Updated October 30, 2026
If the Bell menu in Phantom Blade Zero keeps jumping back to Traverse, you may find yourself unable to select Train Abilities, Save, or other available options. The menu may respond to directional input but return to the wrong selection when you try to confirm an action.
The problem can also appear alongside other input issues, such as needing to press the confirmation button repeatedly during NPC conversations or having trouble controlling menus with a keyboard and mouse.
On PC, one workaround worth testing is changing your Steam Input configuration. However, this may only restore normal controls temporarily.
This guide explains how to troubleshoot the Bell menu, what to do if the problem returns, and how to distinguish an input issue from normal Bell progression restrictions.
Quick Answer: How to Fix the Bell Menu Stuck on Traverse
If your Bell menu keeps returning to Traverse when you try to select another option, try changing your Steam Input configuration:
- Close Phantom Blade Zero.
- Open Steam Library.
- Right-click Phantom Blade Zero and select Properties.
- Open the Controller tab.
- Note your current Steam Input setting.
- Temporarily select Disable Steam Input.
- Relaunch the game and test the controller if it remains supported.
If the problem continues or your controller stops responding, close the game, restore your previous Steam Input setting, and test again.
Important: Changing Steam Input settings is a troubleshooting workaround, not a confirmed permanent fix. The Bell menu problem may return even after the controls initially improve.
If you're using a controller on PC, also check whether the same selection problem appears in NPC conversations or other menus.
How to Identify the Bell Menu Bug
The main symptom is that the Bell menu appears to accept directional input but does not reliably select the option you want.
For example, you might move the selection to Train Abilities or Save, press the confirmation button, and find that the menu returns to Traverse instead.
Other symptoms may include:
- The Bell menu repeatedly returning to Traverse.
- Difficulty selecting Train Abilities or Save.
- Controller confirmation buttons behaving inconsistently.
- NPC conversations requiring repeated button presses.
- Keyboard and mouse controls becoming unresponsive in menus.
These symptoms can indicate an input or menu-navigation problem rather than a missing Bell feature.
Check Whether Other Menus Are Affected
Before changing settings, try opening another menu or interacting with an NPC.
If the same confirmation problem appears outside the Bell menu, it may indicate a broader input issue.
If only the Bell menu is affected, check whether the option you're trying to use is actually available at your current point in the game.
How to Reset Steam Input in Phantom Blade Zero
Steam Input manages controller compatibility and button mappings for games launched through Steam.
If the Bell menu keeps selecting the wrong option, changing the game's Steam Input configuration is worth testing.
Step 1: Close the Game
Exit Phantom Blade Zero normally if the menus still respond.
If possible, save your progress before closing. Avoid forcing the game to shut down unless it is completely unresponsive, because you could lose progress since your last save.
Step 2: Open Controller Settings in Steam
- Launch Steam.
- Go to your Library.
- Find Phantom Blade Zero.
- Right-click the game and select Properties.
- Open the Controller section.
You should see the Steam Input override setting for the game.
Step 3: Temporarily Disable Steam Input
Before changing anything, note your current configuration.
If Steam Input is enabled, select Disable Steam Input.
Close the Properties window, launch the game, and check whether your controller still works.
Some controllers have native game support and may continue functioning without Steam Input. Others may require Steam Input to remain enabled.
If your controller stops responding, close the game and restore your previous setting.
Important: Disabling Steam Input is not guaranteed to fix the Bell menu. The purpose of this test is to determine whether changing the input configuration affects the problem.
Step 4: Restore Your Previous Setting if Necessary
If disabling Steam Input does not help, or your controller stops working, return to:
Steam Library → Phantom Blade Zero → Properties → Controller
Restore your previous setting, such as Enable Steam Input or Use default settings.
Then relaunch the game and test the Bell menu again.
Changing the setting and restoring it may help in some situations, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed reset procedure.
Step 5: Test the Bell Menu
Interact with a Bell and try selecting the options currently available to you:
- Train Abilities
- Save
- Traverse, if unlocked
- Leave
Check whether the selection remains on the intended option when you press the confirmation button.
If the menu works normally again, you can continue playing, but keep in mind that the issue may return.
What if Your Controller Stops Working After Disabling Steam Input?
Some controllers depend on Steam Input for compatibility.
If your controller stops responding, restore your original setting rather than leaving Steam Input disabled.
If you're also experiencing incorrect button mappings elsewhere, our Phantom Blade Zero Steam Controller map-button troubleshooting guide explains another controller-specific issue and the mapping options worth checking.
What to Do if the Bell Menu Problem Returns
Changing Steam Input settings may temporarily improve menu selection without eliminating the underlying problem.
If the Bell menu starts jumping back to Traverse again, avoid changing unrelated graphics, audio, or gameplay settings.
Instead, try the following:
- Close the game normally if possible.
- Check that Steam Input is using your intended configuration.
- Restart Steam and reconnect your controller.
- Relaunch the game and test the Bell menu.
- Check whether the issue also affects NPC dialogue or other menus.
- Look for available game and Steam client updates.
These are troubleshooting steps rather than confirmed permanent fixes.
Should You Change Your Controller Layout?
If you're using a custom Steam Input layout, consider testing the default or recommended configuration.
Record your existing layout first so you can restore it afterward.
Avoid changing several button mappings at once. Otherwise, it becomes difficult to identify which adjustment affected the problem.
If the issue continues with the default layout, the cause may not be a simple button-mapping error.
Keyboard and Mouse Not Responding in Bell Menus?
The problem can become more frustrating if keyboard and mouse input also stops working correctly.
Switching away from a controller may not help if the game continues ignoring menu selections.
Steps to Try
- Check whether your keyboard and mouse work normally in Steam or another application.
- Return to the game and test a different menu.
- If possible, disconnect additional controllers or input devices that you are not using.
- Try navigating the Bell menu using one input method at a time.
- If the game remains unresponsive, restart it when safe to do so.
Testing one input method at a time may help identify conflicting inputs.
However, disconnecting devices or restarting the game should be treated as general troubleshooting rather than a confirmed solution for this specific Bell-menu problem.
Is This the Same as the PS5 Touchpad Problem?
Not necessarily.
The PS5 touchpad has its own controls for certain actions in Phantom Blade Zero. For example, the quest-direction feature uses a touchpad swipe rather than an ordinary button press.
If your problem involves finding the tracked quest direction instead of selecting Bell options, see our Phantom Blade Zero quest-direction and PS5 touchpad swipe guide.
Bell Menu Bug or Locked Fast Travel?
Not every missing Bell option is a bug.
Bells provide useful functions such as saving and managing abilities, while fast-travel functionality becomes available as you progress.
The first Bell does not provide the same travel options as later Bells.
Normal Bell Behavior vs. Input Bug
| Normal Behavior | Possible Input Problem |
|---|---|
| Traverse is not available at the first Bell | Traverse is visible, but the selection keeps returning to it |
| Fast-travel destinations depend on progression | Other available Bell options cannot be selected |
| Train Abilities opens when selected | Selecting Train Abilities activates another option |
| Menu confirmation works normally | Confirmation requires repeated presses or fails |
What if Traverse Is Missing Entirely?
If you're still at the beginning of the game, a missing Traverse option may be normal.
Continue progressing and activating Bells as intended.
You should not need to change Steam Input settings simply because the first Bell does not offer fast travel.
What if Train Abilities or Save Cannot Be Selected?
If these options are visible but selecting them repeatedly sends the cursor back to Traverse, that is different from an option being unavailable due to progression.
In that situation, test the Steam Input workaround described above.
The important distinction is whether the option is genuinely unavailable or whether the game is failing to register your intended selection.
Phantom Blade Zero Bell Menu Troubleshooting Checklist
If the Bell menu is not responding correctly, use this quick checklist:
- ☐ Identify the problem. Does the selection jump to Traverse, or is an option simply missing?
- ☐ Check progression. Remember that the first Bell does not offer the same fast-travel functionality as later Bells.
- ☐ Test another menu. See whether controller confirmation works elsewhere.
- ☐ Check Steam Input. Test disabling it, then restore your original setting if necessary.
- ☐ Check your controller layout. Try the default configuration if you're using a custom layout.
- ☐ Test keyboard and mouse. Determine whether the problem affects multiple input methods.
- ☐ Restart safely. Save progress if possible before restarting the game or Steam.
- ☐ Check for updates. Review available game and Steam client updates.
If the problem returns after temporarily improving, do not assume that repeating the same workaround will always restore normal controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does the Bell Menu Keep Selecting Traverse in Phantom Blade Zero?
The Bell menu may experience an input-selection problem where choosing another option sends the selection back to Traverse. The exact cause has not been confirmed.
How Do I Fix the Bell Menu Not Responding to My Controller?
Try changing the game's Steam Input setting under Steam Library → Properties → Controller. Test the controller after the change and restore your original configuration if necessary.
Does Disabling Steam Input Permanently Fix the Bell Menu?
No permanent fix has been confirmed. Changing Steam Input settings may help temporarily, but the problem can return.
Why Can't I Select Train Abilities or Save at a Bell?
If these options are visible but the menu repeatedly returns to Traverse, you may be experiencing an input problem rather than a progression restriction.
Why Is Traverse Missing From My First Bell?
The first Bell does not provide the same fast-travel functionality as later Bells. A missing Traverse option early in the game may be normal.
Why Do I Have to Press A Repeatedly During NPC Dialogue?
Repeated confirmation presses may indicate unreliable input registration. If dialogue and Bell menus are both affected, check your Steam Input configuration and controller layout.
What if Both My Controller and Keyboard Stop Working in Menus?
Test one input method at a time and disconnect unused controllers. If the game remains unresponsive, restart it when safe to do so.
Is There an Official Fix for the Bell Menu Stuck on Traverse?
No specific developer-confirmed fix is established here. Changing Steam Input settings is a troubleshooting workaround, not an official patch. Check the game's latest patch notes for any newly announced input fixes.
Final Thoughts
If the Bell menu in Phantom Blade Zero keeps returning to Traverse, first determine whether you're dealing with an input-selection problem or a feature that has not yet unlocked.
When available options such as Train Abilities or Save cannot be selected, changing Steam Input settings is worth testing on PC. However, it may only provide temporary relief.
If the problem returns, check whether other menus and NPC conversations are affected, restore your intended controller configuration, and watch for game updates.
For other PC issues that prevent you from reaching gameplay at all, see our Phantom Blade Zero startup crash and Denuvo troubleshooting guide.
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