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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  1. Anonymous
    2019-09-21T04:17:42+00:00

    HI Andre,

    I am not sure how any of what you said relates to how Windows handles a Bluetooth device being plugged in via USB and how Windows handles it once it is disconnected.

    As I clearly stated, restarting the system is one of the steps that helps resolve the issue of the controller being re-paired, the problem is that I heavily multi-task. I often have multiple programs running with projects in different stages, when I take a break to play some games, restarting the computer so I can use the controller again is a major inconvenience. 

    The problem has existed on 2 different custom systems both running Windows 10

    System 1

    Intel 4770k

    Asus Sabertooth Z97, 2601 Bios

    Windows 10, latest build as of April 2019

    System 2

    Intel 9600k

    Gigabyte Z390 Gaming, F7 Bios

    Windows 10, 1809 17763.737

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-09-21T03:13:05+00:00

    Hi Wayne

    My name is Andre Da Costa; an Independent Consultant, Windows Insider MVP and Windows & Devices for IT MVP. I'm here to help you with your problem.

    What is the exact make and model?

    Open Start, type: system information

    Hit Enter

    Click System summary

    Look in the right pane

    Copy the system sku info into reply here.

    See example: https://imgur.com/qzektpA

    If its custom built, what is the make and model of your motherboard?

    It is possible you might need to update your BIOS and chipset drivers.

    Which version of Windows 10 is currently installed? See how to verify:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wik...

    In the mean time, try disabling fast startup:

    Disable Fast Startup, then try again.

    Press Windows key + X

    Click Power options

    Click Additional power settings under Related settings

    Click Choose what the power button does

    Click Change settings that are currently unavailable

    Uncheck 'Turn on fast startup (recommended)

    Click Save changes.

    Click Restart now and see if it works.

    If it does not help, to isolate if this is a user profile issue.

    Could you confirm if this also happens in the default Administrator account?

    Open Start

    Type: cmd

    Right click CMD

    Click Run as administrator

    At the command prompt, type:

    net user administrator /active:yes

    Hit Enter

    Close command prompt, restart, then try signing into the Administrator account.

    The default Administrator password should be blank.

    Try setting up the device again.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-09-20T13:35:11+00:00

    Do you guys actually read the posts and the suggestions that you provide?  I stated almost everything that is in that link in my original post, including the steps that make it work again.

    The problem is that I have to do it every time that I need to plug the controller in via USB while the PC is on.  There is obviously a problem with the way that Windows controls the device, it disables the Bluetooth connection and doesn't re-enable it once it is unplugged from USB.

    I am looking for a way to not have to spend 20 minutes troubleshooting this every time I need to charge it.

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