How to Connect Your Xbox Series X or S Controller to Your PC

Xbox Series X or S controllers are compatible with Windows 10

By
Jeremy Laukkonen
Jeremy Laukkonen
Jeremy Laukkonen
Writer
  • Shoreline Community College
Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles .
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Updated on February 10, 2021
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
Ryan Perian headshot
Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
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What to Know

  • Connect the controller using a USB cable. You can start playing right away; no need to muck around with settings.
  • To connect via Bluetooth, press the Pairing button on the controller until the Xbox button starts flashing. On your PC, click Connect.
  • If that doesn't pop up, go to Settings > Devices > Add Bluetooth or other devices > Bluetooth > Xbox Wireless Controller > Done.

This article explains how to pair an Xbox Series X or S controller with a PC running Windows 10.

How to Connect an Xbox Series X or S Controller to PC With USB

If you’re most comfortable with a wired connection, here’s how to use your controller with your computer via USB:

  1. Check to make sure Windows is updated, and install any available updates.

    Xbox Series X or S controller compatibility wasn’t available when the console first launched, so you may need to update Windows if you aren’t fully up to date.

  2. Plug a USB cable into your Xox Series X or S controller.

  3. Plug the other end of the cable into your PC.

  4. Wait for Windows to recognize the controller.

  5. You’re now ready to start gaming.

How to Connect an Xbox Series X or S controller to PC With Bluetooth


If you prefer a wireless connection, that’s also an option. You’ll need to make sure that your computer supports Bluetooth, and add a Bluetooth card or dongle if it doesn’t.

If your computer supports Bluetooth, here’s how to connect your Xbox Series X or S wirelessly:

  1. Check to make sure Windows is updated, and install any available updates.

  2. Press the Xbox button on your controller to turn it on.

  3. Press the Pairing button on your controller until the Xbox button starts flashing.

    Look for this button right next to the USB-C port on your controller. It's small and round.

  4. If prompted by a pop up message on your computer, select Connect. Otherwise, move on to the next step.

    An Xbox Series X or S controller automatically detected by Windows.

  5. Right click the Start menu, and select Settings.

    The Settings option in the Windows 10 Start menu.

  6. Select Devices.

    Settings on Windows 10.

  7. Verify Bluetooth is on, and select Add Bluetooth or other devices.

    Bluetooth and other devices menu on Windows 10.

  8. Click Bluetooth.

    Adding a device on Windows 10.

  9. Wait for Windows to find your controller. Click Xbox Wireless Controller when it appears in the list.

    Connecting to a Bluetooth Xbox Series X or S controller on Windows.

  10. Wait for the pairing process, and click Done.

    An Xbox Series X or S controller paired to a Windows PC.

  11. Your controller is now ready to use.

Using an Xbox Series X or S Controller on a PC

Like the Xbox One controller before it, the Xbox Series X or S controller is fully compatible with Windows. That means you can plug your Xbox Series X or S controller into your Windows 10 PC with a USB-C cable or pair it with Bluetooth and start playing right away. The process is no more difficult than connecting a controller to your Xbox Series X or S, and the controller works natively without the need to download any additional software.

An Xbox Series X|S wireless controller paired to a Windows 10 PC.
Jeremy Laukkonen 

The Xbox Series X or S controller supports two connection formats: USB-C and Bluetooth. Unlike the Xbox One controller that it resembles, it doesn’t work with or require a special USB dongle. If your computer has a USB port or supports Bluetooth, you can connect your controller.

Here are the benefits and drawbacks of each connection method:

  • USB-C: This method requires a physical USB-C cable. One end needs to be USB-C, and the other end can have a USB-A or USB-C connector depending on what type of port is available on your PC. You get a solid connection and your controller doesn’t need batteries, but you need to deal with a physical cable the whole time.
  • Bluetooth: This method requires your PC to support Bluetooth. If it doesn’t, you can add a Bluetooth dongle and connect that way. Bluetooth is convenient since it’s wireless, but the connection may drop if there’s a lot of interference. You also need to put batteries in your controller.
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