The Xbox One controller is not working? Learn what to do if your Xbox One controller won’t connect, won’t turn on, or keeps flashing.
Is your Xbox One controller not working? This is an annoying problem faced by many Xbox users. Although today’s wireless controllers are more convenient than hard wiring in previous systems, they also have their own problems.
In this troubleshooting guide, we will show you how to fix Xbox One controller when it can’t connect, sync, or even power up normally. In the end, you will return to the game. Although we focus on Xbox One here, most of these tips also apply to Xbox Series X and Series S because they are so similar.
1. If Your Xbox One Controller Is Not Connecting
If you can’t get your Xbox One controller to connect to your console, you should check out some common problems.
Are there eight controllers connected to your console? Although you may not use as many controllers, the maximum number of controllers supported by Xbox One is 8. After this, you will not be able to connect any more controllers.
Press and hold the Xbox button on the controller and then select Turn Off Controller from the menu that appears to disconnect one or more of them. Then try to connect to the new controller again.
Also, keep in mind that you can only pair one controller with one Xbox One system at a time. If you go to a friend’s house and pair your controller with their Xbox, you will have to use your controller again for repairs. This also applies when you connect the Xbox One controller to the PC and then try to use it on your console again.
For more information, see the “If your Xbox One controller is blinking” section below.
2. If Your Xbox One Controller Keeps Disconnecting
What if your Xbox controller is paired but then keeps disconnecting? This can ruin a great gaming session and can be very frustrating to handle.
Remember, if you do not use it for 15 minutes, disconnecting is a normal power saving feature of the Xbox One controller. This does not happen when you play games, but it can happen if you mainly use the Xbox One as a media center.
You need to move the joystick or press the button frequently. Otherwise, you have to press the Xbox button to reconnect later.
However, if your Xbox controller is disconnected and there is a problem, it may happen more frequently than every 15 minutes. If this is the case, you can try some troubleshooting steps.
When encountering this problem, please make sure that the battery is charged. Click the Xbox button to return to the start menu, then look for the battery icon in the upper right corner. If the battery is low, replace or recharge as needed.
may also disconnect frequently due to interference. According to Xbox Support, the wireless range of the Xbox One controller is approximately 1,928 feet. If your controller can’t keep the connection, try moving closer to your console.
You should also clear obstacles between the controller and the console, such as laptops, metal shelves, etc. If your Xbox is in an entertainment center, try moving it off the device for a better connection.
3. If Your Xbox One Controller Is Blinking
If you press the Xbox button on the controller and it flashes or flashes, this usually means that your controller is not paired with the console. As mentioned above, this can happen when you pair the controller with another system. But it may also occur due to various malfunctions.
Follow our guide, which shows how to sync the Xbox One controller with your console so that your controller can reconnect.
If your controller is not paired with the button, try to pair it with a USB cable. Simply plug the cable into the USB port on the console and plug the other end into the controller, then press and hold the Xbox button on the controller for a few seconds.
If this does not solve the problem, you must restart the console. Press and hold the power button on the front of the system for 10 seconds to turn it off completely. Then press it again to open it again. After closing and opening the console and controller, you should be able to pair them without flickering.
If it keeps flashing and then turns off, your controller may have a hardware problem. Try another controller with your console to see if you have the same problem, or test your controller with a friend’s Xbox or another device (such as a PC).
If you are unable to use the controller under any circumstances, contact Xbox Support. At the same time, note that you can turn it off by pressing and holding the Xbox button on the controller for a few seconds. If it keeps flashing during troubleshooting, this helps save battery power.
4. If Your Xbox One Controller Won’t Turn On
If your Xbox controller isn’t turned on, don’t worry. This is another common problem, a solution similar to the previous one.
When your Xbox One controller cannot be turned on, first make sure the battery is not drained. If the battery is low, the controller will not turn on at all. Remove the back cover and replace two AA batteries, then try again.
You can also purchase the Xbox One Play & Charge Kit to gain rechargeable batteries.
If changing the batteries doesn’t work to power on your Xbox controller, try this:
- Turn off your Xbox One fully by pressing and holding the power button on the front of the system for 10 seconds.
- Unplug your console’s power cable, and leave it unplugged for a few minutes.
- Use a USB cable you know is good (try others if the first doesn’t work) to connect your controller to the system.
- Plug your Xbox back in and turn it on using the power button on the system. Don’t press anything on the controller until the Xbox boots up.
- Try pressing the Xbox button on your controller at this point to see if it’s working.
General Xbox One Controller Connection Tips
We’ve covered specific Xbox controller issues above. However, if your Xbox controller is still not working, please try some other general solutions below.
Update Xbox controller firmware
Your Xbox One controller actually has its own firmware, which is sometimes updated. Although you won’t get these updates often, corrupted or outdated firmware can cause disconnection issues.
If your controller is working properly, you can update it by clicking the Xbox button to open the guide when the system is turned on. Go to Profile & system > Settings > Devices & connections > Accessories.
Select your controller, then choose the three-dot button and hit Firmware version to check for updates.
Remove Connected Xbox Accessories
Sometimes, Xbox One accessories connected to the controller or console may experience connection issues.
If you have an external hard drive, keyboard, or similar peripheral device connected to your Xbox, try disconnecting it, and then try connecting your controller again. If you have a stereo headset adapter for the controller, do the same.
If you are trying to synchronize the controller with a USB cable, make sure you are using a high-quality cable. Poor quality or damaged cables may not work properly.
Try Connecting Another Controller to Your Xbox
As with most troubleshooting solutions, you can help determine the problem by trying different devices. Try to connect another controller that you know works to your Xbox system. Make sure your battery is also charged.
If that driver is working properly, then the problem is the original driver. But if you both have problems, then the problem may be on your console. In this case, you may need to contact Xbox support.
Reboot Your Xbox One
We mentioned it above, but it needs to be repeated – when troubleshooting a controller issue, be sure to restart your console. By default, simply pressing the power button on the front of the system will only put it into sleep mode, so be sure to hold it down for at least 10 seconds to completely shut it down.
Sometimes when the Xbox One controller is not working, you just need to quickly restart it.
Try Connecting With a USB Cable Permanently
If you find that the Xbox controller connection problem disappears when using a USB cable, the best thing to do is to use your controller as a wired device to avoid problems in the future. You can buy a long cable, such as a 15-foot MATEIN microUSB cable, so you don’t have to worry about sitting far away from the system.
This is not ideal, but it is better than paying for another controller.
What If Your Xbox One Controller Is Still Not Working?
If nothing else works, go to the Xbox device support page. Log in with your Microsoft account. If you have not registered your console, you can continue with the steps to replace the controller. If Microsoft does not replace it, you will have to look for a deal for new drivers.
Hope one of these tips resolves the Xbox One controller issue. Whether your controller can’t connect, keep blinking, or can’t turn on, one of these prompts should get you back into the game.
Now that you have a working controller, you can get back to enjoying your best Xbox.
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