Wondering how to connect an Xbox One 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'southward how to use your Xbox controller to play PC games—this works for both Xbox Ane and Xbox Serial South|X controllers, since they're about identical.

There are 3 ways to pair an Xbox controller to your PC. We'll cover each method in turn.

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

The near straightforward fashion to connect your Xbox controller and PC is with a micro-USB cable (or a USB-C cablevision for Series S|X controllers). Merely plug the slim end into your Xbox 1 controller and the other end into a USB port on your PC. Hitting the Xbox push button to plow the controller on if it doesn't do and then on its own.

Connect Xbox One Controller to PC Wired

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

Notation that even when plugged into a calculator, the batteries in your Xbox controller will drain. Nosotros recommend picking up the Xbox I Play and Accuse Kit (or the Xbox Rechargeable Battery for Serial Due south|X controllers) to give your controller recharging capabilities. With it, your controller volition charge when continued to your PC, eliminating battery life concerns.

When you lot desire to disconnect your Xbox controller from the PC, only unplug it. It may wink for a few seconds as information technology'southward looking for other devices, just it will turn off earlier long.

ii. How to Connect Xbox Controller to PC Using Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a user-friendly style of connecting your Xbox One controller and PC. However, to use information technology with an Xbox I controller, you must accept the newer model, as shown in the image below. All Xbox Series Southward|X controllers support Bluetooth.

Connect Xbox One Controller to PC Using Bluetooth

If your Xbox One controller has the plastic casing around the Xbox button, every bit shown in the top illustration, then it is non Bluetooth-compatible. Y'all'll need to utilise 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 employ Bluetooth, caput to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices in Windows 10. Enable the Bluetooth slider (if it isn't turned on already), and then cull Add Bluetooth or other device. Select Bluetooth from the list.

Next, printing the Xbox push on your controller to plough it on. And then printing and hold the Pair push on top of the controller (the pocket-size button next to LB) for a few seconds, and the Xbox button will beginning flashing quickly.

From here, your Xbox controller should show upwardly in the Bluetooth pairing menu on your PC. Select it and consummate the steps to pair them. If you have trouble, refer to our guide on setting upwardly Bluetooth in Windows 10.

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

Microsoft has a standard called Xbox Wireless that'due south congenital into a few computers, but there's a good chance it'south not function of yours. So to sync your Xbox Ane controller and PC wirelessly without Bluetooth, you'll need to buy the Xbox Wireless Adapter. This adapter lets yous connect your Xbox controller to your PC wirelessly, through the same proprietary connection used by your Xbox panel.

Plug it into a USB port on your PC and allow Windows install drivers. One time it's washed, press and hold the push button on the adapter and you'll see a light flash.

Next, hold the Xbox button on your controller to turn it on, then press and hold the Pair push button on top of the controller. Afterward a few seconds, the controller and adapter should see each other and connect.

From here, you can enjoy your Xbox One controller on your PC wirelessly, just like using Bluetooth. We only recommend this method if you lot have an Xbox One controller that's not Bluetooth-enabled. Otherwise, you could add together Bluetooth to your figurer with an adapter that's cheaper than the Xbox Wireless Adapter.

How to Reconnect Your Xbox Controller to Your Console

When using your Xbox controller wirelessly, you can plow the controller off past holding the Xbox push on it for effectually five seconds. When the light goes out, the controller is off.

Keep in listen that if your Xbox controller is already paired to your console, pressing the Xbox button will turn the arrangement on. You should notwithstanding be able to pair it wirelessly using either of the methods above, but yous'll probably want to plough your console off later on yous do so (or shut down and unplug it before yous start).

Later on you connect your Xbox controller to a PC using any method above, you lot'll need to re-pair the controller with your Xbox next time you want to use it there. To do this with the wired method, connect the controller to your Xbox using a USB cable, and so printing the Xbox button to pair.

To pair the controller wirelessly, press the pairing button on the arrangement. Information technology'southward to the left of the disc tray on the original Xbox One, and at the bottom-right of the front console nether the power button on the Xbox One Due south and Xbox 1 X. On Xbox Series S|X, it'due south next to the USB port at the front of the system.

After striking this button, turn on your controller by hitting the Xbox button, then hold the Pair button on the top to pair it.

If you have an Xbox Series S|X controller, at that place's a convenient shortcut for switching paired devices. When y'all have it connected to a Bluetooth device, press the Pair button on pinnacle of the controller twice to immediately switch to the last Xbox Wireless connection (commonly your panel). Then, printing the Pair button twice once again to reconnect to the Bluetooth device you were simply using.

Connect an Xbox Controller to Your PC Easily

You have plenty of options for connecting an Xbox One or Xbox Series Due south|X controller to your PC. Whether you lot desire to connect with a USB cable for the simplest pick or prefer to connect wirelessly with Bluetooth, at present you sympathise the available methods.

Meanwhile, a Windows PC isn't the merely device yous can connect an Xbox controller to.

How to Connect a Controller to an Android Phone or Tablet

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Ben Stegner (1807 Articles Published)

Ben is the Editor in Primary at MakeUseOf. He left his IT job to write total-time in 2016 and has never looked back. He'south been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more as a professional author for over 8 years.

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