How To Connect Wired Xbox Controller To Pc

What Is A Gaming Console Controller

Gaming Controller is a gadget we use on different devices for gaming. Generally, all gaming controllers come with joysticks through which we can provide various input in different types of games. Many people prefer controllers over keyboards or touch screens because of their ergonomic design. Furthermore, physical buttons offer a better experience when compared to playing games using touch. A gaming controller can be easily held with two hands and offer huge flexibility. These controllers come with numerous buttons , which quickly perform various tasks in a game.

How To Connect An Xbox Wireless Controller To A Pc Using A Usb Cable

The simplest way to use an Xbox Wireless Controller with your PC involves connecting it using a USB Type-C cable. Just plug one end of the cable into the controller and the other end into your PCs USB port.

Once youre connected via USB, the Xbox button will stay lit on your controller, indicating that its ready to use. Now, go ahead and fire up any game with controller support on Windows 10 and have fun.

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How To Connect And Use An Xbox Controller On Your Pc

Video game consoles are just computers that have been custom-built for a very specific purpose. So it’s not a huge leap to make a console controller play nice with your desktop or laptop.

It’s especially easy if you’re talking about plugging an Xbox controller into a Windows machine. Obviously. But even Mac users can take advantage of Xbox controllers for their gaming, albeit with a pretty notable limitation. Setup is very easy though.

First, know that it doesn’t matter too much which generation of console controller you want to use, unless we’re talking about an original Xbox controller. Those plugged in using a proprietary connector, so you’d need to buy an adapter like this to make the connection.

Beyond that, every Xbox controller since the Xbox 360 days relies on a USB connector. So using them with your computer of choice is as simple as plugging into a USB port. If you’re using a Mac, know that may need to take the extra step of installing a freely available custom driver.

That’s really it. All you need for wired gaming with an Xbox controller on PC is the USB cord you use to charge your controller. Plug it into a free USB port on your computer and you’ll be off to the races. Yes, it’s that simple.

Congrats, you’re now ready to game.

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How To Use An Xbox One Controller With Your Pc

Once upon a time, Microsoft didn’t support its own controllers on its own PC platform. You needed hacked drivers and workarounds to use the excellent Xbox One controller with PC games. That’s no longer the case, with official drivers built right into Windows 10. So, while it’s easy to do, there’s more to it than just plugging it in. Here’s a complete guide.

How To Connect Your Xbox One Controller To A Pc Via Usb

1. Grab your Xbox One wireless controller and connect a micro-USB charging cable into the top of the device.

2. Take the other end of the USB charging cable and plug it into your Windows 10 PC or laptop.

Your PC should configure the controller automatically.

You can connect up to eight Xbox Wireless Controllers simultaneously with USB charging cables. If you have Xbox Chat Headsets attached, you can only connect up to four controllers at a time. You can only connect two controllers at a time if the controllers use Stereo Headsets.

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Check Xbox Controller Support

Not all games, no matter how much you want them to, will support a controller. Games like Among Us or Inside are best played with a keyboard. Check if the game youre trying to use the controller in has support for a controller.

You can check this by going to the games settings for control/keyboard/mouse. If a game explicitly says it is best played with a keyboard, it is best to not try to play it with a controller.

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Browse the top-ranked list of Xbox One Controllers For Pc below along with associated reviews and opinions.

Browse the top-ranked list of Xbox One Controllers For Pc below along with associated reviews and opinions.

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The Xbox Wireless Adapter

Microsoft also has an official wireless dongle for Windows PCs that allows you to go wire-free. The first-generation controller and the original Xbox Elite controller don’t support Bluetooth, so to go wireless on your PC, you’ll need the dongle.

It isn’t expensive, and the redesigned model is much smaller than the original. Simply plug it into your PC and connect your controller to is as you would the Xbox One, by holding down the pairing button on the top.

How To Connect Your Xbox One Controller Using Bluetooth

Some Xbox One controllers have built-in Bluetooth compatibility, so you dont need any wires to connect. To find out if you can access Bluetooth, look at the logo. This is going to sound random and specific, but on Xbox controllers with Bluetooth, the plastic around the logo will connect to the central controller body. Yes, thats the way to tell. If this isnt the case, were very sorry, but youre out of luck. The good news is that the Xbox One S comes with Bluetooth-compatible controllers, and the two are sold together. A good rule of thumb is that if you bought your controller in August 2016 or later, it probably has Bluetooth functionality. Check out the images below as an example.

• Step 1: Go toSettings on your PC and select Devices.
• Step 2: Select the Bluetooth settings option to ensure that your Bluetooth is switched on. Remain on this menu.
• Step 3: Push and hold the Guide button and then the sync button on your controller. You should see the logo start to blink very fast.
• Step 4: On your PC, select Add Bluetooth or other device, and click Bluetooth. Doing this instructs your PC to search for your controller.
• Step 5: After your PC finds your controller and it pops up, choose Xbox Wireless Controller to complete the pairing process.

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How Do I Connect My Xbox One Controller To My Pc Via Usb

How to connect your Xbox One controller to a PC via USB

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Using A Wireless Xbox One Controller On Your Pc

To get a wireless Xbox One controller working, you will need a wireless adapter. The Xbox One should have one included, but you can buy one separately if you need to. Theyre not the cheapest dongle you can get your hands onit costs over half the price of the controller itselfbut if you keep an eye open you might be able to find one secondhand, too.

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How To Connect An Xbox 360 Controller To A Pc

The selection of games on PC is better than ever. With the rise of the indie scene and a multitude of digital storefronts selling games at discounts, theres nothing stopping you from enjoying whatever game you want. Well, almost nothing. While a mouse and a keyboard combo is a time-tested setup, sooner or later, youll probably need a controller.

If you do some digging, youll find out that the Xbox 360 controller is the best choice for a majority of games. So you may be wondering how to connect an Xbox 360 controller to a PC. Is it complicated? Do you even have to do it?

No matter how much you love playing games the traditional way, with a keyboard and a mouse, youll find a game that just feels off. Perhaps it has a bizarre keyboard setup that you cant change, or its just designed to be played with a controller. If you check the forums, youll see that most gamers recommend getting an Xbox 360 controller since its the best-supported option for Windows-based PCs. No disagreement here, Xbox controllers are high-quality devices that provide great functionality with a majority of games. And if youre playing a PC port of a console game, having an Xbox 360 controller is almost mandatory. So getting one is a no-brainer, but what about installing it?

Use The Xbox Wireless Adapter To Pair Xbox One Controller To Pc

Microsoft has a standard called Xbox Wireless that’s built into a few computers, but there’s a good chance it’s not part of yours. So to sync your Xbox One controller and PC wirelessly without Bluetooth, you’ll need to buy the Xbox Wireless Adapter. This adapter lets you connect your Xbox controller to your PC wirelessly, through the same proprietary connection used by your Xbox console.

Plug it into a USB port on your PC and let Windows install drivers. Once it’s done, press and hold the button on the adapter and you’ll see a light flash.

Next, hold the Xbox button on your controller to turn it on, then press and hold the Pair button on top of the controller. After a few seconds, the controller and adapter should see each other and connect.

From here, you can enjoy your Xbox One controller on your PC wirelessly, just like using Bluetooth. We only recommend this method if you have an Xbox One controller that’s not Bluetooth-enabled. Otherwise, you could add Bluetooth to your computer with an adapter that’s cheaper than the Xbox Wireless Adapter.

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Connect A Wired Xbox 360 Controller To A Windows Pc

If you are using a Xbox 360 wired controller, you can follow these steps to install your Xbox 360 wired controller on Windows 10.

Step 1. Plug the USB connector of your Xbox 360 controller into any USB 2.0 or 3.0 port on your Windows PC.

Step 2. Then Windows 10 will automatically install drivers for the Xbox 360 controller. Just wait patiently and Windows will download or install the related driver software very quickly.

Step 3. When you see the pop-up notification that shows the drivers have been installed, you can use your controller immediately.

Step 4. Open a game that support your controller and then press a button, pull a trigger, or move a stick on the controller to test if your controller works properly.

Tip:

• If the Xbox 360 wired controller is not detected by your Windows PC, try re-plugging it into a different USB port, and then try again.
• If your controller still does not work, try installing latest Windows updates and then try again.

Using An Xbox Controller On A Pc

Using your Xbox One controller on your PC is very straightforward, even in the worst case scenario. Best case scenario is plug and play, with Windows taking care of everything automatically. Even if it doesnt, updating drivers and pairing devices only takes a few minutes, and then you can game as hard as you like!

Did you run into any issues connecting your Xbox controller to your computer? Are you excited about a new game available on the PC? Share your thoughts and experiences below.

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Update Windows And Connect The Controller To The Ports On The Back

If your Xbox One controller is not recognized, the problem might be your USB port. Sometimes USB device not recognized message can appear if theres an issue with a USB port, or if the device just isnt working with that port.

To fix the problem, connect the controller to the port on the back of your PC and check if that solves the problem. If the issue is still there, you should try updating your system and check if that helps.

If any updates are available, they will be downloaded in the background. Once the updates are installed, youll be asked to restart your PC in order to install them. After your system is up to date, check if the problem is still there.

How To Connect Your Xbox One Controller To A Pc Via Xbox Wireless Adapter

The Xbox Wireless Adapter is a small device that can help your Xbox controller connect to a PC.

1. Boot up your Windows 10 PC and plug the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows into your computer.

2. In the same “Bluetooth & other devices” menu we used in the previous method, look for the Adapter to appear under “Other devices.” Once it appears, this means it’s finished installing itself.

3. When the adapter is ready, turn on your Xbox controller by holding down the Xbox button. Once it’s on, angle it toward the Adapter and press and hold the Bind button.

4. Press and hold the Bind button on the Xbox Wireless Adapter. A small light will flash for several seconds.

5. Both your controller and Adapter should flash rapidly. Once they stop, it means they’ve found each other and are connected.

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Fix 1 Update Your Xbox One Controller Driver

Perhaps your Xbox One controller is not compatible with your PC or gets corrupted. To make your controller work properly, you can try updating the Xbox One controller driver. Heres how to do that:

Step 1. Press Win + R keys to open the Run box, and then type devmgmt.msc in it and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.

Step 2. In the pop-up window, expand the Microsoft Xbox One Controller section, and then right-click on it and select Update Driver Software.

Step 3. Then you will be asked how do you want to search for driver software? You can update your Xbox controller automatically or manually according to your needs.

After the update process completes, you can check if the PC not detecting Xbox One controller issue is resolved or not.

How To Reconnect Your Xbox Controller To Your Console

When using your Xbox controller wirelessly, you can turn the controller off by holding the Xbox button on it for around five seconds. When the light goes out, the controller is off.

Keep in mind that if your Xbox controller is already paired to your console, pressing the Xbox button will turn the system on. You should still be able to pair it wirelessly using either of the methods above, but you’ll probably want to turn your console off after you do so .

After you connect your Xbox controller to a PC using any method above, you’ll need to re-pair the controller with your Xbox next time you want to use it there. To do this with the wired method, connect the controller to your Xbox using a USB cable, then press the Xbox button to pair.

To pair the controller wirelessly, press the pairing button on the system. It’s to the left of the disc tray on the original Xbox One, and at the bottom-right of the front panel under the power button on the Xbox One S and Xbox One X. On Xbox Series S|X, it’s next to the USB port at the front of the system.

After hitting this button, turn on your controller by hitting the Xbox button, then hold the Pair button on the top to pair it.

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How To Update And Configure The Xbox One Controller

It’s not just games that have updates these days. So do controllers! While it’s not necessary to update your Xbox controller, if you want to, the process is pretty simple.

1. Open the Windows Store and search for Xbox Accessories. Install the app and open it.

Windows version note: The app only works with Windows 10 with the Anniversary update applied.

2. Plug your Xbox One controller in with a micro-USB cable.

3. Click the “More options” button to check if there’s a firmware update for your controller.

Instead of configuring controller options on a game-by-game basis, you can also use the Accessories app to change button mapping, swap and invert sticks and triggers, and enable or disable rumble.

If you have an Xbox One Elite controller, you can also use the Accessories app to configure options like trigger and analog stick sensitivity. You can save different configurations to the two profiles the controller supports.