How To Use A Xbox One Wired Controller On Pc

Xbox One S Controller — (Image credit: Microsoft)

If you lot want to employ a controller on PC, you just can't beat out the convenience of the Xbox gamepad. If you desire a dead unproblematic plug-and-play feel, the Xbox controller is the obvious selection, and it's definitely amidst the all-time PC controllers, anyway—Microsoft revised its controller later on the launch of the Xbox One, making its bumpers feel better and calculation Bluetooth connectivity.

Cheers to the congenital-in Windows driver, you won't need any special software for your PC (and most games) to immediately recognize your pad. So what'southward the signal of a guide at all?

Well, there are a couple means to hook up the Xbox Ane controller wirelessly, and a few things yous 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 I controller
Xbox Wireless adapter for Windows (opens in new tab) (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 I controller

Using a wired Xbox One controller on PC is as simple as it 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 driver, the Xbox Guide push in the centre will light up, and you're in business!

Windows version annotation: On Windows ten, you can connect up to eight Xbox One controllers, while on Windows 7 and Windows eight, you can connect up to iv. On Windows ten, you can only have four controllers connected if you lot also connect an Xbox chat headset to the controller or 2 with the stereo headset. Audio throughput isn't supported on Windows 7 and 8.

Troubleshooting note: the vast bulk of micro-USB cables acquit data no trouble, but some manufacturers cheap out and produce cables that tin only charge. If you're using a random USB cablevision from a drawer and having problem, try a different i.

Wireless adapter

How to connect with the Xbox Wireless adapter for Windows

This procedure is well-nigh equally simple equally connecting with a USB cablevision, and is basically identical to connecting the controller to an Xbox console.

i. Plug the Xbox Wireless adapter (opens in new tab) into a USB port.

2. Turn on your Xbox I controller by belongings the Guide button in the center. Now press the the small sync push on the top of the controller until the Guide push button begins flashing.

3. Press the small-scale sync push 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, yous're connected!

Bluetooth

How to connect the Xbox One controller via Bluetooth

Hither's where things get a petty complicated. Sure models of the Xbox I controller tin connect to any old PC Bluetooth adapter. Others tin can't. Here's how to tell if your Xbox One controller has built-in Bluetooth:

The shape of the plastic molding at the top of the controller is your clue. The first iteration of the Xbox One controller does non back up Bluetooth and has a few other annoyances. Its bumpers have a narrower click range, making them less comfortable depending on where yous position your fingers.

The redesigned controller launched with the Xbox One S console has a smaller plastic molding along the tiptop. It too adds a three.5mm headphone jack to the bottom of the controller, another like shooting fish in a barrel giveaway. On peak of that headphone jack, it as well has built-in Bluetooth!

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

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

2. Turn on the Xbox I controller by holding the Guide button. Printing the sync button on top of the controller until the Guide calorie-free begins to flash rapidly.

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

Headset notation: Only one Xbox One controller can exist paired via Bluetooth. Headsets not supported.

Updating

How to update and configure the Xbox One controller

It'southward non just games that have updates these days. So do controllers! While it's not necessary to update your Xbox controller, if you want to, the process is pretty unproblematic.

one. Open the Windows Shop and search for Xbox Accessories. Install the app and open information technology.

Windows version note: The app only works with Windows 10 with the Anniversary update applied.

2. Plug your Xbox 1 controller in with a micro-USB cablevision.

iii. Click the "More options" push to bank check if there's a firmware update for your controller.

Instead of configuring controller options on a game-by-game ground, you can besides apply the Accessories app to modify button mapping, swap and invert sticks and triggers, and enable or disable rumble.

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

Non a controller person? Here's a round-up of the all-time gaming keyboards , and best gaming mouse .