How To Hook An Xbox Controller To A Pc

Xbox One S Controller — (Image credit: Microsoft)

If you want to use a controller on PC, you simply tin can't crush the convenience of the Xbox gamepad. If you want a expressionless simple plug-and-play feel, the Xbox controller is the obvious choice, and it'due south definitely among the all-time PC controllers, anyhow—Microsoft revised its controller after the launch of the Xbox 1, making its bumpers feel amend and adding Bluetooth connectivity.

Thank you to the built-in Windows driver, you won't need any special software for your PC (and almost games) to immediately recognize your pad. So what's the indicate of a guide at all?

Well, there are a couple ways to hook upwardly 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.

Setup

What you 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 every bit simple equally information technology gets, if you lot don't mind a tether. Plug your micro-USB cablevision into the controller and into a USB port on your PC. Windows should install the necessary driver, the Xbox Guide button in the centre volition calorie-free up, and you lot're in business!

Windows version annotation: On Windows 10, you lot can connect upward to eight Xbox One controllers, while on Windows 7 and Windows eight, y'all can connect up to iv. On Windows 10, yous can only have four controllers connected if you too connect an Xbox chat headset to the controller or ii with the stereo headset. Audio throughput isn't supported on Windows 7 and 8.

Troubleshooting annotation: the vast majority of micro-USB cables bear data no trouble, simply some manufacturers cheap out and produce cables that can but charge. If you lot're using a random USB cable from a drawer and having trouble, endeavour a different ane.

Wireless adapter

How to connect with the Xbox Wireless adapter for Windows

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

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

2. Plow on your Xbox One controller by holding the Guide button in the center. Now press the the pocket-size sync button on the pinnacle of the controller until the Guide button begins flashing.

3. Press the pocket-sized sync push 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, you're continued!

Bluetooth

How to connect the Xbox One controller via Bluetooth

Here's where things become a lilliputian complicated. Certain models of the Xbox One controller can connect to any sometime PC Bluetooth adapter. Others can't. Here'due south how to tell if your Xbox I 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 summit. It as well adds a 3.5mm headphone jack to the bottom of the controller, another easy giveaway. On elevation of that headphone jack, it also has built-in Bluetooth!

1. Press the Windows fundamental and blazon "Bluetooth" until search brings upwardly the Bluetooth & other devices settings pick. Click it to open that settings page. Hither yous should encounter your Bluetooth is fix to "On" and is discoverable.

Windows version notation: Using the Xbox One controller via Bluetooth only works on Windows 10 with the Ceremony update applied.

2. Plough on the Xbox I controller by property the Guide push. Press the sync push on top of the controller until the Guide light begins to flash rapidly.

three. In the Bluetooth settings menu, click "Add Bluetooth or other device" and then select Bluetooth from the menu options. Afterward a few seconds of searching, your Xbox controller should show up. Click it to pair. And you're wirelessly connected!

Headset note: Only one Xbox 1 controller can be paired via Bluetooth. Headsets not supported.

Updating

How to update and configure the Xbox One controller

It's not simply games that have updates these days. So practice controllers! While it'due south non necessary to update your Xbox controller, if you want to, the process is pretty simple.

1. Open the Windows Store and search for Xbox Accessories. Install the app and open it.

Windows version note: The app but works with Windows x with the Anniversary update applied.

ii. Plug your Xbox One controller in with a micro-USB cable.

3. Click the "More than options" button to check if there'southward a firmware update for your controller.

Instead of configuring controller options on a game-by-game basis, you tin can too apply the Accessories app to alter button mapping, bandy and invert sticks and triggers, and enable or disable rumble.

If you lot have an Xbox One Elite controller, y'all tin can besides use the Accessories app to configure options like trigger and analog stick sensitivity. You can salve different configurations to the ii profiles the controller supports.

Non a controller person? Here's a round-up of the all-time gaming keyboards , and best gaming mouse .