardware will solve it.
Before spending money on another pad
A replacement controller is optional diagnostic equipment, not a confirmed fix. Borrowing a known-working wired Xbox-compatible USB controller or using one you already own gives you the same comparison without committing to a purchase. If you do buy one, choose a returnable model and keep the receipt: the reports show that some wired Xbox pads worked, but they do not guarantee compatibility for every brand, revision, or sequel build. There is no published compatibility percentage or universal approved-device list.
Local split-screen versus Remote Play Together
Kitaria Fables lists two different co-op paths. Local co-op is shared or split-screen on the same system, so both local input devices must be assigned correctly. Remote Play Together streams the host session to another player; its connection and input routing are different from two controllers plugged into one PC.
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For local co-op
- Use the keyboard-first assignment sequence.
- Connect one controller at the Player 2 prompt.
- Test each controller alone if the second player is not detected.
- Keep both players’ devices connected to the same intended PC and note which device owns Player 1.
For Remote Play Together
- Identify whether the failure occurs before the remote guest joins or only after the guest connects.
- Record the host’s controller model and the guest’s input method separately.
- Test the host’s local menu and co-op assignment before inviting the guest, so a local assignment problem is not mistaken for a streaming problem.
- Do not use a local two-controller result as proof that Remote Play Together will behave identically; it is a different co-op path.
If the guest cannot act but the host can, document the exact point at which the guest input disappears rather than changing both players’ devices at once. The official listing confirms Remote Play Together, but it does not publish a complete network, bandwidth, or controller matrix. Avoid assuming that a local controller fix will resolve a guest-input issue.
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The practical setup to test is one keyboard player and one controller player. Start with every controller disconnected, use the keyboard to enter Local Co-op, and connect the controller when the Player 2 prompt appears. This sequence specifically avoids assigning the controller to Player 1 before co-op is selected.
If the controller still takes over Player 1, restart and make sure no controller button is pressed during menu navigation. If the game requires a controller for a particular menu action in your build, note that exception and report the exact screen; the official listing confirms co-op modes but does not publish a complete keyboard-and-controller compatibility matrix.
When both controllers remain assigned to Player 1
- Close the game.
- Disconnect both controllers and leave only the keyboard active.
- Launch and select Local Co-op with the keyboard.
- Connect the intended Player 2 controller only after the prompt appears.
- Press a single button, then test Player 2 before connecting any additional pad.
- If the assignment is still wrong, test the second controller alone and then reverse the physical connection order.
- Record whether the incorrect assignment occurs with wired, wireless, or both connection types.
Do not repeatedly press buttons on both controllers while the prompt is visible. That changes the assignment variables and can make it impossible to identify which device the game accepted.
Compare fixes systematically
When a setup works, write down what changed. Five comparison axes matter in the reported cases: the build or version, connection type, input layer, assignment order, and co-op mode. For example, “original Steam release, two wired Xbox pads, Steam configuration only, Player 2 connected after the prompt, local split-screen” is a useful test description. “Controllers do not work” is not.
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| Axis | Compare | What a result tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Build | Released Kitaria Fables versus a sequel demo or test branch | Whether the behavior can safely be attributed to the documented game |
| Connection | Wired USB versus Bluetooth or a wireless receiver | Whether pairing, receiver enumeration, or battery state may be involved |
| Input layer | Steam configuration versus another remapper | Whether two translation layers are competing |
| Assignment order | Controller active before launch versus connected at the Player 2 prompt | Whether Player 1 capture is causing the stall |
| Mode | Local split-screen versus Remote Play Together | Whether the issue is local assignment or guest-input routing |
Change one axis at a time. If you switch from wireless to wired, change Steam settings, and invite a remote guest in the same attempt, the result cannot identify a cause.
Build, platform, and evidence limits
The official support material located for this topic is for Kitaria Fables, not a separately documented sequel. It does not provide a published failure rate, compatibility percentage, complete controller matrix, or sequel-specific fix. Consequently:
- Results from the 2021 Steam release should be described as results for that game and build.
- A Kitaria Fables 2 demo, test branch, or future release may use different input handling.
- Community reports show possible workarounds, not guaranteed support for every controller model.
- Wireless, off-brand, and Steam-translated devices should be compared with a controlled wired test rather than judged from one unsuccessful launch.
- No cleanup utility, driver optimizer, or unrelated PC utility has been shown to correct this assignment issue; do not treat such software as a confirmed solution.
Prepare a useful support report
If the sequence above fails, send a reproducible report instead of only saying that co-op is broken. Steam directs players to PQube customer support for the documented game. The Steam support page itself opens with, “We’re sorry to hear you are having trouble with this game.” Include:
- Exact game title as shown in Steam and the build, branch, or demo name.
- Operating system and platform.
- Local split-screen or Remote Play Together.
- Controller make, model, and whether each device is wired, Bluetooth, or receiver-based.
- Steam controller configuration or Input setting active during the test.
- Whether devices were connected before launch or only at the Player 2 prompt.
- The exact symptom: “Press any key” stall, menu detection without co-op detection, both pads assigned to Player 1, or no icon at all.
- The shortest sequence that reproduces the failure, including which device was connected first.
State clearly if the report concerns Kitaria Fables 2 rather than the officially documented Kitaria Fables release. That distinction prevents support staff from applying assumptions from the older game to a different build. If possible, include one successful comparison, such as the same controller working alone or a wired pad working where a wireless pad failed.
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A compact decision path
- Verify the title and build. If it is a sequel demo or unreleased build, mark the result as conditional.
- Reset assignment. Disconnect all controllers, choose Local Co-op with the keyboard, then connect only Player 2’s controller at the prompt.
- Isolate hardware. Test each controller alone and reverse connection order.
- Control the input layer. Use one Steam or remapping path at a time and relaunch after each change.
- Try wired. Use a wired Xbox-compatible USB controller as a diagnostic comparison.
- Separate co-op modes. Test local split-screen independently from Remote Play Together.
- Escalate with details. Send PQube the build, hardware, connection order, settings, and exact prompt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Player 2 stuck on “Press any key”?
Exit the game, disconnect every controller, relaunch, and use the keyboard to select Local Co-op. Connect only Player 2’s controller after the prompt appears, then press one button. This keyboard-first order is the most specific community workaround for the stall.
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Why does my controller work in menus but not in co-op?
The controller may have been captured as Player 1 during menu navigation. Repeat the full reset with all pads disconnected and do not press a controller button until the Player 2 prompt is visible.
Why are both controllers assigned to Player 1?
Connection order can cause that assignment. Close the game, disconnect both pads, select Local Co-op with the keyboard, and connect one controller only at the Player 2 prompt. Test each pad alone if necessary.
Can I play local co-op with one keyboard and one controller?
That setup is the most useful one to test: leave the controller disconnected while the keyboard enters Local Co-op, then connect the controller for Player 2. The official listing confirms co-op modes but does not publish a complete keyboard-and-controller matrix for every build.
Do wireless or off-brand controllers work?
Reports vary by model, wireless state, and Steam configuration. Test the pad alone, keep one input-translation layer active, and compare it with a wired Xbox-compatible USB controller. A wired result is a diagnostic, not a guarantee.
Should I buy a new controller to fix the problem?
Not immediately. Borrow or reuse a known-working wired Xbox-compatible USB pad first. If you purchase one, treat it as optional diagnostic hardware and use a returnable model because no universal compatibility list is published.
Does a local controller fix also solve Remote Play Together?
Not necessarily. Local split-screen and Remote Play Together use different input paths. First determine whether the host can play locally, then record whether the guest fails before joining or only after joining.
Is this troubleshooting confirmed for Kitaria Fables 2?
The official Steam support material located for this sequence is for Kitaria Fables, released September 1, 2021. Apply the steps to a sequel demo or unreleased build only as conditional tests and include the exact build in any support report.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe Bottom Line
For the documented Steam release, the best first move is simple: disconnect every controller, select Local Co-op with the keyboard, and connect Player 2’s controller only when the prompt appears. Then isolate each pad, keep Steam or another remapper as the sole input layer, and compare wired with wireless hardware. Treat Kitaria Fables 2 results as build-specific, separate local co-op from Remote Play Together, and send PQube a detailed reproduction report if the assignment still fails.
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