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Want to know how to Update an Xbox Wireless Controller? Users of the Xbox One console can update their controllers. Even though it’s not necessary, Microsoft often adds new firmware to the gaming accessory. With these firmware updates, the controller gets a lot of changes, including improvements to the headset adapter and a lot more. Making sure that the firmware on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S controllers is up to date is a great way to make sure your controller works well and fix any problems you might be having. When you think about your Xbox controller, one of the last things that probably comes to mind is the software that runs it.
Even if you keep the console’s firmware up to date, you might forget that the controller’s firmware also needs to be kept up to date. It’s important to keep the code that makes your controller work up to date. The Xbox Wireless Controller is the controller that comes with Xbox Series X and Series S consoles. It also works with Windows PCs, Apple devices, and more. Microsoft often puts out firmware updates that make the controller work better or fix problems with how it works with Steam, Android phones, Apple TV, and iPhones. So, if your Xbox controller is giving you trouble, you might be able to fix it with a software update. Here are the steps how to Update an Xbox Wireless Controller.
How To Update Your Xbox Wireless Controller Firmware
- Connect your Xbox Wireless Controller to your Xbox console using a USB cable. Ensure the console is powered on.
- Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
- Navigate to the System tab using the D-pad or thumbstick.
- Scroll down and select Settings.
- In the Settings menu, select Devices & connections.
- Choose Accessories from the list of options.
- Select the controller you want to update.
- In the controller settings, scroll down and select Update firmware.
- If an update is available, you will see an option to Update now. Select it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the firmware update process.
- Once the update is finished, your Xbox Wireless Controller will restart.
How to Update an Xbox Wireless Controller Using a PC
Even if you don’t have an Xbox, you can still keep the firmware up to date if you use the controllers to play games on a PC, laptop, or tablet. With a PC or tablet, it’s easy to install a firmware update for a controller. Only the Xbox Accessories app can do the updates, and that app only works on Windows 10 or 11. So it might be easier for Linux and Mac users to borrow a friend’s PC or Xbox when they want to update. The app is free and can be downloaded from the Microsoft store. This is the first step. Open the Xbox Accessories app once it’s been installed, and then get your controller.
- Put the controller together.
- PC users can’t update their controllers over Bluetooth, so they need to use a wired USB connection or the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows.
- Once your controller is connected, if there is a required update, you should see a pop-up message.
- To update your controller, just follow the on-screen instructions.
- You can use this method instead of updating the controller on the console if you use it on the console but find it easier to do so on the PC.
How to update firmware on Xbox gamepad
- Ensure that your Xbox gamepad is connected to your Xbox console or PC.
- For Xbox console users:
- Connect your Xbox gamepad to the console using a USB cable. Make sure the console is powered on.
- For wireless gamepads, ensure they are synced with the console using the sync button on both the gamepad and the console.
- Once your gamepad is connected, power on your Xbox console or PC.
- For Xbox console users:
- Press the Xbox button on your gamepad to open the guide.
- Navigate to the System tab using the D-pad or thumbstick.
- Scroll down and select Settings.
- In the Settings menu, select Devices & connections.
- Choose Accessories from the list of options.
- Select the gamepad you want to update.
- In the gamepad settings, scroll down and select Update firmware.
- If an update is available, you will see an option to Update now. Select it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the firmware update process.
- Once the update is finished, your Xbox gamepad will restart.
- For PC users:
- If you are using the Xbox Accessories app on Windows 10, open the app.
- Connect your Xbox gamepad to your PC using a wired USB connection or the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows.
- The app will detect your gamepad and display its information.
- If a firmware update is available, you will see an option to Update firmware. Select it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the Xbox Accessories app to complete the firmware update process.
- Once the update is finished, your Xbox gamepad will be ready to use.
FAQs
With a firmware update that started rolling out in September 2021, controllers with Bluetooth can pair with devices that use either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This means that controllers can switch connections by double-tapping the pairing button.
The Xbox Offline System Update (OSU) process lets you update your console by downloading a file to a USB flash drive and then installing that file directly on your Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One console.
One of the most rare Xbox One controllers is the Project Scorpio controller. It could only be bought as part of the Xbox One X Project Scorpio Edition bundle, which came out when the Xbox One X did. It looks a lot like the Day One Edition controller that came with the first Xbox One.