EA FC 27 Passing Problem: Player Flicks the Ball Up Instead of Passing?

If you're playing EA FC 27 and something strange happens when you try to make a normal pass, you're not alone.

You press X on PlayStation or A on Xbox expecting a normal ground pass.

Instead, your player can sometimes:

Flick the ball upward

Perform an unexpected touch

Fail to make the normal ground pass

Seem to ignore the button

Perform an action that doesn't match the control displayed on screen

And the confusing part is that your controls may still show X/A as the pass button.

So you start wondering:

"Am I pressing something wrong?"

Based on launch-period reports, there is another possibility.

Some players appear to be affected by custom controller settings carried over from FC 26.

One September 18, 2026 player report describes almost exactly this behavior, with the player saying that pressing X sometimes caused the ball to be flicked upward instead of being passed. Other players in the discussion reported the same problem. One reported workaround was restoring the game's settings to default, saving the FC file data, restarting the game, and then configuring preferences again.

This isn't an official EA confirmation that every instance has the same cause.

But it's important enough to test before blaming yourself or buying another controller.

First: Don't Change Your Passing Technique Yet

If this is happening to you repeatedly, don't immediately start changing:

Controller

Button layout

Passing style

Skill moves

Dead zones

Network settings

First, determine whether your FC 27 configuration is behaving correctly.

The fastest test is a clean settings reset.

Fix 1 — Restore FC 27 Settings to Default

This is the first thing we recommend if your normal X/A pass is producing an unexpected animation.

Step 1

Go to the main FC 27 menu.

Don't make the change only from inside one match.

Step 2

Open:

Settings → Customize / Game Settings

Then restore the relevant settings to their default configuration.

The exact menu wording can vary by platform and game screen.

Step 3

Make sure your controller configuration is no longer using an old custom setup carried over from FC 26.

This is especially important if:

You imported your old settings

You use a custom button configuration

Your controls behaved normally in FC 26

The problem appeared immediately after starting FC 27

Step 4

Save your FC file data.

This step was specifically reported by a player who experienced the same passing behavior.

Step 5

Completely close FC 27.

Don't simply return to the console dashboard.

Step 6

Restart FC 27.

Then test a simple ground pass before changing your settings again.

Step 7

If the pass now works normally, reconfigure your preferred settings one at a time.

This is important.

If you change 15 settings simultaneously and the problem returns, you won't know which setting caused it.

Fix 2 — Test the Pass in Practice Arena

Before testing in Ultimate Team, go somewhere controlled.

EA itself recommends using the Practice Arena, Training Center and Skill Games to practice passing and become familiar with the different pass types.

Perform a simple test:

Stand still.

Aim directly toward a nearby teammate.

Press X/A once.

Don't use modifiers.

Don't double-tap.

Don't use the right stick.

Repeat 10 times.

You should see a normal ground pass.

Then try the same thing while moving.

Why this test matters

If the same strange flick happens repeatedly in a controlled environment, it points more strongly toward:

Controller configuration

Input recognition

An unintended passing input

Game/input behavior

rather than your decision-making during a competitive match.

Fix 3 — Check Whether You Are Accidentally Triggering a Different Pass

FC 27 has several different passing inputs.

EA's current passing documentation distinguishes between:

Ground Pass

Through Pass

Lob Pass/Cross

Lobbed Through Pass

Driven Ground Pass

Each behaves differently depending on the input and situation.

So if your player suddenly sends the ball upward, don't assume that every unusual pass is a bug.

Check your button combination.

Especially check repeated inputs

FC 27 also changed Dinked Pass behavior.

EA says Dinked Passes are now fully manual, and they can no longer be triggered using the Ground Pass input.

A Dinked Pass is performed by double-tapping Through Pass and manually aiming. Repeated Ground Pass presses should result in a regular Ground Pass.

So if you're seeing a genuinely aerial/flicked pass from a single X/A input, that's more interesting.

Fix 4 — Check Your Button Mapping

Go into your controller configuration and verify:

Ground Pass = X on PlayStation / A on Xbox

Don't assume the on-screen controls tell the whole story if you have a custom configuration.

Test the default layout first.

If the default layout works but your custom layout produces the problem, you've found an important clue.

The Best FC 27 Passing Settings to Start With

Once your controls are working normally, these are the settings I'd use as a starting point, not as a claim that one configuration is perfect for everyone.

Passing

Setting.   /  Recommended starting point

Ground Pass Assistance/Assisted

Through Pass Assistance/Semi

Lobbed Through Pass/Semi

Cross Assistance/Semi

Lob Pass Assistance/Assisted

Pass Receiver Lock/Late

Precision Pass Sensitivity/Normal

 

Current FC 27 controller guides commonly recommend keeping Ground Pass Assistance on Assisted, using Semi for Through Pass Assistance, and setting Pass Receiver Lock to Late.

Why Ground Pass Assistance: Assisted?

For normal short passing, Assisted gives the game more help with direction and power.

That makes it a useful starting point while you're adapting to FC 27.

It does not mean the game will make every passing decision for you.

You still need to aim toward the correct teammate and choose an open passing lane.

FC 27's own passing guidance emphasizes aiming toward the teammate and adjusting power according to distance.

Why Use Semi for Through Balls?

Through balls are different from simple short passes.

With Semi assistance, you retain more control over where the ball goes while still receiving some assistance with direction and power.

That can be useful when you're trying to play:

Balls behind the defensive line

Diagonal runs

Fast counterattacks

Passes into open space

Current FC 27 controller guides commonly recommend Semi here as a middle ground between Assisted and Manual.

Why Pass Receiver Lock: Late?

This is one of the settings I'd definitely test.

FC 27 offers different receiver-lock timings.

Late keeps the receiver selection flexible for longer before the pass is played.

That gives you more opportunity to adjust your direction during the passing animation.

Current FC 27 documentation describes Late as the latest receiver-lock option, while Animation Start and Power Up lock the target earlier.

Starting recommendation:

Pass Receiver Lock → Late

If it feels uncomfortable, don't force yourself to use it.

Try Animation Start and compare.

Don't Copy Every "Pro Settings" List

You'll find plenty of FC 27 settings articles telling everyone to use exactly the same configuration.

That's not necessarily useful.

For example, some current guides recommend Semi for almost every passing assistance option, while others recommend Assisted Ground Passes and more assistance for certain situations.

The better approach is:

Start stable → learn the game → change one setting → test → keep or revert.

Don't change ten things because a YouTube video says they're "meta."

My Recommended FC 27 Competitive Starting Setup

For players who want a reliable starting configuration:

Passing

Ground Pass Assistance: Assisted

Through Pass Assistance: Semi

Lobbed Through Pass: Semi

Cross Assistance: Semi

Lob Pass Assistance: Assisted

Pass Receiver Lock: Late

Precision Pass Sensitivity: Normal

General controller

Analog Sprint: Off

Trigger Effects: Off

Vibration: Off or your preference

Analog Sprint Off is commonly recommended in current competitive FC 27 settings guides because it removes variable sprint pressure from the trigger.

Defending

Defending: Tactical

Auto Switching: Air Balls & Loose Balls

Auto Switching Move Assistance: None

These are starting points rather than universal rules.

If the Problem Still Happens

If you've:

Reset the settings

Saved the FC file

Restarted FC 27

Tested the default controls

Tested Practice Arena

Confirmed X/A is Ground Pass

Tested without modifiers

…and the player still randomly flicks the ball upward instead of making a normal pass, start investigating the controller itself.

Test another controller

If possible, use another controller for 10–15 minutes.

If the second controller works normally

Your original controller becomes a strong suspect.

If both controllers behave identically

The controller is less likely to be the cause.

Then document the exact input and behavior and consider reporting it to EA.

Don't Blame Your Internet First

This particular symptom doesn't immediately point to your internet connection.

Network problems can cause delayed or inconsistent input, but if the player consistently performs an unexpected different animation when you press the passing button, settings/input behavior should be investigated first.

That's why we're starting with the controller configuration.

A 5-Minute Diagnosis

If you're in a hurry, do this:

Test 1

Restore FC 27 settings to default.

Test 2

Save FC file data.

Test 3

Completely restart FC 27.

Test 4

Use the default controller layout.

Test 5

Go to Practice Arena.

Test 6

Perform 10 simple X/A passes.

Test 7

If fixed, restore your preferred settings one at a time.

Test 8

If not fixed, test another controller.

This gives you much more useful information than immediately reinstalling the game.

What We Know vs What We Don't

 Confirmed

EA has changed passing behavior in FC 27, including the new manual Dinked Pass system.

EA also provides multiple passing-assistance settings that affect how passing direction and power are handled.

Reported by Players

At least one September 18 launch-period discussion reports the specific problem of pressing X and getting a ball-flicking action instead of the expected pass, with multiple players saying they experienced it.

A reported workaround was resetting settings to default, saving FC file data, restarting, and then reconfiguring preferences.

Not Confirmed

We don't currently have evidence that every player experiencing this problem has the same cause.

We also shouldn't claim that resetting settings is a guaranteed permanent EA fix.

It is a troubleshooting step supported by launch-period player reports.

Final Fix

If your FC 27 player is flicking the ball upward instead of making the normal X/A pass, don't immediately assume you've forgotten how to pass.

First:

Reset your settings → save FC file data → restart FC 27 → test default controls → then rebuild your preferred settings.

After that, start with:

Ground Pass Assistance: Assisted

Through Pass: Semi

Lobbed Through: Semi

Cross: Semi

Lob Pass: Assisted

Pass Receiver Lock: Late

Precision Pass Sensitivity: Normal

Then test them in Practice Arena before taking the setup into competitive matches.

The bigger lesson with FC 27 is that your settings matter more than simply copying last year's configuration.

And if your controls were carried over from FC 26, a clean reset is one of the first things worth testing.

Last updated: September 19, 2026

Evidence note: This guide separates EA-confirmed FC 27 passing changes from launch-period player reports. Settings recommendations are presented as starting points rather than guaranteed "best" settings.