Wireless xbox 360 controller won't sync with PC

PryingShoe76803 · Feb 27, 2015

Dear Xbox-community,

I recently picked up a Xbox 360 wireless controller and USB-receiver. I'Ve installed the Windows XP 32bit driver from this page:

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows | Device downloads | Microsoft Accessories

Unforunatly I can't get the controller to sync. I've filmed it so you can see what's going on:

I'd be very thankful for help, and hope to enjoy the product soon!

Cheers

:)

Obsessive Power · Feb 27, 2015

Trouble with my Xbox 360 Wireless Controller on my PC

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.

MarkLorino · Feb 27, 2015

Wireless Adapter

I just recently bought the Wireless Adapter for my Windows 10 pc, plugged it in and getting it recognized by my pc. However the white led does not go on and won't sync with my controller. What can I do?

WPAK · Mar 4, 2015

Hi there,

as long as you have windows XP SP2 it should work, just make sure both the receiver is blinking and the controller'slight is doing circles at the same time. If I've seen correctly I didn't see them both doing that at the same time in your video.

Just as additional info I'll add the support page for connecting a controller to a wireless receiver for a PC:

support.xbox.com/.../xbox-controller-for-windows-setup

Let us know the results

PryingShoe76803 · Mar 5, 2015

Thanks for the answer!

"If I've seen correctly I didn't see them both doing that at the same time in your video."

Okay, now I tried both at the same time, with the same results.

I believe I've already read the link you've provided, but I will go through it again, and post whether it fixes the issue.

PryingShoe76803 · Mar 5, 2015

The link you've provided, doesn't seem to give me any new information.

WPAK · Oct 31, 2018

Ok, do you have the option to try and connect the controller to an Xbox 360, to check out that works, if it does then try connecting to the wireless receiver contracted to the PC once more. Or try the setup on a different PC.

Let it's know the results

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.

Obsessive Power

Hi,

The Xbox 360 wireless protocol is not Bluetooth. This is why your 360 controller won't sync to your wireless receiver. PlayStation Dual Shock uses BT, the 360 does not. Only the Xbox One X controller can be connected via Bluetooth.

If you want to use a wireless 360 controller you will need to buy the Xbox 360 wireless gaming receiver. Don't buy the Xbox One receiver as it does not support 360 controllers either.

Obsessive Power

Hi,

To use an Xbox 360 controller on its own on a PC, it must a wired controller. It does not matter if the USB port is 3.0, USB 2.0 devices will work on USB 3.0 ports.
The Xbox 360 Play and Charge can not send controller data back to the PC. It will only charge the battery, or power the controller if no battery is present. A play and charge for 360 controllers is a charger, nothing
more.

Xbox 360 wireless controllers are always wireless. To use a Xbox 360 wireless controller on a PC, you'll need an Xbox 360 gaming receiver.

Only the Wireless Xbox One controllers can be made wired with the correct Micro USB sync and charge type cable.

Obsessive Power

I've got an authentic wireless controller and I'm using the corded adapter.

Hi,

Wireless Xbox 360 controllers are always wireless. You can't make them wired with the Play and Charge adaptor. The Play and Charge only charges the battery or powers the controller if no battery is present, it doesn't send data, hence the reason for all the lights flashing and no connection.

The only way to use a Xbox 360 wireless controller on PC is to buy a Xbox 360 gaming receiver and it must be the '360 receiver' as the Xbox One version is not compatible with the old Xbox 360 controllers. With the receiver present you can sync the controller via wireless to the PC.

HomegrownSilky

So I’m not trying to use the Xbox through my tv. I’m trying to control my PC through the Xbox with the wireless display app. I’m beginning to think that it is not possible either even though many “tech experts” claim to be able to do so easily, in their clickbait articles on the web

You need to have your controller synced directly to the PC if you want to control it. If the controller is synced to the console, it won't control the PC.

Wireless xbox 360 controller won't sync with PC