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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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!

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

50+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

115 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2020-04-24T12:50:35+00:00

    well, it will re-pair if i disable and re-enable bluetooth in settings>devices while its trying to connect as well.

    i thought that might point to drivers, so rolled back a few versions when i knew at least THAT was working (the usb to bt never worked without repair) and it still didnt work.

    SO i can only assume microsofts most recent firmware update to the controller blew it up.   

    As far as the USB to BT forget/re-pair issue.  Ive resorted to charging on a different PC to avoid the annoyance in the past.  (though now having to toggle BT on and off to even get it to re-connect to BT without usb intervention is just as bad. 

    Seems the only workaround at current (which a prior poster alluded to) is disabling Xbox One Controller in device manager under Xbox Peripherals. 

    This will allow a re connect without a forget/re-pair situation.   Of course with the tradeoff you cant use your controller wired anymore should your battery go dead while gaming.   

    You'd have to re-enable, then be forced with a re-pair again for bt.   Or worse, you forget you disabled it and bang your face on  your keyboard for hours trying to figure out why your controller isnt working down the road. 

    Not to mention if it has any ramifications for identification via the xbox streaming app or anything when being used ala BT.  who knows, not gonna test atm.

    all this could be circumvented if MS would add the basic functionality.  Windows PC + xbox controller is about as common a config as it gets gamepad wise.  Apparently they think these guys dont need to be charged or expect you to charge elsewhere.

    As for my specific (not reconnecting after disconnecting issue) I think it boils down to BT power management settings which seemed to have gone missing on my pc so im gonna go work that angle.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2020-02-08T22:58:42+00:00

    Found a solution, unfortunately it required spending an extra £20 on a USB Xbox wireless adapter. It now works perfectly and controller profiles etc can now be updated over wireless.

    Will be seeking a refund for the £20 from Microsoft for false advertising.  The device is not at all usable over bluetooth. For a £160 controller they should have included the dongle...

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2020-01-03T17:39:18+00:00

    Exactly the same problem.

    The controller works fine wirelessly via Bluetooth. Plugging the controller in via USB to charge it from the PC causes the wireless functionality to stop working after it is unplugged.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments