Xbox controller flashes once then turns off

Josh Briggs · Jul 13, 2021

my Xbox controller, bought from game with an Xbox one bundle about 2 months ago, randomly turned off whilst playing GTA V and hasn’t came back on since. It was working fine with no issues then turned off. Since then I try to turn it on and it just flashes once then dies, even plugging it in with a USB port does nothing. It just vibrates a little bit then goes back to being dead. I’ve tried new batteries and unplugging the console for a bit and leaving it. Anything I can do or it broken? Many thanks

:)

kapitanki · Nov 15, 2021

I have similar problem.

My problem description:
When I press Xbox button on my controller - it blinks once than dies.
When I hold Xbox button it blinks while I hold but dies as soon as I let go.
It works when I plug cable in.

TL;DR: Try the freshest high quality non rechargeable batteries with full charge. It seems that newest Xbox controller has quite high battery requirements. I hope this helps someone.

Some technical details:
Controller worked fine yesterday. Today it doesn't. So, I checked my batteries. They show 1.1V, and 0,5A short circuit current(don't short circuit your batteries. This can permanently damage them, cause fire, burns). So, next I tried my fully charged rechargeable batteries(Ni-MH) - doesn't work either. 1.265V and 0.65A short circuit current. So, next I tried the freshest batteries I could find at home(alkaline)(1.56V and 6.8A scc) and voila! It works now.
My rechargeable batteries are 10 years old, maybe that's why they can't handle Xbox controller.

Some more details:
So, since am not playing now anyway I decided to do some investigating. Apparently Xbox Controller Rechargeable Battery Accessory is 2.4V and Ni-MH. Also some sites specify that this battery has 1200mAh charge and should last about 10 hours per each charge. This means Xbox controller consumes about 0.12mAh.
So, naturally, I decided to test my Ni-MH rechargeable batteries under load. Turns out under load voltage drops to 1.13V(1.03V in my alkaline). This is probably the reason why it didn't work with my batteries. New good quality Ni-MH batteries would easily provide 1Ah without significant voltage drop. Also, surprisingly, one can find Ni-MH batteries with double the capacity(2500mAh for example), which means double work time per one charge. That's probably what I'll do.
Anyway, bye.

Onyx Is Here

Sorry to hear it. Maybe it needs an update. If it will not turn on and connect with the console try downloading the Xbox Accessories app to your PC then connect the controller and run the app to see if it will update.

If it does not then I'm afraid the controller may have died. If it's within the 90 day warranty you should be able to set up a repair at https://account.microsoft.com/devices

Bluntman1138

Start this off with the console turned OFF, and the controller turned OFF

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Press and hold the Xbox Guide button in the middle of your wireless controller until the green light flashes.

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Turn on your Xbox 360 console. Press and hold the connect button next to the memory card ports on the front of your console.

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Press and hold the connect button on the top of your wireless controller. Use the controller with your console once the green flashing lights on both units cease spinning.

PaulMason-Firth

I have the exact same problem.

I can use the controllers for any length of time once connected but as soon as I turn the console off the controller gets disconnected once I turn the unit back on.

If I try to turn the unit back on via the controller the LED on the controller simply flashes and the console stays off.

If I turn the console on manually the controller isn't connected and no amount of re'syncing will fix it.

The only way for me to reconnect the controller is to do a full system reset and then use the controller to turn on the console.

Really annoying having to full reset my console every time I want to use it.

Considering returning the console.

abel.4

I'm pretty sure my 2nd controller has been broken for a while now as it never turns on. Whenever I try to, it flashes once and turns off or it is ABOUT turn on but the home button light fades away on the 2nd flash. I have had times where it has turned on but it continuously vibrates and never stop and ends up overheating.

So both of my controllers are not working at all and have different issues.

But the main issue is my first controller which I am focusing on on the post.

Smug Canvas

My controller vibrates twice and turns off then when I try to turn it on it starts flashing several times and turns off

Xbox controller flashes once then turns off