Wireless controllers are user-friendly, merely connecting them tin be a bit confusing. If you lot're wondering how to connect an Xbox One or Xbox Series 10|Southward controller to your Xbox console, we'll explain what yous need to know.

Whether you bought a new controller and need to sync information technology to your Xbox I, or brought your controller over to play on a friend's Xbox, information technology isn't difficult to pair your Xbox One controller.

Below, we show you lot how to sync an Xbox controller to any Xbox console, including the Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series South. We'll as well encompass a few tips if pairing doesn't work for some reason.

How to Sync an Xbox One Controller to Your Console Wirelessly

Wireless pairing is the most convenient method for connecting your Xbox controller to your Xbox. Here's how to connect your Xbox controller to your system wirelessly:

  1. Plough on the Xbox One or Xbox Serial X|South you want to sync with by pressing the Xbox button on the front of the organisation.
  2. Side by side, plow on your controller by holding the Xbox push on the controller for a moment. The Xbox button volition flash, indicating that it's looking for a console to sync with.
  3. Press and release the Pair button on your console.
    • On the Xbox Series 10 and Xbox Serial S, the Pair push button is a minor circle that's right next to the USB port on the front of the system.
    • On the Xbox I X and Xbox 1 S, y'all'll find the minor circular Pair push button at the bottom-correct of your system, nether the ability button.
    • For the original model Xbox One, the Pair push is on the left side of the console, around the corner from the disc slot.
  4. Afterwards pressing the Pair button on your console, press and agree the small circular Pair button on top of your Xbox controller. The Xbox button on the controller should flash a few times, and so stay solid in one case connected.

Once you've paired your Xbox I controller successfully, you can utilise it to navigate the home screen and play games.

How to Pair Your Xbox One Controller Using a Cablevision

If you'd rather, y'all tin can instead apply a micro-USB cable to pair your Xbox One controller to your Xbox console. For the Xbox Series X|S controller, you lot'll need to use a USB-C cable instead.

Simply plug the cable into a USB port on the Xbox, then connect the other finish to your controller. Once they're continued, press and concord the Xbox push on the controller to sync them. You lot can disconnect the cable to use the controller wirelessly afterwards the syncing completes.

Xbox One Controller Connected Cable

How to Sync an Xbox Controller to Your PC

We've written a full guide explaining how to connect your Xbox controller to a Windows PC. Follow those steps to use your existing Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S controller with your favorite PC games.

Tin can I Utilize Xbox Serial 10|S Controllers on Xbox I?

You lot might have noticed that the controller for the Xbox Series X|S is nearly-identical to the Xbox Ane controller. Equally it turns out, Microsoft has baked forward and backward compatibility into these controllers.

This ways that you can use Xbox One controllers on your Xbox Series X or Series South. In addition, you can apply Xbox Series X|S controllers on your Xbox One arrangement. This is a handy way to relish multiplayer titles on either console, even if you're a few controllers short.

Since the controllers are almost-identical, y'all aren't missing out on annihilation major by using the older Xbox One controller with an Xbox Series X|S. The Xbox One controller lacks the dedicated Share button on the new controller, but that's non essential for gameplay. The just other improvements are meliorate grip textures and an improved D-pad.

Run into our guide to using Xbox I controllers on the Xbox Serial X|S for more info.

Can't Connect Your Xbox I Controller?

The above steps should sync your Xbox controller and console in most cases. But if pairing doesn't piece of work, attempt these troubleshooting tips:

  • Try replacing the batteries in the controller. If you utilize the Xbox One Play and Charge Kit or Xbox Rechargeable Battery attachment, make sure your controller is charged. Confirm that the cable you lot're using to connect and charge the controller works properly.
  • Keep the controller close to the console when you sync information technology. The wireless connection between your console and controller has a range of about 20-30 feet, so information technology may disconnect if you go further.
  • Plough off any other wireless devices (like microwaves or laptops) that are close to the Xbox and controller to reduce interference.
  • Fully restart your console by belongings the Xbox push on the front of the system for near ten seconds. Disconnect the panel's power cable for at least 30 seconds, then reconnect information technology and plough on your organization once again.
White Xbox controller
  • Remember that you can but have eight controllers connected to the system at once. If you somehow have this many continued, disconnect a few before connecting another.
  • The Xbox Series X|Due south controller has a handy characteristic that lets you switch between using your controller with your Xbox and a connected Bluetooth device. Quickly press the Pair button on your controller twice to switch from a Bluetooth connexion (like a smartphone) back to your Xbox. Hold Pair to put your controller dorsum in pairing mode so you can reconnect it to the Bluetooth device.

Also, keep in mind that when yous press the Xbox button on your controller, it tries to connect to the arrangement information technology was last paired to. If you have multiple Xbox consoles nearby, your controller may thus be connecting to another organisation as soon as you plow information technology on. This volition prevent you from connecting it to some other.

Try fully shutting down and unplugging any other Xbox I or Xbox Series X|South systems in your vicinity to avoid this overlap. This also applies if you're trying to connect an Xbox I controller to a PC when the controller is already paired with your nearby console, or vice-versa.

If you proceed to have issues, take a look at troubleshooting help for your Xbox One controller to resolve the result.

Still Having Trouble? Try Fixing Your Xbox Controller

At present you know the methods to pair your Xbox One controller, or an Xbox Series X|Southward controller, with any model of Xbox console. Information technology's not difficult, so if you lot run into a trouble, you may accept a physical issue with your controller.

Attempt using the controller on a friend'southward Xbox if possible. If that doesn't piece of work, contact Xbox Support about a replacement or hardware repair.

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Ben Stegner (1809 Manufactures Published)

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

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