Are you a fan of NFS Pro Street but encountering a frustrating issue on Windows 8.1 where the “Continue” button refuses to work? You’re not alone! Many players have faced this peculiar problem, preventing them from diving back into their racing careers. Fortunately, there’s a simple, albeit unconventional, workaround that can get you back on track in minutes. This guide will walk you through a step-by-step solution to bypass this annoying bug and enjoy NFS Pro Street without interruption.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the “Continue” Button in NFS Pro Street
This method leverages a quirk in how Windows 8.1 handles mouse input with NFS Pro Street. By temporarily disabling your mouse through the Device Manager, you can effectively trick the game into recognizing your controller inputs properly, allowing the “Continue” button to function as intended. Here’s how:
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Access Device Manager: The first step is to open your Device Manager. You can do this by right-clicking on the Start button in Windows and selecting “Device Manager” from the menu.
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Launch NFS Pro Street: Start NFS Pro Street. It’s important to launch the game with your mouse enabled as it might not start correctly otherwise. Navigate to the game’s Main Menu.
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Disable Your Mouse: Once you are at the Main Menu of NFS Pro Street, use Alt+Tab to switch back to the Device Manager window you opened earlier. Locate and expand the “Mice and other pointing devices” section. You’ll see your mouse listed here (it might be listed multiple times depending on your setup). Use your mouse to right-click on each mouse device listed and select “Disable device”. As soon as you disable the mouse, your cursor will stop working.
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Return to NFS Pro Street and Play: Immediately after disabling your mouse, Alt+Tab back to NFS Pro Street. You should now find that the “Continue” button is working perfectly! Use your gamepad or steering wheel to navigate the menus and enjoy playing NFS Pro Street without further issues.
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Re-enable Your Mouse After Playing: When you’re finished playing NFS Pro Street, Alt+Tab back to Device Manager again. The cursor will still be positioned on the mouse device you disabled. Press Enter to open the Properties window for the disabled mouse. Then, press Tab once to highlight the “Enable Device” button, and finally, hit the space bar three times. This will re-enable your mouse, and it will function normally again.
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Exit the Game: You can now use your mouse to close NFS Pro Street. Remember these simple steps for the next time you want to play!
Understanding the Mouse Focus Issue in NFS Pro Street
The root cause of this “Continue” button problem seems to be related to how Windows 8.1 manages focus between the game and desktop mouse inputs. It appears that the desktop mouse cursor might be stealing focus within NFS Pro Street, even if you are primarily using a gamepad or steering wheel. This conflict disrupts the game’s ability to correctly register inputs for certain actions, like pressing the “Continue” button. Disabling the mouse temporarily eliminates this conflict, allowing the game to function as intended.
Additional Tips for NFS Pro Street Players on Windows
- Unplugging Mouse (Doesn’t Work): As noted in the original observation, simply unplugging your mouse is not an effective solution for this particular issue. The Device Manager method of disabling the driver is necessary.
- Origin Login Issues: If you are experiencing login problems with NFS Pro Street, especially if you purchased a digital copy from Origin, consider obtaining a disc copy of the game. Disc versions often bypass the need for online logins, providing a smoother and more direct gaming experience.
- Controller Compatibility: This fix has been reported to work successfully with both gamepads (like Logitech) and steering wheels/pedal setups. Ensure your controller is properly configured and assigned within the game settings for optimal performance.
Conclusion
While it might seem like an unusual fix, disabling and re-enabling your mouse through Device Manager is a quick and reliable solution to the “Continue” button issue in NFS Pro Street on Windows 8.1. By following these simple steps, you can overcome this frustrating bug and get back to enjoying the thrill of racing in NFS Pro Street. Happy gaming!
