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How to fix Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X controller connection issues

When playing on your Xbox Series S or Xbox Series X, you may have a hard time trying to connect the official controller with the console. You may also experience random disconnects.

To resolve these connection issues with your Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X controller, you can check out this troubleshooting guide at Seeking Tech.

1. Before anything else, we recommend inspecting the battery compartment of your Xbox Series controller.

You can find the compartment by sliding the back cover off of gamepad.

Inside, you need to check to see if the AA batteries are correctly and securely inserted. If you are using a battery pack, then you need to make sure that it is compatible with the new Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X controller.

You can also try replacing the older batteries with new ones. If you are using rechargeable batteries or a battery pack, you can try recharging before using them again with the controller.

2. You should also check your surroundings.

First off, you need to make sure that you don’t have any solid objects blocking the line of sight between your wireless controller and your Xbox Series S or Xbox Series X console.

You also need to make sure you have no wireless interferences as Wi-Fi and other Bluetooth devices could hinder with the controller’s Bluetooth connection if they are close enough.

You may also want to move the controller closer to your console. The Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X gamepad has a Bluetooth range of 19 feet to 28 feet. However, that distance could become shorter due to the blockages and interferences.

3. If you are still experiencing connection issues, then you can try power cycling your Xbox Series controller, which you can do by taking the following steps:

With your controller turned on, press and hold the Xbox button until it turns off. This should take around 5 to 10 seconds.

Afterwards, press and hold the Xbox button on the same controller in order to turn it back on.

4. You should also power cycle your Xbox Series S or Xbox Series X console. In order to do so, you need to do the following:

With your console turned on, press and hold the power button on the console until it shuts off. This should take around 10 seconds.

Next, press the same power button again to turn the console back on.

5. The next step you can take is to connect your Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X controller directly to the console by using a wired USB connection.

To do so, you will need an USB-C to USB-A cable, which isn’t included with the Xbox Series S or Xbox Series X console box. If you don’t have an extra one lying around, then we recommend picking up the Anker USB-C to USB-A cable, which can be found on Amazon with this link. (#CommissionsEarned).

Once you acquire the necessary cable, connect the USB-C end to the USB-C port of the controller and the USB-A end to one of the USB-A ports on your game console.

Next, simply press the Xbox button on your controller to enable the wired connection.

6. While your Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X controller is connected to your console, we also recommend updating the gamepad’s firmware if there is one available.

To do so, you need to take the following steps:

  • With your Xbox Series S or Xbox Series X console turned on, press the Xbox button on your controller to open the Guide menu.
  • On the Guide menu, you can use the RB button to switch tabs until you get to Profile & system tab.
  • Once you get to the Profile & system tab, select Settings.
  • In the Settings menu, select Device & connections from the options available on the left side.
  • You then need to select Accessories on the right side of the same screen.
  • Look for the Xbox Series controller that is having issues. Underneath the controller graphic, you need to select the “…” option.
  • In the Xbox Wireless Controller menu, the top-most option will show whether or not the gamepad has the latest available firmware. If it indicates that you need to update your controller, make sure you select it to start the update process.
  • After updating the controller, you can remove the USB cable from it.
  • You can then try testing the wireless connection to see if the gamepad continues to suffer from connection issues.

If the aforementioned potential solutions do not fix your connection problems, then you may have to contact Microsoft about getting your gamepad and/or console repaired.