Connect a game controller

Learn how to connect a wireless or wired controller to your Xbox 360 console.

1. Turn on your console.
2. Press and hold the Guide button on the controller until the controller turns on.

3. Press and release the connect button on the console.

4. Within 20 seconds, press and release the connect button on the controller.

5. When the lights surrounding the power button on the console stop flashing, the controller is connected.

On the Xbox 360 S console, each connected controller is assigned to one of four positions. Each position corresponds to a lighted section around the console power button and the controller Guide button. On the 360 E console, a solid green light on the front of the console indicates that the controller is connected. To determine the player position associated with your accessory, look at the ring of light that surrounds the Guide button on the controller.

If the controller does not turn on, check the batteries. Insert fresh AA batteries, making sure they are correctly positioned in the battery case.

You can also use the Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit or the Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit to power the controller. Learn more about Xbox controllers and chargers.

To connect additional controllers, follow these same steps again. You can connect up to four controllers to the console. Each connected controller is assigned a position that corresponds with the lighted sections that appear around the console’s power button and around the Guide button located in the middle of each controller.

• To disconnect a wireless controller, press and hold the Guide button for three seconds, and then choose to turn the controller off.
• When you turn off the console, the controller will reconnect the next time you turn on the console.
• The controller can be connected to only one console at a time. You can connect the controller to a different console, but the connection to the previously connected console will be lost.

Plug the Xbox 360 Wired Controller into a USB port on the Xbox 360 console. There are two USB ports on the front of the console. To disconnect the controller, pull on the connector, not the cable.

The cable on the Xbox 360 Wired Controller has an inline release. The inline release on the controller cable is a safety feature designed to reduce the chance of the Xbox 360 console falling if the cable is pulled.

If your wireless controller disconnects or cannot connect to your console, see Xbox 360 Wireless Controller disconnects or can't connect.

If your wireless controller does not turn on or loses power, try the following solutions:

Solution 1: Replace the batteries

Insert a new set of AA alkaline batteries into the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, and then try to turn it on.

Solution 2: Try a different battery pack

If you have another Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, take the battery pack off that controller and attach it to your controller. Then try to turn your controller on.

If your controller works with the different battery pack, your original battery pack might be defective. If your controller is under warranty, you can order a replacement battery pack from Xbox Support . See the Assistance section at the bottom of this page for more information.

If your controller is out of warranty, you can buy a new battery pack from a retail store.

If you or a friend has an Xbox 360 Rechargeable Battery Pack, attach that battery pack to your controller and try to use your controller. If your controller works with the rechargeable battery pack attached, you can buy a new battery pack from a retail store or order a replacement battery pack from Xbox Support. See the Assistance section at the bottom of this page for more information.

To see what other users are saying about these topics, or to ask your own questions, go to our Xbox Support Forums and view the following conversations:

• Xbox Support Forums – Using my console

Please note that Xbox Support Forums content is available only in English. To translate Xbox Support Forums content into another language, paste the URL into an online translation tool such as Bing Translator.