So, you’re tired of the classic mouse and keyboard, and you’re ready to take your Windows gaming experience to the next level with your Xbox One or 360 controllers.
It seems simple enough, but technology can sometimes put a damper on our plans to defeat dragons and zombie hordes. D’oh!
This is your definitive guide to how to connect your Xbox One controller to a number of Windows versions, as well as how to use Xbox 360 controller on PC.
Connecting a Wired Controller to a Windows 10 PC
- Connect your controller. The controller will have a USB plug that can be connected to any of the USB ports on your computer. Choose one that’s closest to where you’ll be sitting.
- Wait for drivers to install. Windows Update will automatically apply the appropriate drivers for your controller. It’s important to wait for this process to complete before continuing to the next step.
- Test the controller. Open a game that supports controller usage, and test the buttons, triggers, and sticks.
- Troubleshoot the controller if you’re having problems. It’s possible that your PC might have a hard time establishing drivers and a general connection with your controller. In this case, you should choose a different USB port to rule out any possible issues with the particular port you originally used. If you still notice problems, ensure that Windows 10 has the latest available updates installed. If you need help with just using your controller for a particular game, refer to the game’s manual for controller instructions.
Connecting a Wired Controller to a Windows 8/8.1 PC
- Connect your controller. Much like the process for Windows 10, choose a USB port that is in close proximity to where you’ll likely sit while gaming.
- Wait for drivers to install. The drivers for Xbox One/360 controllers are already included in Windows. All you need to do after plugging your controller in is wait for the driver installation process to complete. You’ll see a notification on your screen when it has completed. Test the controller in a game with controller compatibility to ensure the device is working correctly.
- Troubleshoot the controller if you’re having problems. There’s a chance the drivers might not correctly install (or might not install at all) for a number of reasons. You can easily correct this by using special software released by Microsoft to help PCs make better connections with console controllers.
Navigate to this site, scroll downwards, and choose the “Downloads” link on the right side of the page.
Under “Software & Drivers,” choose the OS type that matches your Windows 8 setup (32 or 64 bit).
You can also change the language for the software if needed on this page.
You’ll notice a software link below the “Language” field. Right-click this link and save it to your desktop.
Once the download completes, refrain from immediately opening it.
Instead, navigate to your desktop, right-click the icon for the downloaded file, and select “Properties” from the list.
You’ll notice a number of tabs in the Properties box; choose “Compatibility.”
Put a checkmark in the box next to “Run this program in compatibility mode for,” and choose “Windows 7” from the selections.
Click “Apply” and “OK.”
Run the program, and wait for the software to entirely install.
If you’re asked to restart your computer once the setup completes, do so.
Once the computer reboots and you find yourself on the desktop again, plug your controller back into a USB port.
Once the controller is connected, click the Start button in Windows 8 and type “joy.cpl” with no quotations into the field and hit the Enter key.
A small window will appear; choose your controller from the list and click “Properties.”
Here, you can test your controller to ensure it’s working properly.
If your PC still cannot communicate with the controller, try another USB port.
If you need help with using your controller for a specific game, refer to the game’s manual for instructions.
Connecting a Wired Controller to a Windows 7 PC
- (Optional) Use the disc that came bundled with your controller to install the drivers. This is entirely optional because it’s possible you never received the disc in the first place. If you do have the disc, ensure the controller is unplugged from the PC, and insert the disc into the computer’s CD-ROM drive. The Setup process should automatically begin, but if it doesn’t, navigate to the CD-ROM drive letter on your PC and manually execute the Setup file. Allow the program to completely install the driver software. If you are asked to reboot at the end of the process, do so.
- Download the appropriate driver software for your controller. Luckily, Microsoft keeps this software in the cloud for gamers who don’t have the drivers stored on physical media. You can easily download the software by following these steps:
Navigate to this site, scroll downwards, and choose the “Downloads” link on the right side of the page.
Under “Software & Drivers,” choose the OS type that matches your Windows 7 setup (32 or 64 bit).
You can also change the language for the software if needed on this page.
You’ll notice a software link below the “Language” field. Right-click this link and save it to your desktop.
Once the download completes, run the program, and wait for the software to entirely install.
If you’re asked to restart your computer once the setup completes, do so.
- Give the controller a test run. Plug your controller into a USB port. Once the controller is connected, click the Start button in Windows 8 and type “joy.cpl” with no quotations into the field and hit the Enter key. A small window will appear; choose your controller from the list and click “Properties.” Here, you can test your controller to ensure it’s working properly. If your PC still cannot communicate with the controller, try another USB port. If you need help with using your controller for a specific game, refer to the game’s manual for instructions.
Connecting a Wireless Controller via Receiver to a Windows PC
An Xbox controller can essentially make a wireless connection with a PC in one of two ways.
The connection can either be established via a receiver or via Bluetooth.
Depending on your preference and budget, you can choose how you’d like to proceed.
First up, this is how to connect your Xbox controller to your PC via a receiver.
- Plug the receiver into your PC. You can do this by finding a suitable USB port that is in the practical range of your controller. For best possible results, choose a port that’s on the back of your computer. Back-end USB ports tend to be more reliable than front-facing USB ports.
- Wait for the green light to illuminate. If you see the receiver’s light illuminate after plugging in your receiver, you’re well on your way to connecting your controller.
- Navigate the New Hardware Wizard. You’ll be prompted on-screen with an installer that will help you install drivers for your controller’s receiver. In the wizard window, choose “Install the software automatically” from the list. If the installer is successful, go on to step 5.
- If you run into trouble with the wizard, manually install your receiver software. In some cases, the drivers won’t install correctly, or the installation wizard might not appear at all. This isn’t uncommon, and it can easily be remedied by completing the rest of the setup process without the wizard.
In this case, you have two choices.
You can either install the software using the bundled disc that came with your receiver or you can download it from the internet.
If you have the disc, insert it into your CD-ROM drive and wait for the installer to automatically begin.
If it doesn’t appear after some time has passed, manually navigate to the CD-ROM drive letter and execute the Setup file that way.
Wait for the setup to complete, and restart your computer if you’re prompted to do so.
You can download the software from the internet by navigating to this page.
In the search box, enter the word “Xbox,” and choose “Gaming” from the drop-down list next to it.
Regardless of whether you’re searching for how to use Xbox 360 controller on PC or how to use your Xbox One controller on PC, the software you need will be under “Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows.”
On the next page, simply choose your operating system type and Language, and then download the file underneath these two fields.
Once the file download completes, run the program and allow the process to entirely complete.
If you’re asked to reboot your PC, do so.
- Pair the receiver and the controller. With the drivers installed, you should be ready to power your controller on. Hold the Guide button on the controller to do so. Once the controller is powered on, press the Connect button on the controller’s receiver to begin the process of connecting the two devices. After pressing this button, press the Connect button on the controller. This button is tinier and more difficult to find; you’ll see it at the top of the controller. It is circular and small. It may take 2-3 tries to get the receiver and controller paired. Once the receiver successfully makes a connection, the lights will illuminate on the controller. After a moment, all the lights around the Guide button will turn off except for one. This is an indication that the controller has established a connection with the PC via the receiver and is essentially ready for use.
Connecting a Wireless Controller via Bluetooth to a Windows PC
If a wired controller or wireless receiver aren’t an option, there’s always Bluetooth to lend a helping hand in a time of need.
In newer models of Xbox controllers, there is the added capability of establishing a connection to various devices through Bluetooth technology.
If your PC is equipped with Bluetooth capability, you can easily get your game on with this easy setup process.
This is the easiest way to pair your wireless Xbox controller with your PC over a Bluetooth connection.
- Make sure your computer is ready. To avoid running into snags, it’s a good idea to ensure Windows Update has downloaded and installed the latest updates for your computer. This will increase your chances for success at the end of this process.
- Power the controller on. Wait for the controller to turn on, and then hold the Sync button (a small, circular button at the top of the controller) for 3+ seconds. This will prepare the controller to be paired with your PC.
- Connect the controller to your PC. On your PC, click the Start button and select the small gear icon on the lower left side of the screen. This will open the Settings panel for your PC. From the next window, choose “Devices.” You’ll notice an option on the next screen that reads, “Add Bluetooth or another device.” Select this option. Choose “Bluetooth” from the new window and wait for devices to populate the list.
Nearly immediately, you should see “Xbox Wireless Controller” on the list.
Select it and click the “Pair” button.
- Take the Bluetooth-connected controller for a spin. Open your favorite controller-compatible game and ensure that all facets of the controller are working correctly. If your PC still cannot communicate with the controller, try disconnecting and pairing the device again. If you need help with using your controller for a specific game, refer to the game’s manual for instructions.
Luckily, it only takes a few moments to connect an Xbox One or 360 controller to a PC due to later versions of Windows coming pre-loaded with the appropriate drivers.
If you run into further problems, ensure that the controller itself is not faulty, and check if the USB ports on your computer are working properly.
