Support On Other Platforms
Drivers were released in June 2014 to allow Xbox One controllers to be used over a USB connection on PCs running Windows 7 or later. The Xbox One Wireless Adapter for Windows is a USB dongle that allows up to eight controllers to be used at once wirelessly.
Per a partnership between Microsoft and Oculus VR, the Oculus Rift CV1virtual reality headset initially included an Xbox One controller, up until the launch of the Oculus Touchmotion controllers.
On Windows 10, support for the controller is built-in, including support for wireless audio when using the wireless dongle or USB cable . The controller is also manageable via the Xbox Accessories app, whose features include button remapping , input tests, and firmware update. On Windows 7 or 8.1, drivers are required, and the aforementioned features are not available.
Microsoft also supports Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One controllers on Android, specifically listing support for Minecraft: Gear VR Edition on certain Samsung Galaxy devices.
On Linux, Xbox One controllers are supported by the xpad USB driver. There also exists an alternative xpadneo driver, which supports some controller revisions that are not supported by the xpad driver, as well as additional features. Some of these additional features, such as driver support for the trigger rumble motors, aren’t even supported on Windows 10.
Update Xbox One Controller Through Xbox
Xbox One controller has to be updated to the latest version of firmware before they start to operate with Windows 10. Usually, if the firmware isnt updated, the computer will not recognize the controller at all. To solve this problem, plug in the controller into an Xbox One and update the controllers firmware through that Xbox One. Afterward, plug the controller into the PC and see if the issue is resolved.
What Does The Xbox Game Pass Do
For a single monthly cost, Xbox Games Pass provides you access to well over 300 games that you can download and play on your Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S console.
All Windows 11 users have simple access to Xbox Game Pass, which is by far Microsofts most significant new gaming platform to date. Several other subscription services have attempted to establish themselves as the Netflix of video games, but this app is the genuine article.
It starts at $10 a month and gives you access to a constantly changing collection of excellent PC titles. Game Pass is available on consoles as well, for a monthly subscription fee of $15.
Along with every major Microsoft game, from Gears 5 to Halo Infinite, the library also includes an abundance of fascinating third-party titles, such as Dragon Ball FighterZ and The Forgotten City. Games are only available for a limited time on the service, so take advantage of them while you can.
If you purchase Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you will also receive Xbox Live Gold, Xbox Game Pass for PC, EA Play, and access to Xbox Cloud Gaming for the same price as the base Xbox Game Pass.
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Update The Driver Using Driver Easy
The steps above may resolve the problem, but if they dont, try to use Driver Easy to automatically update the drivers.
Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You dont need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you dont need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you dont need to worry about making a mistake when installing.
You can update your drivers automatically with either the FREE or the Pro version of Driver Easy. But with the Pro version it takes just 2 clicks :
1) and install Driver Easy.
2) Run Driver Easy and click Scan Now. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
3) Click the Update button next to a flagged Xbox driver to automatically download and install the correct version of this driver .
Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system .
Hope you can solve the Xbox One controller not working issue with methods above. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below. Wed love to hear of any ideas and suggestions.
How To Connect Xbox To Windows 11 Via Usb Cable

Besides, you can rely on a USB cable to connect your Xbox controller to your Windows machine. Just plug one end of a micro-USB charging cable into the top of the controller and plug the other end into your computer.
If you are using an Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, or Xbox Adaptive Controller, you should use a USB-C cable to connect your controller with a PC.
The advantage of connecting Xbox controller to PC is that you can connect 8 controllers or 4 controllers that have Xbox Chat Headsets attached at the same time. If the controllers have Xbox Stereo Headsets, only 2 can be connected at the same time.
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The Script Fails And Still Cannot Install Drivers Disabling Integrity Checking Manually
Sometimes windows 10 gets especially obnoxious about drivers and we will continue to get digital signature errors. Here is how to totally disable integrity checking manually one time so we can install the driver. Click the Windows button then click on the power icon right above. While holding down your shift key and left-click the restart option.
Update 09/18/2017:
We have also included shutdown-recovery.bat file into the XBCD-v2.zip file which simulates the same thing as holding your shift key down. If you do not like scripts and want to type this in yourself. You may do so by opening an Admin command prompt window and type the following:
shutdown.exe /r /o
It will then give you a 10-second warning that it will now shut down your PC.
The GUI.
Try A Comprehensive Troubleshoot
The troubleshooter on Windows is a handy tool that may identify the problem. Here are the steps for Windows 11.
The steps are slightly different on Windows 10.
You can use the same steps for the Bluetooth troubleshooter, as theyre located on the same page. Both will let you troubleshoot the Xbox controller if you select it.
If this manages to identify the problem, it will be much easier for you to fix it.
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Why You Should Trust Us
Andrew Cunningham has been testing, reviewing, and otherwise writing about PCs and other gadgets for AnandTech, Ars Technica, and Wirecutter since 2012, and playing with game controllers since he was old enough to hold one.
Britt H. Young is a writer and PhD candidate in geography at University of California Berkeley who has contributed to Wirecutter on technology and cooking topics. Her work on the future of tech has appeared in n+1, Input, and Rest of World. She is working on a book of essays about techno-optimism, disability, and what its like to have a bunch of prosthetic baby arms in your closet.
How To Use Your Xbox Series X Controller On Pc Via Usb
Using a USB-C cable is the simplest way to play, as it removes any fears of the battery draining while you’re having fun. It does mean you’ll be tethered with the length of the cord, though. To set up your controller on PC for the first time, do the following:
- Connect a USB-C cable to your controller
- Connect the other end to a USB 3.0 or better port on your PC.
- Windows should automatically install the correct driver. If it doesn’t, make sure you have the latest version of Windows installed.
- When it’s ready, the Xbox button on the controller will turn white.
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Connecting Your Xbox Series Controller To Your Pc Via Wireless Gaming Adapter
Similar to the Xbox One controller, you are able to purchase a USB Wireless Adapter to connect your Xbox Series controller to your PC. This adapter will set you back around $25 but for those who have first-generation controllers or cant connect over Bluetooth, its the only real option for connecting wirelessly. This dongle also has some advantages over Bluetooth such as allowing up to eight controllers to be connected at one time. For Bluetooth, youre only supposed to hook up one so huge benefits there for those wanting to get into multiplayer titles or fancy a bit of couch co-op. Moreover, youre also able to use the headset jack on your controller rather than having to use the built-in jack on your PC, making it even more wireless friendly, eliminating the need for any tether to your machine.
If you are opting for the USB Wireless Adapter connection method, its a straightforward process and one thats pretty much identical to connecting to your Xbox Series X or Series S. You simply plug the dongle into your PC and press the Pairing button on each device. This will form the necessary connection and youll be good to go. Far easier than connecting via Bluetooth, eliminating the need to go into your PCs settings and adding devices.
How To Use Xbox Controllers On Pc
On a Windows 10 PC, you can plug in Xbox 360, Xbox One, or Xbox Series X|S controllers to play certain games.
Some PC games require a controller, and few controllers beat Xbox when it comes to PC gaming. Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S controllers can all be used to play games on Windows 10 PCs–for the latter two, you can even connect them to your machine wirelessly.
There are actually a few ways to connect an Xbox controller to your PC. A wired connection is the easiest to do, though the two wireless options aren’t that difficult to pull off either. It really just comes down to your personal preference.
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For Retro Gamers: Retroflag Classic Wired Usb Gaming Controller
*At the time of publishing, the price was $15.
Any of our other controller picks will work just fine for retro games and emulators, but if youre chasing nostalgia you might want a simpler controller to match. Of all the many Super Nintendostyle replica gamepads we looked at, the Retroflag Classic Wired USB Gaming Controller stands out for being affordable, comfortable, and satisfying. It even comes in two different versions, a Upad that matches the coloring and button style of the North American Super Nintendo and a Jpad that matches the controller that came with the Japanese and European versions of the console.
The Retroflag gamepad has four face buttons, two shoulder buttons, and Start and Select buttons, and a directional pad. All are responsive and easy to reach, and although you might miss the sculpted handles of modern controllers, the Retroflag pads rounded edges and simple layout make it comfortable for extended play sessions. The shoulder buttons also have just the right amount of give, whereas the buttons on other retro controllers weve tested felt stiff and mushy. Compared with a real Super Nintendo controller , the Retroflag gamepad comes closer than any other model weve tested to approximating the exact plastic texture and weight.
Pair The Wireless Xbox Controller Again

Your computer may already have the Xbox controller drivers. However, suppose youre using an Xbox Wireless controller on your console after using it on a PC. In that case, you need to re-sync the controller. The rule is the same both ways.
So, lets follow these steps to connect a wireless Xbox controller to your Windows computer. We also recommend repairing the controller as a general process to fix Xbox controllers on PC.
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How To Connect Xbox One Controllers To Pc Using The Xbox Wireless Adapter
Windows 10 is all set and ready to work with the Xbox Wireless Adapter. Drivers will automatically install when the device is connected, so the process is largely simplified
- Step one: Connect the Xbox Wireless Adapter to your Windows PC and allow the drivers to automatically install.
Try to ensure where the adapter is connected to your PC provides line of sight to the controller for the best connectivity.
- Step two: Power up your Xbox One controller by pressing the Xbox logo in the center of the controller.
- Step three: Locate and press the button on the Xbox Wireless Adapter
- Step four: Press the connect button on your Xbox One controller. It can be found on the front of the device near the micro USB port. Its marked by a symbol that looks like this: “(((“
- Step five: Ensure the Xbox logo on your controller is blinking. This indicates it is connecting. When the logo and LED on the USB adapter both go solid, the connection is complete.
- These are the best PC games to play with your newly connected controller
Three: Connecting On Your Computer
Once that’s done, return your focus to the computer. You’ll need to reach the Bluetooth settings. Some people have a Bluetooth icon in their system tray, but you can reliably reach these settings on Windows 10 by clicking on “Settings” in your main menu, choosing the option labelled “Devices,” and then click on the tab on the lefthand side that’s called “Bluetooth & other devices.”
At the top of that menu, click the option that says “Add Bluetooth or other device.” When it asks what kind of device you’re adding, select “Bluetooth.”
A menu will pop up and begin to search for nearby Bluetooth devices. Ensure your controller is still in pairing mode and it should appear on this list as “Xbox Wireless Controller.” Click on that, and then wait for the guide button to shine a solid white – the menu should also tell you that your controller is paired.
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Easy Ways To Fix Xbox Controller Not Working On Pc
Matching the power of a PC with the commodity of an Xbox controller is a delight. In theory, Xbox controllers should connect to a Windows PC without issue. After all, Microsoft wants you to play on either console.
But, sometimes it doesnt work due to reasons, like problems with your USB ports, the controllers USB ports, outdated or missing drivers, corrupted Windows registry, anti-virus issues, or damaged cables.
Notes About Modern Gaming
It should be noted that the old XBCD driver only gives support for classic xinput version 1.0 . Where-as a lot of modern games are expecting xinput 1.2-1.3 . This is why in many cases the joy.cpl calibration will work perfectly fine but a modern game simply refuses to detect the aging xbox controller. I have created an addendum blog to this called the x360ce utility which allows you to apply a patch to use xinput 1.0 in games that refuse to do so.
Don’t Miss: Classic Gamertag Xbox
Installing The Driver For Xbcd
Testing the XBCD joystick..
To pull up the window above. You can press the window key + R to bring up a run prompt and type in:
joy.cpl
Disclaimers, security, and integrity concerns about Windows 10:
But S, isnt it dangerous to run windows 64 bit with the integrity checking disabled and test signing on?
Im no MCSE expert but Im going to say Yes. However, it makes you about as vulnerable as a windows 7 box. Microsoft keeps adding more and more layers of security to their OS in the hopes of keeping bad things out such as malware and ad-ware affecting the very core of your operating system. To turn off those sections could invite some of those in maybe. But if you are like me and have a dedicated PC assigned to couch gaming or emulators which if something or someone breaks into it its a low-risk item and thus you can simply USB stick reload it and get back to normality. If you are on a PC with highly sensitive data then you probably shouldnt be doing this level of hacking/modding to your windows 10 box. Please consider purchasing an Xbox One controller and receiver if you are uncomfortable with hacking and want a controller that can integrate seamlessly into Windows 10.
How To Use An Xbox One Controller On Pc
ByWes Fenlonpublished 6 November 20
Pro tips for getting the most out of Microsoft’s latest controller via USB, wireless adapter, or Bluetooth.
If you want to use a controller on PC, you just can’t beat the convenience of the Xbox gamepad. If you want a dead simple plug-and-play experience, the Xbox controller is the obvious choice, and it’s definitely among the best PC controllers, anywayMicrosoft revised its controller after the launch of the Xbox One, making its bumpers feel better and adding Bluetooth connectivity.
Thanks to the built-in Windows driver, you won’t need any special software for your PC to immediately recognize your pad. So what’s the point of a guide at all?
Well, there are a couple ways to hook up the Xbox One controller wirelessly, and a few things you should know about the different iterations of the controller and what how exactly they’ll work with your PC.
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