How Connect Xbox One Controller To Pc

Xbox One S Controller — (Image credit: Microsoft)

If you desire to use a controller on PC, you but can't crush the convenience of the Xbox gamepad. If yous want a expressionless unproblematic plug-and-play experience, the Xbox controller is the obvious choice, and it'south definitely among the all-time 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 built-in Windows driver, y'all won't need any special software for your PC (and most games) to immediately recognize your pad. So what'south the point of a guide at all?

Well, in that location are a couple ways to hook upwardly the Xbox One controller wirelessly, and a few things y'all 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 cablevision (optional, for wired)
AA batteries

Software

Xbox Accessories app (optional, for software updates)

Wired

Using your Xbox 1 controller

Using a wired Xbox One controller on PC is as unproblematic as information technology gets, if you 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 commuter, the Xbox Guide button in the center volition calorie-free upwards, and yous're in business!

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

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

Wireless adapter

How to connect with the Xbox Wireless adapter for Windows

This process is nearly 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. Turn on your Xbox Ane controller by belongings the Guide button in the center. Now printing the the pocket-sized sync push on the top of the controller until the Guide button begins flashing.

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

Bluetooth

How to connect the Xbox Ane controller via Bluetooth

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

The shape of the plastic molding at the top of the controller is your clue. The outset 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 comfy depending on where you position your fingers.

The redesigned controller launched with the Xbox Ane S console has a smaller plastic molding forth the top. It also adds a iii.5mm headphone jack to the bottom of the controller, another easy giveaway. On top of that headphone jack, it likewise has congenital-in Bluetooth!

1. Press the Windows key and type "Bluetooth" until search brings up the Bluetooth & other devices settings option. Click it to open that settings folio. Here you should see your Bluetooth is set up to "On" and is discoverable.

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

2. Turn on the Xbox Ane controller by belongings the Guide push. Press the sync button on top of the controller until the Guide calorie-free begins to flash speedily.

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

Headset note: Only 1 Xbox One controller tin 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'south non necessary to update your Xbox controller, if yous desire to, the process is pretty simple.

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

Windows version note: The app only works with Windows 10 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's a firmware update for your controller.

Instead of configuring controller options on a game-past-game basis, you can too employ the Accessories app to change button mapping, swap and invert sticks and triggers, and enable or disable rumble.

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

Not a controller person? Here'south a circular-up of the best gaming keyboards , and best gaming mouse .