Before you throw it out the window

Thanks to Microsoft’s Xinput controller standard, almost every Windows game released in recent years works seamlessly with an Xbox controller. That is, if your Xbox controller itself is properly connected to your PC. If your Xbox controller won’t connect to your PC, here are the most effective solutions.

There have been many Xbox console generations and even more Xbox controllers. Not all of them work natively with Windows and some require additional hardware to work with Windows.

In general, you can use the Xbox 360 controller with Windows via USB or wirelessly with the special adapter from Microsoft. When it comes to Xbox One controllers, it depends on which version of the controller you have. The original controller model uses a proprietary wireless standard that requires a dongle accessory to work.