The Xbox Wireless Gamepad may include the word "Xbox" in its name, but it may be used with more than just a console. The controller is also compatible with Windows 10, allowing you to use it wirelessly with any PC game. Here's how to get your Xbox gamepad to work with your computer.
Recognize which Xbox controller you use
To begin with, the Xbox Wireless Gamepad that came included with the Xbox Series S/X and is now readily available as the Xbox Wireless Gamepad is essentially identical to the Xbox One controller. They both support Xbox wireless connectivity and Bluetooth, as well as the same techniques for connecting them to your PC. Both versions of gamepads are covered by these instructions.
Wireless connection is not available on the original Xbox One controllers, however, it is available on the gamepads that came with the Xbox One S and subsequent consoles. Both controllers can be used wirelessly with your PC, but the method is different; non-Bluetooth gamepads require a wireless dongle. The good news is that Bluetooth controllers have been around for so long that if you bought yours within the previous four years, it's likely that it already has it.
Examine the plastic surrounding the Guide button to identify whether you have a Bluetooth or non-Bluetooth Xbox controller. You have a Bluetooth gamepad if the plastic is the same as the controller's face and there are no seams. It's a non-Bluetooth gamepad if the Guide button is made of the same plastic as the bumper buttons, and there's a seam between the Guide button and the controller's face. It's an Xbox Series controller with Bluetooth if it features a tiny, rectangular Capture button between the Menu and View buttons and a USB-C port on the top instead of a micro USB port.
Using just a Wired Connection, Connect Your Xbox Controller to Your PC
This is fairly easy, however, you will want a physical wire to connect the controller to your computer. This is how you go about doing it.
- Connect one end of your USB-to-micro USB or USB-to-USB-C cable to the controller (depending on the controller version).
- Plug the other end into your PC
That finishes our topic. It will automatically set up itself under Windows 10 and function with almost any game you have installed on your computer.
Connect Your Xbox Controller to PC With Bluetooth
The Xbox controller can be paired with your PC over Bluetooth in a similar way to how it can be paired with an Xbox One or Xbox Series. To use the controller, press and hold the Guide button for three seconds until the Guide button flashes, then press and hold the Pairing button for three seconds until the Guide button flashes. This indicates that it is in pairing mode. If you're attaching the controller to a console, press and hold the system's Pairing button. You'll need to walk through some options if you're connecting the controller to a Windows 10 PC. If your PC doesn't have Bluetooth, you'll also need a Bluetooth USB dongle. Here's how to do it step by step:
- To turn on the controller, press and hold the Guide button.
- For three seconds, hold the Pairing button down until the Guide button flashes.
- In your system tray, right-click the Bluetooth icon.
- Click "Add a Bluetooth Device."
- Click "Add Bluetooth or other Device" and select Bluetooth.
- Select "Xbox Wireless Controller" from the drop-down menu. Wait until the Guide button is solid white and the Bluetooth menu indicates that the controller is connected before proceeding.
You may now play the great majority of recent games that accept controllers with the Xbox Wireless Gamepad and your PC. However, unlike Sony's DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers, the gamepad does not include a headphone port. Although you may use a wired gaming headset with a controller and its related game system, when it's linked to a PC through Bluetooth, audio isn't transferred through the socket.
Connect Your Xbox Controller to your PC With a USB Adapter
You'll need the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows 10 if you have an older Xbox One controller or just wish to use your newer one using Microsoft's proprietary wireless connection instead of Bluetooth (and receive headphone connectivity). It's a USB device that allows you to connect to your Xbox gamepad without the need for any Bluetooth setup or connection. Simply connect in the dongle and pair it with your controller by hitting the Pairing button on each device, just as you would with your Xbox.
Compared to Bluetooth, this $25 adaptor offers a few advantages. For starters, the adapter allows you to use up to eight gamepads at once, whereas Bluetooth only allows you to use one at a time. If you utilize the adapter, the headset jack is also enabled, with settings in the Xbox software for Windows 10 that you may change.
How to Connect Other Game Controllers to PC
We also offer instructions for connecting your Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5 controllers to your computer. Check out our article on how to select the best controller for your PC for additional controller tips.
0 Comments