How many controllers have you gone through on Series X?

MarkW1985 · Feb 13, 2023

I am curious to know just how many faulty controller issues people have had since purchasing their Series X.
I got my Series X on day 1 and had my first faulty controller die on me 2 years later around Aug'22 due to left stick drift.
I purchased a new controller directly through Microsoft at £50 and low and behold, 6 months later i have yet another left stick issue where the input signal drop outs when held in the upwards position. This causes whichever game i am playing to have a constant stop/start motion when moving / running forwards and sometimes even stops and starts moving my character backwards as if i was holding the left stick in a downwards position. This makes playing games like warzone an absolute nightmare.

I looked into this with Microsoft and luckily my controller was still under warranty having only been 6 months old but the part that has really annoyed me is being told I would not receive my controller back in a fixed condition, but instead I would receive a refurbished controller instead. So i have basically paid £50 for a second hand controller. I find this absolutely outrageous that not only do we not receive a brand new replacement like most other retailers, but we dont even receive our own controller back in a fixed state.

3 controllers in the space of 2 and a bit years is shocking and this recent experience and level of customer service has really made me question whether to continue with Xbox. My Xbox One day one controller lasted me 6 years before it packed in.

:)

MarkW1985

I could sympathise with this if i was a hardcore gamer, but my second controller that is only 6 months old, literally gets about 10-15hours of usage a week since purchase.
My previous Xbox one controller was constantly being put through its paces with Call of Duty and Fifa, playing on average around 30-40hrs per week so for that to last 6yrs and this new one last only 24hrs and 6 months on a next gen console is actually quite worrying. Ive read of similar issues even on the elite controllers.
There has to come a point surely where someone says ok, maybe these need looking at because consumers shouldnt be expected to buy a new controller ever 6-24months.
If Xbox really wanted to get gamers playing again as soon as possible then surely they would send a replacement refurbished controller out first, and then charge users if their existing controller was deemed as none faulty. All they would need to do is request a small card fee that could later be charged against should the reported issues turn out to be false.

Just my opinion though

Onyx Is Here

Hello MarkW1985, sorry to hear you're having trouble with your controllers.

I'm glad you were able to get the other controller repaired. I can understand your frustration at not getting the same controller back but please understand that the reason this is done is so that Xbox can ensure you get back to gaming as quickly as possible. So, as soon as they get yours in they send you a refurbished one and repair yours in the order in which it came.

As for controllers in general, I think the issues play a lot on how often and which games you play. For example, over the years since the Xbox One originally came out in 2013 I've been through about 8 or so controllers. I play a lot of pvp online so do get quite into it although I'm not nearly as bad as some people I'm sure. lol

My wife, on the other hand, has had only 2 controllers since that time. And the first was replaced because my daughter spilled water on it.

Then there's my son who I'm glad pays for his own stuff.

Onyx Is Here

There used to be a service like that when Xbox One first came out but I'm not sure if they still offer it though. You could try asking for an Advanced Exchange if this happens again. If it still works what they do is put a hold for the amount of the item on your payment method then send the device to you. Once they get yours back in return they remove the hold. If it's not returned then they would simply complete the billing.

I wouldn't even call myself a hardcore FPS player either. My main is Destiny lol.

imaman1ac

Agree 100%. Don't know how many controllers I've gone through. They aren't built to last.

HerbertGaldamez

Hey AJ thank you for your assistance.

I normally turn on my Xbox series X through Alexa, however I've been trying to turn it on using the controller and the issue - so far- is gone. I'll keep testing and I'll advise.

How many controllers have you gone through on Series X?