Xbox Controller not showing up in PC Bluetooth Options (SOLVED)

[Felix]

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UPDATE:

According to Gothacka, there "has been a bug in the app since Windows 10 Anniversary, it's happened to anyone trying to update their controller firmware, you can see all the reviews here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/p/xbox-accessories/9nblggh30xj3

To fix the controller you need to reformat it by plugging it into a xbox - it's the only way."

Therefore, I DON'T recommend following the method below anymore. It worked once upon a time but apparently now it's bricking controllers. Hopefully Microsoft will fix it up but until then, apparently the solution is reformatting it by plugging it into an Xbox, according to GotHacka.

Thanks for pointing that out!
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Hey guys! So I had this problem and saw some other people across the net having it too and for me it was really hard to find the solution even though the solution itself was super easy. So I'm posting it here hoping if someone else has this problem they can find it here too :)


UPDATE: I NO LONGER RECOMMEND DOING THIS, SEE ABOVE.


Note that this is if your Xbox One controller SUPPORTS Bluetooth; it has to be one of the newer models to do this. I have the Dawn Shadow controller which *does* support Bluetooth, and the Xbox One S controller models should support Bluetooth as well; the older controllers are the ones that need the dongle. :)

TL;DR Version: Your PC isn’t discovering your Bluetooth Xbox One controller no matter what you try? It isn’t appearing? Update the controller:
1. Download “Xbox Accessories” from Windows 10 store.
2. Open the App.
3. Plug in your Xbox One controller to PC via USB.
4. It should say “Update required”, click that, wait for it to update.
5. When it’s done updating, unplug the controller from your PC. Turn it off and back on and go to pair it in your PC’s Bluetooth Options > Add A Device > Bluetooth (click the seek button on your Xbox Controller so that it searches for your PC). It should pop up there now (finally), simply pair it and you’re set, cheers!

Hope this helps guys!


Longer Version:

UPDATE: I NO LONGER RECOMMEND DOING THIS, SEE ABOVE.

After buying my controller and pairing it to my PC I was actually amazed at how well it worked because I generally hate Bluetooth when it comes to computers. But using this controller had been AWESOME right until it stopped working, but now that I fixed it it's working perfectly again and I love it!

I went out one day and my brother texted and asked if he could use my controller and even though I said nothing, he still took it anyways and paired it with his Xbox One. I get home and it’s back on my dresser, I update Windows to Creative Edition and everything’s fine until I go to play some games. What do you know, when I turn on my Xbox One controller, it turns on his Xbox One! So I unplug his Xbox One and I try to turn my controller on and it’s still very clearly now paired to his Xbox One and not my computer. I go into the Bluetooth settings on my computer and it says the controller is “Paired” but it no longer said connected and pressing Connect simply did nothing. Thinking I’d just add it back again I deleted it from my Bluetooth connected devices and I go to “Add Bluetooth Device” but no matter which option I pick the Xbox One Controller wasn’t popping up anywhere, even in seek mode.

I tried all kinds of different solutions from a ton of restarts hoping that’d fix it to solutions I found online like plugging it in via USB then deleting it from Device Manager and unplugging it and turning it back on and trying to pair it (didn’t work). Nothing worked, and I got really really scared I’d bricked my beautiful Xbox One Controller that worked so well with my PC (I mean it still worked but only with my brother’s Xbox One which does me no good).

But THEN I FOUND THIS SOLUTION, thanks to "Mr. MendeIli" and it worked and was extremely easy, holy crap.

The link to where I found it (and some other possible fixes if this doesn't work for you, though it did work for me and now I'm using my controller blissfully again, completely back to normal) is here: https://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/287746/problems-when-trying-to-connect-xbox-one-s-controller-to-pc/312423#312423?newreg=008d63621b7b45b78bb6dcc17d14c54d

And the link to the actual solution is right below where I said, "For instructions on how to update".

Even though I'd seen a lot of "update the Xbox One Controller for optimal functionality" I'd never paid attention because to me, that was a pain in the butt.
But low and behold, that's the solution. All you have to do is update the Xbox One Controller, given it's an S model and it IS Bluetooth compatible according to actual Microsoft. Once you update it, unplug it from the USB again and then just turn the controller off and back on and go to pair it. It should finally pop up for you there, as it did for me. (FINALLY; and working perfect again!)

For instructions on how to update, just follow the directions that are there straight from Microsoft's website.
http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/accessories/update-controller-for-stereo-headset-adapter#c7aa20a849374f2b9c4aaaf0129c075c

Hope this helps guys!

[jaybee42o]

console peasant

[reallyaqua]

Originally posted by Mushi Sushi:

console peasant

shut the ♥♥♥♥ up

[jaybee42o]

Lol it’s just a joke weeb

Originally posted by .Reported ShErLoId:

Originally posted by Mushi Sushi:

console peasant

shut the ♥♥♥♥ up

[Gothacka]

If anyone is reading this in 2019, don't do it, it bricked my xbox controller. Instead you need to use an actual xbox to update the controller firmware.

[Felix]

No idea why it bricked your controller Gothacka, IIRC these were literally instructions I got from Microsoft/Xbox's website. The app is a Microsoft/XBOX app from the Microsoft-run Windows App store. So idk why it'd brick your controller when it's all run by the manufacturer. Also, obviously that's what I did to get mine to work.

Contact Microsoft bud? Your controller definitely shouldn't have been bricked, even if the solution no longer works. Pretty sure your controller is salvagable and if not Microsoft should be able to help you out if it was their app that bricked it.

Cheers man, let me know how it goes

[Gothacka]

Yeah this has been a bug in the app since Windows 10 Anniversary, it's happened to anyone trying to update their controller firmware, you can see all the reviews here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/p/xbox-accessories/9nblggh30xj3

To fix the controller you need to reformat it by plugging it into a xbox - it's the only way.

[Felix]

Originally posted by Gothacka:

Yeah this has been a bug in the app since Windows 10 Anniversary, it's happened to anyone trying to update their controller firmware, you can see all the reviews here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/p/xbox-accessories/9nblggh30xj3

To fix the controller you need to reformat it by plugging it into a xbox - it's the only way.

Wow, gotcha. I put an update about that in the original post then. Thanks for pointing that out and sorry about your controller -- I still think it should be unbrickable but if not, like I said contact Microsoft if it's their own app that bricked it.

[Icku]

Too bad I found this topic after updating my controller via the app... Well, at least it didn't break my controller and I can still use it after connecting via the usb cable.

[ReBoot]

Updated both of my XBOS gamepads via the official app, work both over BT now.

[0nitsuki]

+1

[🆂🅸🅽]

My Xbox One S controller does not need updating in the accessories app, and plugging it into the xbox one via usb does not fix it and make it appear, I can connect other bluetooh devices, what are my options?

[Felix]

Originally posted by Fox:

My Xbox One S controller does not need updating in the accessories app, and plugging it into the xbox one via usb does not fix it and make it appear, I can connect other bluetooh devices, what are my options?

You're sure it's a One S controller and not a One controller right? The older generation needed a separate wireless dongle for use with PC.

If you're sure it's a One S controller, go into your Bluetooth settings on your PC and make sure there's not already the controller listed there. If it is, disconnect / delete it and then try pairing again (so pair from scratch).

Also make sure your XBOX is off if you had a xbox on, take out the batteries, then put them back in and hold the button that has like Wifi wave looking things on it that makes the X start flickering. Then hold it again so it goes back to normal and try pairing it with your computer again.

If it's just a One controller (not One S), you'll probably need to get that dongle if you wanna use it with your PC.

[🆂🅸🅽]

Originally posted by Felix:

Originally posted by Fox:

My Xbox One S controller does not need updating in the accessories app, and plugging it into the xbox one via usb does not fix it and make it appear, I can connect other bluetooh devices, what are my options?

You're sure it's a One S controller and not a One controller right? The older generation needed a separate wireless dongle for use with PC.

If you're sure it's a One S controller, go into your Bluetooth settings on your PC and make sure there's not already the controller listed there. If it is, disconnect / delete it and then try pairing again (so pair from scratch).

Also make sure your XBOX is off if you had a xbox on, take out the batteries, then put them back in and hold the button that has like Wifi wave looking things on it that makes the X start flickering. Then hold it again so it goes back to normal and try pairing it with your computer again.

If it's just a One controller (not One S), you'll probably need to get that dongle if you wanna use it with your PC.

It's definitely an One S controller, problem was a black cable inside the controller, that had fallen/vibrated off and just needed clicking back on, strange thing to happen but it works now!

[w3st80]

https://support.xbox.com/en-GB/help/hardware-network/accessories/controller-firmware-reversion

here's an update for your update! It can also be done via pc so if you don't have an xbox to plug your controller into.