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To update an Xbox controller, open Profile & system > Settings > Devices & connections > Accessories on your Xbox, select the controller, and follow any update prompt. On a Windows PC, use the Xbox Accessories app with a USB cable or Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows; the PC app does not support controller updates over Bluetooth.
Update the controller from an Xbox console
- Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
- Go to Profile & system > Settings > Devices & connections > Accessories.
- Select your controller. Open its options (shown as an ellipsis in Microsoft’s troubleshooting video) to check its firmware status.
- If an update is offered, follow the on-screen prompts. If the console reports that no update is available, Microsoft’s video treats the controller as up to date.
Menu wording can change with console software updates; look for the controller under Accessories. Microsoft’s controller troubleshooting video, published February 23, 2021, demonstrates this route.
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Update from a Windows PC
- Open or install the Xbox Accessories app.
- Connect the controller to the PC using a USB cable or an Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows.
- If the app says an update is required, follow its prompts to install it.
Do not use Bluetooth for this update: a Microsoft Community answer says the Xbox Accessories app does not support updating a controller over Bluetooth.
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If the controller update fails or appears stuck
Try these steps in order. Microsoft recommends the first steps when a controller firmware update does not complete; the five-minute wait is guidance for the described troubleshooting scenario, not a guaranteed recovery time.
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- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
- Disconnect accessories and retry. Remove accessories attached to the controller, then check for the update again in Accessories.
- Power-cycle the console. Hold the console’s Xbox button for 10 seconds until it shuts down. Restart the console and retry the update from the controller’s Accessories screen.
- Check the wired connection. If connected by USB, make sure the cable is firmly seated at both ends. If the update still fails, try another compatible, data-capable USB cable. Check whether your controller has a USB-C or micro-USB port before choosing a cable; Microsoft does not recommend a particular brand.
- Leave it connected. Keep the controller connected by USB for up to five minutes. Microsoft says the update can continue in the background, but does not establish that every stalled update will finish within that period.
- Try the Windows route. If the console method continues to fail, use the Xbox Accessories app with USB or an Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows—not Bluetooth.
These retry steps are described in Microsoft’s troubleshooting video.
Controller firmware and console updates are different
Use the controller’s Accessories screen to check controller firmware. The separate Xbox One console operating-system update control is Settings > System > Updates & downloads > Update console. Updating the console through that menu is not the same as updating controller firmware. See Microsoft’s Xbox One system update instructions.
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GameSir G7 Pro Wired Controller for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Wireless Gamepad for PC&Android with TMR Sticks, Hall Effect Analog Triggers, 1000Hz Polling Rate, 3.5mm Audio Jack - Black
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
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Xbox Wireless Gaming Controller | Deep Pink
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Choose an update route
| Route | Connection | Useful when |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox console | Controller Accessories screen; use USB where prompted or needed for troubleshooting | You want to check or install an update from the console, or retry after a console power cycle. |
| Windows PC | Xbox Accessories app with USB or Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows; Bluetooth updating is unsupported according to Microsoft Community. | The console route continues to fail and you have access to a Windows PC. |
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