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
    2020-06-25T04:09:54+00:00

    I got sick of waiting for Microsoft to do nothing about this problem and jumped on ebay and got a cheap wireless adapter. I made sure to not get a genuine one so Microsoft got nothing from the purchase. About $20 and it works perfectly now and haven't had any problems after 0lugging in and no FPS drop in games any more either.

    Microsoft are never going to do anything about the BT problem, they don't care in the slightest. I would put a bet on the next generation console controller having the same problem so people buy an overpriced adapter to avoid problems from bad firmware.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-05-18T19:01:55+00:00

    Tried it, bit it still forgets Bluetooth device everytime you connect it to USB. I don't have the battery pack, I just use rechargable batteries and everytime time im out of juice and connect it to PC just to use it wired cant connect back using to Bluetooth. Wanted to ask your setup, do you use the Microsoft antenna or the Microsoft battery pack?

    Ya, for now it's just a workaround until they make some sort of patch. You will need to redo the process every time you connect via USB. I'm just using normal disposable batteries. That isn't the issue. It's for some reason the Driver "forgets" how to connect via Bluetooth.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-04-28T23:43:28+00:00

    They key here is DO NOT EVER connect your xbox to your Windows PC via USB, DO NOT EVER DO THIS or you will break your controller. 

    Microsoft has no fix for this and why should they??? They got your money!!!

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