MXGP 26 Controls: How to Remap Keys and Buttons on PC

Checked against hotfix notes: October 1, 2026

Launch day timeline

Launch: PC players find no remapping. Threads "Where Is The Button Mapping???", "No rebindable controls on PC!?" and "Missing change of keyboard controls!" open within hours, and at least seven Steam reviews mention it.
Same day: a Nacon developer replies "We are making a hotfix today with many fixes including this feature".
6PM CEST: the hotfix notes list "Custom keybinds: controls can now be fully remapped on PC".

What players disliked about the defaults

The most specific complaint, from a German review, is that the rear brake sits on R1 and upshift on X / A. Others simply call the default layout bad. With remapping live, a sensible starting point is rear brake on a trigger you can feather while steering, and upshift on a shoulder button so your thumb stays free.

Stand and sit

Manual stand and sit is off by default; the game picks for you. Turn it on in the settings and a HUD element shows whether your rider is standing or seated. The rider's weight changes how the bike behaves, so bind it to a button you can hit without letting go of steering. More on when to use it in the settings guide.

Steering feel

Several refunds came from heavy, slow steering. Players mention two in-game options to adjust it: the steering deadzones and a setting for how hard or soft the steering reacts. One reviewer tried deadzones and still found it tiring; another, who liked the handling, points out that you can make the steering harder or softer. Try the steering setting first, then deadzones.

Controller not detected

Steam marks controller support as partial, so check Steam Input for this game: switch it on or off in the game's Properties → Controller, and test both.
Close other controller tools (DS4Windows and similar) that may present a second virtual pad.
Plug in the controller before launching the game.
Pads with back buttons (one player mentions a Flydigi Vader 4 Pro) let you remap in the pad's own software, which is what PC players did before the hotfix.

Controls questions

Can you remap controls in MXGP 26?

Yes. Consoles had it at launch; on PC it arrived with the first hotfix on October 1, 2026 at 6PM CEST, which made controls "fully remapped" in Nacon's words.

Why can I still not change my controls?

Your copy may not have the hotfix yet. Restart Steam so it downloads, as Nacon advises, then reopen the game.

Is MXGP 26 playable on keyboard?

Steam lists a keyboard-only option, but also marks a gamepad as recommended. Analogue throttle and steering make a big difference with the new physics.

Sources: Nacon replies and hotfix notes in the Steam discussions; launch-day Steam reviews.