Wondering how to connect an Xbox I controller to your PC? While a keyboard and mouse is superior for many genres, other types of games work better with a controller.

As you'd look, connecting an Xbox controller to a Windows PC is piece of cake since Microsoft handles both platforms. Here'southward how to use your Xbox controller to play PC games—this works for both Xbox I and Xbox Series S|X controllers, since they're nigh identical.

There are three ways to pair an Xbox controller to your PC. We'll comprehend each method in turn.

ane. How to Connect Xbox Controller to PC via USB Cable

The nigh straightforward way to connect your Xbox controller and PC is with a micro-USB cablevision (or a USB-C cable for Series S|10 controllers). Only plug the slim stop into your Xbox 1 controller and the other end into a USB port on your PC. Hit the Xbox button to plough the controller on if it doesn't do so on its own.

Connect Xbox One Controller to PC Wired

On Windows 10, your computer should recognize the controller instantly. On earlier versions of Windows, the Bone should automatically download drivers and your controller will exist ready in a few moments.

Note that even when plugged into a calculator, the batteries in your Xbox controller will drain. We recommend picking upwardly the Xbox One Play and Charge Kit (or the Xbox Rechargeable Bombardment for Series S|Ten controllers) to give your controller recharging capabilities. With it, your controller will charge when connected to your PC, eliminating battery life concerns.

When you want to disconnect your Xbox controller from the PC, just unplug information technology. It may flash for a few seconds every bit it's looking for other devices, but it will turn off before long.

2. How to Connect Xbox Controller to PC Using Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a convenient way of connecting your Xbox One controller and PC. Still, to use it with an Xbox Ane controller, you must accept the newer model, equally shown in the image below. All Xbox Serial S|X controllers back up Bluetooth.

Connect Xbox One Controller to PC Using Bluetooth

If your Xbox One controller has the plastic casing around the Xbox push button, as shown in the tiptop illustration, and so information technology is not Bluetooth-compatible. Yous'll demand to apply the Xbox Wireless Adapter (explained below) if yous desire to connect your Xbox controller to your PC without Bluetooth. The lesser model, where none of the plastic surrounds the Xbox push button, supports Bluetooth.

To use Bluetooth, head to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices in Windows x. Enable the Bluetooth slider (if information technology isn't turned on already), and then choose Add Bluetooth or other device. Select Bluetooth from the listing.

Adjacent, press the Xbox button on your controller to turn it on. Then press and hold the Pair button on elevation of the controller (the small button adjacent to LB) for a few seconds, and the Xbox button will first flashing rapidly.

From here, your Xbox controller should show upwards in the Bluetooth pairing menu on your PC. Select information technology and complete the steps to pair them. If yous take trouble, refer to our guide on setting up Bluetooth in Windows ten.

three. Utilize the Xbox Wireless Adapter to Pair Xbox One Controller to PC

Microsoft has a standard called Xbox Wireless that's built into a few computers, but there'south a proficient run a risk it'due south not part of yours. So to sync your Xbox One controller and PC wirelessly without Bluetooth, you'll need to buy the Xbox Wireless Adapter. This adapter lets you connect your Xbox controller to your PC wirelessly, through the same proprietary connection used by your Xbox console.

Plug information technology into a USB port on your PC and let Windows install drivers. Once it'due south done, printing and agree the button on the adapter and you'll see a low-cal flash.

Next, hold the Xbox button on your controller to turn it on, so press and hold the Pair button on top of the controller. Afterwards a few seconds, the controller and adapter should see each other and connect.

From here, you lot can relish your Xbox One controller on your PC wirelessly, simply like using Bluetooth. Nosotros only recommend this method if you accept an Xbox 1 controller that's non Bluetooth-enabled. Otherwise, you could add Bluetooth to your computer with an adapter that'south cheaper than the Xbox Wireless Adapter.

How to Reconnect Your Xbox Controller to Your Console

When using your Xbox controller wirelessly, you tin can turn the controller off by belongings the Xbox push on it for around five seconds. When the light goes out, the controller is off.

Keep in mind that if your Xbox controller is already paired to your console, pressing the Xbox button volition turn the system on. You should however exist able to pair information technology wirelessly using either of the methods to a higher place, but y'all'll probably want to plow your console off subsequently you do so (or shut downwardly and unplug it before you start).

Afterward you connect your Xbox controller to a PC using whatever method above, y'all'll need to re-pair the controller with your Xbox next time you want to use it there. To do this with the wired method, connect the controller to your Xbox using a USB cablevision, so press the Xbox button to pair.

To pair the controller wirelessly, press the pairing button on the system. It's to the left of the disc tray on the original Xbox One, and at the bottom-right of the front console under the power push button on the Xbox Ane Due south and Xbox One X. On Xbox Serial Due south|10, it'southward next to the USB port at the front of the system.

Later striking this button, turn on your controller by hitting the Xbox button, then hold the Pair button on the top to pair information technology.

If you have an Xbox Serial S|X controller, there's a convenient shortcut for switching paired devices. When you have information technology connected to a Bluetooth device, printing the Pair push on superlative of the controller twice to immediately switch to the last Xbox Wireless connexion (usually your panel). Then, press the Pair push twice over again to reconnect to the Bluetooth device you lot were just using.

Connect an Xbox Controller to Your PC Easily

You take plenty of options for connecting an Xbox One or Xbox Series S|X controller to your PC. Whether you desire to connect with a USB cablevision for the simplest option or prefer to connect wirelessly with Bluetooth, now you empathise the available methods.

Meanwhile, a Windows PC isn't the simply device you lot tin connect an Xbox controller to.

How to Connect a Controller to an Android Phone or Tablet

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Nearly The Author

Ben Stegner (1805 Articles Published)

Ben is the Editor in Principal at MakeUseOf. He left his It job to write total-time in 2022 and has never looked dorsum. He's been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more equally a professional writer for over eight years.

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