Xbox One Controller Driver not working: Six easy solutions to resolve the issue!

xbox one controller driver

Introduction

What is the Xbox One Controller Driver? In the language of gamers, it is a quick trick to connect Xbox One consoles to the PC via USB Cable and play unlimited games on Windows PCs. Sounds thrilling, right? If you don’t have access to a TV monitor, Apple TV, or Android TV, you can simply play Xbox One games on PC without skipping the inevitable gaming experience on weekends. However, from time to time, Xbox One Controller Driver encounters issues. For example, the PC shows errors such as:

Xbox One Controller Driver Not Working, Not Found, Not Installing, or Not Successfully Installed. To begin with, if you are encountering one of the above-mentioned errors, there’s a 99% chance that you will have a complex time playing Xbox One Games. More often than not, this problem or error appears when a new game releases for Xbox players.

Source: Den of Geek

Other times, Xbox One players also experience unwanted ball games such as Xbox automatically disconnecting after five minutes. Or, in multiple cases, when the player upgrades XBox’s version or PC’s operating system for a better experience, they end up having messed up the entire connection. 

As a consequence, one may wonder what to do? Henceforth, we brought to you a brief guide of 10 easy fixes for Xbox One Controller Driver Errors. But, first of all, let’s take a glimpse of the true-and-tried process to connect the Xbox One controller driver to the Windows PC. 

How to connect Xbox One Controller Driver to Windows PC? 

It is crucial to note that there are two ways to connect an Xbox One Controller to a PC. One way is via Bluetooth (in the case of the wireless controller), and the other method is via USB Cable (in case your PC doesn’t have a Bluetooth feature). 

Now, in the event you own an initial or original version of the Xbox One controller, it may not have wireless connectivity features. Whereas, if you have received XBOX One S Controller with Xbox One console, then it will have a Bluetooth feature. 

So, lacking any further ado, here is the proper method to connect Xbox One Controller to PC via Bluetooth or without Bluetooth:

#Method 1: Connect Xbox One Controller to PC using USB-Cable

Now, before you go ahead, it is important to note that XBOX One Controller only supports cable sized micro to C. Here’s how to do it: 

  • Plug USB Cable (micro-sized) to the controller using the plug-in space at the front. 
  • Now, cork in the other end of the micro USB to the PC’s USB plot. 
Source: Windows Central

Within a second or two, you will be able to control games on PC via your original controller. 

Note: Please eject the USB cable properly after playing the game, and you decide to disconnect. 

#Method 2: How to connect Xbox One Controller to PC using Bluetooth? 

In order to create a Bluetooth-based connection between the controller and PC, please ensure that both devices are paired first. Also, make certain that no other device such as (Smartphone, iPhone, or iPad are available with Bluetooth activated). Otherwise, they will interrupt the connection. 

Follow the steps given below: 

  • Activate Xbox One controller.
  • Now, hold the guide button for 3 seconds until it is open to pairing with a nearby device. 
  • It will start to blink, meaning it is in pair-mode now. 
  • Similarly, open Bluetooth on your PC. 
  • Pair with Xbox One Controller. 
  • When both devices pair successfully, wait a few seconds. 
  • Next, you will see the Xbox One controller on your PC’s Add a Device section.
  • Click on it. 
  • Connecting will take a few seconds.
  • The guide button will flash white light. 
Source: GamesRader
  • It means that both devices are connected now. 

In the same way, you can add any type of game console’s controller to a PC for better gaming and graphics experience. 

Alongside the above-mentioned solutions, you can also purchase an XBOX adapter for Windows 10. It is the quickest method to connect a controller to a PC. Whenever you plug the adapter into the PC, it will automatically connect the Xbox console and controller to your device. Hence, saving you a lot of clock and energy. 

How to Fix Xbox One Controller Driver Not Working on PC? 

Even when you have followed the fixed process to connect the Xbox One controller to your PC, it may not work. The reason being, while you connect Xbox one controller to the PC, your device automatically downloads & installs Xbox Driver for support. It happens mainly in the case of micro-USB cable-based connections. However, often, PC’s backend issues cause drivers to not successfully download or even detect by the file system. 

As a result, XBOX One Controller Driver not working or Xbox One Controller Driver not found errors appear on the screen. Thus, after many and many hours of research, we present the top 10 methods to fix this error. They are truly tried by our experts. So, be hopeful and check which method will escape you from your Xbox connectivity troubles: 

Method 1: Disconnect and Reconnect the controller to the PC

To begin with, this method is rather easy and considerable. Sometimes, even when your Xbox controller displays solid white light, it is possible that it didn’t connect to the PC successfully. It is not surprising that Bluetooth connectivity is not flawless. Even while connecting AirPods, once in a while, the connectivity gets interrupted. 

Source: CinemaBlend

Thus, it is best to drop the current connection and begin a connection from scratch. More often than not, Bluetooth pairing and connectivity problems recur because of the following causes: 

  • Virus or Malware in Operating System (Please run a scan)
  • Too many devices are paired with your PC (please delete a few, especially those with the same IP address or physical location).
  • The Windows OS version is complex and old. In contrast, the Xbox controller version is highly advanced. 

Now, presuming that Bluetooth on your PC is not working properly, you can replace this method with the USB Cable-base method. It is pretty easy. 

Method 2: Change USB Cable to C-to-C type cable

In the event that you are using a micro-USB Cable. There is a 50% possibility that your console, controller, or PC doesn’t support it. Thus, to revive the connectivity, you can use a C-type USB Cable on both hands. On the other hand, many Windows laptops come with a single USB cable support. Hence, if you don’t have a C-to-C hardware system on your PC, look out for damage to your existing USB Cable. 

Presuming that your current USB Cable has cuts or signs of wear and tear, it is possible that the connection is interrupted. 

Method 3: Download and Install Xbox One Controller Driver manually

As mentioned before, when you try to connect an Xbox One controller to a Windows PC for the first time, the PC automatically downloads & installs the respective driver for support. But, there is a possibility that the PC couldn’t complete the downloading process. For example, suppose if your internet connectivity is down. Under those circumstances, the driver wouldn’t install. As a consequence, the error “Xbox One controller Driver not found” will appear. 

xbox one controller driver
Source: Youtube

Check out the following guide to download Microsoft Xbox, one Controller Driver, for Windows 64-Bit or 32-Bit: 

  • Access the Start or Windows Menu (Shortcut: Windows Key +X)
  • Type “Device Manager” in the search box. 
  • Right-click on the mainstream option.
  • Tap on “Open” 
  • In the Device Manager, scroll down for “Microsoft Xbox One Controller Driver.” 
  • Select the above-mentioned driver. 
  • Right-click on it. 
  • Now, tap on the “Update Driver” option. 

Sit back while the downloading and installation process is complete. 

Note: The above method is only applicable for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 versions. For the most part, Windows 10 comes with automatic or built-in Xbox One Controller Driver software. No need for download or installation in the first place. 

Method 4: Download Xbox One Controller Driver off the Microsoft Store

If you cannot find the Xbox One controller driver in disk management or device manager, there’s a 40% possibility that you may have deleted it unknowingly. But thankfully, you can download the respective driver software off the Microsoft store anytime and anywhere. It is free of cost. Let’s see how to do it: 

  • Go to Microsoft Update Catalog Home Page
  • In the search box, type “XBOX one Controller.” 
  • From here, you can download the latest version, which is only 1.5 MB. 
  • Click on the “Download” button. 

Now, after the download is complete, open the command prompt for the installation process: 

  • Shortcut: Windows key + X key. 
  • Now, Select the “Command Prompt (admin)” option. 
  • Next, enter the following command “expand -f:* Update-Name.cab Destination-Folder*
  • Now, in the place of “Update name, please enter the cabinet file’s name and in place of destination, enter folder’s name.”
  • After that, go back to the system. 
  • Open the folder that you updated. 
  • Type “xb1usb.inf.”
  • Click on it and install. 

Please note that the above method can be tricky if you cannot find the updated folder’s authorized path. Please take a professional’s help if you don’t have knowledge of the command prompt. 

Method 5: Hardware & Device Troubleshoot

Presuming that you are encountering the error “Xbox One controller driver not found,” it is possible that your hardware has some minor glitches. Now, checking for one glitch at a time can take a handful of hours off your schedule. Thus, it is best to run a direct Hardware & Devices troubleshooter and find what the main problem is? 

xbox one controller driver
Source: The Windows Club

Let’s see how to do it: 

  • Open Windows Search Bar (Shortcut: Windows key + S key)
  • Type “cmd.exe.”
  • Click on the “Run as administrator” option. 
  • Enable user control by clicking YES. 

As soon as the command prompt opens, enter the following command in brackets: 

(msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic)

  • Click on the ENTER button. 
  • Hardware & Device troubleshooting will appear on the screen. 
  • Click on the “NEXT” button to begin. 
  • As the troubleshooter detects the problem, click on the “Apply it” button to resolve it right away. 

How to open Hardware & Devices troubleshooting manually? 

Even though opening the command prompt is easier. You only need to enter the command, and the troubleshooting dialogue box will appear automatically. However, not many users are aware of how to work on the command prompts. Without a doubt, if any wrong command is entered on the command prompt screen, the computer remains at risk of damage. Because, command prompt doesn’t send any type of warnings, confirmations, or alerts. 

Check out the following guide to activate hardware and device troubleshooting manually: 

  • Go to the start menu.
  • Scroll down to find the “Control Panel” option. 
  • Type “troubleshooter” in the control panel’s search box at the top right corner in the upper bar. 
  • Next, click on the “Hardware & Sound” option. 
  • Then, select the “configure a device” option.
  • At last, tap on the “next” button to activate the troubleshooter. 

Once the troubleshooter figures out the glitch in hardware or software, it will suggest a solution. Click on “Apply it” to resolve. Finally, reconnect the Xbox one controller to the PC. 

Method 6: Uninstall and Reinstall or Update USB Drivers 

If you don’t have a wireless Bluetooth controller, a USB Cable is the only best choice you are left with. But, under unknown circumstances, USB Drivers on Windows PC crash sometimes. Most of the time, USB Drivers may crash because of a lack of power supply or low battery. Apart from this, it is also noteworthy that while using USB Driver, some connected third-party devices take a lot of power supply, such as the Xbox one controller. In order to prevent this crash, please follow the steps given below: 

  • Access the Start or Windows Menu (Shortcut: Windows Key +X)
  • Type “Device Manager” in the search box. 
  • Right-click on the mainstream option.
  • Tap on “Open” 
  • In the Device Manager, scroll down for “USB Driver.”
  • Right-click on it and select the “Update USB Drive” option. 

Sit back while the drive upgrades to the latest version. If no latest version is available, please click on “Uninstall Device.” Next, reinstall the USB Driver again by accessing the device manager. 

Again, connect Xbox one controller to Windows PC. Hopefully, the problem won’t recur anytime soon.

Epilogue

Do you love to lay out your spare time on Xbox One Games? Bookmark us for astounding gaming tips and tricks that are worth applying. For more information on PC-related issues, send us an enquiry in the comment section. Thank you!