Xbox Controller Freezes on PC

Craig J Lucas · May 21, 2022

My Xbox Elite Series 2 controller keeps "freezing" whilst in game. The controller stops accepting inputs, but holds on the input that was being pressed. If the analogue stick is pointing left, it stays pointing left but no other buttons work. It happens more frequently the longer it's in use.

I'm using the controller plugged in, and the only temporary fix is to unplug the controller and plug it back in again.

Other inputs(keyboard, mouse, ect.) still work. I've tried multiple USB ports, updating the controller using the Xbox Accessories App, making sure other drivers/Windows updates are up to date(I'm not aware that I took an update that caused the issue).

Anyone got any suggestions?

Thanks

:)

Lucas Lauer

Hello, Craig. Thanks for reaching out. I'm Lucas, an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user just like you. I'll be glad to help you out.

Are you able to test it on other computer or a console to see if it works fine? This way we can know if it's a Controller issue or Windows/Software issue.

Also, this always happened with the controller or it started to happen a few hour/days/weeks?

Waiting for your answers, my friend.

Craig J Lucas

Hi Lucas

I tried a system restore, but my most recent one still yielded the same errors(from about 3 weeks ago).

I was able to test an old 360 controller I found in a drawer and had no issues with that. Then I thought about trying a different USB-C cable to the controller, and, so far, I've had no more drop outs after a couple of hours. Hopefully it that's it sorted.

Thanks

Craig J Lucas

Hi Lucas

I might be able to test it on another device in a few days. I don't own a console or another PC to test it on, so I'll have to see if I can borrow one.

The problem started happening a couple of days ago, the controller is probably 18 months old or so.

Thanks

Lucas Lauer

I'm glad it is working for you.

It the problem start to happen again, please let me know.

Have a great week!

Lucas Lauer

If you want, you can try to restore your Windows to a few days before this issue started to happen to test if it's a driver or software issue. If this was caused by a driver, software or update installed, it will start work again.

This option takes your PC back to an earlier point in time, called a system restore point. Restore points are generated when you install a new app or driver, and when you create a restore point manually. Restoring won’t affect your personal files, but it will remove apps, drivers, and updates installed after the restore point was made.

In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel, and then choose it from the list of results

In the Control Panel search box, type recovery.

Select Recovery > Open System Restore.

In the Restore system files and setting box, select Next.

Select the restore point that you want to use in the list of results, and then select Scan for affected programs.

You'll see a list of items that will be deleted if you remove this restore point. If you're OK with the deletions, select Close > Next > Finish.

Try it out and let me know how it goes.

Xbox Controller Freezes on PC