Wired Xbox One Controller Not Working with Windows 10 I cannot get my Xbox One gaming controller to connect to my PC. I am running the latest version of Windows, I am using a USB-to-MicroUSB cable, my Xbox One controller is a relatively newer one(and works on my Xbox One console). Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Windows 10, and Android. IOS support coming in the future.Controller features a USB-C port. Compatible with select devices and operating system versions.
As I earlier discussed how can you connect Xbox 360 controller to PC, some readers have asked me about what can be done if the Xbox 360 controller driver is not working on their Windows PC at all. Well, let me tell you that the reasons usually revolve around a corrupted or outdated driver or Windows 10 is not upgraded to the latest version. Don't worry; you can play your favorite Xbox games once again on Windows PC with some of the quickest fixes mentioned below.
Plug a micro-USB charging cable into the top of the controller and plug the other end into your PC. Note The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and Xbox Adaptive Controller use a USB-C cable for wired connections and charging. With the PDP Control Hub customize your controller, run diagnostics, easily update firmware, and tailor your gaming experience to fit your unique style. This app is compatible with the PDP Wired Controller for Xbox One.
Fix: Xbox 360 Controller Not Working On Windows 10
The first three fixes are meant to update Xbox 360 driver on Windows PC only. You can go for any of them amongest the manual, via device manager or a third-party tool. However, a third-party tool makes it easier for you to update any driver in the future, name one. So I recommend Smart Drive Care which you will be able to learn about below.
Fix 1: Update Xbox 360 Driver Manually
When you have Xbox 360 controller not working problem on Windows 10, go to the official website for the same. For more, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Go to Microsoft Xbox official website.
Step 2: Navigate yourself to the section of Downloads. Choose Windows 10 (or other operating systems) and select the driver.
Step 3: Install the driver on Windows PC. Once installed, check if the issue has been resolved.
Fix 2: Update Xbox 360 Driver Using Device Manager
Although we are once again updating the Xbox 360 controller driver, it is being done using Device Manager. For this method, follow the instructions.
Step 1: Open Device Manager by pressing Windows key + X at the same time.
Step 2: Here, expand Xbox 360 peripherals, right-click on the Xbox 360 controller driver and select Update Driver. (The name could be Xbox 360 Receiver for Windows)
NOTE that if you cannot find the exact controller driver, go to Device Manager > View tab > Show hidden devices > Universal Serial Bus Controllers or Universal Serial Bus Devices >
Fix 3: Update Xbox 360 Driver Using Smart Driver Care (Recommended)
If you could see that the above method is a little tricky process and requires a lot of patience and hard work, I would have chosen Smart Driver Care. This is why I recommend the same to you. Let me tell you how it makes things easier for you.
Step 1: Download Smart DriverCare on your PC. from the button below:
Step 2: Let the tool scan the whole system and indicate all the outdated drivers to you.
Step 3: Once detected, click on ‘Update All' or the Xbox 360 Controller driver. It will be automatically updated in a few minutes without worrying about anything else.
Moreover, Smart Driver Care is also capable of backing up installed drivers, restoring them in one click and updating all the outdated drivers in one go. Ease of use and user-friendly interface are some other features that I liked.
Fix 4: Check For Windows Update
Did you check your Windows with the latest updates? If you are facing Xbox 360 controller not working problems on Windows 10, you do not miss the step.
Step 1: Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security.
Step 2: Click on Check for Updates under Windows Update.
If you have updated the system, the problem of Xbox controllers is probably solved.
Conclusion
We are sure that the Xbox 360 controller driver is now working for you by now. If it hasn't, don't forget to ping us in the comments section below. Also, read the following:
Frequently Answered Questions
Q1. Why is my Xbox 360 controller not working?
Unless your Xbox 360 controller is not damaged, the reason for it not working may revolve around corrupted or outdated drivers and Windows not updated to the latest version.
Q2. How do I get my Xbox 360 controller to work?
If you keep your Windows updated to the latest version and update the Xbox 360 controller driver, your Xbox controller will probably start to work.
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. (You might also want to check out our pick for the very best Xbox One controller.)
Products used in this guide
- The controller: Xbox One controller ($65 at Microsoft)
- The cable: Rampow micro USB cable ($7 at Amazon)
- Going wireless: Xbox Wireless Adapter ($28 at Amazon)
- For USB-C PCs: AmazonBasics USB-C adapter ($10 at Amazon)
- The app: Xbox Accessories for Windows 10 (Free)
How to use a micro USB cable with the Xbox One controller
© Provided by Windows CentralBy far, the simplest way to use an Xbox One controller is to use a micro USB cable. Attach to the connector on your controller and any free USB port on your PC, and it'll automatically recognize it's there, and you're good to go.
Any decent cable will do the trick, even the one that you used to use to charge your phone.
However, it's not just desktop PCs that you can use an Xbox One controller with. It's entirely possible to use it with a tablet or laptop, and in those cases, you may only have USB-C connectors available.
The easiest thing to do is get a USB-C to USB-A dongle, allowing you to use a regular micro USB cable through the USB-C connector on your laptop or tablet.
The Xbox Wireless Adapter
© Provided by Windows CentralMicrosoft 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.
The Bluetooth controller
© Provided by Windows CentralThe current generation Xbox One controller from Microsoft, as well as the second-gen Elite Controller, supports Bluetooth. Any currently on sale, or that came with the Xbox One S or Xbox One X have Bluetooth capabilities. That means you can connect it to any Windows PC, laptop, or tablet that has Bluetooth built-in.
- Open settings on your PC.
- Go to devices.
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
- Turn on the controller by pressing the large round X button.
- Click on the controller in your discovered devices to pair.
This is particularly handy if you're taking a controller on the road with you and your laptop. One less cable to pack!
Taking advantage of the Xbox Accessories app
© Provided by Windows CentralWindows 10 Xbox One Wired Controller Driver
This is particularly handy if you're using an Xbox Elite Controller, as the Xbox Accessories app allows you to customize the buttons and paddles to a layout of your choice.
It's in the Windows Store to download to your PC, all you need to do is connect the controller to the PC to get started. There's a bunch of things you can do to customize your controller for your favorite games, and you can save two profiles to the Elite Controller at any one time.
All the gear you need
Exactly which piece of equipment you need will depend on which controller you want to use with which type of Windows PC. The list below covers everything you might need to get your hands on.
Xbox One Controller
© Provided by Windows CentralStep 2: Navigate yourself to the section of Downloads. Choose Windows 10 (or other operating systems) and select the driver.
Step 3: Install the driver on Windows PC. Once installed, check if the issue has been resolved.
Fix 2: Update Xbox 360 Driver Using Device Manager
Although we are once again updating the Xbox 360 controller driver, it is being done using Device Manager. For this method, follow the instructions.
Step 1: Open Device Manager by pressing Windows key + X at the same time.
Step 2: Here, expand Xbox 360 peripherals, right-click on the Xbox 360 controller driver and select Update Driver. (The name could be Xbox 360 Receiver for Windows)
NOTE that if you cannot find the exact controller driver, go to Device Manager > View tab > Show hidden devices > Universal Serial Bus Controllers or Universal Serial Bus Devices >
Fix 3: Update Xbox 360 Driver Using Smart Driver Care (Recommended)
If you could see that the above method is a little tricky process and requires a lot of patience and hard work, I would have chosen Smart Driver Care. This is why I recommend the same to you. Let me tell you how it makes things easier for you.
Step 1: Download Smart DriverCare on your PC. from the button below:
Step 2: Let the tool scan the whole system and indicate all the outdated drivers to you.
Step 3: Once detected, click on ‘Update All' or the Xbox 360 Controller driver. It will be automatically updated in a few minutes without worrying about anything else.
Moreover, Smart Driver Care is also capable of backing up installed drivers, restoring them in one click and updating all the outdated drivers in one go. Ease of use and user-friendly interface are some other features that I liked.
Fix 4: Check For Windows Update
Did you check your Windows with the latest updates? If you are facing Xbox 360 controller not working problems on Windows 10, you do not miss the step.
Step 1: Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security.
Step 2: Click on Check for Updates under Windows Update.
If you have updated the system, the problem of Xbox controllers is probably solved.
Conclusion
We are sure that the Xbox 360 controller driver is now working for you by now. If it hasn't, don't forget to ping us in the comments section below. Also, read the following:
Frequently Answered Questions
Q1. Why is my Xbox 360 controller not working?
Unless your Xbox 360 controller is not damaged, the reason for it not working may revolve around corrupted or outdated drivers and Windows not updated to the latest version.
Q2. How do I get my Xbox 360 controller to work?
If you keep your Windows updated to the latest version and update the Xbox 360 controller driver, your Xbox controller will probably start to work.
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. (You might also want to check out our pick for the very best Xbox One controller.)
Products used in this guide
- The controller: Xbox One controller ($65 at Microsoft)
- The cable: Rampow micro USB cable ($7 at Amazon)
- Going wireless: Xbox Wireless Adapter ($28 at Amazon)
- For USB-C PCs: AmazonBasics USB-C adapter ($10 at Amazon)
- The app: Xbox Accessories for Windows 10 (Free)
How to use a micro USB cable with the Xbox One controller
© Provided by Windows CentralBy far, the simplest way to use an Xbox One controller is to use a micro USB cable. Attach to the connector on your controller and any free USB port on your PC, and it'll automatically recognize it's there, and you're good to go.
Any decent cable will do the trick, even the one that you used to use to charge your phone.
However, it's not just desktop PCs that you can use an Xbox One controller with. It's entirely possible to use it with a tablet or laptop, and in those cases, you may only have USB-C connectors available.
The easiest thing to do is get a USB-C to USB-A dongle, allowing you to use a regular micro USB cable through the USB-C connector on your laptop or tablet.
The Xbox Wireless Adapter
© Provided by Windows CentralMicrosoft 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.
The Bluetooth controller
© Provided by Windows CentralThe current generation Xbox One controller from Microsoft, as well as the second-gen Elite Controller, supports Bluetooth. Any currently on sale, or that came with the Xbox One S or Xbox One X have Bluetooth capabilities. That means you can connect it to any Windows PC, laptop, or tablet that has Bluetooth built-in.
- Open settings on your PC.
- Go to devices.
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
- Turn on the controller by pressing the large round X button.
- Click on the controller in your discovered devices to pair.
This is particularly handy if you're taking a controller on the road with you and your laptop. One less cable to pack!
Taking advantage of the Xbox Accessories app
© Provided by Windows CentralWindows 10 Xbox One Wired Controller Driver
This is particularly handy if you're using an Xbox Elite Controller, as the Xbox Accessories app allows you to customize the buttons and paddles to a layout of your choice.
It's in the Windows Store to download to your PC, all you need to do is connect the controller to the PC to get started. There's a bunch of things you can do to customize your controller for your favorite games, and you can save two profiles to the Elite Controller at any one time.
All the gear you need
Exactly which piece of equipment you need will depend on which controller you want to use with which type of Windows PC. The list below covers everything you might need to get your hands on.
Xbox One Controller
© Provided by Windows CentralThe Xbox One Controller is officially supported by Windows 10, and it's also the best around!
Rampow micro USB cable
© Provided by Windows CentralThis braided cable from Rampow is reliable, braided for durability, and plenty long enough to reach your gaming PC.
Xbox Wireless Adapter
© Provided by Windows CentralThe official wireless adapter from Microsoft, this is what you need if you're using an Elite or first-gen controller to go wire-free.
AmazonBasics USB-C adapter
© Provided by Windows CentralFor laptops and tablets without regular USB ports, pop this into the USB-C connector and use a regular micro USB cable with your controller.
Xbox Accessories app
© Provided by Windows CentralXbox One Elite Controller Driver Download
Particularly useful for Elite Controller owners, this app allows you to customize button layouts, paddles, and save your favorite profiles for easy use.