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How to connect an Xbox controller to your Windows PC — wired and wireless gaming made easy
How can you connect your new gaming controller to a Windows 11 or 10 PC, and what can you do with it? Let us show you how to get your game on as quickly and simply as possible.
Years ago, gaming on PCs was restricted to the arrow keys, or W,A,S,D and a mouse. Over the years, game controllers made their way to the PC. Some connected via serial interfaces, others via your sound card’s MIDI/game port. This is when we usually ended up in driver hell, which often ate into our gaming time. The advent of USB eliminated this issue, and modern Windows operating systems now detect and configure the controller automatically. Here's the fastest way to complete this process.
Using a Wired Connection for your Controller
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
The simplest way to connect your controller to a Windows 11 PC is via a USB cable.
1. Using the correct cable, connect the cable to the controller. Older Xbox controllers use Micro USB. The newer Series X/S pads use USB Type-C. Remember to purchase a good, quality data cable, as some cables are only for charging.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
2. Connect the controller to the PC. Windows will detect and configure it ready for use.
3. Press the Xbox button to launch the Xbox Game Bar, proving that your controller is connected.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
5. Start playing games!
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Connecting Your Controller Via Bluetooth
1. Press the Xbox button until it turns on and starts flashing slowly.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
2. Press and hold the connect button until the Xbox button starts flashing faster. This signifies that the controller is going into pairing mode.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
3. On your Windows PC, go to the system tray and click on the Bluetooth icon, select Add a Bluetooth device.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
4. Make sure that Bluetooth is on, and then click Add device.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
5. Select Bluetooth.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
6. Select Xbox Wireless Controller and wait until it is connected.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
7. Click Done.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
8. Press the Xbox button to launch the Xbox Game Bar, proving that your controller is connected.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
9. Start playing games!
The Xbox Game Bar
Windows 11 and 10 both have a Game Bar mode that provides quick access, inside and out of games, to
Open the Xbox app or Game Pass (if you are subscribed).
Long-press to switch Steam into Big Picture mode.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Press the Xbox button to launch the Xbox Game Bar, and you will see the following.
1. Home: Access game capture, Co-Pilot “chat,” gallery of images and video captures, and general settings.
2. Quick-launch: Launch your most played games without opening Steam, etc.
3. Game Libraries: Open your many game libraries to play your games.
4. Settings: Access gaming-focused settings without delving through the Control Panel / Settings menus.
Press A to select the appropriate option. Pressing the Xbox button or ESC will close the Game Bar.
The Xbox Game Bar is a useful addition to the Windows operating system, and by using an Xbox controlle,r we get fast and convenient access to features critical to our gaming success.
Les Pounder is an associate editor at Tom's Hardware. He is a creative technologist and for seven years has created projects to educate and inspire minds both young and old. He has worked with the Raspberry Pi Foundation to write and deliver their teacher training program "Picademy".
Not mentioning the Wireless Dongle for Windows (which has infinitely better latency, allows you to use the 3.5mm headphone jack on the controller, and enables firmware updates) makes me question the quality of Toms recommendations.
EDIT: Microsoft discontinued it. 🤯 In which case, if you can't get your hands on a dongle, just buy an 8bitdo gamepad at this point...
Not mentioning the Wireless Dongle for Windows (which has infinitely better latency, allows you to use the 3.5mm headphone jack on the controller, and enables firmware updates) makes me question the quality of Toms recommendations.
This is a good article because its something I have searched for on the internet before I got setup. I use bluetooth and also got the rechargeable battery pack which lets you run cordless and without AA batteries. Some games don't support but Steam can help it work on such games.
This is a good article because its something I have searched for on the internet before I got setup. I use bluetooth and also got the rechargeable battery pack which lets you run cordless and without AA batteries. Some games don't support but Steam can help it work on such games.
Oh, good God... They did (!)
Never put it past Microsoft to shoot themselves in the foot when it comes to their gaming segment.
That being said, I'd still consider buying a knockoff adapter. Or better yet, buy a used official adapter. Or just get an 8bitdo.
