How To Connect Your Xbox Controller To Your PC?

How To Connect Your Xbox Controller To Your PC? A controller can be a great way to play PC games. But, how do you pair your Xbox gamepad with your computer?

You’ll need either a wireless adapter or Bluetooth. Both work well, though Bluetooth tends to be more reliable. You’ll also need to have Windows 10 with the Anniversary update or later.

Features Of Connect Your Xbox Controller To Your PC

• If you have an Xbox Series X or S, or even an older console model like 360 or One, you can easily use the controller on your computer. Thanks to built-in Windows drivers, it doesn’t take much work at all for the OS to recognize the gamepad and offer the option to pair it with your PC.

• Using the newer Xbox Wireless controller requires a Windows 10 PC that supports Bluetooth technology, and a USB cable to plug in the Xbox adapter (if you have one). Then press the pair button on the controller for a few seconds, which will put it into pairing mode. On your PC, go to Settings and select Bluetooth & other devices, then add your controller. It should instantly be discovered, though in some cases you may need to manually make the connection.

• The older Xbox controllers can be connected to your Windows PC via a micro-USB or USB-C cable, which you would plug into the controller itself. Then, use the Xbox app to turn on your controller and sync it with your PC. The controller will automatically switch to Bluetooth when it’s in its connected state, which makes it easier to use on your PC.

• If your Xbox controller keeps shutting off, the batteries may be low, or it could be out of range. Try recharging or moving closer to your device. If that doesn’t help, the controller itself is likely faulty.

1. Plug it into a USB port

You don’t need fancy wireless adapters or software to connect an Xbox controller to your PC — just a USB cable. It’s the oldest and easiest way to go. Just plug one end of the cable into your Xbox controller, and the other into a USB port on your computer.

Then, on your Windows PC, open the “Add Bluetooth or other device” window in the Settings menu. Choose Bluetooth, and then select your Xbox controller when it appears in the list of devices (you may have to wait for the controller’s Guide button to light up and the LEDs on the front of the controller to change from flashing to solid).

Unlike older Xbox One gamepads that used a proprietary connection standard, most newer ones include built-in Bluetooth connectivity, which is great news for PC gamers. You can check whether a specific controller has Bluetooth by looking at the plastic around the Guide button: If it’s the same color as the rest of the controller’s face, with no seams, it’s a Bluetooth-enabled controller.

With a Bluetooth-enabled controller, you can use the Xbox Accessories app on your PC to do things like remap buttons or switch out thumbsticks without needing to switch back and forth between your console and PC. However, it’s worth noting that this method isn’t as fast or smooth as using a wireless adapter, and it won’t let you use your headset.

2. Plug it into a wireless adapter

If your controller doesn’t have Bluetooth, or you don’t want to use Bluetooth on your PC for whatever reason, you can get a wireless adapter that plugs into a USB port and connects directly to the controller. It’s a little expensive, but it works well.

Just plug the Xbox Wireless Adapter into an open USB port, then press and hold the guide button on the controller and the sync button on the adapter (the small button on top right of LB). The lights on both devices will flash fast while they’re searching for each other. Once they’re done, they should stay solidly lit.

If you’re using a newer Xbox controller, it may already have Bluetooth built in. This is especially likely if it’s an Xbox Series controller from August 2016 or later. Just plug it into your PC, and it will automatically recognize and pair with it.

If you’re using an older Xbox controller, it’s a bit more complicated. You’ll need to buy a wireless adapter, or you can try using a Bluetooth USB dongle like the 8Bitdo Ultimate — but that’s only if your controller supports it. Otherwise, you’ll need to download the Xbox Accessories app from the Microsoft Store, which allows you to remap buttons and switch out thumbsticks. It doesn’t allow for full Bluetooth compatibility, however, so it’s not as reliable as the wireless adapter option.

3. Plug it into your PC

A lot of games, particularly shooter titles, are more intuitive to play with a controller. Thankfully, Xbox makes it easy to get their controllers up and running on PCs with their wireless adapter.

The Xbox Wireless Adapter is a USB dongle that allows you to connect directly to your controller without having to use Bluetooth pairing or setup. To connect, just plug the dongle into an open USB port on your Windows PC, install the drivers when asked, and follow the instructions to pair it with your controller. Once the connection is complete, the Xbox logo on your controller will begin to flash faster and you can start playing.

While you can also pair your controller to your PC using the Xbox app, that method is a bit more complicated and you’ll need Bluetooth enabled. The process is similar, but you’ll need to have your Windows 10 Anniversary Update or later installed, as well as a controller with Bluetooth support (or the adapter).

You’ll also need to have the Xbox Wireless Adapter attached, and the Guide button (Xbox logo) or Sync button (the small one right next to LB) will need to be pressed for it to start searching for your PC. When the logo starts to flash quickly, it’s ready to be paired and you can proceed with the app.

4. Pair it

Many gamers prefer to use a controller when playing PC games, especially shooter and strategy titles. In most cases, this is the most comfortable and efficient way to play. Using a controller can help reduce input latency, improve stability, and make the gaming experience more immersive. However, hooking up a controller to your computer can seem complicated at first glance. Fortunately, Microsoft makes it easy to connect your Xbox controller to your PC, regardless of the game you are playing.

There are a few ways to do this, depending on the version of Windows you’re running and whether your PC has Bluetooth built in. If you want to go the traditional route, simply plug your controller into a USB port on your PC. Older Xbox One gamepads connect via micro-USB, while newer models (like the ones included with Series X|S) connect via USB-C.

Once the controller is plugged in, press the Xbox button on the center of the device until it starts blinking. Then press the sync button on the wireless adapter or USB Bluetooth dongle that you’re using until it also starts flashing.

Once everything is paired up, the USB gamepad should appear in the list of available devices on your Windows PC when you right-click on the Bluetooth icon in the system tray and select “Add Bluetooth or another device.” From there, you can choose the Xbox controller and begin playing.

Conclusion

 Many PC games—including those available on Steam and other marketplaces—support Xbox controllers. But if you have never used one on your PC before, it may be difficult to figure out how to connect the device and set up its controls. In this article, we will walk through three different ways to connect your Xbox controller to your computer and provide some tips to help you get the most out of your gaming experience.