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How to connect your Xbox One controller to a PC in 3 different ways

PC gaming is one of the more multidimensional consoles when it comes to offering gamers multiple ways to enjoy their gaming experience. PC gamers can also enjoy a large pool of digital games available from the digital distribution platform Steam, making PC gaming exceptionally diverse.

In addition to using a default mouse and keyboard, gamers can also use a slew of various controllers, including Microsoft's Xbox One controller.

There are currently three ways you can pair your Xbox One controller to your Windows 10 PC: with a USB cable, through Bluetooth, or using a Wireless Adapter.

How to connect your Xbox One controller to a PC via USB 

1. Grab your Xbox One wireless controller and connect a micro-USB charging cable into the top of the device.

How to connect Xbox One controller to PC
An Xbox One controller with a USB cable. Taylor Lyles/Business Insider

2. Take the other end of the USB charging cable and plug it into your Windows 10 PC or laptop.

Your PC should configure the controller automatically.

You can connect up to eight Xbox Wireless Controllers simultaneously with USB charging cables. If you have Xbox Chat Headsets attached, you can only connect up to four controllers at a time. You can only connect two controllers at a time if the controllers use Stereo Headsets.

How to connect your Xbox One controller to a PC via Bluetooth 

1. Power on your Xbox One wireless controller.

2. Press and hold the Bind and Xbox buttons on your controller for three seconds, and wait until the controller's backlight or Xbox button begins to rapidly flicker.

How to connect Xbox One controller to PC
The Bind button is the small button located next to the USB output. Taylor Lyles/Business Insider

3. Power up your PC, then head to "Settings," then click "Devices" then "Bluetooth & other devices."

4. Enable Bluetooth.

How to connect Xbox One controller to PC
We strongly recommend that you check the box that says "Show notifications to connect using Swift Pair" if your computer has built-in Bluetooth. Taylor Lyles/Business Insider

5. Select "Add Bluetooth or other device, and then either "Bluetooth" or "Everything Else." After that's clicked, your computer will begin searching for nearby Bluetooth devices currently on.

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If one option doesn't work, try the other. Taylor Lyles/Business Insider

6. Select "Xbox Wireless Controller" or "Xbox Elite Wireless Controller" if you're using an Elite controller. Windows will configure your controller so you can use it.

How to connect your Xbox One controller to a PC via Xbox Wireless Adapter

The Xbox Wireless Adapter is a small device that can help your Xbox controller connect to a PC.

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The Xbox Wireless Adapter hooks into your PC's USB port. Jeremy Dreyfuss, Justin Gmoser/Business Insider

1. Boot up your Windows 10 PC and plug the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows into your computer.

2. In the same "Bluetooth & other devices" menu we used in the previous method, look for the Adapter to appear under "Other devices." Once it appears, this means it's finished installing itself.

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You shouldn't need to install extra software for the Adapter. Jeremy Dreyfuss, Justin Gmoser/Business Insider

3. When the adapter is ready, turn on your Xbox controller by holding down the Xbox button. Once it's on, angle it toward the Adapter and press and hold the Bind button.

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Make sure your controller is on and ready to pair. Jeremy Dreyfuss, Justin Gmoser/Business Insider

4. Press and hold the Bind button on the Xbox Wireless Adapter. A small light will flash for several seconds.

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Put the Adapter into Binding mode. Jeremy Dreyfuss, Justin Gmoser/Business Insider

5. Both your controller and Adapter should flash rapidly. Once they stop, it means they've found each other and are connected.

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