Xbox 360 controller not working [How to fix it]

• One of the best things about PC gaming is that you can use a multitude of controllers instead of the traditional keyboard/mouse combo.
• This way, you can still use your old Xbox 360 controller for what it was meant to do. This guide will help you if you should encounter any issues.
• Whenever your gadgets are acting up, remember that you have an invaluable resource available: our Device Troubleshooting Page.
• To unlock your full gaming potential, keep a close eye on our extensive Xbox Hub. We regularly post easy to digest guides and fixes.

Many gamers like to use their Xbox 360 Controller with Windows 10 while playing their favourite games.

This is great if you don’t want to spend money on an additional controller, but there have been reports that Xbox 360 Controller is not working with Windows 10, and today we’ll try to fix that.

There are many things that could go wrong, and we will try to focus on all of them:

How do I fix Xbox 360 controller driver issues on Windows 10?

1. Install the driver manually

If you’re using wireless Xbox 360 Controller, you need to use a wireless receiver in order to connect it to your computer.

Sometimes, drivers for wireless receiver have to be updated, or your Xbox 360 Controller might not work on Windows 10.

To update the drivers for your receiver, follow these steps:

1. Open Device Manager. You can access Device Manager by pressing Windows Key + X and choosing Device Manager from the list.
   
2. When Device Manager opens, make sure that your receiver is connected to your PC. Navigate to Other Devices section and expand it. Right-click the Unknown device and choose Update Driver Software from the menu.
   
3. Click Browse my computer for driver software.
   
4. Now click on Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
   
5. You should see a list of device drivers. Select Xbox 360 peripherals and click Next.
6. Choose the latest Receiver driver that’s on the list and click Next. If you get a warning message, just click OK and wait for the driver to install.
7. Now you just need to hold the pairing button on your Bluetooth receiver and on your Xbox 360 Controller for about 3 seconds. After doing that, your computer should recognize your controller.

After the driver has been installed, your Xbox 360 Controller should start working on Windows 10 without any problems.

It has been reported that this solution works with third-party receivers as well, so even if you don’t use Microsoft receiver, it should work without any problems as long as you install Microsoft’s drivers.

2. Uninstall the driver

Sometimes Xbox 360 Controller might not work on Windows 10 due to bad driver, and if that’s the case, the best solution is to uninstall that driver and allow Windows to install it again.

To uninstall the driver, follow these steps:

1. Start Device Manager.
2. In Device Manager locate Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows and right-click it.
3. Choose Uninstall from the menu.
   
4. After the driver has been uninstalled, restart your computer. When your computer restarts, Windows 10 will automatically install the missing driver.

Xbox 360 Controller for Windows

• 

Highlights

Specifications

Downloads

For PC and Xbox 360

Works across Microsoft’s gaming platforms. Xbox 360 Controller for Windows works with most Windows 8 PCs and Xbox 360, delivering a consistent and universal gaming experience.

Get a better feel for the game. Vibration feedback ensures riveting game play every time 1

Play in total comfort. Award winning compact ergonomics provide a more comfortable gaming experience.

The thin, flexible cord was designed to provide the sensation of wireless with all the performance of a wire.

1 In supported games.

Length: 5.98″ / 152mm

Width: 4.21″ / 107mm

Game precision series

Elevate your skills. Part of the new Game Precision Series, the Xbox 360 Controller offers precision, comfort and control that will set the standard for next-generation game controllers.

Enhanced PC gaming

Precise thumb sticks, two pressure-point triggers, and 8-way directional pad for enhanced PC gaming.

Integrated headset jack for PC headsets and Xbox Live play

90 Day express warranty

90 day warranty; you may also have an implied warranty and/or condition under the laws of some jurisdictions.

For PC and Xbox 360

Works across Microsoft’s gaming platforms. Xbox 360 Controller for Windows works with most Windows 8 PCs and Xbox 360, delivering a consistent and universal gaming experience.

Vibration feedback

Get a better feel for the game. Vibration feedback ensures riveting game play every time 1

Ergonomic

Play in total comfort. Award winning compact ergonomics provide a more comfortable gaming experience.

Flexible cord

The thin, flexible cord was designed to provide the sensation of wireless with all the performance of a wire.

Xbox 360 Controller for Windows

• 

Highlights

Specifications

Downloads

Elevate your game

For PC and Xbox 360

Works across Microsoft’s gaming platforms. Xbox 360 Controller for Windows works with most Windows 8 PCs and Xbox 360, delivering a consistent and universal gaming experience.

In supported games.

Get a better feel for the game. Vibration feedback ensures riveting game play every time 1 In supported games.

Play in total comfort. Award winning compact ergonomics provide a more comfortable gaming experience.

The thin, flexible cord was designed to provide the sensation of wireless with all the performance of a wire.

1 In supported games.

Game Precision Series

Elevate your skills. Part of the new Game Precision Series, the Xbox 360 Controller offers precision, comfort and control that will set the standard for next-generation game controllers.

Enhanced PC gaming

Precise thumb sticks, two pressure-point triggers, and 8-way directional pad for enhanced PC gaming.

Integrated headset jack for PC headsets and Xbox Live play

90 day express warranty

90 day warranty; you may also have an implied warranty and/or condition under the laws of some jurisdictions.

For PC and Xbox 360

Works across Microsoft’s gaming platforms. Xbox 360 Controller for Windows works with most Windows 8 PCs and Xbox 360, delivering a consistent and universal gaming experience.

Vibration feedback

In supported games.

Get a better feel for the game. Vibration feedback ensures riveting game play every time 1 In supported games.

Ergonomic

Play in total comfort. Award winning compact ergonomics provide a more comfortable gaming experience.

Flexible cord

The thin, flexible cord was designed to provide the sensation of wireless with all the performance of a wire.

1 In supported games.

Game Precision Series

Elevate your skills. Part of the new Game Precision Series, the Xbox 360 Controller offers precision, comfort and control that will set the standard for next-generation game controllers.

Enhanced PC gaming

Precise thumb sticks, two pressure-point triggers, and 8-way directional pad for enhanced PC gaming.

Xbox Live play

Integrated headset jack for PC headsets and Xbox Live play

90 day express warranty

90 day warranty; you may also have an implied warranty and/or condition under the laws of some jurisdictions.

How to Connect an Xbox 360 Controller to a Windows PC in 2021 [Partition Magic]

By Irene | Follow | Last Updated January 05, 2021

Summary :

How to connect Xbox 360 controller to PC? This article from MiniTool will show you how to connect a wired or wireless Xbox 360 controller to a Windows PC especially for Windows 10 users. If you want to use your Xbox 360 controller on a Windows PC, check out this post now.

Quick Navigation :

The first part will show you how to connect an Xbox 360 wired controller to a Windows PC with detailed steps. If you use a wireless Xbox 360 controller, you can skip straight to the second part to connect the Xbox 360 controller to a Windows PC wirelessly.

Connect a Wired Xbox 360 Controller to a Windows PC

If you are using a Xbox 360 wired controller, you can follow these steps to install your Xbox 360 wired controller on Windows 10.

Step 1. Plug the USB connector of your Xbox 360 controller into any USB 2.0 or 3.0 port on your Windows PC.

Step 2. Then Windows 10 will automatically install drivers for the Xbox 360 controller. Just wait patiently and Windows will download or install the related driver software very quickly.

Step 3. When you see the pop-up notification that shows the drivers have been installed, you can use your controller immediately.

Step 4. Open a game that support your controller and then press a button, pull a trigger, or move a stick on the controller to test if your controller works properly.

Connect a Wireless Xbox 360 Controller to a Windows PC

If you own a wireless Xbox 360 controller, you can connect the Xbox 360 wireless controller to a Windows PC with an Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver. Then you can follow the steps below to setup a wireless Xbox 360 controller on a Windows PC and to play games with it.

Step 1. Prepare an Xbox 360 wireless gaming receiver. If you don’t have one, you can purchase a wireless receiver on Amazon, which may cost you about $10 to $20.

Step 2. Insert the gaming receiver’s USB connector into an USB 2.0 port on your Windows computer.

Step 3. Once it is plugged in, you will see a green light appeared on the receiver, which indicates that the unit is working properly.

Step 4. Install software to make sure the gaming receiver and the wireless Xbox 360 controller to properly sync with one another.

• If the Add New Hardware Wizard automatically appears on your PC, select Install the software automatically (Recommended), and then select Next. Then follow the prompts to install the software driver.
• If the wizard fails to install the software, use the installation disc that came with your Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver to install the software from the disc. Insert it into your Windows PC’s main optical drive and follow the on-screen instruction to finish the installation.
• If you don’t have the disc, you can install the software by downloading it from the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows link. The Windows 7 drivers will also work for Windows 8 and Windows 10. Just select the proper operating system and language, and click the Download button.

Step 5. Then you need to turn on the Xbox 360 wireless controller. Press and hold the Xbox Guide button to turn on it.

Step 6. On the gaming receiver, press the Connect button. It is a small circular button located near the middle of the receiver.

Step 7. The lights on the controller and on the receiver will flash green, which indicate that the device is trying to establish a connection. When the lights stop flashing and one of the lights around the Guide button remains lit, this means that the controller is connected.

You can press the controller’s buttons, pull the triggers and move the stick to ensure the controller is functioning properly. After that, you can enjoy the games on your Windows PC.

This article will show you top 3 Xbox 360 emulators that can be used on Windows PC. With Xbox 360 emulators, you can play Xbox games on your Windows PC directly.

Bottom Line

The above is all you need to do if you want to connect an Xbox 360 controller to a Windows PC. And depending on what Xbox 360 controller you use, the steps can be rather simple. Now open a game that supports the Xbox 360 controller and whether if your controller works properly.

If you are using Xbox One controller and want to know how to connect Xbox One controller to a Windows PC, you may check out this post listed below.

This post will show you how to connect Xbox One controller to PC with 3 different methods. If you want to use Xbox One controller on PC, check out the post now.