The Xbox console, together with the Xbox controller, is one of the best combinations when it comes to gaming. But what good is a controller that does not stay connected for long? Yes, all Xbox console users reported that issue, let it be Xbox S/X or One.
Xbox 360 is regarded as the best controller and is supported on multiple consoles. But even with the Xbox 360 controller, the problem exists. The controller turns off randomly, even while used in a game. This can be annoying for any gamer, and if you are one of these troubled users, this article should help you out. We have mentioned some standard solutions that one can try to resolve the problem on your own. So, without any further ado, let’s get into it.
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How to Fix Xbox Controller Keeps Turning Off?
There are multiple reasons why you might be facing this issue.
Firstly, the controller might be out of battery or charge. If you are using the controller wirelessly, more often than not, it is charge related issue. Maybe the battery is low, and the controller is not charging up. Secondly, the auto sleep feature on the Xbox might be turned on. When auto sleep is turned on, the controller turns off automatically if it is inactive for a while. This is a power-saving feature that can ruin the experience for some users.
Thirdly, your controller might be out of range. You need to ensure that it is within the range if you are using the controller wirelessly. Fourthly, the fault could be with the firmware or hardware of the controller. In that case, there are still some options you can try. Well, whatever the case for you, we have included all the possible solutions here.
Configuring Your Controller on Steam:
If gaming on Steam, you must select the controller correctly. Only after that should you try the other solutions.
- Open Steam.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Controller.
- Go to General Controller settings.
- Check the box for the controller you want to use.
Now try playing the games again using the same controller. If it still turns off automatically, try the next solution.
Update Your Controller Drivers:
If you use your Xbox controller on your Windows PC, you must ensure you do not have outdated drivers. Outdated drivers are often a cause of hardware compatibility issues. So if you have outdated or faulty drivers on your computer for your controller, you should update them immediately. There are three ways to update drivers on a Windows 10/11 PC. You can do it automatically, manually, or using a third-party application.
To update your drivers automatically,
- Press the Windows Key + R to open up the Run dialog box.
- Enter “devmgmt. msc” in the Run dialog box and press the Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys.
- The device manager will open up. Here, it would be best to look for devices with outdated drivers.
- Right-click on your controller or gamepad and choose “Update Driver.”
- Then follow the on-screen instructions to let Windows automatically search for and install the latest drivers.
To update your drivers manually, you need to download the setup file for the drivers manually. You will find the option to download the latest driver setup on the manufacturer’s website. Navigate to your controller or gamepad manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers based on your model number and system configuration. Once you download the required setup files for drivers, install all these files on your system.
Finally, you can use a third-party application to update outdated or faulty drivers. Several programs have the feature to scan and detect outdated and wrong drivers. Just install one such program on your system and let it scan your computer. If it finds that you have obsolete controller drivers, it will automatically install all the latest ones with just a single click. Yes, these programs charge a bit for their service, but the price is well worth it since you never need to worry about outdated drivers on your system again.
Now try playing the games again using the same controller. If it still turns off automatically, try the next solution.
Charge your Controller Fully
More often than not, turning off the issue of the controller is mainly related to the device running out of battery. It can happen with gamers, as most of us have a habit of getting into the game immediately without paying attention to the controller’s battery level.
Some controllers come with an Xbox One Play and Charge Kit. If you have such a controller, you can use it to fully charge up your controller before using it. Once you are sure your controller is fully charged, use it again.
If it still turns off automatically, try the next solution.
Power Cycle your Controller:
The power cycle drains the controller entirely and then charges it up to total capacity again. This acts as a refresh for most devices, and if your controller is facing an issue due to any bug, the power cycle process should take care of it for you.
Besides this, you can also turn off your controller entirely and then turn it on again. All you need to do for this is hold the Xbox button until the controller switches off. After that, please wait a few minutes and turn it on again. You need to repeat this a couple of times and check whether the controller turns off automatically or not.
If it still turns off automatically, try the next solution.
Replace Xbox Controller’s Batteries:
The Xbox controllers use two AA batteries. There is a possibility that either the batteries are out of juice or not supporting your controller. So try changing the batteries on your controller and ensure you install new fresh batteries on your controller.
If changing the batteries does not help your case, or if you use controllers with rechargeable batteries, try the next solution.
Disable Controller Auto Sleep
As mentioned above, Xbox consoles have a feature to automatically put the controller on sleep mode if it has not been used for a while. You need to disable this feature entirely, which could cause your controller to turn off automatically. To do so, follow the steps mentioned below.
- Press the Xbox button to power up your controller.
- Once it is turned on, press and hold the Xbox and menu buttons for 3 seconds.
- Now if the controller does not turn off automatically, this would mean that the controller has its auto sleep feature turned on.
- Now press the Xbox button and go to System.
- Tap on Auto Sleep and disable it.
- If you can’t find the setting in the System menu, navigate to Profile & System> Settings > General > Power options. Here, you will find the auto sleep feature, and then you can turn it off accordingly.
Now try playing the games again using the same controller. If it still turns off automatically, try the next solution.
Check for Controller Software Updates
There is a possibility that the Xbox controller might have a bug in its firmware, and that is what is causing it to turn off automatically. So to fix this, you need to try updating your controller’s firmware right away. That could be enough to resolve your auto turn-off issue.
There are two ways to update the controller. You can do it via Xbox or a Windows PC.
Xbox:
- Press the Xbox button on your controller to open your Xbox’s menu.
- Navigate to Profile and System.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Devices and Connections.
- Select Accessories.
- Choose the controller you want to update here.
- The Xbox will automatically start checking for firmware updates for your controller.
- The console will automatically download and install the firmware to your Xbox controller if any update is available.
- This might take a few minutes, so you must be patient. This will not take much longer if you have a faster internet connection.
Once the update is complete, check whether the controller turns off automatically or not.
Windows PC:
- Download the Xbox Accessories app from the Microsoft Store.
- Connect your controller to your PC via the USB cable.
- The Xbox accessories app on the PC will detect the connected controller.
- It will automatically start checking for any possible updates; if there is any update, it will install it for you.
- This might take a few minutes, so you must be patient. This will not take much longer if you have a faster internet connection.
Once the update is complete, check whether the controller turns off automatically or not. If it still has the issue, try the next solution.
Pair Xbox Controller Again
One trick that wonders for many controller-related issues is re-pairing the controller to the console again. Let’s take a look at the steps for it.
- Power up your Xbox controller and locate the Pair button at the top of the controller.
- Press and hold the Pair button for a few seconds.
- The Xbox button on your controller will start blinking. This means your controller has been unpaired and is ready to be paired again.
- Press and release the Pair button on your Xbox console to sync or pair the controller again.
- Once the Xbox button light stays on, it indicates that the connection is successful.
- If you use your controller with your PC, remove the controller from the Bluetooth devices list. After that, you can again add it as a device by searching for it on your Windows PC.
After the connection is successful, try using the controller. If it still turns off automatically, try the next solution.
Use the Controller in Range:
This is a critical thing you need to keep track of when you are using the controller wirelessly. You need to ensure that the controller is in range of your console and not too far from the device itself. A longer distance will ensure a weaker connection, which could cause your controller to turn off randomly.
If you are sure your controller is in your console’s Bluetooth range, but it still turns off automatically, try the next solution.
So if this is the case, you need to use the Xbox controller within the Bluetooth range.
Connect Controller via USB:
If you are using an Xbox controller that supports wired and wireless use, the issue should be resolved.
If you use the controller wirelessly, connect it to the console via the USB cable and try using it again. It should not turn off automatically again. If it does, move on to the following given solution.
Connect the Controller to another Xbox Console:
There is a slight possibility that the issue might not be with your controller but the console itself. To figure this out, connect your controller to a console that is different from the one you have been using so far. If the controller works well with the other console without turning off, you can be sure the issue is with the console.
You must perform a factory reset on your Xbox console to fix this. If the controller turns itself off even after this, try the next solution.
Factory Reset Xbox Console:
If none of the solutions mentioned above worked for you, and the controller worked well with the other console, it is time you perform a factory reset on your console.
- Press the Xbox button on your controller.
- Navigate to Profile and System > Settings > System > Console Info.
- Select the option Reset Console.
- You must now choose between resetting and removing everything or resetting and keeping games and data.
- Based on your preference, please choose one of them. If you can choose to remove everything, we suggest you go through with that.
- The console will then begin to reset itself. The reset might take a while, but you must connect and pair it with your console again once it is complete.
Now after the reset, check whether the issue is resolved or not. If it is still there, you should try the final solution mentioned below.
Contact support:
If none of the solutions mentioned above worked for you, the only option you have left now is to contact Microsoft and inform them about your issue. They should be able to provide a solution to you that will resolve the problem. You might even get the controller fixed if there is any hardware issue causing the issue.
So these are all the solutions to fix Xbox Controller that keeps turning off. If you have any questions or queries about this guide, comment below, and we will reply. Don’t forget to let us know which fix did the trick for you. Also, check out our other articles on iPhone tips and tricks, Android tips and tricks, PC tips and tricks, and much more for more helpful information.