gamepad works in ES but not games / {gamepad} not configured

[sgordon777]

I have RetroPie installed on a PC with Ubuntu Linux, using a Generic XB360 wired gamepad. The EMulationStation GUI detects and lets me configure the Gamepad, and I can navigate the ES GUI just fine.
However, when starting any emulator (nes/snes/atari7800/etc), I get this message on screen:

"{gamepad name} not configured".

And the game completely ignores my gamepad

-I've tried going to the "drivers" option, and setting udev.
-I've tried resetting the input configuration on RetroPi/core_package config
-I have a hunch this was caused by starting RetroPie the first time without the Gamepad plugged in(I got this issue on my rPI4b when installing RetroPie). However, re-installing has not helped.

I see hundreds of people have this same basic problem, but unfortunately not able to use any of the scattered suggestions.

[mitu]

Problem is similar to https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/32997/.
Try modifying the .cfg file for your controller in //opt/retropie/configs/all/retroarch-joypads and add input_vendor_id/input_product_id with the values reported by RetroArch in the not configured message.

[sgordon777]

The EMulationStation GUI detects and lets me configure the Gamepad, and I can navigate the ES GUI just fine.
However, when starting any emulator (nes/snes/atari7800/etc), I get this message on screen:

"{gamepad name} not configured".

And the game completely ignores my gamepad

-I've tried going to the "drivers" option, and setting udev.
-I've tried resetting the input configuration on RetroPi/core_package config
-I have a hunch this was caused by starting RetroPie the first time without the Gamepad plugged in(I got this issue on my rPI4b when installing RetroPie). However, re-installing has not helped.

-Hardware: PC Laptop (MD Ryzen 7 4700U) running Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS x86_64
-I am using a Generic XB360 wired gamepad, which is known to work with RetroPie, and works with my RetroPie on my Raspberry Pi4
-I am using RetroPie 4.8.2
-I have installed on existing OS (Linux Ubuntu). I used the documentation on the RetroPie to install it.
-THe only USB device connected is the GamePad
-GamePad model = "Rock Candy Gamepad" (xbox 360 wired controller)
-Error message: "Rock Candy Gamepad Wired Controller (3695/287) not congired"

I have searched the forums for solutions to this issue, and I see that hudfreds, maybe thousands of people have this same basic problem, but unfortunately not able to use any of the scattered suggestions.

[mitu]

@sgordon777 please don't open multiple topics for the same problem. I've moved your initial topic to the Help/Support category, where it belonged and also merged your 2nd topic.

[sgordon777]

@mitu Sorry, I thought you deleted the first post(I didn't know you moved it) and wanted me to add the information.