Settings search entry persists even after closing settings by clicking outside

[pigeonskew]

Type

Game behaviour

Bug description

Reproduction steps:

1. Open settings.
2. Type "skin".
3. Click outside of settings to close it
4. Open settings and click any sub-sections on the left side.

It currently preserves the search string typed on settings even after closing it, which can throw off players that hasn't opened settings in a while and wanted to check each section for the setting they need. I've seen countless streamers get confused from this.

The search filters out anything that doesn't match, so selecting any side section, if not matching the preserved search, gets missing and players get confused why the setting they're searching for is missing until they realized that the search they did last time is still there.

The only way to prevent this is if the player uses the Esc key twice to clear the search and close settings. But as far as I've seen, most players close settings by clicking outside of it after searching some setting.

Two solutions:

1. make the search string clear when closing settings
2. make it more visually apparent that a search string is currently filtering out settings

I prefer Option 1 since there's no need for the player to know if settings is filtered out due to search every time they open settings. This feels like the natural thing to do. Most players that want to find a setting expect the settings to be complete and unfiltered..

Screenshots or videos

https://streamable.com/wxhzln

Version

2026.429.0-lazer

Logs

no need

[peppy]

probably select the search text when reopening so it can easily be replaced or deleted?

[zihadmahiuddin]

Looks like it already auto-selects the text when opening, then just pressing escape or backspace is enough to clear it.

[pigeonskew]

Do you think the first thing players do when opening the settings is to clear a text box or press the escape key? Obviously, it's to change a setting, and this search string persisting just adds more work to a simple action.

[zihadmahiuddin]

Well of course it's not going to be muscle memory to press escape after opening settings every time. But it's only a single key press away when needed.

One could also argue that it's useful to have the last searched settings show up, for example it's possible to close the panel accidentally, or one might need the search for something like mouse sensitivity to persist until they're done adjusting it, playing a map in between adjustments.

Considering both sides I think it's best to keep it like this. Clearing is a single key press away but when you want the previous search again, you'd have to type the query again.

But it might be good idea to add a more attention-grabbing indicator that a filter is active so people don't get confused easily and can notice and clear it if needed.

[peppy]

Lazer already behaves the same as stable. Moving to discussion for further discussion, as we already have parity.