Wondering how to connect an Xbox 1 controller to your PC? While a keyboard and mouse is superior for many genres, other types of games piece of work better with a controller.

As you'd expect, connecting an Xbox controller to a Windows PC is easy since Microsoft handles both platforms. Here'south how to use your Xbox controller to play PC games—this works for both Xbox One and Xbox Series S|X controllers, since they're near identical.

At that place are iii means to pair an Xbox controller to your PC. Nosotros'll cover each method in turn.

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

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

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

Note that even when plugged into a computer, the batteries in your Xbox controller will drain. We recommend picking upwards the Xbox One Play and Charge Kit (or the Xbox Rechargeable Battery for Series Due south|X controllers) to give your controller recharging capabilities. With it, your controller will accuse when continued to your PC, eliminating bombardment life concerns.

When you want to disconnect your Xbox controller from the PC, just unplug it. Information technology may wink for a few seconds as it's looking for other devices, but information technology will plough off earlier long.

2. How to Connect Xbox Controller to PC Using Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a user-friendly way of connecting your Xbox One controller and PC. All the same, to use it with an Xbox 1 controller, you lot must have the newer model, every bit shown in the prototype beneath. All Xbox Series S|Ten controllers support Bluetooth.

If your Xbox One controller has the plastic casing around the Xbox button, every bit shown in the top analogy, so it is not Bluetooth-uniform. Y'all'll demand to use the Xbox Wireless Adapter (explained below) if you want to connect your Xbox controller to your PC without Bluetooth. The bottom model, where none of the plastic surrounds the Xbox button, supports Bluetooth.

To utilise Bluetooth, head to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices in Windows 10. Enable the Bluetooth slider (if information technology isn't turned on already), then choose Add Bluetooth or other device. Select Bluetooth from the list.

Next, printing the Xbox push on your controller to turn it on. And then press and hold the Pair push button on tiptop of the controller (the pocket-size button side by side to LB) for a few seconds, and the Xbox push button will showtime flashing rapidly.

From hither, your Xbox controller should testify up in the Bluetooth pairing menu on your PC. Select it and complete the steps to pair them. If yous have trouble, refer to our guide on setting upward Bluetooth in Windows x.

3. Utilise the Xbox Wireless Adapter to Pair Xbox One Controller to PC

Microsoft has a standard called Xbox Wireless that'southward built into a few computers, simply there's a good run a risk it's 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 aforementioned 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 washed, press and hold the button on the adapter and you'll come across a light wink.

Next, agree the Xbox push on your controller to plough it on, then press and concord the Pair button on top of the controller. After a few seconds, the controller and adapter should come across each other and connect.

From hither, you can bask your Xbox Ane controller on your PC wirelessly, just like using Bluetooth. We only recommend this method if you have an Xbox One controller that's not Bluetooth-enabled. Otherwise, yous could add Bluetooth to your calculator 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, yous can plow the controller off by holding the Xbox button on it for around five seconds. When the light goes out, the controller is off.

Proceed in heed that if your Xbox controller is already paired to your console, pressing the Xbox button will plough the organization on. You should withal be able to pair information technology wirelessly using either of the methods above, but you'll probably want to turn your console off later on yous exercise so (or shut down and unplug it before y'all start).

After you lot connect your Xbox controller to a PC using any method in a higher place, you'll need to re-pair the controller with your Xbox adjacent fourth dimension yous want to utilize information technology there. To exercise this with the wired method, connect the controller to your Xbox using a USB cablevision, then press the Xbox push 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 forepart console under the power push on the Xbox I Southward and Xbox One Ten. On Xbox Serial S|X, it'south next to the USB port at the front end of the system.

Subsequently hit this button, turn on your controller past striking the Xbox push button, then hold the Pair button on the top to pair it.

If yous have an Xbox Series S|10 controller, there'south a convenient shortcut for switching paired devices. When you take information technology continued to a Bluetooth device, press the Pair button on top of the controller twice to immediately switch to the last Xbox Wireless connectedness (usually your console). Then, press the Pair push twice again to reconnect to the Bluetooth device y'all were only using.

Connect an Xbox Controller to Your PC Easily

You have plenty of options for connecting an Xbox One or Xbox Series South|X controller to your PC. Whether you want to connect with a USB cable for the simplest option or prefer to connect wirelessly with Bluetooth, now yous understand the bachelor methods.

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

How to Connect a Controller to an Android Phone or Tablet

Sick of impact controls for mobile gaming? Learn how to connect whatsoever game controller (PS4, PS5, Xbox, etc.) to your Android device.

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About The Author

Ben Stegner (1798 Articles Published)

Ben is the Editor in Chief at MakeUseOf. He left his IT chore to write total-time in 2022 and has never looked back. He'south been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more than every bit a professional writer for over seven years.

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