How To Set Up New Xbox Controller

You can connect a wireless Xbox One controller to your console by pressing the sync button on your controller and the corresponding sync button on your console.
You can also connect the wireless controller to your console with a microUSB cord, and then disconnect the cable. The controller and console will remain synced.
Wired Xbox One controllers are available for about half the price of wireless controllers, and simply connect to the console physically.
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There are several different ways to play your Xbox One, and which one you pick will probably depend on your budget, and how far away you sit from your console.

You can buy both wired and wireless controllers for your Xbox One. Wireless controllers are more expensive, but allow you to sit farther away from the Xbox One console.

And, of course, the way you connect each type to the console is different. Here's how.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Xbox One (From $249.99 at Best Buy)

Xbox One Wireless Controller (From $59.99 at Best Buy)

PowerA Enhance Wired Controller for Xbox One (For $29.99 at Best Buy)

How to connect an Xbox One controller to your console

Wired controllers

The easiest way to connect an Xbox One controller to the system is to use a wired controller, and simply plug its USB cable into the console physically.

Wired controllers cost about half as much as wireless options, and many gamers say they eliminate lag time that one can experience with wireless hardware (sometimes called input lag).

Wireless controllers

A wireless Xbox remote gives you more freedom of motion. Also, they're laughably easy to sync up to the console once you know.

There are two ways to connect a wireless Xbox One controller to the console. First, we'll do it through a microUSB cable.

Using any microUSB cable (if you have any device aside from an iPhone that uses a USB cable, there's a good chance that it's a microUSB cable), plug the small end of the cable into the slot on the back of the remote, and the USB plug into a port on the console.

You'll need to connect a common microUSB cord to the controller and console.

Now wait a few seconds until the Xbox button on the remote and on the console both glow solidly. You're synced. You can now unplug the controller and use it wirelessly.

To connect the remote and console without a cable, press and hold the sync button on top of the remote.

You'll need to press the sync button on top of the controller.

Once the Xbox button starts flashing, push the corresponding sync button on the console.

On an Xbox One X and One S console, you'll find this button on the front, below the power button. It'll be small and circular, and have the same curved lines symbol.
On an original Xbox One console, the sync button is on the side, and is a rectangle with the curved lines symbol.

When both Xbox symbols are solid, you're ready to play.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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How to manually eject a disc from any Xbox One model using a paperclip
How to restart an Xbox One on the console or a controller, or shut it down

Steven John

Freelance Writer

Steven John is a freelance writer living near New York City by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, four in Boston, and the first 18 near DC. When not writing or spending time with his wife and kids, he can occasionally be found climbing mountains. His writing is spread across the web, and his books can be found at www.stevenjohnbooks.com.