How to connect an Xbox One Wireless Controller to a Windows PC

Windows 10

For Windows 10, the most current drivers are pre-installed with the operating system and are automatically updated through the Xbox Accessories app. See Update your Xbox One Controller.

Windows 8.1 and Windows 7

When you connect an Xbox Wireless Controller to your Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 PC with a micro-USB cable, Windows will automatically download and install the drivers for the controller. If Windows is not set to automatically download device software, you can check for updates through Device Manager.

Update drivers through Device Manager

Here’s how to check for updates manually in the Device Manager:

1. Point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, and then select Search.
2. Enter Device Manager in the search box, and then select Device Manager.

   Note Windows may ask you for an administrator password or to confirm your choice.

3. Locate and expand Microsoft Xbox One Controller.
4. Right-click the expanded Microsoft Xbox One Controller and select Update Driver Software.
5. Select Search Automatically for Updated Software.

Download and install Xbox Wireless Controller drivers

You can also download the latest drivers for Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Here's how:

1. Visit the Xbox One Controller search results page.
2. You may be prompted to install the Microsoft Update Catalog app. If so, select Install, and then select Yes when prompted to confirm the installation of the app.
3. Four drivers will be listed. The drivers you need to install are labeled Microsoft – Other hardware – Microsoft Xbox One Controller. These are drivers for AMD64 and X86 CPUs.

   Note The drivers with (DFU) in their label can be ignored.

4. Select Microsoft – Other hardware – Microsoft Xbox One Controller.
5. In the Update Details window, on the Overview tab, check the Architecture entry. It will either list XMD64 or X86.
   1. If this matches your computer's CPU, select Add to Basket, and then Close.
   2. If this doesn’t match, select Close, and then select Add for the other driver entry.
6. Select View basket.
7. On the Updates in your basket page, select Download.
8. In the Download Options window, select Browse, select the folder to which you want to download the driver, and then select OK.
9. Select Continue.
10. When the file is downloaded to the designated folder, you’ll see Done in the Progress column. Select Close.
11. Open the folder you designated in step 8. You’ll see a new folder named Microsoft – Other hardware – Microsoft Xbox One Controller. Open that folder. Inside will be a CAB file. You’ll need to extract the contents of that file to install the driver:
    1. Open the folder containing the update you wish to extract, and then right-click while pressing Shift to bring up an extended context menu.
    2. Click on Open Command Window Here to open Command Prompt.
    3. Enter the following command to extract the CAB file from the update:

       expand -f:* Update-Name.cab Destination-Folder

       Where Update-Name is the name of the CAB file, and Destination-Folder is the full path to the folder to which you want to extract the files. For example: C:\Users\username\Downloads\Extracted.

12. In the folder to which you extracted the files, right-click the file xb1usb.inf, select Install, and then select Yes.

The driver is now installed.

Notes

• If the controller doesn't respond, try a different micro-USB cable.
• To use your Xbox Wireless Controller with your console after using it with a PC, you must re-sync the controller to the console. You can do this by using the wireless sync button or a USB cable. For details, see Connect a wireless Xbox One controller to your console.
• For Windows 10 users, the Xbox Chat Headset and the Xbox Stereo Headset are compatible with a PC when connected through the Xbox Wireless Controller, as long as the firmware has been updated to the latest version and you're connected via a USB cable or Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows. To ensure you have the latest firmware for your controller and headset, see Update your Xbox One Controller.

You can connect your Xbox Wireless Controller to any Windows 10, 8.1, or 7 tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. To do this, you'll need to make sure you have the current PC drivers (see Install the right drivers, above).

Once you confirm you have the correct drivers, plug a USB charging cable into the front of the controller and plug the other end into your PC.

You can connect your Xbox Wireless Controller to a PC using the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows on any Windows 10, 8.1, or 7 tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. For more information, see Set up the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows. This adapter comes either by itself, or in a bundle with an Xbox Wireless Controller. The correct drivers should automatically install, but if not, see Install the right drivers, above.

Your Xbox One Wireless Controller may be able to connect to a PC via Bluetooth. Your controller has this feature if it looks like the one on the left, below:

Requirements for connecting your controller via Bluetooth:

• Bluetooth requires PCs running the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.
• Bluetooth is supported on PCs, tablets, and laptops. It is not supported on mobile devices.
• Bluetooth does not support any attachments, such as headsets, Chatpads, or the Xbox Stereo Adapter.
• Only one controller can be connected to your PC via Bluetooth at a time.
• See the table in the Overview above for supported scenarios.

Set up via Bluetooth

Follow these steps to bind your controller to your PC using Bluetooth:

1. Turn on your Xbox One Controller by pressing the Xbox button  on the controller.
2. Press the controller bind button.

3. On your PC, select the Start button, and then select Settings > Devices > Bluetooth.
4. Turn on Bluetooth so your PC can discover Bluetooth devices.

5. Select Xbox Wireless Controller, and then select Pair.

For help with Bluetooth, see Connect and troubleshoot Bluetooth on your Xbox One Wireless Controller.