How To Connect An Xbox Controller To A PC

Xbox is a popular gaming console that is loved by everyone. And this popular gaming console comes with two controllers which will allow you to control the characters in the game. However, these consoles are used to play PC games and one can easily use them to play games on PC with Windows 10 and Windows 11. You can use it to play any game that is compatible with the controller and secure easy wins. So if you wish to connect your controller to the PC, here is what you need to do.

Figure Out The Version Of Your Controller

Before you start pairing your device, take care of its version. If you have recently brought an Xbox then you are good to go. However, if you have an older version without a gamepad then you would need to follow some other set of steps to pair it with the PC. For all the controllers of Xbox series S/X, the Bluetooth connectivity allows you to pair it with the PC.

But if you have a controller from the Original Xbox one series, then they run on Xbox’s wireless communication standards and they are not ideal to connect with a PC. You can connect them but you will need a wireless dongle for it. However, if you are using someone else’s controller and you do not have any idea which version is it, here is a simple trick that you can use.

Look at the body of the controller, if the plastic around the game button is similar to that of the face of the controller then you have a Bluetooth controller and you can connect it with the PC. And if the plastic of the body and the bumper button is the same and it has a seam between the guide buttons and the face of the controller, then it is a non-Bluetooth controller gamepad. Another indicator is the type of port present on the controller. If there is a c-type port then it is a Bluetooth controller and if it has a B-type then it is a non-Bluetooth one.

Connect Xbox Controller To Your PC With Wire

You can easily connect your PC with an Xbox controller by using a wired cable. You only need to get yourself a physical cable for connecting your PC with the Xbox controller. First, plug the one end of the cable you have into the controller. It can be USB to USB-C or USB to micro USB cable, as per the version of your controller. Then, plug the other end of the cable into your PC and there you go. The software of your PC will automatically follow the configuration and then will work well on your PC. Once configured, you can enjoy any virtual game you want.

Connect Xbox Controller To Your PC With Bluetooth

Xbox Wireless Game pad that supports a controller can be used to play modern games smoothly and in an uninterrupted way. Moreover, to connect your Xbox controller to your PC, you need to follow certain steps.

Keep pressing the Guide button for a few seconds to switch on the controller.
Keep holding the pairing button on your system until the Guide button is on.
Now, right-click the Bluetooth icon.
Press “ Add a Bluetooth Device.” to connect with Bluetooth.
Now, select the “Xbox Wireless Controller” until the Guide button turns white and your Bluetooth menu displays that the controller is connected.
If your device does not support Bluetooth, you can use a Bluetooth USB dongle to connect the Xbox controller.

Connect Xbox Controller To Your PC With USB Adapter

The older version of Xbox, i.e, the Xbox One controller may not have the feature to connect wireless. So, if you have that older version of the Xbox controller, then you must get an Xbox Wireless USB adapter that will help you to connect directly without any requirement of Bluetooth or any headset connection. This adapter works well in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Basically, this adapter is a USB dongle that is mainly designed for users who face difficulty in connecting to Bluetooth or any other connection. This dongle directly connects your controller with your PC without any pairing issues or complicated Bluetooth setups. You can easily connect your Xbox with your device using a USB adapter. You simply need to plug the USB dongle into your PC and pair it with your Xbox controller. Hold the pairing button of the Xbox controller for a few seconds and your device will be connected to it.

Conclusion

So these were some of the ways in which you can connect your PC with your controller to play games. Whether you have a Bluetooth or non-Bluetooth controller, you can use the steps mentioned above to connect it with your PC and beat your opponents easily.