ViGEmBus Apollo Setup and Error Fix Guide

Why Apollo needs ViGEmBus for gamepad input

Apollo can stream video without a virtual controller, but gamepad emulation needs a working bus driver.

Apollo is a Windows game-streaming host derived from Sunshine. When a remote client sends controller input, Apollo needs Windows to see a virtual Xbox 360 or DualShock 4 device. ViGEmBus provides the kernel-level bus that lets compatible software create that virtual controller.

Apollo and ViGEmBus are separate projects. Reinstalling Apollo does not prove the bus driver is healthy, and installing ViGEmBus does not prove Apollo has restarted and opened the driver. Diagnose the application, driver and game layers separately.

How to install ViGEmBus for Apollo

Use the final official ViGEmBus v1.22.0 asset from the original nefarius GitHub repository. The file is ViGEmBus_1.22.0_x64_x86_arm64.exe, approximately 6.0 MB, and combines the supported installer architectures. The project is retired, so this is the last published release rather than an actively updated driver.

Close Apollo before setup, run the verified installer, and restart Windows after installation. A reboot reloads the kernel driver and clears stale handles held by streaming or controller software.

1. 1

   Close Apollo and active clients

   End streaming sessions and exit Apollo before changing the driver.

2. 2

   Run the official installer

   Open the verified v1.22.0 GitHub asset and confirm the Nefarius publisher.

3. 3

   Restart Windows

   Reload the bus driver in a clean Windows session.

4. 4

   Start Apollo and reconnect

   Launch Apollo after reboot, reconnect the client and test controller input.

Verify that Apollo can use the ViGEmBus driver

Open Device Manager and find Nefarius Virtual Gamepad Emulation Bus. Open Properties and confirm Device status says the device is working properly. This is the strongest check that the kernel bus exists and is operational.

Also check Settings > Apps > Installed apps for the Nefarius driver entry. If the app entry exists but Device Manager has no working bus, the package is registered but the kernel device still needs repair.

• No warning icon appears on the Nefarius bus.
• Device status reports normal operation.
• Apollo started after the latest reboot.
• The remote client is actually sending controller input.

Fix Apollo not detecting ViGEmBus

If Apollo says ViGEmBus is not installed, reboot first and restart Apollo as a normal user. Close DS4Windows, other streaming hosts, mappers and virtual-controller tools so they cannot obscure the test.

If the bus is missing, run the official installer once. If duplicate or old entries remain, uninstall ViGEmBus from Installed apps, reboot, check Device Manager for leftover Nefarius bus entries, and reinstall v1.22.0. Do not remove unrelated HID, Bluetooth, Xbox or physical controller drivers.

Apollo ViGEmBus error matrix

Choose the smallest repair that matches the symptom. Apollo only needs a restart in some cases, while a missing kernel device requires driver repair.

What not to do when Apollo gamepad support fails

Do not assume a new Apollo build requires an unofficial ViGEmBus fork. Apollo changes independently, while the original ViGEmBus repository is archived. Use the verified final driver unless Apollo's current official notes explicitly require something else.

Do not delete every Nefarius or HID-related device. HidHide, Bluetooth adapters, physical pads and virtual buses have different jobs. Broad deletion can turn one Apollo issue into a larger controller problem.

• Do not use a similarly named EXE from a mirror.
• Do not mix an old MSI with the final EXE.
• Do not skip the reboot between removal and reinstall.
• Do not treat an Apollo web-login problem as a ViGEmBus problem.

Final checklist before testing Apollo again

Test in a controlled order: verify Device Manager, start Apollo, connect the remote client, and launch a game last. This sequence shows which layer fails.

If the virtual controller works in Windows but not in one game, ViGEmBus is probably functioning. Check that game's controller mode, Steam Input, focus and supported controller type before reinstalling the driver again.

• Official ViGEmBus 1.22.0 installed from nefarius/ViGEmBus.
• Windows restarted after installation or removal.
• The Nefarius bus works in Device Manager.
• Apollo restarted after the driver became available.
• Only one intended virtual controller appears during testing.