How To Use A 360 Controller On Pc

The choice of games on PC is better than always. With the rise of the indie scene and a multitude of digital storefronts selling games at discounts, there's nothing stopping you from enjoying whatever game you desire. Well, almost nothing. While a mouse and a keyboard combo is a time-tested setup, sooner or afterward, you'll probably need a controller.

If you practise some digging, yous'll find out that the Xbox 360 controller is the best selection for a majority of games. So you may be wondering how to connect an Xbox 360 controller to a PC. Is it complicated? Do you fifty-fifty have to exercise it?

No matter how much y'all dearest playing games the traditional way, with a keyboard and a mouse, you'll detect a game that merely feels off. Perhaps it has a bizarre keyboard setup that you can't change, or it's just designed to exist played with a controller. If you check the forums, you lot'll encounter that most gamers recommend getting an Xbox 360 controller since it's the best-supported option for Windows-based PCs. No disagreement here, Xbox controllers are high-quality devices that provide great functionality with a majority of games. And if you're playing a PC port of a console game, having an Xbox 360 controller is almost mandatory. And so getting one is a no-brainer, but what about installing it?

We'll comprehend how to connect a wired Xbox 360 controller to a PC and its wireless pc controller counterpart. Now, there'southward a quick and expensive fashion and a cheap and complicated manner. Fortunately for you, this guide will make it all simple and stress-gratuitous.

Wires Make It Easy

If you want a simple plug-and-play method, just become a wired Xbox 360 controller for a PC. While burrow gaming with a wireless controller may audio tempting, installing a wired version is more straightforward and cheaper.

Of course, earlier you tin play games with an Xbox 360 wired controller, y'all'll need to install the Xbox 360 controller driver.

Start by plugging in the Xbox 360 usb controller for PC in ane of the USB ports on your computer. All Xbox 360 controllers support USB ports 2.0 or college, and every estimator should accept those.

As presently equally you plug in the controller, Windows 10 volition immediately search for and install appropriate drivers for the wired Xbox controller for a PC. A pop-up window will notify you that the commuter is installed, and y'all're good to go. Almost games have calibration options to test if the buttons, trigger, or stick react correctly. Alternatively, you lot tin can also use the Game Controller app for calibration.

If Windows detects and installs the Xbox 360 commuter correctly, your troubles end here. But if Windows does non see your Xbox 360 wired controller, there'southward a simple workaround.

If you accept an installation disc that you've got with a controller, insert it, and the Microsoft Accessories Setup will open up. Follow the installation instructions, and when it's done, you'll have your wired controller ready to get.

There's a decent chance that your rig doesn't have a disc drive as they've been going out of manner. They've been replaced with high-chapters USB sticks and cloud backups. If you don't have an installation disc or a CD drive, download the Xbox 360 controller driver for Windows 10 from Microsoft's website. In the Software & Drivers carte, select the Windows 7 version, either 32-bit or 64-scrap, depending on your Os. Don't worry, both will work on Windows 8 and Windows 10 computers. Download the program, activate it, and go through the installation process.

Once yous've dealt with the drivers, it's fourth dimension to bank check if it's working as it should. Click on the Outset button and enter Run. In one case the app is open, blazon in "joy.cpl" and press Enter. It will open the Game Controllers app; select the controller and then click on Backdrop. Hither, you lot will be able to test controller buttons, triggers, sticks, and touchpads.

Wireless Trouble

By now, y'all should know how to connect an Xbox 360 controller to your PC without any trouble. Notwithstanding, wireless controllers take been known to be tricky to fix for a while. They might exhibit connectivity issues, or the computer might not recognize them. No matter the event, the cause was probably in the controller packaging.

Microsoft officially sells wireless Xbox controllers for PC in a bundle with the receiver adapter. Getting this bundle is the priciest solution, but you'll get everything you need with full software support and no hassle. Retail sites ofttimes sell knock-off receivers for $10–$20.

Anyone wondering how to connect an Xbox 360 controller to a PC without a receiver will exist disappointed. The just way to do it is with a USB cablevision, which defeats the purpose of having a wireless controller. Microsoft wireless controllers operate on a 2.4Ghz communication protocol, and you'll demand a receiver that supports that. If yous don't have one, your controller can't communicate with your PC.

If y'all become an official Microsoft bundle, you'll get an official receiver, and the installation volition go without hiccups. If you get a tertiary political party receiver, you lot might meet some problem. A rule of pollex is: The cheaper y'all get, the higher your chances of encountering issues during setup or gaming.

After we've settled any hardware dispute regarding the wireless controller, nosotros tin move on and explain how to connect a wireless Xbox 360 controller to a PC.

Insert the receiver into a USB slot. If you are using a 3rd political party receiver, hither is a tip that will save yous a lot of hassle: plug these receivers in a back USB slot or a powered USB hub. Choose a spot where you lot won't touch it. Because every time you pull out a 3rd party receiver and plug it dorsum in, at that place'southward a skillful hazard you lot'll have to get through the installation process once again.

In one case yous put the receiver in, Windows should automatically install the necessary drivers. If that doesn't happen, bank check if you lot have an installation disc and follow the steps outlined to a higher place. Make sure you're using a proper RF adapter receiver; a Bluetooth dongle won't practice. If y'all desire to use Bluetooth and were trying to detect out how to connect an Xbox 360 controller to a PC that style, we'll have to disappoint you again. You'll need the proper equipment.

At the time of writing this article, Microsoft retired a large number of Xbox 360 accessories, including the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows. Fortunately, the latest Windows updates have driver back up for all official and most unofficial receivers. Withal, there's a take a chance Windows doesn't recognize your 3rd party receiver. If that's the case, here'due south a workaround.

Press the Windows and 10 or right-click the Start button to open upwardly the start menu. From the menu, select the Device Director. Under Other Devices, yous will come across the Unknown Device item.

device manager

Right-click on it and select "Update Commuter" to become the Xbox 360 driver for the receiver. From a new window, select the option "Scan my calculator for drivers," and then select "Let me option from the list of available drivers on my computer."

Update Driver Software

In the list with devices, go to the bottom of the list, where you'll see the "Xbox 360 peripherals."

XBOX 360 peripherals

The "Select the device driver you lot desire to install" window will open up with a list of available drivers. Select the Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows. Click Next, select Yeah, and Windows will install the missing driver. Alternatively, apps like Driver Booster volition take intendance of the unabridged process, and you won't accept to worry if y'all got the right Xbox 360 drivers.

XBOX 360 Device Driver

Finally, we demand to sync the Xbox controller with the receiver. First, make certain the controller is powered up by pressing the Guide push button. On the wireless controller, press and hold the push in the center until a green light activates. Then press the Connect button on your controller – information technology's located on the forepart side, just above the battery. Later on a green band rotates on the Xbox Guide button, it will indicate which controller it is by lighting upwardly the appropriate quadrant. This is useful every bit you tin connect up to four wireless controllers to a receiver.

XBOX 360 Instructions

While you don't have to get the official Xbox 360 controller drivers for the wireless version to function, information technology does enable a suite of useful features, like checking the battery status. Right at present, these drivers are non available for download from Microsoft's website. If Windows doesn't observe the drivers automatically, y'all might have to practise some digging online.

Ready to Rumble

With the controller installed and configured, you are ready to step into gaming waters like a champ. While the official Xbox 360 driver support (including controllers) might be slowly coming to an end, virtually every PC game supports these devices. Thanks to Microsoft's continued presence on the market and its plans for the future of PC gaming, we tin await that Xbox 360 controllers will continue to work just fine.