How to Fix Xbox Controller not Working on Windows 11?

Many users reported that the Xbox controller stopped working for them after upgrading to Windows 11. In some cases, the issue only occurred when using the controller with the Steam client. The issue is reported on wired and wireless/Bluetooth controllers. For some users, the Xbox controller worked intermittently on a Windows 11 system.

The issue is also reported on other controllers as well (like Dual Shock). Sometimes, the Xbox controller keeps on flashing and does not take any inputs. For some users, the controller worked fine on their Windows 10 machines.

The Xbox controller may suddenly stop working on a Windows 11 PC mainly due to the following:

Update the PC’s Windows 11 to the Latest Build

The Xbox controller issue could be a result of a bug with the Windows 11 (the OS is still in its early days) or if the latest controller driver is not compatible with the PC’s Windows (that is a few builds behind the latest Windows 11 version).

In this context, updating the PC’s Windows to the latest build may solve the Xbox controller issue at hand. But before attempting that, check if connecting the controller to another port of the PC solves the problem.

1. Right-click Windows and open Settings.

   

2. Now, in the left pane, steer to the Windows Update tab, and then in the right pane, click on Check for Updates.

   

3. If updates are available, download and install the updates. Keep in mind to restart the system after each Windows update is applied.
4. Once updates are applied, open Advanced Options in the Windows Update tab of Settings and click on Optional Updates.

   

5. Now make sure to install all the Optional Windows Updates and once done, restart your system.
6. Upon restart, check if the Xbox controller is working fine.

Re-Pair/Re-connect the Controller with the System

A temporary communication glitch might be stopping the Xbox controller from working on Windows 11. In this case, re-paring or reconnecting the controller with the system may solve the Xbox controller problem.

1. Unpair (or disconnect) the Xbox controller from the system and restart the system.
2. Upon restart, pair back (or connect) the controller with the system and check if the Xbox controller is working fine.

Update the Xbox Accessories App to the Latest Build

The Xbox Accessories app is essential for the operation of the Xbox controller and if the installation of the app is corrupt, then that may cause the Xbox controller problem under discussion. Here, updating the Xbox Accessories app to the latest build may solve the problem.

1. Launch a web browser and head to the Xbox Accessories page of the Microsoft website.
2. Now click on Get and in the popup select Open Microsoft Store.

   

3. Then, in the Microsoft Store window, click on the Update button (if an update is available) and wait till the app is updated.

   

4. Once updated, restart your PC, and upon restart, check if the Xbox controller is working fine.

Update the Firmware of the Xbox Controller to the Latest Build

The Xbox controller might not work on Windows 11 if the firmware of the Xbox controller is outdated as it may have a compatibility issue with the OS.

Here, updating the firmware of the Xbox controller may solve the problem. Keep in mind this method may not be appropriate for the users where the PC’s Windows 11 even fails to detect the controller.

1. Firstly, make sure the Xbox controller is disconnected from the system.
2. Then open the Xbox Accessories app (if installed), otherwise, install the Xbox Accessories app and launch it.

   

3. Now connect the Xbox controller to the system through a USB cable and if an update available pop-up is shown, click on Update. Keep in mind if no pop-up is shown, then there is no firmware update of the controller is available.

   

4. Once the controller’s firmware is updated, check if the controller is operating fine. You may have to reconnect or re-pair the Xbox controller.

Reinstall the Xbox Accessories App

The Xbox controller might stop working on Windows 11 if the installation of the Xbox Accessories app is corrupt as it plays a vital role in the communication between the controller and the system. Here, reinstalling the Xbox Accessories app may solve the problem.

1. Right-click Windows and open Apps & Features.

   

2. Now click on the three vertical ellipses in front of the Xbox Accessories app and click on Uninstall.

   

3. Then confirm to uninstall the Xbox accessories app and follow the prompts on the screen to complete the process.
4. Once the app is uninstalled, restart your system and upon restart, check if the Xbox controller issue is resolved.
5. If not, check if reinstalling the Xbox Accessories app solves the problem.

Reinstall the Chipset Drivers of the System

Chipset drivers are utilities to facilitate the OS to properly communicate and work with a system’s motherboard (or any small subsystems on it). If any of these drivers are corrupt, then that can cause the non-working of the Xbox controller.

In this case, reinstalling the chipset drivers of the system may solve the problem. For elucidation, we will discuss the process of reinstalling the chipset drivers of an AMD-based system.

1. Right-click Windows and open Apps & Features.
2. Now click on three vertical ellipses in front of AMD Chipset Software and click on Uninstall.

   

3. Then follow the prompts on the screen to uninstall the chipset drivers and once uninstalled, restart your system.
4. Upon restart, check if the Xbox controller is working fine.
5. If not, check if reinstalling the chipset drivers solves the problem.

Reinstall the Xbox Controller Driver

The Xbox Controller might not work if its driver is corrupt as it can make the controller incompatible with the OS. In this context, reinstalling the Xbox controller driver may solve the problem.

Install a Generic Windows Controller Driver

1. Right-click Windows and open Device Manager.

   

2. Now find and right-click on the Xbox controller. You may have to search it under Microsoft Common Controller, Other Devices, etc.

   

3. Then select Uninstall Device and checkmark Attempt to Remove the Driver for This Device.
4. Now click on Uninstall and wait till the driver is uninstalled.
5. Once done, restart your system and upon restart, let the Windows install a generic controller driver (if it tries to) and afterward, check if the Xbox controller is working fine.
6. If not, open the Device Manager and expand the View menu.
7. Now select Show Hidden Devices and expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers.

   

8. Then right-click on a hidden device (a greyed-out item) and select Uninstall Device.
9. Now checkmark Attempt to Remove the Driver for This Device (if shown) and click on Uninstall.
10. Wait till the device is uninstalled and once done, repeat the same to remove all the hidden devices under the Universal Serial Bus Controllers.

    

11. Then uninstall all the devices with a yellow exclamation mark.
12. Afterward, uninstall the Xbox controller device by repeating steps 1 to 5.
13. Now restart the system and upon restart, check if the Xbox controller problem is cleared.

Install the Xbox Controller Driver

1. Right-click Windows and open Device Manager.
2. Now locate the Xbox controller device. You may find it as Unknown Device (under Other Devices) or as a Compatible Game Controller with HID (under Game Controllers).
3. Then right-click on the controller and select Update Driver.
4. Afterward, choose the option of Browse My Computer for Drivers.

   

5. Now select Let Me Pick from a List of Available Drivers on My Computer and uncheck Show Compatible Hardware.

   

6. Now select Xbox Peripherals and select the Xbox driver or Xbox 360 Controller for Windows.

   

7. Then click Yes (if the driver is not recommended popup is shown) and wait till the driver is installed.
8. Now restart your PC and upon restart, check if the Xbox controller is operating fine.

If no Xbox driver is shown, then you may download the one (from an authentic source, preferably, Microsoft) and afterward, use the Have Disk option in the driver’s update menu to install the driver.

Edit the Steam Client Settings

If the Xbox controller is not working properly in Steam after a Windows 11 upgrade, then the Steam settings might be not compatible with the OS upgrade. Here, editing the Steam settings to re-establish the compatibility may solve the problem.

1. Launch the Steam client and open its Settings.
2. Now disable the following two options (if enabled, otherwise enable them):

   Xbox Configuration Support 
   
   Xbox Extended Feature Support

   

3. Afterward, restart the system and upon restart, re-enable the above two options.
4. Now restart your system and upon restart, check if the Xbox controller is working normally.
5. If the issue persists, Enable Steam Input for Xbox Controllers and set the Xbox Controller as the Default Desktop Profile (under Base Configuration in the Big Picture Settings). This may make the controller appear as an Xbox 360 controller to the non-Steam games.
6. Afterward, check if the Xbox controller is working fine.

If the screenshot or share button is not working, you may configure it in Steam Settings >> Controller >> Desktop Configuration.

Downgrade the Firmware of the Xbox Controller

The Xbox controller might not work on Windows 11 if the updated firmware of the Xbox controller is not compatible with the PC’s Windows (as reported by users and Microsoft just being Microsoft, where two of its latest products are not compatible with each other). In this case, downgrading the firmware of the Xbox controller may solve the problem. Keep in mind that an Xbox console is required to complete the steps listed below.

Warning:

Advanced with utmost care and at your own risk, if the process fails, you may brick your controller. Also, keep in mind a user may have to manually update the firmware on the controller, once the firmware is downgraded by this method.

1. On the Xbox console, launch the Xbox Assist tab in Apps and head to the Get Help tab.

   

2. Now open Consoles & Accessories.

   

3. Then select Controller and click on My controller has connection issues after the…
   

   

4. Now open Check Controller Firmware and wait till the Xbox Accessories app is opened.

   

5. Once the Xbox Accessories app is launched, a prompt for firmware revert will be shown.

   

6. When the prompt is shown, connect the controller with a USB cable to the console and click on Revert Firmware.

   

7. Once the firmware is reverted, connect the Xbox controller to the Windows 11 PC and hopefully, it will be working fine.

If the issue persists, then get the controller checked for a hardware issue. You can try the controller on another system or another controller with the current system.