Xbox Controller USB Device Not Recognized: How to Fix

PC not recognizing Xbox controller USB? Updating & reinstalling a few drivers should solve this!

Xbox » Fix

5 min. read

Updated on October 4, 2023

by Milan Stanojevic

updated on October 4, 2023

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Key notes

If your Xbox One USB device controller is not recognized on your PC, it might be due to some hardware issues.
One of the solutions to this problem is to update your USB controller drivers.
Another effective solution is to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

Some users are using their Xbox One controller on their PC, but sometimes they might encounter a USB device not recognized message. This can be an annoying problem, as it stops you from playing games with your controller.

Problems with USB devices can sometimes occur, and in this guide, we will show you how to fix it for good and get back to enjoying your games.

Why USB device not recognized the Xbox controller?

There are different reasons for the Xbox controller not being recognized on Windows PC issue. Below are some of the common ones:

Driver issues: Outdated drivers can be the cause of the Xbox controller not being detected on Windows 10 issue. Also, it might be down to a faulty driver. The fix here is to reinstall or update your controller driver.
Faulty USB cord or port: If your USB cord is faulty or the port you are connecting to is not working, then your controller will not be recognized. This may also lead to the Xbox controller blinking when plugged in.
Outdated PC: If your PC is outdated, you might experience Xbox one controller USB device not recognized issue. To fix this, download and install the latest updates. If Windows Update is not working, rest assured that Microsoft’s troubleshooter is great for diagnosing the issue.

How do I fix my USB device not recognized on my Xbox controller?

Before exploring the sophisticated fixes in this section, don’t hesitate to:

Try changing the USB cord you are using.
You can change between USB ports and check if the Xbox controller works.

If these preliminary checks do not work, you can now explore the fixes below.

1. Update USB drivers

Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
Click the arrow next to USB Serial Bus controllers to expand it and right-click each of the drivers there.
Choose the Update driver option.
Now, select the Search automatically for drivers option and install any available update.

According to users, if Xbox One controller is giving you USB device not recognized message, the problem is most likely your USB controller driver. Alternatively, you can visit your motherboard manufacturer and download the latest USB drivers for your motherboard.

However, if you need a surefire way to update all your drivers, you should use a dedicated tool in Outbyte Driver Updater. This tool is ultra-lightweight and does not only update your drivers, but also fixes the broken ones, and fills in the missing ones.

Simply download and install Outbyte Driver Updater, and upon the first launch, it will already start scanning your system for drivers. You then only need to select the ones you want to fix, and this tool will take care of the rest.

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2. Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

Press the Windows key + R, type cmd, and choose Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Type the command below and hit Enter: msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
Finally, wait for the command to complete.

If you’re getting USB device not recognized or unknown message while using the Xbox One controller on your PC, the problem might be some minor glitches. Using the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter should fix these glitches.

3. Reinstall Xbox controller drivers

Open the Device Manager and locate your Xbox One controller.
Right-click the driver and choose Uninstall device from the menu.
Click the Uninstall button to confirm the action.
After removing the driver, click Scan for hardware changes icon.

A common cause for USB device not recognized message can be your drivers. If your PC can’t recognize Xbox One controller, perhaps you can fix this problem simply by reinstalling your drivers

Clicking the Hardware changes icon should reinstall the driver. Some users are also suggesting installing the Xbox One controller driver manually.

4. Update Plug and Play Software Device Enumerator driver

Open the Device Manager, expand the System devices option and right-click Plug and Play Software Device Enumerator.
Choose Update driver from the menu.
Select Browse my computer for driver software.
Now, choose Let me pick from a list of devices on my computer.
Select Plug and Play Software Enumerator and click Next.

According to users, if your Xbox One controller is giving you USB device not recognized message, the problem might be Plug and Play Software Device Enumerator driver.

To fix the issue, you need to use the default driver available for it on your PC.

5. Update your PC

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app and select the Update & Security option.
Click the Check for updates button in the right pane.
Download and install any available updates and restart your PC.

An outdated PC can cause different problems. This can be the reason your Xbox controller USB device is not working.

To fix the problem, you need to update your PC. After installing the updates, you can try reconnecting your PC from a USB port at the back of your PC.

There you have it: Everything you need to solve this problem. You only need to follow the steps above and you should be back playing games with your controller.

If your Xbox controller is not recognized on Windows 11, check our excellent guide to do it easily.

Please, let us know the solution that helped you solve the problem in the comments below.