How to Navigate Unity UI with Gamepad & Keyboard (New Input System)
In this Unity tutorial, I show you how to fix UI navigation so players can use a keyboard or gamepad without needing to click with a mouse first. We cover setting up the Event System with the New Input System, using "First Selected" for main menus, and how to force UI selection via C# or PlayMaker when opening pop-up menus like Settings.
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In this video, you will learn:
How to set up the Unity Event System for the New Input System.
How to use the "First Selected" field to auto-select buttons on start.
How to visualize UI navigation paths in the Editor.
How to fix "stuck" controls when opening pop-up windows using SetSelectedGameObject.
Solutions for both C# developers and PlayMaker users.
⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro: The Mouse Dependency Problem
0:45 - Setting up the Event System & New Input System
1:55 - Using "First Selected" for Main Menus
2:45 - Visualizing Navigation Paths (Gizmos)
3:30 - The Problem: Losing Focus on Pop-up Menus
4:15 - Solution A: PlayMaker (UI Set Selected Game Object)
4:55 - Solution B: C# Script (EventSystem.current.SetSelectedGameObject) 5:45 - Testing the Fix
6:20 - My Upcoming Steam Game & Outro
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