Xbox one wireless controllers won't stay connected

Hi
Mohammed,

Thanks for reaching out to us here on the
Forums!

I would recommend checking the batteries in the controller. Also, try connecting your controller to
the console with a USB cable instead of wirelessly. Does the controller stay connected or does it still show it disconnecting?

Check out:

Troubleshoot your Xbox One wireless controller or
Connect a wireless Xbox One controller to your console.

Give
this a try and let us know how it goes

• If you've tried the steps on this
  page and your controller still won't connect, see
  Xbox One Wireless Controller disconnects or can't connect.
• Controllers are assigned based on who’s holding a controller. To assign a specific controller to your profile, see
  
  How to assign an account to an Xbox One Wireless Controller.

Same here. It will connect but it won't stay connected for very long. I have an Xbox One X but I'm sure the controller is the same.

Hello, Gamer

If you're having difficulty initiating connectivity of your controller to your console, this may indicate one of the following issues:

•The wireless controller's batteries are weak, or the Xbox One Rechargeable Battery Pack needs recharging.

Notes

◦If the controller's batteries are weak, you may experience only partial functionality, such as vibration not working. This partial functionality is by design to stretch the remaining battery life.

◦The controller may have enough power to turn back on briefly, but until the batteries are replaced, it won't stay on for long.

•Another wireless device (such as a microwave oven, a cordless phone, or a wireless router) is interfering with the wireless controller's connection to the console.

•Metallic objects (such as metal dividers, shelves, or doors of an entertainment center) positioned between the console and the wireless controller are causing interference with the wireless controller's connection to the console.

•Eight wireless controllers are already connected, and you're trying to connect an additional wireless controller.

•Your Xbox One hardware is malfunctioning.

Solutions

To resolve this problem, try the following solutions.

Solution 1: Replace the batteries or recharge the battery pack

If the Xbox button on your Xbox One controller is lit up, your wireless controller has power. If the Xbox button is not lit up, try replacing the controller's batteries to ensure that it remains connected. For more information, see Your Xbox One Wireless
Controller won't power on.

Solution 2: Power cycle your console

A full power cycle reboots the console fully. Doing this does not erase any of your games or data.

Check out the video or the steps below to power cycle your Xbox One console.

Here's how to power cycle your Xbox One console:

1.Turn off your console by holding the Xbox button on the front of the console for approximately 10 seconds.

2.Turn your console back on by pressing the Xbox button on the console or the Xbox button on your controller.

Note If you don't see the green boot-up animation when the console restarts, repeat these steps. Make sure that you hold the power button until the console completely shuts down.

Notes

•If your console is in Instant-On power mode, the steps above will shut the console completely off. (Instant-On mode, or the ability to turn on your console by saying "Xbox on," won't be enabled until you restart the console.)

•The voice command "Xbox on" is not supported in all countries. For more information, see Use Kinect voice commands with Xbox One. For more information about Instant-On power mode, see Use Kinect voice commands to turn your Xbox One on and off.

Solution 3: Try connecting the wireless controller to the console again

Use the following steps:

•On the wireless controller: 1.Hold down the wireless connect button until the Xbox button flashes.

picture

2.Hold down the wireless connect button again. The light on the Xbox button on the controller will stay on, indicating that the wireless controller is connected to the console.

For more information, see Connect a wireless controller to your Xbox One console.

•Using the Kinect sensor:

1.Ensure that your Kinect sensor is on and faces your Xbox gaming play space.

2.On the wireless controller, hold down the wireless connect button until the Xbox button flashes.

3.Point the front of the wireless controller at the Kinect sensor. The light on the Xbox button on the controller will stay on, indicating that the wireless controller is connected to the console.

For more information, see Connect a wireless controller to your Xbox One console.

•Using a USB cable:

The wireless controller is designed to act like a wired controller when connected to the console using a USB-to-micro-USB cable. See Connect your charge cable to use your Xbox One Wireless Controller without batteries.

Note If your controller connects when using a USB cable, but it doesn't stay connected when removing the cable (there will be a two- or three-second delay when removing the cable), reconnect it and see if there is a controller update available. To learn
how to do this, see Make sure the controller is up to date, below.

If the controller is updated and doesn't stay connected when you use the USB cable, your controller needs to be replaced. See Replace your controller, below.

Solution 4: Disconnect all connected wireless controllers and headsets

If you already have eight wireless controllers connected, try disconnecting some or all of them by holding down the Xbox button on each controller and selecting Controller off to turn it off. Then, try connecting the wireless controller again. If it still
doesn't connect to your console, your wireless controller may need to be repaired or replaced.

Solution 5: Replace your controller

If the previous solutions didn't get your controller connected to the console, your controller needs to be replaced. Go to the Online Service Center and click Start Request to request a replacement controller.

Your controller doesn't maintain connection to your console

If your Xbox One Wireless Controller was connected to your console but disconnects while you're using it, this may indicate one of the following issues:

•The wireless controller has been inactive for at least 15 minutes. The Xbox One Wireless Controller is designed to turn off after 15 minutes of inactivity. For more information, see Your Xbox One Wireless Controller shuts down.

•The wireless controller's batteries are weak, or the Xbox One Rechargeable Battery Pack needs recharging.

Notes

◦If the controller's batteries are weak, you may experience partial functionality, such as vibration not working. By design, this partial functionality is to stretch the remaining battery life.

◦The controller may have enough power to turn back on briefly, but until the batteries are replaced, it will not stay on for long.

•Your controller is out of range. Xbox One controllers are designed to operate within 30 feet (9.1 m) of the console.

•Another wireless device (such as a microwave oven, a cordless phone, or a wireless router) is interfering with the wireless controller's connection to the console.

•Metallic objects (such as a chrome faceplate, metal dividers, shelves, or doors of an entertainment center) positioned between the console and the wireless controller are causing interference with the wireless controller's connection to the console.

•Your Xbox One hardware is malfunctioning.

Solutions

To resolve this problem, try the following solutions.

Solution 1: Move closer to the console

The range for the wireless controller is up to 30 feet (9.1 m), but environmental factors such as walls and wireless interference from other devices can affect this range.

Make sure your controller is generally facing the front of the console. Controller performance can vary if you're facing the back side of the console, or if your console is enclosed in something like a component cabinet.

Solution 2: Replace the batteries or recharge the battery pack

If the Xbox button on your Xbox One controller is lit up, your wireless controller has power. If the Xbox button on your controller is not lit up, try replacing the controller's batteries to ensure that it remains connected. For more information, see Your
Xbox One Wireless Controller won't power on.

Note The controller may have enough power to turn back on briefly, but until the batteries are replaced, it will not stay on for long. You can check the battery level of your controller by viewing the battery indicator on the Home screen. For more information,
see How to check the battery level on your Xbox One controller.

Solution 3: Power cycle your console

A full power cycle reboots the console fully. Doing this does not erase any of your games or data.

Check out the video or the steps below to power cycle your Xbox One console.

Here's how to power cycle your Xbox One console:

1.Turn off your console by holding the Xbox button on the front of the console for approximately 10 seconds.

2.Turn your console back on by pressing the Xbox button on the console or the Xbox button on your controller.

Note If you don't see the green boot-up animation when the console restarts, repeat these steps. Make sure that you hold the power button until the console completely shuts down.

Notes

•If your console is in Instant-On power mode, these steps will shut the console completely off. Instant-On mode, or the ability to turn on your console by saying "Xbox on," won't be enabled until you restart the console.

•The voice command "Xbox on" is not supported in all countries. For more information, see Use Kinect voice commands with Xbox One. For more information about Instant-On power mode, see Use Kinect voice commands to turn your Xbox One on and off.

Solution 4: Try connecting the wireless controller to the console again

Use the following steps:

•On the wireless controller:

1.Hold down the wireless connect button until the Xbox button flashes.

picture

2.Hold down the wireless connect button again. The light in the Xbox button on the controller will stay on, indicating that the wireless controller is connected to the console.

For more information, see Connect a wireless controller to your Xbox One console.

•Using the Kinect sensor:

1.Ensure that your Kinect sensor is on and faces your Xbox gaming play space.

2.On the wireless controller, hold down the wireless connect button until the Xbox button flashes.

3.Point the front of the wireless controller at the Kinect sensor. The light on the Xbox button on the controller will stay on, indicating that the wireless controller is connected to the console.

For more information, see Connect a wireless controller to your Xbox One console.

•Using a USB cable:

The wireless controller is designed to act like a wired controller when connected to the console using a USB-to-micro-USB cable. See Connect your charge cable to use your Xbox One Wireless Controller without batteries.

Solution 5: Remove objects that are between the wireless controller and the console

The wireless controller works within 30 feet (9.1 m) of your console. However, objects placed between the wireless controller and the console might reduce this range. In addition, objects that use wireless technology (for example, cell phones) can interfere
with your wireless controller. Remove or relocate the following objects or wireless devices that might interfere with the wireless controller or console:

•Microwave ovens

•Cordless phones

•Wireless routers

•Metal dividers

•Shelving units

•Doors on an entertainment center cabinet

Solution 6: Make sure the controller is up to date

If your controller is not up to date, you may be missing important software updates, including the latest controller firmware. Follow these steps to update your controller:

1.Connect to Xbox Live.

2.Press the Menu button.

3.Select Settings.

4.Select Devices & accessories.

5.Select your controller.

6.If an update is available, you'll see an option to select Update. If no update is available, your controller is already up to date, and you don't need to do anything else.

7.If your controller does need an update, connect a USB cable to your controller and follow the on-screen instructions to complete it.

picture

8.You'll see an update progress screen.

picture

9.When the update is complete, unplug the USB cable. If you have additional controllers to update, connect them now, one at a time, select the Update another button on the screen, and then follow the steps.

picture

10.Press the Xbox button on the wireless controller to turn it on.

If this does not resolve your controller disconnect issues, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 7: Try another controller

If you have another controller, try to reproduce the disconnection issue with the other controller. Ensure that the controller has fresh batteries and is connected to the console as outlined in Solution 3, above. Play for a period of time to thoroughly test
the second controller.

•If the second controller operates normally, your original controller needs to be replaced. Go to the Online Service Center to request a replacement controller.

•If both controllers exhibit frequent disconnects, your console needs to be serviced. Go to the Online Service Center to request a repair.

Thank you

If you need any help with this, please private message me and I can try to help you with this.

Hi there Tim,

Thanks for reaching out here in Xbox Forums. I'm sorry to hear about the issue with the controller not staying connected to the Xbox.

I recommend to try the following article:
Troubleshoot your Xbox One wireless controller (My controller won’t connect to my console or PC)

Try this out and let us know the results.