Citra MMJ Multiplayer & Controls Not Working
Citra MMJ is better optimized for Android devices. Generally, it performs better on some Android phones and also supports local multiplayer. However, like any emulator, this Citra fork is still not free from bugs.
Sometimes, the multiplayer feature does not work properly. In other cases, the on-screen controls disappear, appear outside the screen, or external controllers do not respond correctly.
In some games, the analog stick performs out of order, where you can’t move the characters freely in all directions. The reasons behind these issues could be:
- Control layout bugs
- Incorrect controller mappings
- Analog stick deadzone issues
- Multiplayer configuration errors
Undoubtedly, these issues can ruin any gaming session, but they are usually temporary and you can fix them with a few simple troubleshooting steps.
Let’s discuss each scenario and its solution one by one.
Buttons Are Missing or Appear Outside the Screen
If you have updated to a newer Citra MMJ build and find that some on-screen controls are appearing outside the display, some buttons are missing, or the main screen corner handles are stuck so you can’t move the screen or resize the layout, this is usually caused by an on-screen control bug in newer Citra MMJ builds.
Try the following ways to fix this issue.
Delete the Input Layout Configuration File
Simply delete the input layout configuration file completely, and this will fix the issue, restore the missing buttons, place the buttons inside the screen, and also fix the stuck resize handle corners so you can move and resize the screens again.
To try this fix:
- Open your file manager.
- Go to: Android > data > org.citra.emu > files > citra-emu > config
- Locate the input_layout.ini file.
- Delete the file.
- Restart Citra MMJ.
After restarting, the emulator will automatically create a fresh control layout.
Try Another Citra MMJ Version
Since it is experienced that this issue happens in the latest versions, if the issue persists after deleting the configuration file, then try installing an older version of Citra MMJ.
Or, if a newer or stable build is available, update to that build instead.
Many emulator bugs are version-specific and are mostly fixed after switching to a different version.
Character Only Moves in Four Directions
While playing games such as Mario 3D Land and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, you may notice that the character only moves in four directions, and diagonal movement does not work properly, especially when playing the game with an external controller. This usually means that the controls are not responding correctly.
Here’s how to fix this issue.
Remap the Analog Stick
This issue can probably be due to the analog stick not being mapped correctly. To fix this, remove your current controller mapping and configure the analog stick again.
To do this:
- Open Citra MMJ and go to Settings.
- Go to Input Binding > Controller.
- If your controller is connected correctly via Bluetooth or USB OTG, you should see it in the menu. If the controller is not appearing, it means it is not connected properly. Try turning Bluetooth off and back on, or if you are connected through USB, reconnect the adapter.
- Find the Circle Pad (or C-Stick) in the button list. Select each direction (Up, Down, Left, and Right), then move your controller’s analog stick in the corresponding direction to bind it.
- Save your settings.
- Restart Citra MMJ.
After remapping the controls, launch your game and test whether diagonal movement is working properly.
Check for Deadzone Problems
Some Citra MMJ users have noticed that this Citra fork handles analog sticks slightly differently than the official Citra version (created for Windows). In simple words, when you play a game in Citra MMJ, the emulator doesn’t register small movements of the analog stick properly, and as a result, the character only moves in four directions.
Before trying to fix this issue, first test the same controller in the official Citra version. If the controls work fine there, then the problem is likely related to the Citra MMJ version itself. A larger analog stick deadzone may be the reason behind this issue.
A deadzone is the small area in the center of the analog stick where movement is not detected. If this area is set too large, then you may notice that the analog stick reacts slowly, does not move properly in diagonal directions, or you cannot control the character precisely.
Lower the deadzone value in your controller or emulator settings. After adjusting it, play the game and see if the character moves accurately.
Multiplayer Is Not Connecting
In the latest Citra MMJ version, the local multiplayer option is available, allowing you to play with another device on the same network. You can use this feature to trade Pokémon, battle friends, or use other local multiplayer features available in supported Nintendo 3DS games.
However, sometimes you cannot create a multiplayer room, another player cannot join, or no players appear in the room. This does not mean that Citra MMJ is broken.
In most cases, the problem is caused by:
- Setting up an incorrect network
- Entering the wrong IP address, or
- Trying to use this multiplayer feature with an unsupported game
Follow these troubleshooting steps one by one.
Use the Same Wi-Fi Network on Both Devices
You can use the local multiplayer feature only when both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If one device is on Wi-Fi and the second device is on mobile data, then the connection will not work.
So, if the multiplayer option is not working, the first fix is to ensure that both devices are connected to the same router.
Check the Room IP Address
When you create a multiplayer room, Citra MMJ shows an IP address. The other device that wants to join the room must enter this IP address correctly.
Even a single incorrect number/entry will prevent the connection. Moreover, the host room must also be open for another player to join.
The player joining the room should carefully check:
- The IP address
- The username
- The Port
If the host changes their Wi-Fi network, the IP address also changes, so always use the latest IP address shown on the host device.
The Host Room Should Be Open
If you cannot join a room even after entering the correct IP address, port, and username, check whether the host is still connected. After creating a multiplayer room, the host should not close the emulator or leave the room.
The host should keep the app open and stay in the room until everyone joins. If the host exits or closes the room, the other players may lose the connection.
The Game Should Support Local Multiplayer
Not all Nintendo 3DS games support local multiplayer.
For example, games like:
- Pokémon
- Super Smash Bros.
- Animal Crossing
support local wireless features.
This is because Citra MMJ can only emulate the local wireless features that are already built into multiplayer-compatible Nintendo 3DS games. If a game does not support local wireless, then Citra MMJ cannot add that feature.
To check whether a Nintendo 3DS game has local multiplayer features, open the game’s menu and look for options like Local Play, Local Wireless, or Multiplayer. You can also read the game’s description on its official page or on the game box.
Create a New Multiplayer Room
Sometimes the multiplayer room does not start properly.
If this happens, create a new room and use the new IP address. Then try connecting the second device again.
Most of the time, multiplayer problems are solved simply by creating a new room.
Test Multiplayer with a PC
If Android-to-Android multiplayer is not working, then try connecting your Android device to the PC version of Citra.
If the Android device connects to the PC successfully, then it means that your device can join multiplayer sessions, and the problem may be with the other device, the emulator version, or the multiplayer settings.
Multiplayer Causes Lag or FPS Drops
Sometimes, while using multiplayer, the game FPS suddenly drops so much that you think it is not working. During our testing while trading Pokémon, the frame rate dropped from about 20–30 FPS to only 10–11 FPS.
With the FPS drop, the game started to lag, respond very slowly, and seemed like it was freezing. It felt like the multiplayer had stopped working, even though it was still connected.
If you feel that multiplayer is stuck or slow, first check the game’s FPS. If the frame rate has dropped, then lower the graphics settings to improve performance.
Final Thoughts
Most Citra MMJ multiplayer and controller issues happen because of a few common reasons. Missing on-screen buttons are usually caused by a buggy Citra MMJ version or a corrupted input layout file. Controller problems are mostly caused by incorrect analog stick settings or larger deadzone settings. Multiplayer issues are usually caused by incorrect network settings or an incorrect room setup.
If your controls are not working, delete the input layout file and check your controller settings.
If multiplayer is not working, first make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Secondly, make sure that you are using the correct room IP address.
These simple fixes have helped many Citra MMJ users resolve the problem.
