It’s so frustrating when you download your first DS ROM, load it up on Citra, and get stuck on the game’s opening screen with no clue how to hit start. I’ve been there too – I spent 10 minutes clicking every key on my keyboard the first time I used the emulator, convinced I’d installed it wrong. That’s why we put together this simple walkthrough to show you how to press start on a ds emulator citra, plus fix any common issues that stop your controls from working as expected.
How to Press Start on a DS Emulator Citra: Default Controls First
If you haven’t changed any settings yet, Citra comes with pre-assigned keyboard controls for all DS buttons, including start. For most Windows, Mac, and Linux builds, the default start button is mapped to the Enter or Return key on your keyboard. All you have to do is tap that key once when you’re on a game’s title screen, and you’ll move past the opening menu right away.
That said, not all builds use the same default mapping, especially if you downloaded Citra from a third-party source or are using a custom build for handheld devices like the Steam Deck. If Enter doesn’t work, try tapping the S key next – that’s the second most common default binding for the start button across unofficial Citra distributions.
You can also test other basic DS controls right away to make sure your inputs are registering: A is mapped to X, B to Z, X to S, Y to A by default for most standard builds. If none of these keys work, it means your control mapping has been changed, or you have an input device connected that’s overriding keyboard controls.
How to Customize Your Start Button Binding in Citra
If the default start button doesn’t work for your play style, you can change it to any key or controller input you want in less than a minute. The process is the same no matter what device you’re running Citra on, and you don’t need any advanced technical skills to do it.
Follow these simple steps to adjust your start button mapping:
That’s all there is to it. I recommend picking a key that’s easy to reach while you’re using other controls – I use the right Shift key for start on my keyboard, and the + button on my Switch Pro controller when I’m playing with a gamepad. Just make sure you don’t assign the same key to two different buttons, or Citra will register both inputs every time you press it, leading to weird glitches in game.
Fixing Common Issues When Start Won’t Work in Citra
Sometimes even if you have the right binding set, your start button won’t register in Citra. These issues are almost always easy to fix, and you don’t have to reinstall the emulator to get them sorted out.
The most common culprit is a connected controller that’s set as the default input device. If you have a PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch controller plugged in, Citra will prioritize inputs from that device over your keyboard by default. That means if you haven’t mapped the start button to your controller, pressing Enter on your keyboard won’t do anything. You can either map your controller’s start button in the controls menu, or disconnect the controller if you prefer to use your keyboard.
Another common issue is corrupted configuration files. If you’ve moved your Citra folder or updated the emulator recently, your old control settings might have gotten wiped or corrupted. To fix this, head to the controls menu and click the Reset to Default button at the bottom of the window. That will restore all original key bindings, so your Enter key will work as start again right away.
If you’re playing a ROM hack or a fan translation, there’s a small chance the game itself has a bug that stops the start button from working on the title screen. You can test this by loading a different, official DS ROM – if start works on that game, the issue is with the first ROM, not your Citra settings.
Tips for Better Control Performance in Citra
Once you’ve got your start button working the way you want, there are a few small tweaks you can make to improve your overall control experience in Citra, no matter what device you’re using. These tweaks take just a few seconds to set up, and they eliminate 90% of common input lag or misregistration issues.
If you use a controller, make sure you connect it to your device before you open Citra. If you plug it in after the emulator is already running, Citra might not recognize it until you restart the app. You should also turn off any input remapping software like DS4Windows or Steam Input while you’re using Citra, unless you specifically need them for custom controller setups. These tools can interfere with Citra’s native input detection, leading to delayed button presses or double inputs.
If you’re playing on a laptop or a handheld device like the Steam Deck, you can save different control profiles for different types of games. For example, you can make one profile for RPGs where the start button is mapped to a shoulder button for quick access, and another for platformers where it’s mapped to a less accessible key so you don’t press it by accident mid-level. You can save and load profiles right from the controls menu, so you don’t have to re-map buttons every time you switch games.
One last tip: Don’t overcomplicate your control setup. I’ve seen people map 10 different DS functions to custom macro keys, and they end up pressing the wrong button all the time. Stick to a simple, familiar layout that matches what you’d use on a physical DS, and you’ll have a way better play experience.
At the end of the day, figuring out how to press start on a ds emulator citra doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Start with checking the default Enter key binding first, adjust your controls if you prefer a different setup, and troubleshoot any input conflicts if your button still won’t register. You’ll be jumping into your favorite DS games in no time, no advanced technical skills required. If you run into any other weird control issues down the line, you can always head back to the controls menu to reset your bindings or adjust your setup to match your play style.
