Only one xbox 360 controller will not pair to PC wireless receiver

JohnnySebre · Apr 10, 2023

I currently have four wireless xbox 360 controllers. For 3/4 controllers, I am able to connect them to my PC with the wireless receiver by pressing the sync button on the receiver, then the sync button on the controller. But I have one controller that this process will not work; both devices will flash the lights but cannot seem to get connected together. And all controllers works fine to get connected to my xbox 360 console.

I even tried to re-pair them all to my console in case my PC would somehow reached a maximum of controllers (I typically only have 1 active, others the battery is removed) but that did not seem to help.

Anyone know what could help? This controller not connecting is the one with the buttons in the best condition.

Thank you!

:)

Obsessive Power

Hi,

That wireless gaming receiver only works with 360 controllers, not Xbox One controllers. The Xbox one controller uses a different wireless protocol.

If you have Bluetooth for your PC you can pair the controller and use wireless this way. If you don't, you can buy any BT 4.0 USB dongle and connect using that. The dongles cost no more that $8.

Or you can buy the official Xbox One wireless receiver for Xbox One controllers.

ArminatorX

and what does the connect button do on controller?

The connect button starts the pairing process with a Xbox 360 console or the Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows.

The Xbox 360 controller uses a proprietary wireless protocol, and NOT Bluetooth. So the standard wireless devices in your computer can't work with the Xbox 360 wireless controller.

You absolutely definitely need the Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows if you wish to use your Xbox 360 controller on your PC.

Make sure you do NOT get the Wireless Gaming Receiver for Xbox One controllers, as they won't work with Xbox 360 controllers.

Also if you try to use a Play & Charge USB cable on your Xbox 360 controller, this will also not work, as the Play & Charge cable ONLY carries power, but does NOT transmit controller data.

So if you don't want to buy a wireless receiver, your only options are to buy a dedicated wired Xbox 360 controller (that has a non-removable USB cord attached), or get a Xbox One controller with Bluetooth functionality.

Vanchatron

Hi,

That wireless gaming receiver only works with 360 controllers, not Xbox One controllers. The Xbox one controller uses a different wireless protocol.

If you have Bluetooth for your PC you can pair the controller and use wireless this way. If you don't, you can buy any BT 4.0 USB dongle and connect using that. The dongles cost no more that $8.

Or you can buy the official Xbox One wireless receiver for Xbox One controllers.

Ahh, that explains it, thank you very much. Unfortunately I don't have Bluetooth inbuilt in my PC, but I can definitely buy a dongle. Does it need to be specifically a BT 4.0 dongle?

Obsessive Power

Hi,

The Xbox 360 wireless controller won't work with the play and charge kit on it's own on a PC. The Controller always remains wireless, it can't be changed to a wired controller. To use a 360 wireless controller you'll need an Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver.
Microsoft no longer make these, but it is possible to buy a third party receiver, although installing them can be troublesome.

The Play and charge can be used with the PC, but only to charge the controller. The driver is only designed to automatically sync the controller to the Gaming receiver.

Only the Xbox One controller can be turned into a wired controller with an Xbox One Play and Charge, or a standard USB to Micro USB cable.

Georges C.

Hello, first it's a pleasure to be able to help you today.

My name is welcome to the community.

Hello JohnnySebr, you can try checking your pc's system updates, but from your description the issue seems to be the controller.

It would be ideal if you could test the control and wireless receiver on another PC to see if it continues to act the same way.

Only one xbox 360 controller will not pair to PC wireless receiver