Can You Use Xbox One Controller on Xbox Series X? The answer is simple; Yes! According to Microsoft, not only are existing Xbox One controllers compatible with the Xbox Series X, but the brand-new Xbox Series X controller also works on the Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs. This is in line with Microsoft’s stated goal of making the player the focal point of the “Xbox experience” rather than the device itself. Furthermore, the Xbox Adaptive Controller, an accessibility peripheral, will work with the Xbox Series X to give players with disabilities a wider range of input options. This leaves us with the question, how do you go about connecting the Xbox One Controller with the Xbox Series X. Let’s find out…
How to Use an Xbox One Controller with a Series X Console
Here’s how to use a wireless Xbox One controller with an Xbox X:
- Push the console’s synchronize button. This should be the black button on the back of your device that is above the USB-A port.
- Press and hold the synchronize button on your controller. Like with the console, this should be a black button on top of your controller between your bumper buttons.
- Stop holding the button when the logo starts to blink quickly.
- Once the light stops blinking, you should be able to use the linked controller to move through the menus.
- Go to the “Home” section on your Xbox X.
- Go to “Profile and System” and then click on “Settings.”
- Go to “Account,” and then click “Sign-in.”
- Put in your login information to get into your account.
- Sign in with your controller and click the “Use Controller Instead” button.
- Your Xbox X controller is now fully linked to it.
It’s even easier to link a wired Xbox One controller. Just plug the controller into the USB-A port on the Xbox X and wait for the two devices to connect on their own.
How to Set Up Bluetooth on an Xbox One Controller
If you have an Xbox One wireless controller that works with Xbox Series X and S, you can quickly switch between your Xbox and a Bluetooth device that you have paired with it. This is a useful feature, but you have to turn on Bluetooth in order to use it.
The first thing you should do is make sure that the devices you want to connect via Bluetooth can do so. For example, here’s how to see if your Windows platform has the right updates:
- Click the “Start” button on your taskbar.
- Open your search bar and type “Settings.”
- Choose “Settings” and then “Windows Update.”
- Click “Check for updates” and wait for the system to check your PC for any updates you may not have installed.
Keep in mind that some desktop PCs might not have Bluetooth built into the motherboard, so you might need to use a separate Bluetooth antenna. Most laptops come with Bluetooth already built in.
How to Update the Firmware on your Xbox Controller
Once the PC is up to date, make sure the firmware on your Xbox controller with Bluetooth is also up to date. Follow these steps to do so:
- To turn on your Xbox, press the button on the controller.
- For three seconds, press and hold the Pair button.
- Go back to your computer and click the “Start” button.
- If you have Windows 10 or an older version, go to “Settings,” then “Devices,” and then “Bluetooth.” The name of the last menu in Windows 11 is “Bluetooth & Devices.”
- Choose the option that lets you add a Bluetooth device or something else. If you’re using a PC with Windows 11, choose “Add device.”
- Press “Bluetooth” on your “Add device” screen and wait for your Xbox controller to show up on your list of available devices.
- Once the controller shows up, choose it and let the system connect your devices.
How to Connect Your Controller to an Android Gadget:
- To turn it on, press the Xbox button on the controller.
- Keep the “Pair” key pressed down for three seconds before letting go.
- You can access the Bluetooth settings on your Android device by going to “Apps,” then “Settings,” “Connected devices,” and “Pair a new device.” The words may be different on different phones.
- Look through the list of Bluetooth devices until the “Xbox Wireless Controller” shows up.
- Choose “Xbox Wireless Controller” and let the devices connect. You can make sure the connection is working by looking for the controller on the screen before.
It is just as easy to connect an Apple device to your Xbox One or other wireless controllers: - On an Apple device, go to “Settings” and then press “Bluetooth.”
- Turn on your Bluetooth link.
- Tap your controller’s Xbox button. If your Xbox controller is already hooked up, turn it off. Then, press and hold the “Pair” key for a few seconds.
Your Apple device should now show you a list of the Bluetooth devices that are available. Choose “Xbox Wireless Controller” and wait for the system to show your connection before leaving the screen.
How to Connect Xbox One Wireless Controller to Smart TV
You can even connect your Xbox One wireless controller to a smart TV:
- Start the app for your Xbox on the smart TV.
- Using your remote control, choose the “Controller” icon in the upper part of the screen.
- Tap the “Pair controller” button and choose the controller from the list.
- Use your controller to turn on the pairing mode, and then press the “Continue” button. This will bring up your Bluetooth list, and the smart TV should start looking for the controller.
- You can pick the controller from the list of devices.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to finish the process.
Bluetooth lets you connect wireless Xbox controllers to many tablets, laptops, desktop computers, and headsets. But your Bluetooth card affects how reliable it is, which is why you can get different results.
Also, your controller can only be connected to one thing at a time. If you’ve already paired it with a console, you’ll need to press the “Pair” button on both the controller and the console to reconnect it to a device.
Try to use only one controller that is linked to your console via Bluetooth. You can connect more than one controller through Bluetooth, but your performance may suffer.
Can an Xbox X or S controller be used with an Xbox One?
You may have noticed that the controller for your Xbox Series S or X console looks a lot like the controller for your Xbox One. This is because Microsoft made these devices compatible with both older and newer versions.
Backward compatibility lets you use your Xbox One controller on an Xbox Series S or Series X and vice versa. It’s a great way to play games with other people on any console without having to deal with input problems.
Since these controllers are almost exactly the same, switching to an older Xbox One controller on your Xbox Series S or X won’t make you miss out on any important features. The only thing that’s missing is a dedicated “Share” key, but you shouldn’t need it to play.
Why isn’t my Xbox One controller working with my Xbox?
If you have the right updates and Bluetooth technology, it’s not too hard to sync an Xbox One controller to an Xbox X, but the process of pairing can sometimes go wrong. There are a few things you can try to fix the problem.
New batteries
The easiest fix is to get new batteries for your Xbox One controller. Make sure your device is fully charged if you have the Rechargeable Battery attachment or the Play and Charge Kit. Also, check to make sure the charging cable is in good shape.
Adjust the distance between the controller and the console
When syncing the devices, keep the controller close to the console. The controller and console can talk to each other wirelessly from about 20 to 30 feet away. If you go any further, the gadgets might stop working.
Avoid getting in the way
To stop interference, turn off laptops, TVs, and any other devices that are close to your controller and Xbox.
Reset the console
Another way to fix the problem is to turn the console off and on again. To do this, hold down the Xbox button on the front of your console for about 10 seconds. Unplug the device’s power cord for about 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This will reset the system.
Disconnect any controllers you don’t need
One Xbox X or S can only be connected to eight controllers at a time. If you have that many controllers, you’ll need to unpair some of them before you connect your new device. Holding down the Xbox key for a few seconds until the light goes out is the easiest way to turn off your controller.
Reconnect with the switch feature
Xbox Series X and S controllers have a handy feature that lets you switch between using the controller with an Xbox and a Bluetooth device. Tap the “Pair” button twice quickly on your controller to switch back from your Bluetooth connection (like a smartphone) to the Xbox. Hold the same button to put the controller in pairing mode, which lets you connect your device to a Bluetooth device again.
Unplug other systems
When you tap the Xbox button on the controller, the device automatically tries to connect to the last platform it was linked to. So, if there is more than one Xbox in the area and you turn on the controller, it might already be connected to another console, and you won’t be able to connect to the one you want. Stop the other system(s) nearby from running at the same time by turning them off and unplugging them. You can try the same thing if you want to connect your controller to a PC and it is already connected to a console nearby or if you want to connect your controller to a PC.
Use a handy controller to play your favorite games.
You don’t have to know a lot about technology to connect an Xbox One controller to an Xbox X. If you want to connect the controller to other platforms, you have to do the same thing. If something goes wrong while you’re playing, use the tips above to fix it.
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