How To Get Xbox Controller To Work On Pc

Xbox One S Controller — (Image credit: Microsoft)

If yous want to use a controller on PC, you only can't trounce the convenience of the Xbox gamepad. If you want a dead unproblematic plug-and-play experience, the Xbox controller is the obvious choice, and it's definitely among the best PC controllers, anyway—Microsoft revised its controller after the launch of the Xbox One, making its bumpers feel better and adding Bluetooth connectivity.

Thanks to the congenital-in Windows driver, you won't demand any special software for your PC (and well-nigh games) to immediately recognize your pad. And then 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 nigh the different iterations of the controller and what how exactly they'll piece of work with your PC.

Setup

What y'all need

Hardware

Xbox One controller
Xbox Wireless adapter for Windows (optional, for wireless)
Bluetooth adapter (optional, for wireless)
Micro-USB cable (optional, for wired)
AA batteries

Software

Xbox Accessories app (optional, for software updates)

Wired

Using your Xbox One controller

Using a wired Xbox One controller on PC is as simple equally information technology gets, if you lot don't mind a tether. Plug your micro-USB cable into the controller and into a USB port on your PC. Windows should install the necessary driver, the Xbox Guide button in the center will light up, and yous're in business organization!

Windows version note: On Windows 10, you lot tin can connect upward to 8 Xbox 1 controllers, while on Windows 7 and Windows viii, you can connect up to four. On Windows 10, you can only have iv controllers connected if y'all as well connect an Xbox conversation headset to the controller or two with the stereo headset. Audio throughput isn't supported on Windows vii and eight.

Troubleshooting note: the vast majority of micro-USB cables conduct data no problem, but some manufacturers cheap out and produce cables that tin can but charge. If you're using a random USB cable from a drawer and having trouble, try a unlike one.

Wireless adapter

How to connect with the Xbox Wireless adapter for Windows

This process is almost as simple as connecting with a USB cablevision, and is basically identical to connecting the controller to an Xbox console.

1. Plug the Xbox Wireless adapter into a USB port.

2. Turn on your Xbox One controller by holding the Guide button in the centre. At present press the the small sync button on the top of the controller until the Guide button begins flashing.

3. Press the small-scale sync button located on the side of the Xbox Wireless adapter for a couple seconds. Watch the flashing Guide push button on the controller. When it goes solid, y'all're connected!

Bluetooth

How to connect the Xbox 1 controller via Bluetooth

Here's where things get a little complicated. Sure models of the Xbox Ane controller can connect to whatsoever old PC Bluetooth adapter. Others can't. Here's how to tell if your Xbox Ane controller has congenital-in Bluetooth:

The shape of the plastic molding at the acme of the controller is your inkling. The beginning 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 1 S panel has a smaller plastic molding along the top. Information technology also adds a 3.5mm headphone jack to the lesser of the controller, another easy giveaway. On top of that headphone jack, information technology also has congenital-in Bluetooth!

1. Press the Windows key and type "Bluetooth" until search brings up the Bluetooth & other devices settings option. Click information technology to open that settings page. Hither y'all should see your Bluetooth is ready to "On" and is discoverable.

Windows version note: Using the Xbox One controller via Bluetooth merely works on Windows 10 with the Anniversary update practical.

two. Turn on the Xbox One controller by belongings the Guide push button. Press the sync push button on tiptop of the controller until the Guide light begins to wink rapidly.

3. In the Bluetooth settings menu, click "Add Bluetooth or other device" and so select Bluetooth from the menu options. After a few seconds of searching, your Xbox controller should show up. Click information technology to pair. And yous're wirelessly connected!

Headset note: Only one Xbox One controller can exist paired via Bluetooth. Headsets not supported.

Updating

How to update and configure the Xbox 1 controller

It's not only games that have updates these days. So practice controllers! While it'southward not necessary to update your Xbox controller, if you want to, the procedure is pretty elementary.

1. Open up the Windows Store and search for Xbox Accessories. Install the app and open information technology.

Windows version note: The app merely works with Windows 10 with the Anniversary update practical.

2. Plug your Xbox 1 controller in with a micro-USB cable.

three. Click the "More than options" button to cheque if there'due south a firmware update for your controller.

Instead of configuring controller options on a game-past-game ground, you lot can as well use the Accessories app to change push button mapping, swap and invert sticks and triggers, and enable or disable rumble.

If y'all have an Xbox Ane Elite controller, you tin can also use the Accessories app to configure options like trigger and analog stick sensitivity. You can salve dissimilar configurations to the two profiles the controller supports.

Not a controller person? Hither's a circular-up of the all-time gaming keyboards , and all-time gaming mouse .