Playing PC games using a keyboard and mouse is almost a rite of passage for any novice PC gamer. Some people, however, prefer to use an Xbox controller, especially for games that need precise joystick movement, such as platformers or racing games. Because both Windows and Xbox are Microsoft properties, there is good support for Xbox controllers on Windows PCs, so here’s how to accomplish it. The amazing thing about Xbox controllers is how simple it is to connect them to your PC. You can connect either over USB or wireless using Bluetooth or the official Xbox Wireless Adapter. Check out our guide here on how to connect and pair an Xbox Wireless One Controller to a PC wired to a console.
Figure Out Which Xbox Controller You Own
If you recently purchased a new Xbox gamepad, you can skip this section because you already have the most recent version. And if you received one in the last five years, you’re good there, too. The current Xbox Wireless Gamepad is the same one that comes with the Xbox Series S/X consoles and supports Xbox wireless connectivity as well as Bluetooth. Following the initial wave of Xbox One consoles, the majority of Xbox Wireless Gamepads of that generation supported Bluetooth. You can proceed from here if you want to use Bluetooth or a wired connection.
The original Xbox One controllers do not have Bluetooth connectivity and must rely only on Xbox’s wireless communication standard. This is fine for Xbox consoles, but it is not acceptable for PCs. You can still use one with your PC, but the procedure is different; you’ll need to purchase a wireless dongle.
If you have an older Xbox One gamepad, inspect the plastic around the Guide button. A Bluetooth gamepad has the same plastic as the face of the controller and no seams. It’s a non-Bluetooth gamepad if it’s made of the same plastic as the bumper buttons and has a seam between the Guide button and the controller’s face. It’s a modern Xbox Series controller with Bluetooth if it features a small, rectangular Capture button between the Menu and View buttons and a USB-C port on the top rather than a micro USB port.
How to Connect an Xbox One Controller to a PC
Follow these steps to connect and pair an Xbox Wireless One Controller to a PC:
- Make sure your Xbox One controller is powered on or connected through a USB cable.
- Check that your PC has a USB port available.
- You’ll need the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows if you have a wireless Xbox One controller. Connect the adaptor to your PC’s USB port. It will install the required drivers automatically.
- Connect a wired Xbox One controller to your PC using a USB cable. Windows should automatically detect and install the required drivers. Allow Windows to seek for and install drivers if requested.
- After connecting the controller, go to the “Devices and Printers” section of the Windows Control Panel to see if it’s working properly. In the list of devices, look for the Xbox Controller icon.
- To change the controller settings, go to the Microsoft Store and download and install the Xbox Accessories app. You can use this app to remap buttons, change trigger sensitivity, and upgrade the controller’s firmware.
- You may now utilize your Xbox One controller to play PC games. Many recent PC games support Xbox controllers natively, however, you may need to change the controller settings within each game.
Some games may require additional configuration or may not fully support Xbox controllers. In such circumstances, third-party software or gamepad mapping tools may be required to enable compatibility.
Connect Your Xbox Controller to PC Wired
This is straightforward, however, you will want a physical cable to attach the controller to your PC. This is how you do it.
- Insert one end of your USB-to-micro USB or USB-to-USB-C (depending on the controller’s version) cable into the controller.
- Connect the other end to your PC.
That’s all! It will automatically configure itself under Windows 10 and 11, and it will work with almost any game on your PC.
Connect Your Xbox Controller to your PC With Bluetooth
Pairing the Xbox controller with your PC through Bluetooth is nearly identical to pairing it with your Xbox One or Xbox Series console. Hold down the Guide button for three seconds, then the Pairing button for three seconds, until the Guide button flashes.
This indicates that it is in pairing mode. Hold the Pairing button on the system when connecting the controller to a console. When connecting the controller to a Windows 10 PC, you must navigate through various options. If your PC lacks Bluetooth, you will additionally want a Bluetooth USB dongle. Here’s the complete step-by-step procedure on how to connect and pair an Xbox Wireless One Controller to a PC through Bluetooth:
- Turn on the controller by holding down the Guide button.
- Press and hold the Pairing button for three seconds, or until the Guide button flashes.
- Right-click the Bluetooth icon in your system tray and select Properties.
- Select “Add Bluetooth Device.”
- Select Bluetooth from the “Add Bluetooth or Other Device” menu.
- Select “Xbox Wireless Controller.” Wait until the Guide button turns solid white and the Bluetooth menu indicates that the controller has been connected.
The Xbox Wireless Gamepad may now be used with your PC to play the great majority of recent games that require controllers. However, unlike Sony’s DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers, the gamepad does not have a headset jack. Although a wired gaming headset can be used with the gamepad and its related game system, audio is not transmitted through the jack when it is linked to a PC through Bluetooth.
How to Connect Xbox Controller to PC Wireless
Connecting your Xbox controller to a PC is a simple process. To make it work, you only need the proper hardware, software, and drivers. Purchase an Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows or an official wired Xbox 360 Controller to begin.
Plug the adapter into a USB port on your computer and install any drivers that may be included with the device. After you’ve finished this step, turn on your controller by pushing the power button on the top of the device. The console will immediately connect to your PC through Bluetooth technology, allowing you to start gaming right away!
How to Connect Xbox Controller to Pc Without Bluetooth
You can use a USB cable to connect an Xbox controller to your PC if you don’t have Bluetooth. All current Xbox controller devices include a micro-USB port on the top for easy connection to any Windows 10 (or older) PC. Simply attach one end of the cable to the back of your controller and the other end to a USB port on your computer.
When you plug in your device, Windows will immediately install any necessary drivers, allowing you to begin playing right away!
Connect Your Xbox Controller to your PC With a USB Adapter
You’ll need an Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows 10 if you have an older Xbox One controller or simply wish to use your newer one using Microsoft’s proprietary wireless connection instead of Bluetooth (and receive headset connectivity). It’s a USB dongle that connects directly to your Xbox gamepad without the need for any Bluetooth setup or pairing. Simply put in the dongle and couple it to your controller as you would your Xbox, pressing the Pairing button on each device.
Unfortunately, this adaptor is no longer available. You can still get it online for $40 to $75, rather than the initial $25, but good luck finding it. If you can get your hands on one, it will allow you to use up to eight gamepads with the adapter, although Microsoft suggests only one at a time with Bluetooth. If you utilize the adaptor, the headset jack is also enabled, with configurable settings in the Xbox app.
Connect an Xbox Wireless Controller to Your Console
To connect your Xbox Wireless Controller to your console, use the Pair button on the console for a wireless connection or a USB to micro-USB cable (or a USB to USB-C cable) for a wired connection. Consider the following:
- Xbox One controllers are backward compatible with Xbox Series X|S controllers.
- The Xbox Wireless Controller included with the Xbox Series X and S contains a capability that enables easy switching between a paired Bluetooth device and an Xbox console. If the controller is linked to a Bluetooth device, double-press the Pair button to reconnect the controller to the last Xbox console it was paired to. To return to the paired Bluetooth device, press and hold the Pair button to initiate pairing mode. The controller will automatically connect to the last Bluetooth device you used.
- After connecting your controller to your console, perform the following steps to check for firmware upgrades on your controller:
How to Connect:
- Open the guide by pressing the Xbox button.
- Select Settings from the Profile and System menus.
- Select Accessories from the Devices and Connections menu.
- On the Xbox Wireless Controller interface, click “…” to view your controller’s firmware version.
- If it indicates no updates are available, your controller is up-to-date. If it says “Update,” follow the instructions.
How to Connect Xbox One Controller to PC Wired Not Working
There could be various reasons why you’re experiencing problems connecting your Xbox One controller to your PC via a wired connection. To begin, ensure that the cable is securely attached at both ends and is not loose or damaged in any way. Second, check for driver upgrades on both the console and PC sides of things; if one has an outdated driver, connectivity may be affected.
Finally, try resetting the controller by inserting a paperclip into the small hole at the top and pressing down; this should reinitialize any settings and hopefully get you back up and running.
Why Won’t My Wired Xbox Controller Connect to My Pc?
There could be several reasons why your wired Xbox controller isn’t connecting to your PC. It is critical to go over each conceivable reason one by one to determine what is causing the problem. To begin, ensure that an adequate USB cable is connected between your controller and PC.
If you are using an extension cord or adapter, they may cause connectivity issues because they are not compatible with the Xbox controller. Additionally, when troubleshooting this issue, unhook any other devices from the port, such as headsets or charging stations. Check sure all ports on both devices are clean and free of dust or anything that could interfere with the connection.
Why Is My Xbox One Controller Flashing and Not Connecting?
There are several probable causes for your Xbox One controller blinking and not connecting to your console or PC. You might attempt the following troubleshooting steps:
- Check the batteries or power source
- Power cycle the controller
- Sync the controller
- Update the controller firmware
- Test the controller on another device
- Troubleshoot wireless interference
- Try a different USB port or cable
If none of these procedures address the problem, the controller may have a hardware fault, in which case you should contact Xbox Support or the retailer from which you got the controller for more assistance or a potential replacement.
How Do I Get My Xbox to Recognize My Controller?
If your Xbox console is not recognizing your controller, attempt the following troubleshooting steps:
- Check the controller’s power and connection
- Sync the controller with the console
- Restart the console
- Update the console firmware
- Try a different USB port or cable
- Test the controller on another console or PC
- Reset the controller
The sync button on the Xbox One console is placed on the front of the console, near the disc tray. The precise location of the sync button varies slightly based on the Xbox One model:
- Original Xbox One: The sync button on the original Xbox One is placed on the left side of the disc tray, directly below the power button. It’s a little round button.
- Xbox One S and Xbox One X: The sync button is situated just below the power button on the front of the console. It’s a little round button.
How Do I Reset My Xbox One Controller?
You can reset your Xbox One controller by following these steps:
- Locate the little pinhole on the controller’s back. The pinhole is located next to the left shoulder button.
- Straighten up a paperclip or other small object.
- Insert the paperclip’s point into the pinhole and gently press the button inside.
- Press and hold the button for a few seconds.
- Release the button.
You are effectively power cycling the controller and resetting its internal state by doing this reset. After resetting the controller, try attaching it to your Xbox console or PC using the appropriate synchronization method.
How to Charge Xbox Controller?
Charge the battery:
- Connect your charging cable to the controller’s USB port on the front.
- Note The Xbox Rechargeable Battery + USB-C Cable is used by the new Xbox Wireless Controller.
- Connect the opposite end of the charging cable to your Xbox’s USB port.
Turn on your console if it is turned off.
Conclusion
Finally, connecting and pairing an Xbox Wireless One Controller to a PC is quick and simple. Simply connect the USB cable to both devices, and Windows will immediately install the appropriate drivers. After that, you can start playing games or using any other program that accepts gamepad input. You’ll be able to play for hours on end with a stable connection between your PC and Xbox One controller!
- HOW TO CHANGE CHROME BACKGROUND: Quick & Easy Steps
- HOW TO SHARE YOUR INSTAGRAM POST ON THREADS: Full Guide!
- Can You Use Xbox One Controller on Xbox Series X
- How to Connect Xbox Controller to Xbox: All You Should Know!!!
- How To Get Transfer Pin From T-Mobile: Simple Guide
References
