Cabinet.xml never read by DOF
What it means
DOF is installed and a Cabinet.xml exists, but DOF does not read it: only automatically detected controllers work.
Why it happens
Without GlobalConfig_B2SServer.xml, DOF uses default settings, loads no cabinet file and starts in AutoConfig (DirectOutput Pinball.cs, Setup and Init).
How Pincab Toolbox detects it
DirectOutput.dll and a Cabinet.xml exist in the scanned folder, and no GlobalConfig_B2SServer.xml exists under the root, beside the DLL or beside a table; no config.lnk shortcut sits beside the DLL.
Check your own pincab
Pincab Toolbox is a free Windows scanner for Visual Pinball X and PinUP Popper. It finds and explains problems like this one. No account, no telemetry.
Download for freeCovered: Visual Pinball X (10.x) and PinUP Popper. Not covered: Future Pinball, Pinball FX, Visual Pinball 9 and the other frontends (PinballX, PinballY).