If your Wireless Xbox One controller requires a PIN for Windows 10 then either the problem is with the adapter or driver. Check out the detailed guide to fix this issue, and start using your.
Sony's Dualshock 4 may be our go-to controller this generation, but it's hard to beat the convenience of the Xbox One controller. If you're PC gaming with a pad and want a dead simple plug-and-play experience, the Xbox controller is the obvious choice, and it's definitely among the best PC controllers. With a driver built into Windows, you won't need any special software for your PC (and most games) to immediately recognize your pad. So what's the point of a guide at all?
There are a couple ways to use the Xbox One controller wirelessly, and a few things you should know about different iterations of the controller and what how they'll work with your PC.
What you need
Hardware
- Xbox One controller
- Xbox Wireless adapter for Windows (optional, for wireless)
- Micro-USB cable (optional, for wired)
- AA batteries
Software
- Xbox Accessories app (optional, for software updates)
Using your Xbox One controller
1. Using a wired Xbox One controller on PC is as simple as it gets. Plug your micro-USB cable into the controller and into a USB port on your PC. Windows should install the necessary driver, the Xbox Guide button in the center will light up, and you're in business!
Windows version note: On Windows 10, you can connect up to eight Xbox One controllers, while on Windows 7 and Windows 8, you can connect up to four. On Windows 10, you can only have four controllers connected if you also connect an Xbox chat headset to the controller or two with the stereo headset. Audio throughput isn't supported on Windows 7 and 8.
Troubleshooting note: the vast majority of micro-USB cables carry data no problem, but some manufacturers cheap out and produce cables that can only charge. If you're using a random USB cable from a drawer and having trouble, try a different one.
How to connect with the Xbox Wireless adapter for Windows
This process is nearly as simple as connecting with a USB cable, and is basically identical to connecting the controller to an Xbox console.
1. Plug the Xbox Wireless adapter into a USB port.
Xbox One Controller Driver Stereo Windows 10 Download
2. Turn on your Xbox One controller by holding the Guide button in the center. Now press the the small sync button on the top of the controller until the Guide button begins flashing.
3. Press the small sync button located on the side of the Xbox Wireless adapter for a couple seconds. Watch the flashing Guide button on the controller. When it goes solid, you're connected!
How to connect the Xbox One controller via Bluetooth
Here's where things get a little complicated. Certain models of the Xbox One controller can connect to any old PC Bluetooth adapter. Others can't. Here's how to tell if your Xbox One controller has built-in Bluetooth:
The shape of the plastic molding at the top of the controller is your clue. The first iteration of the Xbox One controller does not support Bluetooth and has a few other annoyances. Its bumpers have a narrower click range, making them less comfortable depending on where you position your fingers.
The redesigned controller launched with the Xbox One S console and has a smaller plastic molding along the top. It also adds a 3.5mm headphone jack to the bottom of the controller, another easy giveaway. On top of that headphone jack, it also has built-in Bluetooth!
1. Press the Windows key and type 'Bluetooth' until search brings up the Bluetooth & other devices settings option. Click it to open that settings page. Here you should see your Bluetooth is set to 'On' and is discoverable.
Windows version note: Using the Xbox One controller via Bluetooth only works on Windows 10 with the Anniversary update applied.
2. Turn on the Xbox One controller by holding the Guide button. Press the sync button on top of the controller until the Guide light begins to flash rapidly.
Xbox One Controller Windows 10 Driver Install
3. In the Bluetooth settings menu, click 'Add Bluetooth or other device' and then select Bluetooth from the menu options. After a few seconds of searching, your Xbox controller should show up. Click it to pair. And you're wirelessly connected!
Headset note: Only one Xbox One controller can be paired via Bluetooth. Headsets not supported.
How to update and configure the Xbox One controller
It's not just games that have updates these days. So do controllers! While it's not necessary to update your Xbox controller, if you want to, the process is pretty simple.
1. Open the Windows Store and search for Xbox Accessories. Install the app and open it.
Windows version note: The app only works with Windows 10 with the Anniversary update applied.
2. Plug your Xbox One controller in with a micro-USB cable.
3. Click the 'More options' button to check if there's a firmware update for your controller.
Instead of configuring controller options on a game-by-game basis, you can also use the Accessories app to change button mapping, swap and invert sticks and triggers, and enable or disable rumble.
If you have an Xbox One Elite controller, you can also use the Accessories app to configure options like trigger and analog stick sensitivity. You can save different configurations to the two profiles the controller supports.
Not a controller person? Here's a round-up of the best gaming keyboards, and best gaming mouse.
While connecting a Wireless Xbox controller to a Windows 10 PC is fairly simple (either via USB cable or through Bluetooth), some users are reporting that their Wireless Xbox One controller requires a PIN for Windows 10. The steps are pretty simple to connect over Bluetooth.
To connect Xbox Wireless Controller to your Windows 10 PC, you need to have an Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows. Many Laptops have this inbuilt; else you need to buy it. So if you been trying to connect it to your normal Bluetooth adapter, it’s not a surprise that it is asking for a PIN. So assuming that you are using the recommended adapter, and it is still asking for the PIN, follow the guide below.
Wireless Xbox One controller requires a PIN
Interesting to note that many users have tried connecting it to the MacBook, and it worked. Xbox One is not an issue at all, it is just connecting to the Windows 10 PC is causing all these problems. Good news is that you don’t have to find any PIN anywhere to fix this, but only update your Xbox One controller driver. Many a time drivers are a mismatch with the Windows 10 version and cause this sort of problem.
Follow the steps below to Update Xbox One Controller Driver:
- Hold the Xbox button on the controller to turn it off. Once it’s turned off, keep it in that state for a few minutes. You can also take off the battery pack, and leave it for few minutes.
- Turn it back on using the Xbox button again.
- Now, connect your wireless controller to the Xbox using a USB cable to update drivers.
- To check for updates manually, open its Settings > Kinect & devices >Devices & accessories > select your controller, and update.
- On your Windows 10 PC, make sure to update the drivers of your Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows. Just check if there is an update pending. If yes, update it, and restart your PC.
- Now try connecting your Xbox Controller over Bluetooth, and it should resolve your problem.
Xbox One Controller Driver Download
If you do not have an Xbox One PC, and you bought the controller to play it on your PC, it is possible to update the controller on the Windows 10 PC as well over USB. Follow the link above. You will need to download the Xbox Accessories app from the Windows Store. It’s the same app which is used in Xbox One to configure and manage Xbox One controller.
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