How to connect xbox one controller to xbox one

How to connect your Xbox controller to an Xbox One or Series X|S

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There are several different ways to play your Xbox One, and whichever you pick will probably depend on your budget, and how far away you sit from your console.

You can buy both wired and wireless controllers for your Xbox One. Wireless controllers are more expensive but allow you to sit farther away from the Xbox One console.

And, of course, the way you connect each type to the console is different. Here’s how.

How to connect your Xbox controller to an Xbox console

The easiest way to connect an Xbox One controller to the system is to use a wired controller, and simply plug its USB cable into the console physically.

Wired controllers cost about half as much as wireless options. And many gamers say they eliminate the input lag of wireless controllers. Furthermore, it means the controller won’t die on you in the middle of gameplay, and you can save on buying batteries.

But you may also want the ease of use of a wireless option, avoiding the hassle of a cord. Here’s how to connect a wireless controller:

Wireless controllers

A wireless Xbox controller gives you more freedom of motion. Also, they’re extremely easy to sync up to the console once you know how.

There are two ways to connect a wireless Xbox One controller to the console. First, we’ll do it through a microUSB cable.

Using any microUSB cable, plug the small end of the cable into the slot on the back of the controller, and the USB plug into a port on the console.

Now, turn on your console and wait a few seconds until the Xbox button on the controller and on the console both glow solidly. You’re synced. You can now unplug the controller and use it wirelessly.

To connect the controller and console without a cable, press and hold the sync button on top of the controller.

Once the Xbox button starts flashing, push the Pair button on the console.

On an Xbox One X and One S console, you’ll find this button on the front, below the Power button. It’ll be small and circular, and have the same curved lines symbol.

On an original Xbox One console, the Pair button is on the side, and is a rectangle with the curved lines symbol.

When both Xbox symbols are solid, you’re ready to play.

Xbox Series X|S compatibility

The Xbox One controller is also compatible with the Xbox Series X|S. If you are using the wired controller, then all you have to do is plug it into the USB port in front of the Series X|S, turn on the console, and you’re good to go.

The same goes for wireless controllers when using a micro-USB cable. When you plug the cable into your controller and into your powered console, the gamepad will vibrate once and then turn on, meaning it has synced. You can then remove the micro-USB cable and use it wirelessly.

To sync the Xbox One controller to the Xbox Series X|S, just press and hold the Pair button to switch on the controller. The Xbox button will begin to blink. Now locate the Pair button on the console; it will be on the front, on top of the USB port.

Once the Xbox button stops blinking and remains on, the controller has synced to the Xbox Series X|S console.

How to Sync Your Xbox Controller with Your Xbox One, One S, One X or Windows PC

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All three Xbox One models feature wireless controllers that can also be plugged in via USB. While there are two different main Xbox One controller designs, in addition to an Elite version, they’re all compatible with all three types of Xbox One consoles. You can also sync a wireless Xbox One controller to a PC, but the best way to do it will depend on the version of Windows you have installed.

The basic steps involved in syncing an Xbox One controller are:

Turn On Your Xbox One

Turn your Xbox One on by pressing the Xbox button on the front. The button is located on the right side of the front of the console regardless of whether you have an Xbox One, Xbox One S or Xbox One X.

When the console has turned on, the button will illuminate. You can let go of the button and go to the next step.

Turn On Your Xbox One Controller

Turn on your Xbox One controller by pressing on the Xbox button, which is located on the front of the controller, in the center, near the top. The button will illuminate when the controller is on.

If the button doesn’t illuminate, make sure that you have batteries in the controller. If you don’t have batteries, then proceed to step six for information about connecting an Xbox One controller via USB.

Press the Connect Button on Your Xbox One

The connect button is what tells your Xbox One that you are trying to connect a controller. The specific location and appearance will depend on the type of Xbox One that you have.

Xbox One: The connect button is located around the corner from the slot where you insert games.

Xbox One S: The connect button is located on the front of the console, on the right side, below the power button.

Xbox One X: The connect button is located on the front of the console, on the right side, right next to the USB port.

Once you have located the connect button, press and release it.

Make sure you have your Xbox One controller handy. After pressing the connect button on the Xbox One, you need to immediately proceed to the next step and complete it within 20 seconds.

Press the Connect Button on Your Xbox One Controller

The connect button on your Xbox One controller lets the Xbox One know that it is ready to connect. It is located on the top of the controller, on the same side as the triggers and USB port.

Once you have located the connect button on your controller, press and hold it. The Xbox button on your controller will flash, which means it’s looking for a console to connect to.

If your Xbox One controller successfully connects to your console, the Xbox button will stop flashing and remain lit. You can let go of the connect button and then go back to step three and repeat the process for any additional controllers that you want to connect.

You must press the connect button on the Xbox One controller within 20 seconds of pressing the connect button on the Xbox One console. If you don’t, you will have to start the process over again.

How to Sync an Xbox One Controller to a PC

The Xbox One controller is also a great way to play games on a PC. If you want to connect an Xbox One controller to your computer, the process will depend on how old the controller is.

Older Xbox One controllers require a special USB dongle. You can buy the dongle separately, and it also comes packaged with some Xbox One controllers.

To connect one of these controllers:

Newer Xbox One controllers can connect to a PC using the dongle or Bluetooth. To connect an Xbox One controller to your PC using Bluetooth:

How to Connect an Xbox One Controller Via USB

You can also connect your Xbox One controller to an Xbox One console or a PC via USB, and it’s an extremely easy two-step process:

Connecting a controller to your new Xbox Series X or S is surprisingly, not one of the first things you do, thanks to the console allowing you to set up the console entirely through the Xbox app.

Though the controller should then sync up the console out of the box whenever you are ready, there’s a chance it might not.

Learning how to connect a controller to Xbox Series also useful for when you buy additional controllers, have another player bringing their controller round, decide to use your Xbox One controllers on the new console, and so on.

As well as Xbox console connectivity, this page also explains how to connect an Xbox controller to PC and mobiles using Bluetooth, as well as some general troubleshooting tips.

How to connect an Xbox controller to an Xbox Series X / S or Xbox One

You can collect an Xbox controller either wirelessly, first make sure the console is switched on.

Pressing the sync button will see the glowing Xbox logo on both devices blink, indicating it is searching for the other. If you do them both around the same time, within a few seconds they should find one another, and sync.

If for whatever reason the above wireless method isn’t working, you can also connect a controller to the console using a cable. This is also useful if the controller is out of battery, or you wish to preserve battery life.

How to connect an Xbox controller to a PC or mobile device using Bluetooth

Certain generations of Xbox One controller have Bluetooth support, allowing it to connect to PC or mobile device as well as an Xbox One or Xbox Series controller.

You can tell at a glance by the look of the controller; if the plastic around the Guide button is set within the face of the controller, it does not. If it is, then it does. Here’s an image from the official support website showing the difference:

The first generation Elite controllers also do not have Bluetooth. If your controller does not fall into the above example, then you should be good to go.

From there, it’s similar to how you would sync it to an Xbox device, thanks to the dedicated Sync button on the controller, which is located at the ‘top’ of the device, between the triggers, and next to the USB port.

Press and hold the button until the glowing Xbox guide button starts to blink, indicating it is syncing.

The Xbox controller should be then listed according to the device in question. Select it, and it should connect, as indicated by a solid glow on the Xbox controller.

Troubleshooting tips if your Xbox controller isn’t connecting

Though the sync button attempts to make things as easy as possible, it might not work every time. If so, run through the following troubleshooting tips:

How to change controller settings and update controller firmware on Xbox Series X / S

You can change the controller settings in two areas, which both cater for slightly different things:

What to Do When Your Xbox One Controller Won’t Connect

Try these fixes before you throw that controller out

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Wireless Xbox One controllers are great, but experiencing a disconnect in the middle of a game sucks all the fun right out of the room. The good news is that most of the problems that can cause an Xbox One controller to not connect, or cause a connection to fail, are pretty easy to fix. And even in a worst-case scenario, you can always turn your wireless controller into a wired controller with a micro USB cable.

When an Xbox One controller won’t connect, it usually manifests in one of the following ways:

These problems may occur when you first turn on your controller, or while you’re playing.

Causes of Xbox One Controllers Not Connecting

Lifewire / Derek Abella

When an Xbox One controller won’t connect, there are a handful of root problems that may be in play. At the most basic level, your controller and your console aren’t talking to each other. This can be caused by too much distance between them, too much interference, weak batteries, sync issues, and actual hardware failures.

How to Fix It So Your Xbox One Controller Connects

The best way to figure out why your controller isn’t working right, and to fix it so that it will connect to your Xbox One, is to go through the following troubleshooting steps one by one. Attempt each fix, in order, and check to see if your controller connects after each step.

Make sure that your Xbox One controller isn’t out of range. Xbox One controllers are wireless, but there’s a limit to how far away any wireless device can get before it has a dropped signal or sloppy connection.

The maximum range of an Xbox One controller is about 19 feet, but placing objects between the console and the controller can greatly reduce that range.

If your controller disconnected unexpectedly, and you weren’t right next to the console, try moving closer and resyncing. If it loses connection again when you move away, then try moving any objects that are getting in the way or just sit closer to your Xbox.

Check to see if your controller turned off due to inactivity. In order to prevent the batteries from going dead, Xbox One controllers are designed to shut down after 15 minutes of inactivity.

Press the Xbox button on your controller, and it should reconnect and sync up. If you don’t want it to shut off in the future, push at least one button on the controller every so often, or tape down one of the analog sticks.

Methods like taping down an analog stick to prevent your controller from shutting off do work, but they cause the batteries to die more quickly.

Disconnect extra controllers. An Xbox One can only have eight controllers connected at any one time. If you try to sync additional controllers, it won’t work.

If you already have eight controllers connected, you need to disconnect at least one of them. Choose a controller you don’t want to use anymore, press the Xbox button on that controller and select Controller off on the TV screen.

Try fresh batteries in the controller. Weak batteries can cut down on the signal strength of your wireless Xbox One controller, which can cause connection issues. When this happens, the Xbox button on the controller will periodically flash when it loses the connection, and the controller may even turn off.

To eliminate this as a possible culprit, replace the batteries with brand new batteries or fully charged rechargeable batteries and then sync your Xbox controller with the device again.

Don’t use batteries from a remote or other device even if that device seems to work fine, as that device may not require as much power to run as an Xbox One controller.

Disconnect your headset temporarily. In some cases, a headset or mic can prevent your Xbox One controller from syncing up.

If you have a headset or mic hooked up to your controller, remove it and try to reconnect. You might be able to plug your headset back in after a successful connection, or there could be a problem with the headset that will prevent you from doing so.

Remove sources of wireless interference if possible. Your Xbox One uses the same part of the wireless spectrum that’s used by a lot of other electronics in your home, and even appliances like your microwave can cause interference.

Try shutting off all other electronics that use a wireless connection, like phones, laptops, tablets, and even your Wi-Fi router. Also shut off appliances, like microwaves, fans, and blenders, that might create interference. If that isn’t possible, then at least try to move any such devices away from your Xbox One.

Verify that your controller isn’t already synced to a different Xbox One. Xbox One controllers can only be synced to a single console at any given time. If you sync to a new console, the controller will no longer work with the original console.

If this is your problem, the solution is to resync to the console you want to use the controller with. You will have to repeat this process every time you want to use the controller with a different console.

Try resyncing even if it isn’t connected to a different console. Controllers can unsync for other reasons, and you may just be dealing with a fluke occurrence. To rule it out, just try to resync.

To resync an Xbox One controller:

The easiest way to do this is to turn your Xbox on, connect to the Xbox network, and then navigate to Settings > ​Kinect & devices > Devices & accessories, and then select the controller you’re having trouble with.

If you have a newer controller, which you can identify by the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom, you can perform the update wirelessly. Otherwise, you’ll have to connect your controller to your console with a USB cable.

Xbox One Controller Firmware Problems

If your Xbox One controller still won’t work, you may have a hardware or firmware problem. Before you reach for a USB cable, send your controller in for servicing, or throw it away, you should try to update the firmware. If the built-in firmware is corrupt or out of date you may experience connection issues.

The solution to this problem involves updating your controller:

Turn on your Xbox One, and open the Settings menu.

Navigate to Kinect & Devices > Devices & Accessories.

Select the controller you’re having trouble with.

If the controller needs and update, you’ll see a message to that effect.

What to Do If Your Xbox One Controller Still Won’t Sync

If the controller still doesn’t work after trying all of the possible fixes, then there may be a physical problem with either your console or your controller.

You can further narrow this down by trying to sync your controller to a different Xbox One. If it works just fine, then the problem is in your Xbox One console and not the controller. If it still doesn’t connect, then you have a broken controller and it might be time to buy a new one.

In either case, you may be able to use the controller by simply connecting it to the console via a USB cable. This is less convenient than using the controller wirelessly, but it’s less expensive than buying a new controller.

How to Connect an Xbox Controller to a PC

Connecting your Xbox gamepad to your Windows PC is almost as easy as connecting it to your console. Here’s how.

I’ve been PCMag’s home entertainment expert for over 10 years, covering both TVs and everything you might want to connect to them. I’ve reviewed more than a thousand different consumer electronics products including headphones, speakers, TVs, and every major game system and VR headset of the last decade. I’m an ISF-certified TV calibrator and a THX-certified home theater professional, and I’m here to help you understand 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and even 8K (and to reassure you that you don’t need to worry about 8K at all for at least a few more years).

The Xbox Wireless Gamepad might have Xbox in the name, but you aren’t limited to pairing it with just a console. The controller pairs to Windows 10 and Windows 11, too, letting you use it wirelessly with any compatible PC game. Here’s what you need to do to start using your Xbox gamepad with your PC.

Figure Out Which Xbox Controller You Own

If you just got a new Xbox gamepad, you can skip this part, because you already have the most current version. And, if you got one in the last few years, you’re probably good on that front, as well. The current Xbox Wireless Gamepad is the same one included with the Xbox Series S/X, and supports Xbox wireless communication and Bluetooth. After the initial wave of Xbox One consoles, most Xbox Wireless Gamepads of that generation also included Bluetooth. If you want to use Bluetooth or a wired connection, you’re good to go from here.

Original Xbox One controllers lack Bluetooth connectivity, and rely specifically on Xbox’s wireless communication standard. This is fine for Xbox consoles, but not for PCs. You can still use one with your PC, but the process is different; you must get a wireless dongle.

If you have an older Xbox One gamepad, you must look at the plastic surrounding the Guide button. If it’s the same plastic as the face of the controller, without any seams, you have a Bluetooth gamepad. If it’s the same plastic as the bumper buttons, with a seam between the Guide button and the controller’s face, it’s a non-Bluetooth gamepad. If it has a small, rectangular Capture button between the Menu and View buttons, and a USB-C port on the top instead of micro USB, it’s a current Xbox Series controller, and also has Bluetooth.

Connect Your Xbox Controller to PC With a Wire

This is simple, but you do need a physical cable connecting the controller to your PC. Here’s how you do it.

Plug one end of your USB-to-micro USB or USB-to-USB-C (depending on the version of controller) cable into the controller.

Plug the other end into your PC

That’s it! It will automatically configure under Windows 10 and 11, and work with virtually any game on your PC.

Connect Your Xbox Controller to PC With Bluetooth

Pairing the Xbox controller with your PC over Bluetooth is almost the same as pairing it with your Xbox One or Xbox Series. You activate the controller by holding down the Guide button, then hold the Pairing button for three seconds until the Guide button flashes. This means it’s in pairing mode. If you’re connecting the controller to a console, you hold the Pairing button on the system itself. If you’re connecting the controller to a Windows 10 PC, you need to go through some menus. You also need a Bluetooth USB dongle if your PC doesn’t have Bluetooth. Here’s the full step-by-step process:

Hold the Guide button to turn on the controller.

Hold the Pairing button for three seconds until the Guide button flashes.

Right-click the Bluetooth icon in your system tray.

Click «Add a Bluetooth Device.»

Click «Add Bluetooth or other Device» and select Bluetooth.

Click «Xbox Wireless Controller.» Wait until the Guide button is solid white, and the Bluetooth menu says the controller is connected.

You can now use the Xbox Wireless Gamepad with your PC, and play the vast majority of modern games that support controllers. However, you can’t use the headset jack on the gamepad, just like Sony’s DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers. Although you can use a wired gaming headset with the gamepad and its associated game system, audio isn’t sent through the jack when it’s connected to a PC via Bluetooth.

Connect Your Xbox Controller to PC With a USB Adapter

If you have an older Xbox One controller, or you just want to use your newer one with Microsoft’s proprietary wireless connection instead of Bluetooth (and get headset connectivity), you need to get an Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows 10. It’s a USB dongle designed to connect directly to your Xbox gamepad without any Bluetooth setup or pairing. All you need to do is plug in the dongle and pair it to your controller just as if you were pairing your Xbox, pressing the Pairing button on each device.