It's not mandatory, but there has been a firmware update available for the Xbox One controller for a while now. If you've purchased an Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter, then this update is necessary in order for it to work properly. The process is very simple. Follow the steps and watch the video after the break.
- Turn on the Xbox One and sign in to Xbox Live. This ensures the Xbox One is connected online with access to the latest updates.
- If you're planning to use the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter, plug it into the bottom of your controller and plug in a headset (a headset must be plugged in so the adapter will turn on).
- Plug the big end of a micro-USB cable into the port on the side of the console. This cable is included with your Xbox One packaging, but other micro-USB cables should work like the cable that comes with your Windows Phone.
- Plug the small end of the USB cable into the top of the controller.
- The update process should automatically start. Follow the instructions, and don't disconnect the USB cable while the update is in progress. If the update doesn't start automatically, press the menu button, select Settings -> System -> Update controller, then select Continue.
- When the update is complete, unplug the USB cable. If you have more controllers to update, you can connect them one at a time, and select the Update another button on the screen.
That's it! If you try to update a controller that has already been updated, the Xbox One proceeds to the success screen within a few seconds to indicate it is already updated.
Microsoft has not made this update mandatory, so you don't have to do it right away. Nevertheless, the update is available if you wish to have the latest firmware. Are you going to update your controller?
Reader comments
How to update your Xbox One controller
I actually sat down with two controllers one with new firmware and one without and the firmware does tweak the controller in a positive way. The change in dead zone makes it feel much better.
So, I have an Xbox One controller for my Surface Pro, but I don't have an Xbox One. How do I update the firmware in that circumstance?
....
Has anyone else had connectivity issues with their controller? It just flashes sometimes and wont connect. I have to hard reboot the console (touch and hold the logo on the front right) to get it to work. Sometimes I have to unplug the console for a few seconds. All after the update about a month or so ago.
I can't connect my controllers anymore. Not even a light comes out of my controllers
After the update, my controllers, seems be out of function. I can't power my controllers on anymore... Very sad... The controller update went on to about 5% and then a error came up. There are also no power to my usb cable anymore... 2 controllers and a usb cable went down at the same time.. Sick and tired of Microsoft
I agree with Sam this is good information im really invested in the Ms ecosystem and didn't know I could update the controller might not be relevant info to most of us but might surprise you to know that this helps alot more people than the ones complaining this article is pointless
The thing that confuses me about the controller updates is that it makes it look like I always need to be updating my controller, but this article implies that there was just one controller update. I updated my controller back in March for Titanfall. But then I poked around in settings again in May and it still said "update your controller", which made me think that another update came out, so I updated again. Then I checked last month and it still said "update your controller", again, implying that another update had come out. But, really, it's just one update and I already did it (twice), right? So they need to do a better job of recognizing that my controller is already up to date.
And if I use the controller for the PC only, does the firmware still has to be updated?
Probably not
First three words of the article. "It's not mandatory"
Shame I can't update my controllers' firmware without a console. Love playing Bioshock with it on my PC, though targeting in FPS is somewhat different from the one existing in X360 gamepad. Still, the most stylish and convinient controller ever made.
Oh you're one of those PC gamers.... Mouse and keyboard for ever!
Hopefully this fixes some of the controller issues I've been having on NBA 2k14
Can I install the update on my micro SD card for my controller lol
Oh you're so funny
Is this a new firmware or is the same that was released with titanfall
They have released fw with practically every xb1 update since launch
The xb1 includes a usb cable for controller? Where is this cable you speak of?
If you can't find it, you can use the micro-usb cable that came with your phone.
I know that but its the 1st ive herd that one comes with the xbox one(which it doesnt. Only with the play & charge kit)
Came with chat adapter
I don't think its the same micro USB cable as the phones.. I've tried and its a little different. I can charge my PS4 controller with it but not the Xbox One
I use the same micro-USB for my phone as for my Xbox One controller.
Thankyou for posting this article! Keep it up!
Well written article! Amazed at your patience and attention to detail. :)
When are they launching Xone controller for PC..?? :P
The Xbox one controller already works for PC. Just plug it into your PC with a micro USB and you're done
I believe it's already compatible? Drivers had been released I think around the month of June? Though what I remember was just the wired one. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong though :)
Oh, kidjenius already answered. Also, you can check here: http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/accessories/controller-pc-compati... weird that it answers a wireless Xbox One controller
Yeah its just wired as they need to bring out an adapter to connect to the controller due to it actually using white-fi
Thanks all. That's awesome. I didn't know that. \m/
The only thing is, at least happened to me, it disconnected the controller from my One so I had to reconnect them to use it with the One again.
No need to make a different one, the XB1 controller works great on PC... but wired only... and aparantly no way to update it
This is a pointless story. Sorry... It just really is. Anyone that is a Xbox user should know how to use the ins and outs of they're system. Anyone who gets a new piece of tech should be going through everything to see what the system is capable. Besides Xbox one has a nice video depicting on all features for the system.
Well some people may not know how to do it.
Posted via Windows Phone Central App
Quite a few of my friends had no idea you could update your controller. This article would be helpful to them. Although they aren't the kind of people to browse a windows phone website...
Man, it's like the article Daniel wrote a few days back about posting guidelines never happened. Yes, we get that you know how to do it, however there are always people who don't know how to do stuff like this. If it doesn't apply to you, keep stepping and skip it.
Your comment is completely pointless .. It just really is. Anyone that is a wpcentral user should know how to not click on an article and use the ins and outs of their web browser. Anyone who gets a new piece of crap should be going through everything to see what kind of weak comments you give and are capable of. Besides wpcentral has a cool video depicting on how to not be a douche bag on the website.
Bravo smackbo!
Haha
You've got a link to that video? My twin brother might need it
Hahahaha
This is a pointless comment. Sorry
Try living in reality. Anyone who gets a new piece of tech does not and should not know everything about it.
You left a pointless comment. Sorry.. It really is.
Ever day someone is using technology for the first time. It can be a new Windows Phone. It can be a new Xbox One. It can be a new tablet or PC. It's their first time with that device and we want to be the site to help them and everyone, not just enthusiasts.
Since no one pointed it out, it's their, not they're.
I just got an XB1, and don't have time to go through all the ins and outs of it yet. This helped. Your comment didn't.
I have not updated any of our controllers as I thought the update strictly enabled the stereo headset which I don't use. Do we have any details as to whether the update improves anything else?
I'm not sure about this one, but just before Titanfall launched they had one that was supposed to improve the controls in Titanfall.
It actually causes a dead zone in the controller cause the update is just for titan fall...
It improves the controller disconnect issues
Firmware for the controller??? Wow... Tech is just getting more advance for everything...
Rarely, an update for a controller. The only thing I need is a controller and the right console (Xbox one)
+PS5 beta
Your 8 year old USB flash drive has firmware in it. Not that much of an advance...
It's "8-year-old USB", not " 8 year old". Sorry, it's just one of my pet peeves.
What is a peeve? What does it eat?
Really?
Yes, really. All of that was true: compound adjectives require hyphens, I'm sorry I had to bother you with that, but it is one of my pet peeves. Really.
But really though? /s
:))
Everyone should be getting smarter with all of the free grammar lessons in the comments section of tech websites and yet your/you're mix-ups are still an everyday occurrence. As for the hyphenation, I have no idea when or where they should go so please don't pick my post apart. I didn't know that was the rule, so thank you. I will Bing it for confirmation, but again, thanks.
I'm about 80% serious, and 20% trollin' right now BTW. It's a futile fight but you have reached at least one.
Lol