XBox Elite Series 2 controller no "action" settings

NULUSIOS · May 6, 2022

I have only connected my new XBox One Elite Series 2 controller via USB cable (yet).

On first connection and when I downloaded the XBox Accessories app, it performed a firmware update successfully.

The picture shown on Accessories app is correct (shows an Elite 2), BUT I cannot configure actions on my buttons.

The only thing I can do on buttons, is assign one of the (other) buttons or shift.

I have seen videos that there is an "actions" tab, where I can define some OTHER action for the button (like start an application).

The lack of this tab is VERY limiting.

This is Windows 11 with all updates.

Note that Device Manager shows this as "XBox One Controller" (not Elite or Elite 2) and when I force it to use another driver (like XBox Elite Controller) it says ok, asks for a reboot (!?) and still identifies it as XBox One controller.
Also in Bluetooth & Devices > Devices, it shows as "Controller" with only the option to disconnect it. It also doesn't show as XBox Elite 2 or anything like that.
Maybe this is correct, maybe it is not.

Another thing I noticed, is that "Setup USB controllers" application (shows 16 buttons), when I first used it (before the firmware update), when testing the extra 4 bottom buttons, it showed a pressed BOTH one of the first 4 buttons (as the extra buttons are mapped to be shown as the first 4 by default) AND one of the last buttons (in the list of 16). So it identified I used ANOTHER button.

After the firmware update, pressing one of the extra buttons, ONLY shows one of the first 4 buttons (that are mapped to the extra buttons).
Again, maybe this is correct - or maybe it is not.

I don't have a USB wireless controller, but will try Bluetooth. I have read though that BT connectivity limits Elite 2 functionality anyway (why!?)...
So, I am not sure what to do next.

:)

NULUSIOS

No it doesn't.

Actually I am very sad about my VERY expensive purchase and Microsoft ignoring the issues:

- Controller connected via BT: Installs a generic driver (that cannot be changed, I tried), "accessories" app recognizes the device properly, BUT doesn't allow any customization (they even say so, but don't explain why). Although controller buttons seem to be identified properly, within games they are mixed up.

- Controller connected via USB cable: Only way to properly detect the device and "accessories" app to allow customization, BUT it is cable, when I purchased a WIRELESS controller.

- Bought an XBox wireless stick thinking I could use it to finally properly use my XBox controller wirelessly and the stick doesn't even get a working driver in Win 11.

(this is a different issue than the one in this thread though)

This sucks.

EDIT: The wireless adapter (series 2), does work on my second Win 11 PC. This is very weird. In the first PC I could only force it to manually use 2015 drivers. In my second PC (same Windows versions and updates) it automatically worked with 2022 drivers.

BACK to the topic: Even with the wireless adapter, I do NOT get no ACTION settings. I can only assign controller buttons around. Nothing else.

This is serious.

Especially for such an expensive device!

Lucas Lauer

Hello, NULUSIOS. Thanks for reaching out! My name is Lucas, and I'm an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user just like you. I'll be happy to assist you today.

Please take a look at this video and see if you setup your Xbox Elite Series 2 properly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bhmiw_8Jtg

Also this one shows how to remap it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GM-4IHIJas

When using the Xbox Accessories App to remap a button on your controller, you can choose Primary or Shift, go to the Action tab, then choose an action from the list. The Action tab is not showing for you?

FulmetalChemist

Hi ,

Thanks for taking the time to ask this question here on the forums. Regarding the thumbsticks on the new Xbox Elite controller series 2, the calculations refer to actions that can be taken by the thumbsticks themselves, so it essentially the following (pardon
for the loose translations):

Radial - based on radius of full or half-circle movements made by the thumbstick,

Independent axis - based on the X or Y axis (up/down, L to R movement)

True Diagonals - would mean true 90deg diagonals based on the X/Y axis

For further information regarding any settings on this particular controller, I'd recommend checking out the following support articles that can detail what can be done more explicitly:

Get to know your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Adjust the thumbsticks on your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Use the Xbox Accessories app to customize your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2  

In general, it would be a good idea to test out different settings, just to see what works best for you and makes you more comfortable in gaming with the controller.

I hope that this information helps out!

Oh okay , thank you very much for this response.

XBF Amber M

Hi FulmetalChemist,

Thanks for taking the time to ask this question here on the forums. Regarding the thumbsticks on the new Xbox Elite controller series 2, the calculations refer to actions that can be taken by the thumbsticks themselves, so it essentially the following (pardon
for the loose translations):

Radial - based on radius of full or half-circle movements made by the thumbstick,
Independent axis - based on the X or Y axis (up/down, L to R movement)
True Diagonals - would mean true 90deg diagonals based on the X/Y axis

For further information regarding any settings on this particular controller, I'd recommend checking out the following support articles that can detail what can be done more explicitly:

Get to know your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Adjust the thumbsticks on your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Use the Xbox Accessories app to customize your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2  

In general, it would be a good idea to test out different settings, just to see what works best for you and makes you more comfortable in gaming with the controller.

I hope that this information helps out!

XBF Amber M

Hi PsycoPyro88,

Thanks for the reply. The Elite controller series 2 has various methods of mapping the buttons and paddles as compared to the series 1. If you haven't done so already, I recommend taking a look at the following support articles that
can assist you in determining how to set up the different functions, including how to use Shift with the controller to give you alternate inputs:

Get to know your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Use the Xbox Accessories app to customize your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2  

Use Shift with your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Adjust the thumbsticks on your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Charge your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

If you'd like to contribute some ideas on how to make improvements to or about other ideas for the community, you may do so at the Xbox Idea Hub which is on Reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/xboxinsiders/wiki/ideas

I hope that this information helps you out!

XBox Elite Series 2 controller no "action" settings