Whenever I try to use a controller the game just acts like the d-pad doesn't exist when I try to input commands. I can use the joystick and any other button but not the d-pad. I have tried both the dualshock 3 and 4 controllers but the game won't accept commands from either d-pad. I've also tried xpadder and joy2key but to no avail. I also have this issue with RE1 and 3, but I want to try to run 2. Thanks in advance.

To use Dpad, try map the keys for up, down, left and right to the dpad in xPadder.

This works for me and is how I play RE2 using the dpad. If xPadder doesn't detect your dpad either, then the problem is on a driver end.

Still having the same issue. Everything will work except the d-pad. The joystick works even though I didn't map it in xpadder for whatever reason.

Just tried that and for whatever reason it made RE2 run super slow and didn't work even when I got to the options menu.

Nevermind, I tried what you recommended the second time and it ended up working after I rebooted my PC. Thank you for your help, I appreciate it.