2y ago

Xbox wireless controller pairs but will not connect. (SOLVED)

I purchased a brand new Xbox wireless controller. It paired with my steam deck easily but it will not connect and the "X" button on the controller keeps flashing. I've hit every button on the controller and can't get it to actually connect. I've also rebooted the steam deck.

Any help would be appreciated...

12 comments

Update the controller firmware.
I've got the "Xbox Wireless Controller", the one that has a little bit of a grippy texture on the handles & the 'd-pad on a circle' d-pad. And I was seeing the same thing before updating the FW ~a year (maybe even two?) ago.
Unfortunately, doing that requires a Windows PC or an Xbox.
- Absolutely this. I didn’t have either of those, but successfully used a Windows virtual machine on my Mac to do it
  
  I'll was thinking about trying a windows VM on my Ubuntu laptop. Sounds like that may work.
- This right here, just bought a new controller and this was the fix.
- I’ve got the “Xbox Wireless Controller”, the one that has a little bit of a grippy texture on the handles & the ‘d-pad on a circle’ d-pad
  Just for clarity's sake since microsoft is insane, this is the Xbox Series X/S controller (model number 1914 unless it is elite controller than it is different model number), not to be confused with the Xbox One controller (last model number was 1708).
May have to update controller firmware on window with Xbox accessory app from the store or on a xbox. It's maybe out dated only Microsoft aloud to update it.
Can you connect it to any other device? Can you connect any other controller to Steam Deck?
I also seem to remember having to update the controller before it would work correctly with Steam Deck, if you have Xbox, it should happen automatically, otherwise you need a Windows PC to update it manually.
Used a Windows PC (not VM), installed the "Xbox accessory" app from the Microsoft store and it updated the controller firmware. It works perfectly with Steam Deck now.
Thanks everyone for your assistance.
Try going into desktop mode and connecting it there, I think this worked for me but it was over a year ago
on my fedora pc i actually Had to use xpadneo to get my xbox (Elite 2) controller working via bluetooth. before i did that, it would connect and show up in buetooth but wouldnt work and not be recognized by steam. but keep in mind i did this on a pc with fedora and not a deck so it might not work
Oh, also I am using a new OLED steam deck.

12 comments