Fix Xbox One game console not working

An inactive Xbox One gaming controller is an annoying problem that many Xbox owners face. TipsMake.com will show you how to troubleshoot Xbox One gaming controllers that are not connected, synchronized or turned on incorrectly.

An inactive Xbox One gaming controller is an annoying problem that many Xbox owners face. Although wireless gaming controllers are more convenient these days than wired controllers on previous systems, they also have their own problems.

In this troubleshooting guide, TipsMake.com will show you how to troubleshoot Xbox One gaming controllers that are not connected, synchronized, or turned on incorrectly.

1. If the Xbox One gaming controller is not connected

If you can't connect your Xbox One gaming controller to the console, you should check out some common issues.

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Xbox One gaming controller not connected

How many gaming controllers do you have connected to the console? Although you may not often encounter this situation, the maximum number of gaming controllers that Xbox One supports is 8.

At this time, you cannot connect any gaming controllers that exceed this number. Hold the Xbox button on the gaming controller and select Turn controller off on the results menu. Then try connecting the new gaming controller again.

Also, keep in mind that you can only pair one gaming controller with one Xbox One system at a time. If you go to a friend's house and pair your gaming controller with his Xbox, you'll have to pair it with your device. The same applies when you connect an Xbox One gaming controller to a PC and then try to use it again on the console.

2. If the Xbox One gaming controller is disconnected

What happens if you have paired your Xbox gaming controller but then it is disconnected? This can ruin a great multiplayer gaming session and is extremely annoying to deal with.

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Xbox One gaming controller disconnected

Remember there is a battery saving feature on the Xbox One gaming controller, which will disconnect if you don't use it for 15 minutes. This is not a problem when playing games, but can happen if you mainly use Xbox One as a media center. You will need to move the stick or press a button frequently, otherwise you will have to reconnect it later by pressing the Xbox button .

However, if you have problems disconnecting, that can happen more often than every 15 minutes. If that is the case, you can try a few troubleshooting steps.

It is important to confirm that the battery is charged when you have this problem. Click the Xbox button to return to the Home menu, then find the battery icon in the upper right corner. If the battery is low, replace or charge as needed.

The Xbox One gaming controller has a range of 19 - 28 feet (6 - 8.5m), according to Xbox Support. Try moving closer to the console if the handle is disconnected frequently.

You should also remove obstacles between the gaming controller and the console, such as laptops, metal racks, etc. If your Xbox is in an entertainment center, try moving it outside to have a better connection.

3. If the Xbox One gaming controller flashes

If you press the Xbox button on the gaming controller and it blinks, this usually indicates that the controller is not currently paired with the console. As mentioned above, this can happen when you pair a gaming controller with another system. But it can also happen due to some malfunction.

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The Xbox One gaming controller blinks

If the gaming controller doesn't pair using buttons, try using a micro-USB cable instead. Just plug the cable into the USB port on the console and connect the other end to the gaming controller, then hold the Xbox button on the controller for a few seconds.

If this does not resolve the issue, you should restart the console. Press and hold the power button in front of the system for 10 seconds to turn off the power completely. Then press again to turn it back on.

4. If the Xbox One gaming controller does not turn on

An unresponsive Xbox gaming controller is another common problem, with the same solutions as above.

If the Xbox One gaming controller doesn't turn on, first make sure that the battery is not running out. If the battery is low, the gaming controller won't turn on. Remove the back cover and replace the two AA batteries, then try again.

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The handle does not turn on

If replacing the battery does not help, try the following:

1. Turn off the Xbox One completely by pressing and holding the power button on the front of the system for 10 seconds.

2. Unplug the console power cable for a few minutes.

3. Use the micro-USB cable to connect the handle to the system.

4. Plug in the Xbox again and turn it on with the power button on the system. Do not press anything on the handle until the Xbox boots.

5. Try pressing the Xbox button at this time and see if it works.

Alternatively, you can try some other measures such as:

  1. Update firmware for the controller
  2. Remove connected Xbox accessories
  3. Try connecting with another handle
  4. Restart Xbox One controller
  5. Use a permanent replacement USB cable
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