Xbox One Controller not connecting via Bluetooth after being plugged in with USB

Anonymous
2019-09-20T00:45:11+00:00

I have a Xbox One Wireless Controller without the PC adapter so I use Bluetooth to connect directly to my PC.  After charging the controller through one of my PC's USB ports while the PC is on, once the USB to the controller is disconnected it can no longer connect via Bluetooth.  It will still work while the USB is connected but won't work via bluetooth.

Trying to un-pair the controller or uninstall it through devices or device manager often doesn't uninstall.  The most successful method of getting it to work again is to un-pair in the Bluetooth devices and uninstall in both the devices and printers and device manger, then restarting the PC and attempting to pair via Bluetooth again.  This works most of the time but occasionally won't work.

I assume this problem is related to Windows or driver as the device still works perfectly when it is connected via USB. It is like it is flipping a switch to say that it is USB only when it detects the USB connection.

A solution to this problem would be appreciated as I only have 1 USB cable long enough to reach my gaming position and if my headset goes flat while my controller is charging, I have to spend 20+ minutes trying to get the controller to work again via Bluetooth.

Thanks.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2020-05-16T21:29:34+00:00

Hi everyone,

Improved Solution:

  1. Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & Other Devices

Find Xbox Wireless Controller and Remove Device.

  1. Windows Search > Device Manager > View > Show Hidden Devices

Find "Human Interface Devices" and uninstall HID-compliant game controller.

*Important to "Show hidden" or you won't find it as the device is disconnected*

  1. Go through the normal pairing process. *Turn on Bluetooth*

Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & Other Devices > "Add Bluetooth or other device" > Bluetooth.   Don't use "Everything else" even though it says Xbox controllers.

  1. Turn on your Xbox controller and press the sync button. You should now be able to pair AND connect to your computer.

I really hope this was the main and only issue. If it isn't, go into my last post for the clean slateidea. Upvote if this worked!

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Anonymous
2020-01-04T13:05:04+00:00

I had a similar problem (although I could repair controller without PC restart)

I found a workaround:

  1. Connect controller via USB
  2. Go to win+X -> device manager and disable (not delete) Xbox one controller here
  3. After that repair controller via Bluetooth

Thus when you connect controller via USB it will only charge but will not connect as a device - and Bluetooth connection will remain connected

I have win 10 1909

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115 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-07-31T06:23:34+00:00

    I am going through the same issue, but much worse. I just bought everything two weeks ago. used my new Wireless Xbox controller connected to my Windows 10 via Bluetooth. Out of curiosity, I attached a USB cable to my controller from my PC and now I can't use my Bluetooth. Since it cant be recognized in the Bluetooth devices, I went straight to "device and printers" and deleted the controller. After that, I went to the device manager and saw no Microsoft Xbox option so I just restarted my PC. Went to turn my PC's Bluetooth back and pressed the xbox button but it would only blink unless you keep holding the button itself and stops the moment you lift your finger off it. Im so pissed and I don't even know what to do now. Also, that USB cable was wonky too - at a certain angle of the cord, it wont work with the controller. I need some serious help.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-07-28T10:16:21+00:00

    I think I'm an idiot. I wasn't pressing the sync button after trying to connect via bluetooth. I'm sure that previously I didn't have to do that to reconnect, it would just work. 

    In any case I deleted the HID-compliant system controller and attempted to reconnect via bluetooth, it didn't work until i remembered to press that little sync button on the front edge of the controller. It may have been that i wasn't pressing it before or it may have been removing the HID controller. Anyway its reconnected now and I vow i shall NEVER connect my controller with a USB EVER again.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-07-27T12:47:41+00:00

    I just plugged in my xbox one controller via usb cable and now it won't reconnect via bluetooth. I want to try ChessScholar's solution but I don't have any xbox controller listed in my device manager and the closest thing to HID-complaint  game controller is "HID-compliant system controller". I cannot believe this has broken bluetooth on my computer :(

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