How To Connect Xbox One Controller To Windows 10

Xbox One S Controller — (Image credit: Microsoft)

If you desire to use a controller on PC, you just can't beat the convenience of the Xbox gamepad. If you want a dead unproblematic plug-and-play experience, the Xbox controller is the obvious pick, and it'south 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.

Cheers to the built-in Windows driver, you won't demand whatsoever special software for your PC (and most games) to immediately recognize your pad. So what's the betoken of a guide at all?

Well, there are a couple ways to claw 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 piece of work with your PC.

Setup

What yous need

Hardware

Xbox One controller
Xbox Wireless adapter for Windows (opens in new tab) (optional, for wireless)
Bluetooth adapter (optional, for wireless)
Micro-USB cablevision (optional, for wired)
AA batteries

Software

Xbox Accessories app (optional, for software updates)

Wired

Using your Xbox One controller

Using a wired Xbox 1 controller on PC is every bit simple equally it gets, if you don't heed 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 middle will light upward, and you're in business!

Windows version annotation: On Windows 10, you can connect upward to 8 Xbox One controllers, while on Windows seven and Windows 8, you tin connect up to 4. On Windows 10, you can only have four controllers connected if you also connect an Xbox conversation 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 deport information no problem, but some manufacturers cheap out and produce cables that tin can just accuse. If you're using a random USB cable from a drawer and having trouble, attempt a different 1.

Wireless adapter

How to connect with the Xbox Wireless adapter for Windows

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

1. Plug the Xbox Wireless adapter (opens in new tab) into a USB port.

two. Turn on your Xbox One controller by holding the Guide push button in the center. Now press the the small sync push on the meridian of the controller until the Guide button begins flashing.

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

Bluetooth

How to connect the Xbox Ane controller via Bluetooth

Here's where things become a niggling complicated. Sure models of the Xbox 1 controller can connect to whatever quondam PC Bluetooth adapter. Others tin't. Hither's how to tell if your Xbox One controller has built-in Bluetooth:

The shape of the plastic molding at the acme of the controller is your clue. The get-go iteration of the Xbox Ane controller does non 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 peak. It also adds a iii.5mm headphone jack to the lesser of the controller, another piece of cake giveaway. On top of that headphone jack, it too has built-in Bluetooth!

ane. Press the Windows central and type "Bluetooth" until search brings upwards the Bluetooth & other devices settings option. Click information technology to open that settings folio. Here you should see your Bluetooth is set to "On" and is discoverable.

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

2. Plough on the Xbox One controller by holding the Guide button. Press the sync push button on peak of the controller until the Guide light begins to flash rapidly.

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

Headset notation: Just one Xbox One controller can exist paired via Bluetooth. Headsets non supported.

Updating

How to update and configure the Xbox One controller

It's not just games that have updates these days. Then exercise controllers! While information technology's not necessary to update your Xbox controller, if you want to, the process is pretty simple.

ane. Open the Windows Shop and search for Xbox Accessories. Install the app and open information technology.

Windows version note: The app but works with Windows 10 with the Ceremony update applied.

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

3. Click the "More options" button to check if at that place'southward a firmware update for your controller.

Instead of configuring controller options on a game-by-game basis, you lot can as well employ the Accessories app to change button mapping, swap and capsize sticks and triggers, and enable or disable rumble.

If you have an Xbox One Aristocracy controller, y'all can as well utilize the Accessories app to configure options like trigger and analog stick sensitivity. You tin can relieve different configurations to the ii profiles the controller supports.

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