Xbox Controller Paired But Not Connected-11 Effective Fixes

I heard many people reporting a common problem that their Xbox controller is paired to the PC but not connected.

The PC or phone shows that the controller is paired over Bluetooth. But, it does not work. It means the device is not paired in reality.

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Why Should You Follow This Guide?

My younger cousin faced the same issue. Previously, his Xbox Elite was failing to pair with the PC. Now, it was paired but not working.

As I resolved his previous problem, he came to me with hope. So, now, it was my obligation to do something for him. With a little effort, I sorted out the problem.

The Bluetooth drivers on his PC were outdated. In upgraded his computer. However, before that, I tried some simple troubleshooting steps as they work in many cases.

In this guide, I will list all the hacks that worked for me. Surely, they will also help you fix the pairing issue.

1. Reconnect Bluetooth

Disable Bluetooth on both devices. Go to Settings on your PC, and remove your Xbox from the list of paired devices. Reboot and restart your computer.

Go to “Action Center” on your computer. Make sure Bluetooth is turned ON and the Airplane mode is OFF. If you are using a Bluetooth adapter, make sure it is working fine.

Unplug the adapter, wait for 2 minutes, and plug it back again. Connect the adapter to a different USB port. This can help solve the problem.

2. Check Bluetooth Settings

Incorrect Bluetooth settings may be causing the issue. Hence, you need to check them;

In the Windows search box, type “Control Panel” and expand it.
Select the “View by Category”. Next, click on “Devices and Printers”.
Locate your Xbox controller from the list of devices. Right-click on it and choose “Properties”.
Tap the “Services” tab and check all the options.
Click the “Apply” and “OK” button. Close the window.

3. Restart Bluetooth Services

If a simple restart does not work, try it via the “Services”. The process is as follows;

On your computer keyboard, press the Windows key and “R” at the same time.
A dialogue box will appear, type “services.msc” in it. Then, click the “OK” button.
The “Services” menu will appear on the screen. Navigate to the “Bluetooth Support Service” and right-click.
Tap the “Restart” button. Double-click the “Bluetooth Support Service”.
The “Properties” window will open, click the “Startup type” and then hit “Automatic”.
Hit the “Apply” button and then the “OK” button at the bottom of the screen.
Close the Services Window and turn Bluetooth ON and OFF.

4. Use Other Connection Methods

If the device is still not working, try the other connection methods. You can access Bluetooth in other ways too.

Connect from Action Center

On the bottom right of your PC screen, click the “Action Center” icon.
Next, tap the “Connect” button.
Choose your Xbox from the list of paired devices.

Connect from Settings

Instead of connecting the device via the screen icon, pair through settings.
On the bottom left of the PC screen, press the Windows key and the “I” button on the keyboard.
Click “Devices” and then “Bluetooth & other devices”.
Locate your Xbox in the “Audio” section.
Click the “Remove Device” button to unpair the devices.
Restart your Xbox controller. Go to the Bluetooth settings following the same step on your computer.
This time, tap the “Connect” button.

5. Make Xbox Controller Default Bluetooth Device

Making Xbox the default Bluetooth device can solve the issue. I found this hack very useful. You can do it as follows;

On your computer keyboard, press the “Windows+R” key. In the “Run” window, type “mmsys.cpl”.
Hit the “OK” button and a “Sound” window will open. Click your Xbox controller and then choose “Set as default”.
Next, click the “Apply” and the “OK” button. Save changes and close the operation.
Restart your PC and pair the devices again.

6. Restart Your Xbox Controller

Restart is a simple but effective hack. It is useful to eliminate temporary glitches.

Just turn OFF your controller by pressing the Xbox button for 6 seconds.
Wait for 60 seconds and then turn ON the device again.
Now, repair it with your computer.
Repeat the process 2-3 times if it does not work on the first attempt.

7. Replace the Batteries

Your controller may be using replaceable batteries. So, check them if they are too old. The batteries may have expired. That’s why the device is not working.

Likewise, charge your device if it has a rechargeable battery. However, if you connect via a USB cable, the batteries are not required.

8. Disconnect Other Devices

Make sure your no Bluetooth device is paired with your PC. For example, headphones, speaker, mouse, keyboard, or any other device.

Because computers can connect with one wireless device at a time. Although your Xbox will pair up it will not work. So, disconnect all other devices and pair your controller.

9. Install Latest Update

Newer updates are very necessary. You should install the latest version without any delay. Because the older firmware has bugs and cannot work with the latest Windows PC.

Connect the controller to Xbox consoles to update it. If you do not have one, borrow from a friend. Another method is to install the “Xbox Accessories” app on your computer.

Connect the controller to the PC using a USB cable. Run the software app and follow the on-screen instructions to download the updated version.

10. Uninstall and Reinstall the Bluetooth Drivers

Bluetooth drivers may be missing or corrupted. Uninstalling and reinstalling them can help fix the issue.

Uninstalling

On your keyboard, press the Windows key and the “R” button at the same time.
In the dialogue box, type “devmgmt.msc”.
Next, click the “OK” button. The “Device Manager” section will open, click the “Bluetooth” and expand it.
Next, right-click the “Bluetooth” adapter and then “Uninstall Device”.

Reinstalling

Restart your PC and drivers will reinstall automatically. If this method does not work, do it manually.
Open “Device Manager” and click “Action”.
Next, choose “Scan for Hardware changes”.
This action will reinstall the drivers automatically. Close the current window and restart your computer.
Finally, connect Xbox and check if it is working or not.

11. Update Bluetooth Drivers

Bluetooth drives are outdated, missing, or corrupted on your computer. Therefore, the Xbox cannot work. Other devices may still work on your computer.

So, you have to update the Bluetooth drivers. Simply, download the “Driver Easy” on your PC. It is a free software program that scans your computer and finds the missing drivers.

Run the program and do as directed. Click the “Update All” button to download all the missing drivers. This program has both free and paid versions. You can go according to your convenience.

You may also like: Xbox Series X Controller Won’t Connect to PC

FAQs About Xbox Controller

Asking questions is a healthy practice. It indicates that you are learning and understanding things. Therefore, I am going to address your common questions here.

How to fix my Xbox controller not responding?

You should restart the controller if it is not working. Press and hold the Xbox logo button for 6 seconds or until it turns OFF. Wait a few moments and press the button again to turn it ON.

Why is my Xbox controller flashing but not turning ON?

It can be due to low power or dying batteries. So, replace the batteries or charge them. Unplug the device from the power outlet, wait for 20 minutes, and plug it back again. Also, reset or restart your Xbox.

Is wired or wireless gaming better on Xbox?

Overall, wireless Bluetooth gaming is good. But, while playing multiplayer games wirelessly such as sports and shooting, you may face some lag. So, you can go for a wired connection to avoid any risk of losing the game.

Final Words

Most probably, your PC is the culprit. However, sometimes, the controller is also faulty. Therefore, you have to troubleshoot both. Bluetooth needs to be fixed on your computer.

Hence, I have mentioned multiple methods to repair the wireless connectivity. Hopefully, your Xbox controller is now paired, connected, and responsive.