When Microsoft released their Xbox console series around twenty years ago, even they didn’t know it would gain such immense popularity among gamers. The gaming unit has evolved since then, featuring new aesthetically pleasing designs and a lot of shiny attributes.
Since the release of Xbox One, Microsoft started emphasizing the controllers too by giving them a more refined body, various multimedia characteristics, and of course, a much-required inbuilt voice navigation feature.
The tech giant also designed several other controllers based on the preferences of gamers to make the experience more personalized. It’s an essential element of the Xbox One experience, especially when most gaming aficionados rely completely on the stock variant that ships with the package.
While the default Xbox One controller is pretty sturdy, it might start malfunctioning out of the blues for varying reasons. It’s quite evident to identify that your controller isn’t working when the indicating Xbox button doesn’t light up.
Fortunately, not every issue requires professional assistance, or even worse, a replacement controller. You can consider attempting some troubleshooting practices to try to resolve the issue on your own. Read on to find out how!
5 Probable Reasons Your Xbox One Controller Isn’t Working
Depending on the nature of your problem, an Xbox One controller might not turn on because of varying reasons.
Some of these include battery-related issues, hardware damages, outdated firmware, and more. Here’s a list of some common reasons that usually trigger such issues:
- Worn out or improperly attached batteries
- Bent or loose battery contacts
- Internally broken charging cable
- Outdated or corrupted firmware
- Physically damaged or broken internal components
While most of the possible reasons can be mitigated with minimal troubleshooting, some causes, on the other hand, may require you to seek professional repairs. That being said, let’s proceed with the potential fixes that you can try out right away.
Fixes You Can Attempt If Your Xbox One Controller Not Working
Examine The Batteries
Locate the battery compartment on the backside of your controller and check whether the batteries are correctly inserted or not.
Also, if you haven’t replaced the batteries for a long time and believe they’re drained, try using new pair of batteries instead.
Check Battery Contacts
Unlike other battery-powered devices with spring-based contacts, the Xbox One controller uses metal tabs to connect the positive and negative ends of the terminal together.
They tend to become loose over time and may bend permanently after a considerable amount of time.
Check these contacts by removing the batteries and making sure they’re slightly extended from the sidewalls.
If they lie flat on the sidewalls, use a screwdriver to elevate them a bit, but don’t use excessive pressure, or else they might break.
Diagnose the Play and Charge Kit
Firstly, unplug the charging cable from both ends and check for signs of wear and tear on the surface.
Ensure that both the ends of the wire are properly plugged in and check if the controller turns on. In case it doesn’t, try using the alternative USB port instead.
If none of these works and your controller is still unresponsive, you can also try a different USB cable other than the default Play & Charge cable.
Alternatively, in case your controller is charging normally, yet you’re not getting any response, follow the next solution.
Update The Controller’s Firmware
Xbox One controllers operate over the firmware to interact with the hardware and register your responses. Microsoft often releases firmware updates to patch known issues and fix certain bugs and glitches related to your controller.
You can update your controller’s firmware through a Windows PC either wirelessly or with the help of a USB cable.
Make sure you’re connected to the Xbox Network and navigate to System > Settings > Kinect & Devices > Devices and Accessories > Three-Dots (…) > and Firmware Version to update.
Connect Via USB Instead
If none of the aforementioned solutions work for you, the issue is likely with the wireless connection capabilities of your Xbox One controller.
In that case, you can connect your Xbox One controller to the console using a USB cable instead.
The Last Resort
Hopefully, the fixes suggested above should help you get back your controller functioning again.
However, if nothing seems to solve the problem, there might be an internal fault conflicting with the controller’s operations. That’s when you have to contact the Microsoft Xbox Support channel.
If your controller is still covered under warranty, you may be eligible for a free replacement as well.
The support representatives are available on phone during office hours and live chat 24 hours a day throughout the week.
You can also find various helpful resources on Microsoft’s Xbox support website related to your concern, so make sure you check them out as well.
