Controller Not Working On Windows? How To Fix It

Last updated on November 24th, 2024 at 01:17 pm

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Are you having issues with getting your controller to work on your Windows PC? This can be a very frustrating issue, especially if you prefer to use controllers when gaming on a PC. In this tutorial, you will learn the best ways to fix a controller that’s not working on your Windows PC.

Common Controller Problems On PC

Here are some common controller issues that you might have experienced on PC:

Controller Won’t Connect To PC
Controller Not Recognized On PC
Controller Won’t Pair To PC Over Bluetooth
Controller Detected But Not Working

Reconnect Your Controller

Before proceeding to the following steps, try reconnecting your controller. If your controller is wireless, go to your Bluetooth settings, unpair it, and then pair it again to your PC. If your wireless controller still doesn’t work, make sure it’s fully charged. If it uses regular batteries, replace them with new ones.

If your controller is wired, try unplugging it, and then plugging it back in the USB port. If that doesn’t work, try a different USB port. It is possible that the controller’s USB cable is not being inserted correctly, or the USB port you’re connecting it to is malfunctioning.

USB hubs can also affect your controller’s connection. If your controller is having issues, try plugging it directly into the PC’s USB port. If this works, it means that your USB hub wasn’t providing enough power. For best results, use a powered USB hub from a reputable brand such as Anker.

How To Fix Your Controller Not Working On Windows

Here are some of the best ways to fix Windows controller issues.

Run Windows Troubleshooting Tool

The Windows USB Troubleshooter is a great app that can help you fix any problems that are causing your controller to not be recognized on Windows. Before proceeding, make sure to create a system restore point for your PC.

First, download the Windows USB Troubleshooter.
Once the download is finished, open the setup file WinUSB.diagcab.

If you want to see what issues the Windows USB Troubleshooter will fix, select Advanced and uncheck Apply repairs automatically.

To run the Windows USB Troubleshooter, click Next. Make sure your controller is connected while the tool is running.
The troubleshooter will now scan and fix any errors that are causing your controller’s connection issues.

Update Your Controller Drivers

Out-of-date drivers can affect your controller’s compatibility, which can lead to your controller not working. Here’s how to update your controller drivers:

Press Win + X to open the Quick Link menu, then click Device Manager.
If you use a Bluetooth controller, expand Bluetooth. If you use a USB wired or wireless controller, expand Xbox/Xbox 360 Peripherals.
Right-click your controller, then select Update driver.
You will now be asked, “How do you want to search for driver software?”. Click Search automatically for updated driver software.

Disable And Re-enable Controller

One way you can fix your controller issues on PC is by disabling and re-enabling your controller. Here’s how you can do so:

Open Device Manager, then locate your controller driver.
Right-click your controller, then select Disable device.
Click Yes to disable your controller.
You will now see the System Settings Change window appear, asking you if you want to restart your PC. For now, click No.
Right-click your controller again, then select Enable device.
When the System Settings Change window asks you to restart your PC, click Yes.

Reinstall Controller Drivers

Reinstalling your controller drivers is a great way to fix your controller that’s not working on PC:

Open Device Manager, then find your controller driver.
Right-click your controller, then select Uninstall device.
You will now see the Uninstall Device prompt pop-up. Click Uninstall.
When the System Settings Change window asks you to restart your PC, click Yes, then unplug your controller
After your PC is restarted, plug your controller into your PC again to reinstall the controller drivers.

Replace Your Controller Drivers

If you own a controller that uses older drivers, such as the Logitech F710, you may experience driver conflicts, which can lead to your controller not working. To fix this, you will need to replace your controller drivers. To do this, follow the instructions below:

Open Device Manager, then look for any listing that says Unknown Device.
Right-click Unknown Device, then click Update Driver Software.
Select Browse my computer for drivers.
Next, click Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
Scroll down through the list until you see Xbox 360 Peripherals, then select Next.
Afterward, click the driver Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows, then select Next.
You will now see an Update Driver Warning. Click Yes to replace your controller drivers.

Disable USB Selective Suspend

There is a possibility that your controller is not working because your computer has USB selective suspend enabled, a Windows power saving feature. To turn it off, follow these steps:

Press Win + S to open Search
Type control panel, then select it from the search results.
Go to System and Security, then click Power Options.
Click Change plan settings, then select Change advanced power settings.
Expand USB Settings, then click USB selective suspend setting.
Change the setting from Enabled to Disabled. If you use a laptop, make sure On battery and Plugged in is set to Disabled.
To save your settings changes, click Apply and then OK.