Xbox 360 Wireless Controller disconnects or can't connect

• Your Xbox 360 wireless controller cannot connect or maintain a steady connection to your console.
• Four green lights flash continuously on the wireless controller.
• You frequently receive the following error message:

Please reconnect controller.

• The Xbox 360 Wireless Controller batteries are weak, or the Xbox 360 Rechargeable Battery Pack needs recharging.
• Another wireless device, such as a microwave oven, a cordless phone, or a wireless router, is causing interference.
• Metallic objects positioned between the console and the wireless controllers are causing interference. These include a chrome faceplate or metal dividers, shelves, or doors on an entertainment center cabinet.

Note All licensed Xbox 360 console faceplates are tested for interference and do not interfere with licensed wireless devices.

• Four controllers are already connected to the console.

Solution 1: Restart your console

• Turn your console off, wait a minute, and then turn it on again.

Solution 2: Replace the batteries or recharge the battery pack

Do one of the following:

• If you do not have a rechargeable battery pack, insert fresh AA batteries.
• If you have an Xbox 360 Rechargeable Battery Pack:
1. Remove the battery pack, and reattach it to your controller, making sure that it is attached correctly.
2. On the controller, press and hold the Guide button. In the upper-left area of the Guide button, the battery meter indicates your current level of battery strength.
3. If the level is low, recharge the battery pack.
• If you have an Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit:
1. Make sure that the battery pack is correctly connected to your controller and plugged into one of the console's USB ports. If you check both of those things but are still having the problem, try step 2.
2. Check the USB ports on the console:
1. Plug the charge cable into each USB port on your console, one by one. There are two USB ports on the front of the console and one on the back.
2. If the controller works in one USB port but not another, try another accessory in the USB port that did not work with the controller.
3. If the USB port does not work with any accessory, your Xbox 360 console might need to be repaired. Contact Xbox Support for help. See the Assistance section at the bottom of this page for more information.

If the USB ports work, but you are still having connection problems, try step 3.

3. Turn off vibration feedback (rumbling) on the controller. If you play games with feedback while charging, it takes longer for the controller to charge and might drain the battery pack faster than it can recharge. Here’s how to turn vibration off:
1. Press the Guide button on your controller, then go to Settings.
2. Select Preferences.
3. Select Vibration.
4. Select Enable Vibration to clear the checkbox.

Solution 3: Remove objects between the controller and the console

The controller works within 33 feet (10 meters) of your console. However, objects placed between the controller and the console might reduce this range. In addition, objects that use wireless technology (for example, a cordless phone) can interfere with your wireless controller. Remove or relocate objects or wireless devices that might interfere with the wireless controller or console. Here are some things that can cause problems:

• Microwave ovens
• Cordless phones
• Wireless routers
• Chrome faceplates
• Metal dividers
• Shelves
• Doors on an entertainment center cabinet

Note All licensed Xbox 360 console faceplates are tested for interference and do not interfere with licensed wireless devices.

Solution 4: Disconnect all controllers and headsets

If all four lights surrounding the power button on the console are green and the controller has four flashing green lights, four controllers might already be connected to the console. Disconnect all of the controllers, and then try to connect the controller with the problem.

• To disconnect a wireless controller, press and hold the Guide button for three seconds, and then turn the controller off.
• To disconnect a wireless headset, turn the headset off.
• To disconnect a wired controller or headset, unplug its cable from the console.

Learn more about connecting game controllers.