Controller completely unresponsive after firmware update (Xbox Accessories App)

BryanZaaijer · Apr 29, 2019

I decided to update my Xbox One controller via the Accessories for Xbox app on my windows device. I plugged in the gamepad, my controller was recognized and I could successfully start the update. However, halfway during
the update, it got stuck and I had to restart the application. From this point, the controller's home button remained dimmed at all times. My PC does not recognize the device at all, where it normally was able to instantly recognize it. Changing the batteries
didn't solve the problem. The controller seems completely unresponsive. I don't have an Xbox Console, and there are no Microsoft Stores in my country. What to do now?

:)

BryanZaaijer

Dear SilentParasite,

Thanks for your post! I removed battery packs, tried new AA batteries, but no results. Repeatedly (after waiting for minutes) plugged in the controller, but again it did not get recognized. Since the Home Button doesn't light up/blink, I feel like the update
really messed up something bad in the controller itself.

SilentParasite

Thankyou for the reply BryanZaaijer, have you tried leaving the battery pack / batteries off so its just the controller without any power supply then use just the USB cable?

SilentParasite

Sorry hear you are having this problem with your controller, a few to try if you have not as yet.

1) Remove the battery pack / charge pack from the controller.

2) Connect the USB cable to controller and plug into PC.

3) IMPORTANT - Wait 30 seconds.

The Home Button light should come on and the controller should be fix, and then update.

A second way to try is change the USB cable as I have read that also helps if this happens.

ToriN2

This did nothing to help. Controller is still bricked after trying this multiple times.

XBF Diego M

Hi Bryan,

It seems your controller was affected by a failed update, which then "bricked" the current firmware it had. There is a way to bring it back but this step is done on an Xbox One console, however we can try the same steps with your PC and hopefully it works.
This will require you to take out any batteries or battery packs and plugging in the controller to the PC with a micro USB cable. First remove the batteries from the controller and power down your PC. Wait 5 minutes and then plug the controller into a USB
port and for the moment remove any other USB devices you have plugged in so the controller is the only device plugged in via USB. You shouldn't need the mouse or keyboard while trying this during the boot up.

Now, power on your PC and while the device is booting up try to turn on the controller by pressing the controller's Xbox button. (press the button for about 1 or 2 seconds every 5 or 6 seconds depending on boot up time.) If this works correctly like it should
on the Xbox One console, the controller should eventually turn on around 4th or 5th attempt and be updated the next time you open the Accessories app. It's important to remember to remove any batteries and remove other USB devices just for this troubleshooting.

Let us know if this works!

Controller completely unresponsive after firmware update (Xbox Accessories App)