If ZSNES doesn't recognize your controller when trying to input the keys, you have to download the Xbox Controller driver from Microsoft's website
https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-gb/d/xbox-360-controller-for-windows
Test if you controller is set up right Go to crontroll panel - hardware and sound-show device and printers right click the crontroller settings properties,
Move up down right left to see if all is right
Sometimes controller stop work for emulator and then I had to reinstall drivers.
If ZSNES isn't detecting your xbox controller but your computer is.
Simply exit the program but leave the controller plugged in, then restart ZSNES and set you keys. It should register your controller.
If it still doesn't work
Disable the Desktop Mode in the controller configuration
program files > Microsoft xbox 360 Accessories > (right click) xboxStat > Properties > Sharing > Advanced sharing > (check) share this folder
Load up snex9x.conf and under the section [Controls/Win] copy and paste this.
Joypad1:Enabled = TRUE
Joypad1:Up = (J0)Up
Joypad1
own = (J0)Down
Joypad1:Left = (J0)Left
Joypad1:Right = (J0)Right
Joypad1:A = (J0)Button 1
Joypad1:B = (J0)Button 0
Joypad1:Y = (J0)Button 2
Joypad1:X = (J0)Button 3
Joypad1:L = (J0)Z Down
Joypad1:R = (J0)Z Up
Joypad1:Start = (J0)Button 7
Joypad1:Select = (J0)Button 6
Not sure why the forum is making an smile, but change that into an D first
It's setup to emulate how an SNES controller would feel so A/B and X/Y are flipped. Also make sure that Fullscreen is set to true and EmulateFullscreen is set to false (same file, a few sections above), otherwise it will try using desktop control settings by default. I'd also recommend setting the file to "read only"
If none of above works then consider getting a cheap as said
It should work joypad option isn't there for no reason