Horizon Forbidden West Can’t Drop Down on Windows 11? Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the Issue

Playing Horizon Forbidden West on Windows 11 can be an amazing experience, but some players have reported an issue where their character can’t drop down properly. This glitch can interrupt gameplay and cause frustration.

If you’re facing the “can’t drop down” problem, don’t worry. There are several simple fixes to try before diving into more technical solutions.

This guide will walk you through step-by-step instructions to resolve the issue, starting from the easiest methods to more advanced options.

By following these steps carefully, you can get back to exploring the beautiful world of Horizon Forbidden West without interruptions.

Quick Note: Basic Checks Before You Begin

Check your game version: Ensure Horizon Forbidden West is updated to the latest version. Developers often release patches fixing bugs.
Verify system requirements: Confirm your Windows 11 PC meets the minimum specs required for the game to run smoothly.
Controller or keyboard setup: Make sure your input device is properly connected and configured.
Restart the game: Sometimes, simply restarting the game can clear temporary glitches.

Step 1: Restart Your PC and Game

Before trying anything complicated, restart your computer and launch Horizon Forbidden West again. This simple step can fix minor system glitches affecting game controls.

Why? Restarting clears temporary files and resets system processes that might interfere with input commands such as dropping down.

Step 2: Check Your Control Settings

Sometimes the drop down action might not work because the control button is remapped or disabled. Follow these steps:

Open the game menu.
Navigate to Settings > Controls.
Look for the action assigned to “Drop Down” or “Climb Down.”
Make sure it is assigned to the correct key or button you are pressing.
If it’s unassigned, assign a key and save the settings.

Why is this important? Sometimes default control schemes can reset after updates or crashes, and the drop down action may lose its key binding.

Step 3: Update Your Graphics and Input Drivers

Outdated drivers can cause input-related issues in games. Here’s how to update them:

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters section.
Right-click your graphics card and choose Update driver.
Follow the prompts to search automatically for updated drivers.
Repeat the process for Human Interface Devices or input devices listed.

Keeping drivers updated ensures your hardware communicates correctly with the game, preventing control malfunctions.

Step 4: Verify Game Files Through the Store or Platform

If you installed Horizon Forbidden West via Microsoft Store or another platform, corrupted or missing files could cause gameplay issues. To fix this:

Open the Microsoft Store or your game launcher.
Find Horizon Forbidden West in your library.
Look for an option to Verify or Repair the game files.
Run the verification process and wait for it to complete.

This process checks for corrupted files and replaces them, which can resolve bugs like the drop down glitch.

Step 5: Disable Background Applications

Some background programs might interfere with game controls. To troubleshoot:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Look through the Processes tab for apps running in the background.
Right-click and select End Task for unnecessary programs (especially overlays, recording software, or third-party controllers).
Try running the game again and test the drop down action.

This helps identify if any software is conflicting with your game inputs.

Step 6: Adjust Windows 11 Game Mode and Graphics Settings

Windows 11 includes features to optimize gaming, but sometimes they can cause issues. Try these adjustments:

Open Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and toggle it off.
Go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics settings.
Set Horizon Forbidden West to High Performance.

Disabling Game Mode can prevent conflicts, and forcing high performance ensures stable hardware usage.

Alternative Method: Use Keyboard Instead of Controller (or Vice Versa)

If you’re using a controller and facing this issue, try switching to keyboard and mouse controls to check if the problem persists. Similarly, if you’re on keyboard, try a controller.

This test helps isolate whether the problem is hardware-specific or software-related.

FAQs

Why can’t I drop down even after updating the game?

Sometimes updates introduce new bugs or reset settings. Double-check control mappings and verify game files to fix this.

Is this issue common on Windows 11?

Some users on Windows 11 have reported control glitches, but many fixes listed here resolve the problem.

Does disabling Game Mode affect performance?

In some cases, disabling Game Mode can improve stability, though it might slightly reduce performance. Test to see what works best for you.

Will reinstalling the game fix the problem?

Reinstalling can fix corrupted files but should be a last resort after trying file verification and other fixes.

Can controller firmware updates help?

Yes, updating your controller’s firmware can resolve compatibility issues causing input problems.

When Nothing Works

If you’ve tried all the above steps and still can’t drop down in Horizon Forbidden West on Windows 11, consider these final options:

Contact official support: Visit the official Horizon Forbidden West support page or the Microsoft Store help center for personalized assistance.
Check community forums: Sites like Reddit and the game’s official forums often have user-shared fixes and advice.
Reinstall the game: As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall Horizon Forbidden West to ensure a clean setup.
Update Windows: Make sure your Windows 11 system is fully updated, as system updates can fix compatibility issues.

Conclusion

The inability to drop down in Horizon Forbidden West on Windows 11 can disrupt your gameplay, but it’s usually fixable with simple steps. Begin by restarting your system and checking control settings, then move on to driver updates and file verifications.

Adjusting Windows settings and testing different input devices can also help isolate the issue. If all else fails, official support and community resources are valuable tools.

By following this detailed guide, you’ll improve your chances of resolving the drop down problem and enjoy a smooth Horizon Forbidden West experience on your PC.