Can't connect Xbox controller to Windows 11 PC via Bluetooth

Hi Cassie,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Xbox Community. I'm sorry to hear that you're having issues connecting your controller to your PC wirelessly via bluetooth.

Here's the step-by-step instructions on how you could connect your controller to your Windows PC via bluetooth:

1. Turn on your controller by pressing the Xbox button for 3 seconds. When you turn on the controller, the Xbox button will start flashing.

2. Press and hold the Pair button on the top of the controller (the raised button). The Xbox button on the controller will flash more rapidly—this means your controller is searching for a PC.

3. On your PC, press the Start button, then select Settings > Devices (on Windows 11: Settings > Bluetooth & devices).

4. Choose Add Bluetooth or other device (on Windows 11: Add device), then select Everything else.

5. Choose Xbox Wireless Controller or Xbox Elite Wireless Controller from the list. When connected, the Xbox button on the controller will stay lit.

Regards,

Alvaro

Is your windows 10 or 11?

Try deleting your controller in windows, and then connecting via bluetooth again.

Hi Jabari,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Xbox Community. I'm sorry to hear that you're having issues connecting your controller to your PC wirelessly via bluetooth. Did you update your controller's firmware prior this issue?

Here's the step-by-step instructions on how you could connect your controller to your Windows PC via bluetooth:

1. Turn on your controller by pressing the Xbox button for 3 seconds. When you turn on the controller, the Xbox button will start flashing.

2. Press and hold the Pair button on the top of the controller (the raised button). The Xbox button on the controller will flash more rapidly—this means your controller is searching for a PC.

3. On your PC, press the Start button, then select Settings > Devices (on Windows 11: Settings > Bluetooth & devices).

4. Choose Add Bluetooth or other device (on Windows 11: Add device), then select Everything else.

5. Choose Xbox Wireless Controller or Xbox Elite Wireless Controller from the list. When connected, the Xbox button on the controller will stay lit.

Regards,

Alvaro

Please ensure you are following Xbox Support's steps to pair the controller: https://support.xbox.com/help/hardware-network/controller/connect-xbox-wireless-controller-to-pc

To pair an Xbox Wireless Controller to your PC via Bluetooth:

Turn on your Xbox Wireless Controller by pressing the Xbox button.

Press and hold the Pair button on your controller for three seconds (the Xbox button will start flashing rapidly).

On your PC, press the Start button, then choose Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices (on Windows 11: Settings > Bluetooth & devices).

Turn on Bluetooth. Select Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth (on Windows 11: Add device). Your PC will begin searching for your controller.

Select Xbox Elite Wireless Controller > Done.

If it's still not going into pairing mode, try holding the Pair button for longer than 3 seconds.

Thanks,
Kyle

Hey GiddyCosine4817!

As Geth mentioned, Bluetooth connection to a Windows 10 device will work just fine for Xbox One controllers, depending on the model of the controller. Certain older Xbox One controllers do not support Bluetooth connections.

If you need help determining if your controller can connect via Bluetooth, check out the info under "Option 3" in our guide for

how to connect an Xbox One wireless controller to a Windows PC.