Microsoft refusing to let people set up xbox controllers to PC now?

Alysha___ · Aug 16, 2022

Trying to get my xbox 360 controller set up to my PC has been an absolute nightmare when there is no conceivable good reason for that. This should have been one of the most simple things in the world, Microsoft.

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A few months ago, my friend got me set up with a new PC and an emulator to play some of my old games. He also handed me an Xbox 360 wireless controller and an HDE brand receiver. Today I tried finally getting around to the emulator, and setting up my controller to actually play the game.

I plug the receiver in, get them talking to each other, and nothing is popping up on my screen, no notifications of detecting a new device, etc.

So I look for tutorials on how to set up an Xbox controller to Windows 10. Everything I can find is from 2020 or earlier. That's usually not a problem. I play heavily-modded Skyrim, I'm used to digging through very old support forums.

The consistent next step I see in every tutorial I can find is to install a driver for the Xbox controller.

Now we get to my brick-wall issue.

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Microsoft has no accessible link to download drivers for an Xbox 360 controller anymore. The most reliable tutorial I've found for doing what I'm trying to do (https://tarantulo.lt/how-to/how-to-install-drivers-for-xbox-360-chinese-wireless-receiver/), directs everyone to this link.

microsoft.com/accessories/en-gb/d/xbox-360-controller-for-windows

When you go to this link, it redirects you to a series of guides for Xbox related stuff, (https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/hardware-network/console/manuals-specs) but there are absolutely no drivers anywhere here. This tutorial has hundreds of people saying it worked for them, so this link originally was used to host those driver installs. Now, not only are they not here, they're not anywhere.

If you can find a driver host site for Xbox 360 controllers, please tell me I'm wrong and direct me to it. This hidden (Mod Removed) is ridiculous.

:)

ngocphi

You need an xbox connector receiver not a tt:hard party one.

Keep in mind the Xbox 360 and first gen xbox one controllers not the S controllers or higher didn't use bluetooth

If you wanna try a third party one you need to address it withntheir manufacturer not ms

They used a private rf channel

Not bluetooth

Unless it's licensed for Xbox 360 controllers it's unlikely it's compatuble

YOu might want to reach onto he support to see if they even support ixbox 360 controllers and to get help with their receiver

Looks like it does but as mentioned since you are using a third party receiver maybe the drivers for it isn't installed

Otherwise you would.have to use their support for.help with instslls

Amazon has a 123 support policy with any products sold there if you got it there

Obsessive Power

Hi,

I can understand that this is frustrating but but hear me out.

There are no drivers to download because the drivers for gaming receivers and Xbox 360 controllers are already built into Windows. In fact, they've been part of the Windows OS since Windows Vista. Connect a fully wired Xbox 360 controller to a Windows 10 or 11 PC and it should work straight away. old Xbox 360 wireless controllers can be more troublesome.

Microsoft no longer makes receivers, I would assume sales were quite low. All receivers now are third party and as such they can be troublesome set up with Windows. This isn't Microsoft blocking them, it's the cheap hardware from Chinese manufacturers that is generally the issue here.

It's not as if an Xbox One controller is your only choice on a PC. There's no reason for Microsoft to disable Xbox 360 controller support.

Since there are so many of these knock off receivers going around there isn't always a guaranteed fix. There are loads of videos on YouTube you can watch that may be able help you.

Incidentally, if emulation is your thing, I recommend the SN30 Pro Plus from 8-bitdo. It's my current go to controller for PC gaming and emulation. They have full XINPUT support so they will work with all your games.

cpt sheridan

It's possible it's down to the lack of drivers for the Playstation controllers on a pc.

Its been like that for a few years now that a lot of people who have a Playstation controller and trying to use it on a Wndows based pc and it refuses to work.

fahrenheit1121

I also have a 7yo who is looking to play MineCraft with people his own age.... like you, none of his friends have Live either. I have yet to set up parental controls, he refuses to let me have his controller... Im hoping I can do it from the internet!!!!
RainbowTripod96

JustDeco

Also having the same problem. Wondering if people have found a solution. To restate the actual problem in case it's not very clear. We do the steps of pairing and everything, everything is up to date, drivers are fine, pc is updated. Alright with that
aside, creating a profile with no vibration in the xbox accessories application is all good up to when you unplug your xbox controller and pair it back to your computer via bluetooth after saving the profile and setting it to slot 1. It seems to be a software
problem as the pc refuses to connect it to the controller and just returns it back to being a paired device. I've done everything as well and nothing seems to work.

Microsoft refusing to let people set up xbox controllers to PC now?