Fix: Xbox Controller Driver Error in Windows 11

Experiencing problems and glitches while gaming is nothing new as it has become a regular occurrence for some users, as they reported having an Xbox wireless controller driver error in Windows 11.

A serious problem with the connection between the Xbox controller and the PC has been reported by a large number of customers.

The error notice appears to say that the USB device is not detected, in which case we will need to install the most recent driver update available.

If your Xbox controller isn’t working properly for any other reason, the methods listed below may still be able to resolve your problem. Make sure to carefully try them out, step by step.

Why is my Xbox controller not connecting to my PC Windows 11?

The two best troubleshooting techniques are to either update the driver in case you are using an older version, or to manually install the driver since they are the main cause of this issue. These two methods are bound to eliminate any problems.

If these two don’t work, you can always try disconnecting and then reconnecting the controller. Oftentimes, Windows 11 is unable to install the Xbox controller driver automatically which leads to the error. But simply reconnecting it would most likely fix it.

How do I fix the driver error for my Xbox controller?

1. Unplug and replug the controller

You can restart your Xbox console, do a full power cycle, or physically detach it from your computer to totally reboot it and resolve many common difficulties.

Try unplugging and replugging the controller into the PC several times. This straightforward strategy should always be the first method you try, as it consistently produces positive results.

2. Update the USB driver

It’s most likely to fix the Xbox controller driver issues by assuring all your drivers are up-to-date. Otherwise, you need to update your USB drivers as described in the example below.

1. Open Device Manager

Right-click on the Start icon then choose Device Manager.

2. Update the USB driver

Now, expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers folder, right-click on every USB option and tap on Update driver.

3. Restart your PC to complete de process

Wait for the processes to end, then restart your computer to apply the changes made. Now you can retry using the Xbox controller.

In case you need to update your USB driver automatically and save more time, with Outbyte Driver Updater the process will be done in minutes and you will enjoy the latest version of any driver.

3. Reinstall the Xbox controller driver

1. Right-click on the Start icon then choose Device Manager.
2. Now expand the Xbox One controller section, right-click it and tap on Uninstall device.
3. Once the operation is completed, restart your PC. While the computer is rebooting, Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

4. Disable your antivirus

1. Click the expand arrow from your taskbar and right-click on your antivirus icon then choose Avast shields control followed by Disable for 10 minutes.
2. If you have other antivirus programs installed, you can disable the app temporarily by following the same steps as above, or similar steps.

NOTE

If the problem does not occur anymore, it is probable that your antivirus application was the root of the problem. You should consider picking another compatible antivirus solution for Windows 11 to protect your computer.

5. Update Windows

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app, then click on Windows Update in the left panel.
2. In the event that there are any new updates that need to be downloaded, the Install now option should be used; otherwise, the Check for updates button should be used to determine whether any new updates have been issued.

By updating your operating system, it may be able to fix the problem, which could be caused by an earlier version of Windows. The bug will very certainly be fixed in a later version of the software.

6. Change the USB cable

If you’re seeing a notice saying USB device not recognized while trying to use an Xbox controller, it’s possible that the problem is with your cable.

According to users, there are various different types of USB cables, with some cables being built solely for charging and others being designed to allow both charging and data transfer.

To determine if your Xbox controller isn’t working properly or if it isn’t being recognized, try swapping out the USB cord to see if that solves the problem.

Does Xbox controller work with Windows 11?

It’s possible to use an Xbox One controller to play games on your computer if you prefer a gamepad over a mouse and keyboard when gaming on your computer.

Furthermore, because the Xbox One controller is natively supported by Windows 11 (as well as Windows 10), the setup process is extremely simple.

The technique by which you connect your Xbox One controller to your PC, on the other hand, may differ slightly based on the type of gamepad you have and the method by which you choose to connect.

If you don’t mind a wired connection, utilizing a USB cable to connect any sort of Xbox One controller to a PC is by far the simplest method of getting started. Microsoft’s Xbox One S and Elite gamepads can be used using this manner as well.

All Xbox One controllers are equipped with a Micro USB port. Because of this, you can connect them directly to a PC by utilizing a Micro USB to USB Type-A adapter (sold separately). And, since Windows can automatically recognize connected Xbox One controllers, there’s nothing more to it.

For further information and potential solutions that are also applicable to Windows 11, check out our article on how to fix Xbox One controller not recognized error in Windows 10.

Alternatively, you may take a look at our guide on how to fix Windows 11 not detecting USB devices to discover a different set of solutions that you can use to resolve the Xbox issue.

Let us know in the comments below which solution worked best for you as well as which game you play the most from the Xbox Game Pass bundle. Thanks for reading!