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:
Before You Begin Identify Your Controller
The exact steps you have to go through to connect your Xbox One controller to a PC vary depending on the version of controller you have.
First of all, do you actually have an Xbox One controller? The Xbox 360 controller is compatible with all the same PC games, since they use the same xinput software interface. The buttons and controls are identical.
However, Xbox 360 controllers require a special USB receiver to work with a PC. So if your controller looks like this:
Then you need to buy one of these:
Then just follow the instructions in the box, which essentially says to plug in the receiver and then press the two connection buttons on the controller and receiver respectively.
Were not here to talk about the old Xbox 360 controller however. This is about getting your game on with the shiny new controller that was released alongside the Xbox One.
There are two versions of this controller. The older versions, which shipped with original Xbox One models, uses a non-standard Microsoft wireless signal system. Which means you cant connect it directly to a PC. Instead, you have to buy one of these dongles for Windows.
The newer version of the controller that ships with modern Xbox One consoles uses plain old Bluetooth. You can connect these Xbox One controllers to your PC with no extra expenditure required.
How To Sync Xbox One Controller Via A Usb Cable
As for how to pair an Xbox One controller, besides the above method, you can also choose to Sync Xbox One Controller via a USB cable.
Now, here is the tutorial.
Once it is finished, check whether your Xbox One controller is connected to your PC. In this method, you dont have to go through any menus or plug in any adapters.
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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 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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Find The Connect Button On The Xbox One
To pair your controller to your Xbox One, youll need to activate the connection on both the console and the controller. First, locate the Connection button on the console. On the original Xbox One, youll find that button on the left side of the console, near the disc tray.
On the Xbox One X and Xbox One S, the Connection button is on the bottom right corner of the front of the console, beneath the power button. Pressing the button should trigger the white Xbox logo to start blinking, indicating that the console is searching for a controller signal.
If Your Controller Isnt Connecting Check For Interference
If youve exhausted every other option such as checking for dead batteries and youre still having trouble connecting your Xbox One controllers, its time to troubleshoot other possibilities. One of the most common contenders for this is interference in your play area, whether from other electronics, walls, or something unexpected, like radio or microwave interference.
The first step is to check that youre close enough to your Xbox One. This matters because your controller can only reach between 19 and 28 feet away. If you try to play from a much longer distance, you are more likely to have problems with your connection.
After that, make sure to note any barriers that might be blocking your controllers connection. Some of these obstacles might include walls, furniture, or even additional accessories you have plugged into your Xbox One. You should try to remove as many barriers as possible because having things in the way can worsen your signal.
Make sure you remove any metal items from your controller and console. Items like these can damage your signal. The last tip to remember: Turn your console off and on again for a clean slate. If you try all of this and youre still having connectivity problems, you should take a look at Microsofts support website for more tips or consider purchasing a new controller.
We hope this guide was helpful and that youre ready to check out all the best Xbox One games available.
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How To Connect Your Xbox One Controller To A Pc Via Bluetooth
1. Power on your Xbox One wireless controller.
2. Press and hold the Bind and Xbox buttons on your controller for three seconds, and wait until the controller’s backlight or Xbox button begins to rapidly flicker.
3. Power up your PC, then head to “Settings,” then click “Devices” then “Bluetooth & other devices.”
4. Enable Bluetooth.
5. Select “Add Bluetooth or other device, and then either “Bluetooth” or “Everything Else.” After that’s clicked, your computer will begin searching for nearby Bluetooth devices currently on.
6. Select “Xbox Wireless Controller” or “Xbox Elite Wireless Controller” if you’re using an Elite controller. Windows will configure your controller so you can use it.
Xbox One Launch Model
The original controller launched with the Xbox One console in November 2013 was black, with colored face buttons. A commemorative white variant was issued to Microsoft employees at launch, but was not available to the public until almost a year later, initially bundled with a matching white console and Sunset Overdrive.
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Update Your Controllers Firmware
If youre having connectivity problems, it may be that your controllers internal software is out of date. You can update that firmware from your Xbox One console, which can solve some issues. Head to the Settings menu and the Kinect and Devices menu, where youll find each of your connected controllers, either with a wireless connection or connected by a USB port. From this menu, select the controller you want to update and choose the Ellipses beneath the Controller button. From here, youll get a menu that allows you to check for firmware updates, which could fix any issues youre dealing with.
Connecting A Xbox Controller To A Windows Pc
Connecting your Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One controller to a Windows 10 PC works pretty much the same way as most Bluetooth devices, with one or two points of weirdness to avoid.
- First, navigate to Bluetooth and Other Devices. In Windows 10 there are two fast ways to do this. The easiest is to double-click the Bluetooth icon in the notification area.
- Alternatively, simply search for Bluetooth in the start menu and click Bluetooth and Other Devices.
- Now you should see this window.
- Click Add Bluetooth or Other Device.
- OK, this is the crucial bit. You have to click on Bluetooth. Even though the Everything Else options mention Xbox controllers with Wireless Adapters, thats not relevant to the Bluetooth controller.
- Now, switch on the Xbox One Controller by pressing and holding the Xbox button until it lights up.
- Press and hold the bind button on the front of the controller, close to the USB port. After a few seconds the Xbox button will flash rapidly. This means the controller is ready to pair.
- On your computer, the controller should now show up on the Add a device list. Click on it to pair.
Thats it!
The drivers for the controller are part of Windows 10, so you are ready to play any compatible game.
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How To Connect An Xbox Controller To A Pc
Connecting your Xbox Series S/X or Xbox One gamepad to your Windows 10 PC is almost as easy as connecting it to your console. Here’s how.
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, 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.
How To Pair An Xbox Controller With Your Windows 10 Pc Using The Xbox Wireless Adapter

If you don’t have the Xbox One controller with Bluetooth, you can purchase the Xbox Wireless Adapter that’s compatible with any Windows 10 device and the standard Xbox One controller. Here’s how to pair those.
Note: Just like on Xbox, you can pair a standard controller using a micro-USB to USB cable.
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Connect An Xbox Controller To Your Pc Easily
You have plenty of options for connecting an Xbox One or Xbox Series S|X controller to your PC. Whether you want to connect with a USB cable for the simplest option or prefer to connect wirelessly with Bluetooth, now you understand the available methods.
Meanwhile, a Windows PC isn’t the only device you can connect an Xbox controller to.
How To Connect The Xbox One Controller Via Bluetooth
Here’s where things get a little complicated. Certain models of the Xbox One controller can connect to any old PC Bluetooth adapter. Others can’t. Here’s how to tell if your Xbox One controller has built-in Bluetooth:
The shape of the plastic molding at the top of the controller is your clue. The first iteration of the Xbox One controller does not support Bluetooth and has a few other annoyances. Its bumpers have a narrower click range, making them less comfortable depending on where you position your fingers.
The redesigned controller launched with the Xbox One S console has a smaller plastic molding along the top. It also adds a 3.5mm headphone jack to the bottom of the controller, another easy giveaway. On top of that headphone jack, it also has built-in Bluetooth!
1. Press the Windows key and type “Bluetooth” until search brings up the Bluetooth & other devices settings option. Click it to open that settings page. Here you should see your Bluetooth is set to “On” and is discoverable.
Windows version note: Using the Xbox One controller via Bluetooth only works on Windows 10 with the Anniversary update applied.
2. Turn on the Xbox One controller by holding the Guide button. Press the sync button on top of the controller until the Guide light begins to flash rapidly.
Headset note: Only one Xbox One controller can be paired via Bluetooth. Headsets not supported.
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Why Is My Xbox One Controller Flashing And Not Connecting
The most common reason for this problem is empty batteries. If your batteries are low or blank, the Xbox controller signalizes this by blinking. Replace the batteries and press the Xbox button on the controller. If this doesnt work and youre still unsure how to pair your Xbox One controller with the console, try pressing the Bind/Connect button on the console, followed by the Bind button on the controller to pair them. Lastly, check if youre using the latest controller firmware and update it if necessary.
How To Connect Any Xbox One Controller To Pc Via Usb
If you dont mind a wired connection, using a USB cable is by far the easiest way to set up any type of Xbox One controller with a PC. This method works for Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox One Elite controllers.
All versions of the Xbox One controller have a Micro USB connector on them. This allows you to connect them directly to a PC using a Micro USB-to-USB Type-A cable. And, since Windows can automatically recognize connected Xbox One controllers, theres nothing more to it.
- Step one: Connect your USB cable to your powered-on Windows computer
- Step two: Connect the Micro USB end to your Xbox One controller.
- Step three: Press the Xbox logo on your controller to turn it on.
- Step four: Enjoy your games. Once connected, Windows 10 should automatically detect the Xbox One controller, and youll be able to use it with games that support controller input.
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Customize Your Controller Profiles
After youve synced your controllers to your console, you also can see what happens when you turn one on. Press the Xbox button on the controller to bring up the main menu, then navigate to the gear icon to pull up the Settings menu. Find Kinect and Devices, and navigate there to find your controllers. On the Controller menu, you can set which profiles, if any, each controller signs in when you turn it on , as well as security measures to control who can sign in to different accounts on your Xbox.
Pairing Is Quite Simple With Bluetooth
Even though instructions on the Xbox site are pretty simple and straightforward, things can still go wrong in a variety of different. The most common occurrence of connectivity issues forms in a way where the computer simply does not recognize the controller at all. Folks who have the Windows 10 installed with the latest updates were told how the controller is now plug and play which means you should only plug it in and begin using it without the need of any other actions. However, that is not the case most of the time and there are some steps you need to take to ensure quality gaming time.
Make sure that all drivers are installed. When you connect your Xbox One controller, Windows will start looking for the drivers and downloading them immediately and the same thing can be said to all supported versions of the operating system which includes Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. However, make sure you didnt uninstall them by mistake in your Device Manager. There you will find an item called Microsoft Xbox One controller. Expand that item on the list, right-click, select Update Driver Software, and then click Search Automatically for Updated Software.
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Press The Connect Button On The Controller
Once you hit the connect button on the Xbox One, youll have 20 seconds to provide it a signal to make a controller connection press the black Connect button on the top side of the controller. The Xbox logo on both the controller and the console will blink while theyre trying to connect. When they find each other, both logos will become solid, indicating the controller has synced with the console.
Repeat the process with any other controllers you want to sync to the Xbox, up to eight.
How To Connect Xbox Controller To Pc: Connect Via Bluetooth

Before attempting to connect your Xbox wireless controller via Bluetooth, its important to check your controller actually supports the feature.
If youre using an Xbox Series X controller, then youre good to go. If youre using an older Xbox One controller, things are a little trickier.
The refreshed controller that launched with the Xbox Series S does offer Bluetooth, while the original Xbox One controller doesnt. If youre unsure which you have, the easiest way to tell the two apart is by the plastic moulding at the top or by the fact that the newer controllers have a 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom.
If youre missing that port, then unfortunately you have an Xbox One pad that doesnt include Bluetooth.
1. Open the Bluetooth & other devices menu on your PC. Just type Bluetooth into the Windows search bar located in the left-hand corner of your screen and youll get the option to go to the Bluetooth & other devices menu. Ensure that Bluetooth is turned on here.2.Turn on your Xbox controller by pressing the Xbox button. Once your controller is switched on, hold the sync button on top of the controller until the Xbox logo begins to flash rapidly.
3. In the Bluetooth settings menu click Add Bluetooth or other device and then select Bluetooth from the popup menu. After a few seconds of searching your Xbox controller should appear on the device list. to pair it with your PC.
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