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

Equally you lot'd expect, connecting an Xbox controller to a Windows PC is piece of cake since Microsoft handles both platforms. Here's how to use your Xbox controller to play PC games—this works for both Xbox Ane and Xbox Series S|Ten controllers, since they're nearly identical.

At that place are three ways to pair an Xbox controller to your PC. We'll encompass each method in turn.

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

The most straightforward way to connect your Xbox controller and PC is with a micro-USB cable (or a USB-C cablevision for Series S|X controllers). Simply plug the slim end into your Xbox One controller and the other end into a USB port on your PC. Hit the Xbox button to turn the controller on if it doesn't practice so on its own.

Connect Xbox One Controller to PC Wired

On Windows x, your figurer should recognize the controller instantly. On earlier versions of Windows, the Bone should automatically download drivers and your controller will be set up in a few moments.

Annotation that fifty-fifty when plugged into a estimator, the batteries in your Xbox controller volition drain. We recommend picking up the Xbox One Play and Charge Kit (or the Xbox Rechargeable Battery for Serial S|X controllers) to give your controller recharging capabilities. With it, your controller volition accuse when connected to your PC, eliminating battery life concerns.

When you want to disconnect your Xbox controller from the PC, simply unplug it. Information technology may flash for a few seconds as information technology's looking for other devices, merely it will turn off before long.

2. How to Connect Xbox Controller to PC Using Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a convenient manner of connecting your Xbox One controller and PC. Still, to apply it with an Xbox One controller, you must have the newer model, every bit shown in the image below. All Xbox Series S|10 controllers support Bluetooth.

Connect Xbox One Controller to PC Using Bluetooth

If your Xbox I controller has the plastic casing effectually the Xbox push, as shown in the top illustration, then information technology is not Bluetooth-compatible. You'll need to utilise the Xbox Wireless Adapter (explained beneath) if you want to connect your Xbox controller to your PC without Bluetooth. The lesser model, where none of the plastic surrounds the Xbox button, supports Bluetooth.

To use Bluetooth, head to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices in Windows ten. Enable the Bluetooth slider (if it isn't turned on already), and so cull Add Bluetooth or other device. Select Bluetooth from the listing.

Adjacent, press the Xbox button on your controller to turn information technology on. Then press and hold the Pair button on tiptop of the controller (the small push button next to LB) for a few seconds, and the Xbox button volition start flashing apace.

From here, your Xbox controller should show up in the Bluetooth pairing menu on your PC. Select it and consummate the steps to pair them. If y'all have trouble, refer to our guide on setting upwardly Bluetooth in Windows 10.

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, merely there's a skillful take chances it'south non part of yours. So to sync your Xbox 1 controller and PC wirelessly without Bluetooth, yous'll demand to buy the Xbox Wireless Adapter. This adapter lets yous connect your Xbox controller to your PC wirelessly, through the same proprietary connection used by your Xbox console.

Plug it into a USB port on your PC and allow Windows install drivers. Once it'due south done, press and hold the push on the adapter and y'all'll run across a low-cal wink.

Side by side, agree the Xbox button on your controller to plow information technology on, then printing and hold the Pair button on top of the controller. After a few seconds, the controller and adapter should see each other and connect.

From here, you can enjoy your Xbox 1 controller on your PC wirelessly, just like using Bluetooth. We only recommend this method if you have an Xbox One controller that's non Bluetooth-enabled. Otherwise, yous could add Bluetooth to your computer with an adapter that'due south cheaper than the Xbox Wireless Adapter.

How to Reconnect Your Xbox Controller to Your Console

When using your Xbox controller wirelessly, you can turn the controller off past holding the Xbox button on it for effectually 5 seconds. When the light goes out, the controller is off.

Keep in heed that if your Xbox controller is already paired to your console, pressing the Xbox push will turn the system on. You should notwithstanding exist able to pair it wirelessly using either of the methods above, but y'all'll probably want to plough your console off after you do then (or shut downwardly and unplug it earlier yous kickoff).

After you lot connect your Xbox controller to a PC using any method above, you'll need to re-pair the controller with your Xbox next fourth dimension yous want to use information technology there. To exercise this with the wired method, connect the controller to your Xbox using a USB cable, then press the Xbox button to pair.

To pair the controller wirelessly, press the pairing button on the system. It'south to the left of the disc tray on the original Xbox I, and at the bottom-right of the front panel under the power button on the Xbox One S and Xbox Ane X. On Xbox Series S|X, it'due south next to the USB port at the front of the organization.

Afterwards hitting this push, plow on your controller by hitting the Xbox button, then concur the Pair button on the elevation to pair it.

If you take an Xbox Serial Due south|X controller, there's a convenient shortcut for switching paired devices. When you lot accept it connected to a Bluetooth device, printing the Pair push button on tiptop of the controller twice to immediately switch to the terminal Xbox Wireless connection (normally your console). Then, press the Pair button twice once again to reconnect to the Bluetooth device you were just using.

Connect an Xbox Controller to Your PC Easily

Y'all have enough of options for connecting an Xbox One or Xbox Series Due south|X controller to your PC. Whether yous want to connect with a USB cable for the simplest option or prefer to connect wirelessly with Bluetooth, now you understand the available methods.

Meanwhile, a Windows PC isn't the just device y'all can connect an Xbox controller to.

How to Connect a Controller to an Android Phone or Tablet

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About The Writer

Ben Stegner (1808 Articles Published)

Ben is the Editor in Primary at MakeUseOf. He left his IT job to write total-time in 2016 and has never looked back. He'south been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more every bit a professional person writer for over eight years.

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