What will be done to improve reliability of Xbox controllers.

Neil_1971 · Jan 3, 2023

Having collected consoles for nigh over 50 years, I’ve never seen anything like the issues I am experiencing with Xbox one controllers. I must have gone through 6 regular controllers in the last few years and at $89 AUD/controller - that represents the same price as the console. The issues include the inevitable stick drift - they all do it - to buttons that have just come off. One game shop even told me there’s a known design flaw in the controllers - with them wearing internally leading to the stick drift.

In April 2022, I decided to spend $249 AUD to buy the elite series 2. I mistakenly thought that buying the premium product would be cheaper long term than buying a new $89 regular controller every 6-12 months.

Over Christmas, the LB button became unresponsive and only worked intermittently. It also became clear that the tensioners - which allow you to adjust stick tension - lose their tension over time. By this stage, I had the controller only 9 months. I have since re turned it to the shop where o bought it and they have replaced it.

Can you let your customer base know what you are doing to improve the design quality of these controllers? Given PS5 controllers apparently do the same, a cynic make think that there is a deliberate policy of under engineering these products to ensure repeat sales. I imagine the profit margin on a controller is a healthy one.

As said, I have been collecting consoles for some 50 years b the have old Atari joystick which have taken a pounding but still work. Nintendo 64, Dreamcast and even original Xbox controllers - no issues at all.

I can honestly say - having spent as much money on controllers as I did on my Xbox one series X - this will be the last Microsoft console I buy if nothing is done to address this issue. Not only is it poor design practice, it’s environmental vandalism that contributes to the creation of more unnecessary plastic waste.

:)

Neil_1971

LB button worked and then became unresponsive. Hardware issue not software (I’m an engineer) but :

Firmware is latest and is always kept upto date.

Controller is wiped down every few days with a cleaning cloth - sticks removed etc to remove any grime.

Symptoms show in all games. Very much a hinderance when playing COD Cold War or MWII.

I remapped the LB button to one of the underside paddles but I don’t like these as I inadvertently trigger them. I shouldn’t have to do that on a 9 month controller. I have returned it to the shop and they replaced it under warranty but I have no faith that this controller will last given my experience with both standard and elite controllers to date.

I hope I’ve answered the crux of your message. Some of it was not awfully clear what you were asking so if you need any more, please let me know.

Geri M.

Hello Neil_1971,

My apology for a belated response and hope you are well today.

I couldn't imagine how you're feeling right now, What I can suggest here is for you to thoroughly check the new replacement controller and make use of it to test if it is acting the same way while still on warranty period. If the same occurs, then maybe it's time for you to ask for a refund so long as it is still under entitlement.

I hope you will not let this experience dominate your judgment with the support and even the general Xbox products. At the end of the day, we are same consumer, we definitely know how you feel about this. For now, our team will bow out.

If you have other concerns, you can create a new post here. Create a new question or start a discussion (microsoft.com)

Thank you for understanding.

We wish you the best of luck!

 

Kind regards

Xbox Forum Moderator

Microsoft Community

Geri M.

Hi Neil_1971,

Welcome to Xbox Community Forums. We appreciate for sharing your concern with us and we hope that you are doing well today.

We understand the inconvenience caused. As per description, you encountered inevitable stick drift, the LB button became unresponsive and only worked intermittently, and stick tension - lose their tension over time. Let us check on this together and sort this out to assist your concern.

However, we’d like to know more about it in details so that we can provide a more accurate resolution for you. To start, please provide us information/answer on the following questions:

Xbox app and Gaming services version? Xbox app > select Profile picture > Settings > About.
What troubleshooting steps have you done?
Was this working before?
Recent activity or changes made before the issue appeared?

So far, from the details you provided, you can try the following steps and let us know the result. You can just skip those you have done already.

Steps 1:

1. Configure your controller to better settings

2. Clean the controller (As some dirt/grime could affect the controllers performance,

3. Losen/ tighten the controllers thumbs tip tension.

Steps 2:

Press the Xbox button to open the guide, select Profile & system > Settings > Devices & streaming > Accessories, and then select the controller you want to update.
On the Xbox Wireless Controller screen, select “…” to check the firmware version for your controller.
If it says “Update,” select Firmware version, and then follow the steps provided. Update your Xbox Wireless Controller | Xbox Support

Let us know the result and we will get back to you as soon as we can. We may recommend further troubleshooting steps once we have received your answers to the above questions.

We will be glad to follow up and help you.

Sincerely,

Xbox Forum Moderator

Microsoft Community

WILK0-98D843A7-6EBD-

I'd rather they focussed on improving XBL, making reliable consoles and peripherals and maybe shift the focus of the Xbox's business back to gaming, when they have done that they can make all the gimmicks they want...

Ch1ps

I really hope we finally get a look at the next generation of Elite Controllers. I love my current Elite controllers, but it's about time they made some improvements to them in terms of reliability and build quality! I'll be going to E3 again this year,
so I'm excited to see what Microsoft has in store.

What will be done to improve reliability of Xbox controllers.