Can't connect my Xbox One S Controller to Steam Link

[Torte de Lini]

I'm ripping my hair out trying to get this to work. I don't understand why.

This is a brand new Xbox One S Controller, I have updated it to the latest firmware via a hard USB Connection on Xbox Accessories App.

It works on PC with a wired connection, it shows up via Bluetooth as well - but every time I try to 'pair' it with the Steam Link it gives me an error:

"Unable to complete Pairing" or something to that effect and it doesn't pair up. It can see my Xbox One S Controller in the listing and my wireless keyboard (with dongle) works just fine with Steam Link, but my controller does not work under any circumstances.

I tried with a regular Xbox One controller with a dongle, I tried Xbox One S with Bluetooth and I tried it with another one after I returned the first XBO S. I even replaced the batteries. It works via hard connection with Steam Link.

My Windows 10 is updated to anniversary edition and I've tried switching firmware via the device manager. I've factory-resetted the Steam Link and put it on the public and beta test build.

I do not have a Xbox One console.

[MBinMD]

Is it connected via bluetooth to your PC while you're trying to pair with link?

[Fearnor]

Originally posted by Torte de Lini:

I'm ripping my hair out trying to get this to work. I don't understand why.

This is a brand new Xbox One S Controller, I have updated it to the latest firmware via a hard USB Connection on Xbox Accessories App.

It works on PC with a wired connection, it shows up via Bluetooth as well - but every time I try to 'pair' it with the Steam Link it gives me an error:

"Unable to complete Pairing" or something to that effect and it doesn't pair up. It can see my Xbox One S Controller in the listing and my wireless keyboard (with dongle) works just fine with Steam Link, but my controller does not work under any circumstances.

I tried with a regular Xbox One controller with a dongle, I tried Xbox One S with Bluetooth and I tried it with another one after I returned the first XBO S. I even replaced the batteries. It works via hard connection with Steam Link.

My Windows 10 is updated to anniversary edition and I've tried switching firmware via the device manager. I've factory-resetted the Steam Link and put it on the public and beta test build.

I do not have a Xbox One console.

Same issue here after updating my controller yesterday... It was working with the Steam Link before that without any issues.

[Xjph]

I had some issues pairing my Xbone S controller that were resolved by doing a hard power cycle of the Link (actually unplugging the power cord).

[GreekGeekAlpha]

Originally posted by Torte de Lini:

This is a brand new Xbox One S Controller, I have updated it to the latest firmware via a hard USB Connection on Xbox Accessories App.

I think we are in the same boat, as I also just bought a brand new Xbox One S controller and am having the same issue. After spending some time looking into it, here is my understanding of the problem (others will doubtless correct me if I am mistaken).

1. Steam Link supports Bluetooth pairing with this controller as of build 530.

2. In order for it to work, the controller's firmware has to be updated. At the time build 530 was released, the latest firmware update was to version 3.1.1215.0. Those who have this firmware version have reported the controller works perfectly via Bluetooth.

3. There is a new firmware version out, version 3.1.1221.0. This is the version the Xbox Accessories app automatically updated my new controller to. There is no option to go from the version that came pre-installed on the controller to 3.1.1215.0 and stop there. The app forces you to go from whatever version was pre-installed straight to the newest version.

4. Steam Link will not currently pair with an Xbox One S controller that has firmware version 3.1.1221.0. This is true both for the current public and beta builds of Steam Link. Factory reset will not help, either.

As far as I can tell, unless there is a way to force firmware version 3.1.1215.0 onto a controller, the only thing to do is wait for Steam Link to get Bluetooth working with it. There are several links I found referencing this version as being released through some sort of preview program, but I am not a member of any such program, and that is definitely what Windows 10 with anniversary update installed on my controller, which was just purchased two days ago. Like you said, it works via USB cable, but not via Bluetooth. Very disappointed.

Valve appears to be aware of the issue, but I do not know if they know this firmware update is no longer limited to the preview program.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/353380/discussions/0/341537388325662999/

[Phaser_]

I have the same issue here, bought 2 brand new xbox one s controllers and updated the firmware on both via windows 10 xbox accessory app. And now i can't connect it via Bluetooth to my steam link :-/. I hope valve is aware of this issue and that they are working on a fix.

[bcursor]

Slouken said they are in contact with microsoft about this issue. I think it will fixed soon

[Dreadnought]

Just tried Beta Build 560 and was able to successfully pair the Xbox One S controller via Bluetooth after 2 tries and was able to use it successfully.

[elderbury]

Just bought a new xbox one S controller for a new years party and couldn't get it to work.
Really annoyed about this whole thing!

It HAS bluetooth! Why wouldn't this work???
Steamlink is updated, controller has been updated via xbox accessories app.

Even if I bought a wireless dongle for it, it wouldn't just work, I'd have to pay for virtualhere on top of that, so £20-40 extra and who knows if that will actually work.

It will pair with my laptop that has bluetooth....

Steam link picks up the controller, but comes up with a pairing fail after a minute of trying to connect.

Both products have been out for a long time, this isn't good enough. We're not talking about some obscure 3rd party hardware, or some complicated setup.
It's a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ xbox one controller and it just uses bluetooth.
Valve needs to get their ♥♥♥♥ together.

(On a lighter note, I got a steam controller at the same time and it's pretty awesome, unique and innovative. It's weird that the steamlink is so poorly cobbled together in comparison)

[Corpse Run]

I just recently picked up a Steam Link and I'm not able to connect my Xbox One controllers to the Steam Link via Bluetooth. Is this issue still going on or is there a solution that I can't seem to find?

[flood_ping]

Originally posted by Corpse Run:

I just recently picked up a Steam Link and I'm not able to connect my Xbox One controllers to the Steam Link via Bluetooth. Is this issue still going on or is there a solution that I can't seem to find?

This was fixed several months ago. Are you using Xbox One S controller with Bluetooth? If yes then did you try to update its firmware to the latest version via Xbox accessories app on windows 10 pc? Also which Steam Link build are you using?

[VinDidal]

I'm trying to connect 2 separate Xbone Wireless controllers via Bluetooth onto my Link. The white one connected fine with firmware 3.1.1221.0. But the black one fails to even show up on the Bluetooth list and when checked on Xbox Accessories the firmware says 2.3.2385.0 and shows no update available...
Any help is appreciated

[flood_ping]

Originally posted by VinDidal:

I'm trying to connect 2 separate Xbone Wireless controllers via Bluetooth onto my Link. The white one connected fine with firmware 3.1.1221.0. But the black one fails to even show up on the Bluetooth list and when checked on Xbox Accessories the firmware says 2.3.2385.0 and shows no update available...
Any help is appreciated

Looks like the black one is the older non-S model without Bluetooth. You can distinguish S and non-S controllers like that: http://compass.xboxlive.com/assets/0b/ab/0babba44-5eda-4d9e-9498-174dbb036bed.png?n=one-controller-bluetooth-comparison-l.png . The bottom one has Bluetooth. You can still connect old controller via micro usb cable.

[MA☝Omgwtfbbqstfu™]

had to turn off the bluetooth on my pc/laptop before it found it, I guess you could just hit disconnect as well, but after that it was fine.