Xbox 360 controller won't work after starting a game PC

Isidoro Auba · Jul 1, 2022

I had this controller for a long while, untill recently a few weeks ago i started having this issue.

Everytime i start a game, the controller won't budge at all or it will stop working after a few minutes. when it dies, it'll still show as connected, with the green light on player 1 and it's recognized by the PC, steam's big picture rumble test will also trigger the controller's vibration, but unless i unplug and plug the controller again it wont work.

I have tried everything:

unplugging, changing USB port, uninstalling drivers, unchecking battery optimization, installing other drivers, restoring my PC, etc.

When i plug alternative xbox controllers they work perfectly, and when plugging the real xbox controller on another PC it won't have issues at all.

i know there are many with the same question out there, but none of the answers have solved the issue. i apologize if this question has been already answered beffore, but i'm desperate to save this expensive controller.

thank you in advance!

----- spanish

He tenido este control desde hace tiempo, y hace unas semanas comenzó con este problema.

Al iniciar un juego, el control dejará de responder luego de unos minutos. aún así, aparece como conectado y es reconocido por el PC, incluso Steam big picture logra reconocerlo y hace vibrar el control.

ya he intentado desconectarlo, cambiar el puerto usb, desinstalar los drivers, quitar la optimización de bateria, instalar otros drivers, restaurar el PC, etc.

Los controles alternativos no me dan problema, y al conectar el control a otro computador funciona sin problemas

espero puedan ayudarme, muchas gracias!

:)

JosefLBohorquez

Hi and thanks for reaching Microsoft Xbox gamer's community. My name is Josef.

I'm an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft Xbox user like you.

Hope you're doing great today Isidoro

This applies for all games from Steam?

Did you tried using xinput to force xbox 360 controller use?

Usually with newer games (since launch of Xbox One controllers) this controller is not being recognized due to developers didn't release an official support for it.

But if you don't mind I'm thinking couple options more apart from the xinput thing:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedeta...

1. Try uninstalling the most recent windows update, just in case it is the one that is causing conflicts

2. If you're on Windows 11, downgrade to 10 and try again. Or do the opposite case if you're able to upgrade to 11.

For these 2 options in the link below you're able to follow necessary steps:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/rec...

**About steam community thread: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Obsessive Power

Hi,

Not sure what's happened here but the problem is either with the controller hardware itself or the Xbox 360. The 360 controllers can be used on both interchangeably. It won't become a 'Windows 360 controller' after you use on a PC. I have an old 360 that I fire up every now and again, my controller works on both my PC and my 360.

Obsessive Power

Hi,

There aren't any drivers to download for Windows 10 as the drivers for Xbox 360 controllers are already built into the OS.

The Xbox 360 controller uses its own type of wireless protocol, it's not Bluetooth and so it can't be connected to a PC directly without additional hardware. It needs an Xbox 360 wireless gaming receiver for use on a PC. This receiver needs to be specifically for Xbox 360 controllers. The receivers for the Xbox One controllers won't work either.

Obsessive Power

[quote user="MayhemsShadow"]

well, to answer your question, voteDC, most pc games use the keyboard as well as a controller, and i'm not a big fan of that. [/quote]

That's not strictly true. Most PC games that have controller support will work with the controller only if you so wish, especially if the game fully supports the Xbox 360 controller. Quite a few of EA's racing games support the Xbox 360 controller. I've
been playing Need For Speed Hot Pursuit with my Xbox 360 controller, no need to use the keyboard and mouse with that game at all.

Other PC games I've been playing recently with full Xbox 360 controller support include:

Fallout 3

Fallout New Vegas

Mafia II

Tomb Raider Anniversary

GTA IV

Resident Evil 5

Bioshock

Test Drive Unlimited II

I've only just started to play PC games again after I built a new gaming PC last week. Those are just the games I've played with an Xbox 360 pad so far, there are loads more.

VastEwe968751

Hmmm, that's interesting, I just read the following on gametrailers.com

---

Can I use an Xbox 360 controller for Halo: Spartan Assault?

Yes, although use of the Xbox 360 controller is limited to the Windows 8 PC version of the game. This control method won't be available immediately at launch, however. Until 360 controller functionality is patched in a couple of weeks after launch, PC players
will need to use a keyboard and mouse.

---

What a shame there's no demo so we can test the game with our hardware first.

Also, if and when 360 controller support is added, how will we know?

Hopefully it will be clearly displayed on the store page, because I won't be buying it until I'm sure... That said, once the game has full 360 pad support, I'll buy it immediately.

Looking forward to it.

Xbox 360 controller won't work after starting a game PC