How To Connect Wireless Controller To Xbox 360

The selection of games on PC is better than e'er. With the rise of the indie scene and a multitude of digital storefronts selling games at discounts, there's nothing stopping you from enjoying whatever game you lot want. Well, almost naught. While a mouse and a keyboard philharmonic is a time-tested setup, sooner or later, y'all'll probably need a controller.

If you do some earthworks, you'll find out that the Xbox 360 controller is the best choice for a majority of games. And then you may be wondering how to connect an Xbox 360 controller to a PC. Is it complicated? Do you even have to do it?

No thing how much you love playing games the traditional mode, with a keyboard and a mouse, you'll discover a game that just feels off. Possibly it has a baroque keyboard setup that you can't change, or it's just designed to exist played with a controller. If you lot check the forums, you'll run across that most gamers recommend getting an Xbox 360 controller since it's the best-supported option for Windows-based PCs. No disagreement hither, Xbox controllers are high-quality devices that provide not bad functionality with a majority of games. And if you're playing a PC port of a console game, having an Xbox 360 controller is almost mandatory. So getting 1 is a no-brainer, but what about installing it?

We'll embrace how to connect a wired Xbox 360 controller to a PC and its wireless pc controller counterpart. Now, in that location's a quick and expensive style and a cheap and complicated style. Fortunately for you, this guide will make it all simple and stress-free.

Wires Make Information technology Easy

If you want a uncomplicated plug-and-play method, just get a wired Xbox 360 controller for a PC. While couch gaming with a wireless controller may sound tempting, installing a wired version is more straightforward and cheaper.

Of course, before y'all tin can play games with an Xbox 360 wired controller, you lot'll need to install the Xbox 360 controller driver.

Start past plugging in the Xbox 360 usb controller for PC in one of the USB ports on your computer. All Xbox 360 controllers back up USB ports 2.0 or higher, and every estimator should take those.

Every bit soon as you plug in the controller, Windows x will immediately search for and install appropriate drivers for the wired Xbox controller for a PC. A popular-upward window will notify you that the driver is installed, and you're good to go. Nearly games have calibration options to test if the buttons, trigger, or stick react correctly. Alternatively, yous tin also use the Game Controller app for calibration.

If Windows detects and installs the Xbox 360 driver correctly, your troubles end here. But if Windows does not see your Xbox 360 wired controller, at that place'southward a unproblematic workaround.

If you have an installation disc that you lot've got with a controller, insert it, and the Microsoft Accessories Setup will open up. Follow the installation instructions, and when information technology's washed, you lot'll have your wired controller set up to go.

There's a decent chance that your rig doesn't take a disc drive as they've been going out of way. They've been replaced with high-capacity USB sticks and cloud backups. If you lot don't have an installation disc or a CD drive, download the Xbox 360 controller driver for Windows 10 from Microsoft'southward website. In the Software & Drivers carte, select the Windows vii version, either 32-chip or 64-flake, depending on your Bone. Don't worry, both will work on Windows viii and Windows 10 computers. Download the program, activate it, and go through the installation process.

Once you lot've dealt with the drivers, it'south time to check if it's working as it should. Click on the Kickoff button and enter Run. In one case the app is open, type in "joy.cpl" and press Enter. Information technology will open the Game Controllers app; select the controller and so click on Properties. Hither, you will be able to test controller buttons, triggers, sticks, and touchpads.

Wireless Trouble

Past now, y'all should know how to connect an Xbox 360 controller to your PC without any trouble. Even so, wireless controllers have been known to be catchy to set for a while. They might exhibit connectivity issues, or the computer might not recognize them. No matter the result, the cause was probably in the controller packaging.

Microsoft officially sells wireless Xbox controllers for PC in a bundle with the receiver adapter. Getting this bundle is the priciest solution, but you'll get everything you demand with total software back up and no hassle. Retail sites often sell knock-off receivers for $10–$20.

Anyone wondering how to connect an Xbox 360 controller to a PC without a receiver will be disappointed. The simply way to do it is with a USB cable, which defeats the purpose of having a wireless controller. Microsoft wireless controllers operate on a 2.4Ghz advice protocol, and y'all'll demand a receiver that supports that. If you don't have one, your controller tin can't communicate with your PC.

If you lot get an official Microsoft package, yous'll get an official receiver, and the installation volition go without hiccups. If you get a 3rd party receiver, you lot might run into some trouble. A rule of pollex is: The cheaper you go, the higher your chances of encountering problems during setup or gaming.

After we've settled whatsoever hardware dispute regarding the wireless controller, we can move on and explain how to connect a wireless Xbox 360 controller to a PC.

Insert the receiver into a USB slot. If you lot are using a 3rd party receiver, here is a tip that will salvage you lot a lot of hassle: plug these receivers in a back USB slot or a powered USB hub. Choose a spot where you won't touch it. Because every time you pull out a 3rd political party receiver and plug it back in, there'southward a good chance you'll have to become through the installation process again.

Once you put the receiver in, Windows should automatically install the necessary drivers. If that doesn't happen, check if yous accept an installation disc and follow the steps outlined to a higher place. Make sure you're using a proper RF adapter receiver; a Bluetooth dongle won't exercise. If you desire to utilise Bluetooth and were trying to notice out how to connect an Xbox 360 controller to a PC that way, nosotros'll have to disappoint you again. Y'all'll need the proper equipment.

At the fourth dimension of writing this article, Microsoft retired a large number of Xbox 360 accessories, including the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows. Fortunately, the latest Windows updates have driver support for all official and most unofficial receivers. Still, there'due south a adventure Windows doesn't recognize your tertiary party receiver. If that'southward the instance, hither'southward a workaround.

Press the Windows and X or correct-click the First push to open upwardly the start carte. From the menu, select the Device Manager. Nether Other Devices, yous will see the Unknown Device item.

device manager

Correct-click on it and select "Update Driver" to get the Xbox 360 driver for the receiver. From a new window, select the option "Browse my calculator for drivers," then select "Let me selection from the list of available drivers on my computer."

Update Driver Software

In the list with devices, go to the bottom of the listing, where you'll run into the "Xbox 360 peripherals."

XBOX 360 peripherals

The "Select the device driver you desire to install" window will open with a list of available drivers. Select the Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows. Click Next, select Yep, and Windows volition install the missing commuter. Alternatively, apps similar Driver Booster volition have care of the unabridged process, and y'all won't have to worry if you got the correct Xbox 360 drivers.

XBOX 360 Device Driver

Finally, nosotros need to sync the Xbox controller with the receiver. First, make sure the controller is powered up by pressing the Guide push button. On the wireless controller, printing and concur the push button in the eye until a light-green light activates. Then press the Connect button on your controller – it's located on the front side, just above the bombardment. After a greenish band rotates on the Xbox Guide button, it will indicate which controller it is by lighting upwards the appropriate quadrant. This is useful as you lot can connect up to 4 wireless controllers to a receiver.

XBOX 360 Instructions

While you don't accept to become the official Xbox 360 controller drivers for the wireless version to function, information technology does enable a suite of useful features, like checking the bombardment status. Right now, these drivers are not available for download from Microsoft'southward website. If Windows doesn't detect the drivers automatically, you lot might have to do some digging online.

Ready to Rumble

With the controller installed and configured, you are set to step into gaming waters like a champ. While the official Xbox 360 driver support (including controllers) might be slowly coming to an cease, well-nigh every PC game supports these devices. Thanks to Microsoft'south continued presence on the market and its plans for the future of PC gaming, we can expect that Xbox 360 controllers will continue to work just fine.