Xbox Controller Not Connecting To PC? Troubleshooting Tips To Try
The Xbox Wireless Gamepad may be called Xbox, but it can be used with any console.
The controller is compatible with Windows 10 and 11, allowing you to play PC games wirelessly. Here are the steps required to begin using your Xbox gamepad with your PC.
If you have a new Xbox gamepad, you can bypass this section because you already have the most recent version. And if you obtained one within the last few years, you are also in fine standing.
The new Xbox Wireless Gamepad is identical to the Xbox Series S/X and supports Bluetooth and Xbox wireless communication.
After the initial run of Xbox One consoles, the majority of that generation's Xbox Wireless Gamepads included Bluetooth.
Xbox One interfaces lack Bluetooth connectivity and instead utilize the Xbox's proprietary wireless communication standard. This is acceptable for Xbox but not for PCs. You can still use one with your computer, but the procedure is different; you must acquire a cable.
Here's how to connect your Xbox controller to your computer
1.Bluetooth
Follow these steps to link your Xbox controller using Bluetooth:
- To power on the controller, press Xbox on the controller.
- Three seconds should be spent holding Pair.
- The Xbox icon will illuminate and flash.
- Select Start on the computer's menu.
- The Start button is represented by four rectangles.
- In Windows 11, open the Start menu and navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Toggle Bluetooth on or off.
- Select upload device to locate your Xbox controller and upload it.
2.Wireless
Follow these procedures if Xbox Wireless is your preferred connection method:
- Hold the Xbox button on your controller for three seconds until it begins to start flashing.
- Press and hold your controller's Pair button.
- When the Xbox button begins to flash more rapidly, the controller is seeking for your computer.
- Select Start on the computer's menu.
- Select Bluetooth & devices under Settings.
- Choose Add device.
- Find your controller by selecting Other options.
- Choose between Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Elite Wireless Controller from this menu.
- The Xbox button will remain illuminated when the controller is connected to a PC.
3.USB
To use a mini-USB to connect your Xbox controller to your computer, you must do the following:
- Insert a mini-USB cable into the socket on your controller.
- Connect the other end of the cable to the mini-USB port on your computer.
- Press the Xbox button if your computer still isn't connecting to your controller.
How to Reconnect Your Xbox Controller to Your Console?
Note that if your Xbox controller is paired with an Xbox One or Series X|S console, pressing the Xbox button will power on the system. You should still be able to pair it wirelessly using one of the aforementioned methods, but you will likely need to power off your console (or unplug it) before proceeding. Connecting your controller to multiple devices simultaneously will result in complications.
After connecting your Xbox controller to a PC using any of the aforementioned methods, you will need to re-pair it with your Xbox the next time you wish to use it there. Connect the controller to your Xbox using a USB cable, then select the Xbox button to pair the controller.
To wirelessly connect the controller with the system, press the pairing button. It is to the left of the disc tray on the original Xbox One and to the right of the power button on the Xbox One S and Xbox One X's front panel. It is located next to the USB connector on the front of the Xbox Series X|S system.
After pressing this button, switch on your controller by pressing the Xbox button, then press and hold the top Pair button to pair it. Consult the Xbox controller troubleshooting guide if you experience issues.
If you have an Xbox Series S|X controller, you can easily transition between paired devices using a shortcut. When it is paired with a Bluetooth device, press the Pair button twice to promptly switch to the last Xbox Wireless connection (typically your console). Then, press the Pair icon twice more to re-establish a connection with the Bluetooth device you were just employing.
Remember that you can power off your Xbox controller (when it isn't connected to a PC or console) by pressing and holding the Xbox button for approximately five seconds. When this button's indicator light goes out, your controller is turned off.