How To Use A 360 Controller On Pc

Playing with a mouse and keyboard tin can become frustrating if you're a hardcore video gamer.

You have to sit by your PC, hold on to WASD keys and memorize several other buttons to have firsthand action in games.

Worst of all, your hands are in an uncomfortable elevated position for hours.

That'due south where an Xbox 360 Controller for PC comes into play.

As relieving every bit they are, it'due south sometimes very challenging or pricey to pair these controllers with your PC.

You're probably wondering if y'all tin can connect an Xbox 360 controller to a PC without a receiver.

Keep reading to see whether that's possible.

How to Connect Xbox 360 Controller to PC without Receiver

Means to Connect Xbox 360 Controller to Computer

Here's the sour news:

You can never connect a wireless Xbox controller to your PC without a receiver.

That'south because these gadgets come with a proprietary connectedness protocol that's only recognizable by an adaptor.

There's no take a chance to link an Xbox 360 controller via Bluetooth.

Why?

These controllers piece of work on a different frequency than your Bluetooth transceiver.

Therefore, y'all can't pair the ii.

This leaves y'all with but three options to pair Xbox 360 controllers to PC:

one. Go with the Traditional Wired Option

Although outdated, this method is as piece of cake as A-B-C.

As presently equally y'all insert the controller into the USB port, your computer will recognize the device and download the necessary drivers.

You tin commencement playing right abroad with no headache.

2. Get the Microsoft Official Xbox Package for Windows

This arroyo involves a controller, an adaptor, and a few other accessories to become things up and running.

The bundle is a bit expensive, and there'southward no way around ownership the extras.

Unless you already have a Windows-friendly controller, nosotros recommend choosing this method considering it ensures a more hassle-gratuitous experience.

Even if you lot have a controller, you tin buy the bundle and then try to sell the extra controller on eBay.

iii. Buy a Receiver

Microsoft doesn't offer divide adaptors.

If you ain a wireless controller and want to pair it with your PC, you can become it from third-party providers.

However, remember that these tools are a knockoff version of Microsoft adapter, and they're likely to come with junior quality.

Next, nosotros'll discuss how to pair your wireless controller using methods two and iii.

How to Install the Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver

The steps to install Microsoft receivers will vary, depending on your Windows version.

Windows 8 and 10 will automatically recognize the hardware as shortly equally you plug it into your reckoner.

Your PC will download and install the drivers without you even lifting a finger.

To bank check, go to your Device Manager by searching through the Start bill of fare and look up "Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows."

On Windows 7 and lower, though, things are unlike.

Yous demand to introduce the adaptor to your gadget driver.

Once you lot insert the USB drive, a sorcerer appears on the screen asking you to enter your current operating system.

If your Windows has the files, y'all tin choose "Install the software automatically" and proceed.

If it doesn't, utilise the CD that comes with the package or get to the Microsoft official website to download and install them.

Go to your system'due south Device Manager to verify if they're installed. Just and then, click on "Pairing Your Controllers to Your PC."

How to Install an Individual Aftermarket Receiver

Installing the duplicate versions requires multiple steps and is much more than demanding than the previous method.

Even so, it still works.

Regardless of what Windows version you're using, continue as follows to set up a duplicate adaptor.

1. Install the Commuter

Plug the piece into the USB jack at the dorsum of your computer.
Use your Windows Search Bar to open up the Device Manager.
Expand the "Other Devices" category.
Correct-click on "Unknown Device" and printing "Update Driver Software."
A new window will pop up where y'all demand to choose "Browse my calculator."
Then, select "Let me pick from a listing of device drivers."
Browse through the list until you come to "Xbox 360 Peripherals."
Select the device and hitting "Side by side."
You'll see a listing of various models from which you should choose the latest.
A notification will warn yous against installing the driver, but laissez passer over it and click "Yes."

2. Sync the Controller

Press the small "pair" push button on the receiver, together with the connect button on the height of the controller.
Presently after that, hit the "Guide button" in the heart of your wireless controller.
At this moment, one of the backlights around the Guide cardinal will turn light-green.
Start playing.

Note: Don't unplug the receiver, or y'all'll have to repeat all the higher up annoying steps.

Y'all can also memorize the instructions, take notes from it, print, or bookmark this folio so you know what to practise if the dongle jumps out accidentally.

three. Ostend that You lot've Done It Right

To check the controller's role, type "game controllers" in your search bar at the bottom of the screen, and search for "Gear up USB game controllers."

Play with the sticks, triggers, and pads to brand sure the awarding recognizes your moves.

Past pushing and rolling each button, ane of the circles in the window should illuminate.

If it is working, close the window and relish your games.

How to Buy a Receiver

Start Option

As we mentioned, the ideal style to become a receiver is to purchase Microsoft's official controller/receiver philharmonic.

It'll cost you nigh lx dollars, and y'all tin can find it both online and at physical electronics stores, amazon, or the official website.

Many people don't go with this option because they already have a controller.

Here's the trick: Buy the pack and sell the extras on eBay.

This way, you won't risk buying an invalid or incompatible adapter and have to pay for another one.

Also, yous can save the actress bucks and go the total value of your money.

Second Option

If selling items isn't your thing, an easier but riskier selection is to navigate the web if someone else has separated the package for you lot.

You can always detect grayness market websites that offering Microsoft receivers.

These adaptors are unremarkably cheap—15–20 dollars.

Call up, since you won't get them with sealed packaging, you tin't be sure they're original or fake.

To make the business safer, consider a few details:

Go for options that come with a transmission and driver disk.

You don't necessarily demand the support items, but copy makers usually don't waste their time and upkeep to make "fake CDs and booklets."

If someone is selling these items, chances are they're selling a existent orphaned Microsoft receiver.

Read customer reviews. Have advantage of the buyers' experiences.

They'll definitely warn you against buying the product if they discover it's faux or doesn't last long.

Cheque to see if at that place'due south a refund option.
Purchase products that are labeled as "fulfilled by Amazon."

Although it won't guarantee the particular's originality, it ensures you tin can return it if you lot observe out it's faux.

Check the associated photos.

First, make certain the seller is showing the particular'southward images.

Then, pay attention to its branding, and compare its appearance with original bundles.

Third Option

It's not ever easy to observe a reliable vendor to buy isolated Microsoft adaptors, or perchance

yous're just not willing to accept the risk.

If you don't mind getting a second-class adapter for less money, duplicate adaptors are your third selection.

These receivers come at a remarkably lower cost than Microsoft'southward—around 5 to 15 dollars.

You lot can locate them nigh everywhere: retail departments, off-the-shelf outlets, and online shops such as Amazon.

Although you tin find some decent devices, nearly of these dongles are poorly manufactured and may give you a hard time installing them.

Y'all can see labels such every bit "PC Wireless Gaming Receiver" or "X360" above their central sync push.

How to Decide an Authentic from an Off-Brand Receiver

On the dorsum of an accurate Microsoft adapter, y'all read "Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows," and on its forepart, you'll see the "Microsoft" branding.

Any additions or omissions are a sign of a fake dongle.

The stamps or prints on imitative clones usually show "X360," "PC Wireless Gaming Receiver," or similar remarks.