I recently formated my hard drive and reinstalled windows, and have some problems getting my Xbox one controller to work. Using the truobleshooter in W7 I get this response: 'Xbox controller has a driver problem'.I've tried to install/reinstall the driver with an installer I found online (xb1usb.11059.0.140526x64), downloaded the driver from Microsoft Downlad Center and installed using.
Once upon a time, Microsoft didn't support its own controllers on its own PC platform. You needed hacked drivers and workarounds to use the excellent Xbox One controller with PC games. That's no longer the case, with official drivers built right into Windows 10. So, while it's easy to do, there's more to it than just plugging it in. Here's a complete guide.
Products used in this guide
- The controller: Xbox One controller ($47)
- The cable: Anker micro USB cable ($11)
- Going wireless: Xbox Wireless Adapter ($23)
- For USB-C PCs: AmazonBasics USB-C adapter ($9)
- The app: Xbox Accessories for Windows 10 (Free)
How to use a micro USB cable with the Xbox One controller
By far the simplest way to use an Xbox One controller is to use a micro USB cable. Attach to the connector on your controller and any free USB port on your PC, and it'll automatically recognize it's there and you're good to go.
Any decent cable will do the trick, even the one that you use to charge your phone.
However, it's not just desktop PCs that you can use an Xbox One controller with. It's perfectly possible to use it with a tablet or laptop, and in those cases, you may only have USB-C connectors available.
The easiest thing to do is get a USB-C to USB-A dongle, allowing you to use a regular micro USB cable through the USB-C connector on your laptop or tablet.
The Xbox Wireless Adapter
Microsoft also has an official wireless dongle for Windows PCs that allows you to go wire free. The first-generation controller and the Xbox Elite controller don't support Bluetooth, so to go wireless on your PC you'll need the dongle.
It isn't expensive, and the redesigned model is much smaller than the original. Simply plug it in to your PC and connect your controller to is as you would the Xbox One, by holding down the pairing button on the top.
The Bluetooth controller
Xbox One Drivers
The current generation Xbox One controller from Microsoft supports Bluetooth. Any currently on sale, or that came with the Xbox One S or Xbox One X have Bluetooth capabilites. That means you can connect it to any Windows PC, laptop, or tablet that has Bluetooth built in.
- Open settings on your PC.
- Go to devices.
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
- Turn on the controller by pressing the large round X button.
- Click on the controller in your discovered devices to pair.
This is particularly handy if you're taking a controller on the road with you and your laptop. One less cable to pack!
Taking advantage of the Xbox Accessories app
This is particularly handy if you're using an Xbox Elite Controller, as the Xbox Accessories app allows you to customize the buttons and paddles to a layout of your choice.
It's in the Windows Store to download to your PC, all you need to do is connect the controller to the PC to get started. There's a bunch of things you can do to customize your controller for your favorite games, and you can save two profiles to the Elite Controller at any one time.
All the gear you need
Exactly which piece of equipment you need will depend on which controller you want to use with which type of Windows PC. The list below covers off everything you might need to get your hands on.
Xbox One Controller($47 at Amazon)
The Xbox One Controller is officially supported by Windows 10, and it's also the best around!
Anker micro USB cable($11 at Amazon)
This braided cable from Anker is reliable, braided for durability and plenty long enough to reach your gaming PC.
Xbox Wireless Adapter($23 at Amazon)
The official wireless adapter from Microsoft, this is what you need if you're using an Elite or first-gen controller to go wire-free.
AmazonBasics USB-C adapter($9 at Amazon)
For laptops and tablets without regular USB ports, pop this into the USB-C connector and use a regular micro USB cable with your controller.
Xbox Accessories app(Free at Microsoft)
Particularly useful for Elite Controller owners, this app allows you to customize button layouts, paddles and save your favorite profiles for easy use.
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Richard Devine
Richard Devine is an Editor at Windows Central. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2011 and has been found on Android Central and iMore as well as Windows Central. Currently you'll find him covering all manner of PC hardware and gaming, and you can follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
I bought an Xbox One S controller to use over Bluetooth with my PC, however Microsoft only appears to support the controller in Windows 10.
I'm running Windows 7, so is there a way to fix or hack it to get the controller working via Bluetooth in Windows 7?
Robotnik♦2 Answers
Yes, you can, however you need a specific model of controller. In the image below, take note of the top-front of the controllers. Xbox One controllers that are Bluetooth compatible have a solid face plate with no gaps, whereas non-Bluetooth models have diagonal splits along the shoulder buttons:
You will also need to update the controllers firmware. To do this, either connect the controller to your Xbox One while connected to the Internet, or connect it to your PC with a micro USB cord. See this link for updating the firmware through a PC.
To pair the device, hold the sync button on the top-left of the controller while you search for new Bluetooth devices on your PC. It should appear as 'Xbox One wireless controller for Windows'.
If you still have issues connecting your controller, you can also use the Moga Serial to Windows Interface tool to use the controller as an XInput HID.
I have used all of these methods successfully on Windows 7, 8, and 10.
JonathanDavidArndtDriver For Xbox One Controller
The issue seems to stem from rather evil active efforts by MS to make 7 actively avoid the driver required, a guy over on this reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/3vuvg8/manually_download_xbox_one_controller_driver_for/ Has for the past 2 years been kindly keeping us supplied with the driver, install it and mess around with the wired/wireless stuff on the controller and it should work.
Spent a week trying various fixes his driver was what worked.