common xbox problems

Controller issues

Find your problem statement, and then try the listed solutions:

Problem	Things to try
The controller doesn’t work	Reconnect your controller. Restart your console.
The controller doesn’t vibrate.	Turn on vibration
The wireless controller can’t connect, or it drops out frequently.	Move closer to the console. Charge the controller. Avoid placing the controller or console near large metal objects. Remove clutter around your console. Orient the console so that the front faces your wireless controller. Remove 2.4 GHz wireless devices Reset the controller Replace the batteries in the controller. Try a different battery pack Try a rechargeable battery pack
An Xbox 360 wireless accessory does not connect to your Windows-based computer using the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows.	Verify that the accessory is an officially licensed Xbox 360 wireless accessory. Replace the batteries, or charge the wireless device. Remove 2.4 GHz wireless devices in the area Disconnect wireless devices attached to the computer. Make sure that the receiver is connected to a powered USB 2.0 port (the light on the receiver is lit when connected). Reconnect the receiver

Warning  Do not try to disassemble, service, or modify the Xbox 360 console, power supply, or any accessories. If you do this, you may put yourself at risk of serious injury or death from electric shock or fire. For safety reasons, such actions will void your warranty.

If the solutions presented here don’t resolve your issues, contact Xbox Support .

Headset issues

Problem	Things to try
The headset frequently disconnects or only works when near the console.	Update the console software Move closer to the console. Charge the headset Avoid placing the console or headset near large metal objects. Remove clutter around your console. Orient the console so the front faces your wireless headset. Remove 2.4 GHz wireless devices Reset the headset
The headset can’t connect to a specific controller.	Verify the desired position is available Make sure the headset works. Test the controllers
The headset won’t charge or turn on.	Fully charge the battery Bring the headset to room temperature.
The battery discharges quickly.	Fully charge the battery
There is unwanted noise or distortion.	Lower the volume on your TV and headset.
Voice chat doesn’t work.	Turn off mute Check your communications settings. Reset your headset
Other players can’t hear you.	Turn off mute. Adjust your Voice preferences Check your Privacy settings and Family Safety settings
You cannot hear other players.	Adjust your Voice preferences Check your Privacy settings and Family Safety settings Verify that you don’t have a NAT issue

Warning  Do not try to disassemble, service, or modify the Xbox 360 Headset, power supply, or any accessories. If you do this, you may put yourself at risk of serious injury or death from electric shock or fire. For safety reasons, such actions will void your warranty.

If the solutions presented here don’t resolve your issues, contact Xbox Support.

Solutions for controller and headset issues. See the Controller issues table or the Headset issues to determine which solutions to try.

Reset the headset  Remove 2.4 GHz wireless devices  Can’t connect to a specific Xbox 360 controller  Headset will not charge or turn on  Turn off mute  Adjust your Voice preferences Check your Privacy settings  Make sure you don't have  a NAT issue  Turn on vibration  Try a different battery pack  Try a rechargeable battery pack  Connect the Xbox 360 Wireless  Gaming Receiver to your computer

Reset the headset

1. Press and hold the power button for two or more seconds.
2. Turn off your Xbox 360 console
3. Repeat the wireless connection steps .

Remove 2.4 GHz wireless devices

2.4-gigahertz (GHz) cordless phones, wireless networks, wireless video transmitters, microwave ovens, some mobile phones or cell phones, and Bluetooth headsets may interfere with the operation of your wireless headset. If any of these devices are in the same area as your console, unplug those devices, and then try to connect again.

Can’t connect to a specific Xbox 360 controller

When you try to connect an Xbox 360 Wireless Headset to an Xbox 360 console and associate it with a specific controller, the lights on the controller, headset, and console do not match up.

In the following illustration, the lights on the headset, controller, and console are all lit in the number 1 (upper left) position. This means the devices will work together. 

Verify the desired position is available

Each of the four positions on an Xbox 360 console, as indicated by the light around the power button, can connect only one controller, one headset, or one headset and controller combination. If the devices are connected correctly, the lit position on the headset matches the lit position on the controller and the lit position on the console.

If a wired headset is already connected to a position, you cannot connect a wireless headset to the same position.

To determine if a wired headset is interfering with the wireless connection, follow these steps:

1. Unplug the wired headset from the console.
2. On the wireless headset, press the connect button.

Lights on the wireless headset and on the controller are lit when they are connected.


If the headset connects to the wrong position on the console, press the connect button again to switch to the next available position.

Make sure that the wireless headset works properly

1. Disconnect all other accessories from the Xbox 360 console, including any wired Xbox 360 controllers.
2. Turn off all Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers:
   1. Press and hold the Guide button on the controller for three seconds.
   2. Confirm that you want to turn off only the controller.
      
      
3. Press the power button on the wireless headset.
   
   
4. Press the connect button on the console.
   • On the original Xbox 360 console, the connect button is on the front between the Memory Unit ports and the power button.
     
     
   • On the Xbox 360 S console, the connect button is on the front next to the USB port cover.
     
     
5. Press the connect button on the wireless headset.
   
   
   
   The lights around the power button on the console will spin and blink once. The position that remains lit is the position of the wireless headset.
6. If you want to test if the wireless headset will connect to the other positions, press the connect button again. The wireless headset will connect to the next position.

If your wireless headset cannot connect to the console, the wireless headset might be defective. Contact Xbox Support for a replacement.

If the wireless headset can connect to a position, one of the controllers might be defective .

Test the controllers

If a wireless headset can connect to the console when no controllers are connected to the console, there is a problem with one of the controllers. To identify which controller is causing the problem, follow the steps below:

1. If you are using a wireless controller, press the Guide button to turn on the controller. If you are using a wired controller, connect the controller to the first position on the console.
   
   
2. Press the connect button on the controller.
   
   
3. On the wireless headset, press the connect button until the lit section on the controller Guide button matches the lit number on the wireless headset. If this is successful, go to the next step. If it is not, the controller might be defective. Try another controller.
   
   
4. Connect a second controller to the second position on the console. Leave the first controller connected to the first position the console.
5. On the wireless headset, press the connect button until the lit number on the wireless headset matches the lit position on the second controller Guide button.

If this procedure is successful, repeat these steps for each additional controller. You can connect up to four controllers.

If you determine that a controller might be defective, contact Xbox Support for a replacement.

Headset will not charge or turn on

When you try to charge or turn on your Xbox 360 Wireless Headset, the numbered lights on the microphone should flash in sequence (1-2-3-4). If the headset cannot be charged or will not turn on, the lights might flash in a different sequence or not at all.

Charging problems occurs for one of the following reasons:

• The wireless headset might be too hot or too cold. Environmental conditions, such as direct sunlight, might affect the temperature of your wireless headset and cause it to malfunction.
• The headset might not be fully charged, or the power source or the charging adapter might be faulty.

Bring the headset to the correct temperature

If the headset is too hot or too cold when you try to charge it, the first two lights on the microphone flash repeatedly in the sequence 1-1-2.

1. Disconnect the wireless headset from the power adapter or USB charging cable.
   
   
2. Move the wireless headset to a new location.
3. When the temperature of the wireless headset returns to room temperature, reconnect the power adapter or the USB charging cable and try again.

Fully charge the battery

The battery included with a new wireless headset is not fully charged. The battery requires several discharge/charge cycles to reach its full capacity for long run times.

When the wireless headset is being charged, the lights on the microphone flash in sequence (1-2-3-4) repeatedly. When the battery is fully charged, all four lights on the microphone flash at the same time until you unplug the headset from the charging adapter. If the lights flash in a different pattern or do not flash at all, try one of the following:

• Charge the headset overnight or for at least six hours to make sure that the battery is fully charged.
• If you use a power adapter to charge the headset, connect the power adapter to a different power outlet, and then try again. If the headset still does not charge, try a different AC power adapter.
• If you use the USB charging cable to charge the wireless headset, connect the USB cable to a different USB port on the console. If the headset still does not charge, try a different USB cable.

If you experience less-than-optimal run times after four discharge/charge cycles of the battery, contact Xbox Support .

Turn off mute

To turn off the mute function, briefly press the power button. Two beeps confirm that you have changed the mute setting.

Check your communication preferences

Make sure that your communication preferences are set to allow for Friends or to allow for Everyone .

To set communication preferences

1. In the Xbox Dashboard, select System , and then press A .
2. Select Family Settings, and then press A .
3. Select Xbox Live Controls, and then press A .
4. Select Privacy and Friends, and then press A .
5. Select Communications, and then press A .

Adjust your Voice preferences

1. Press the Guide button on your controller.
   
   
2. Go to Settings .
3. Select Preferences .
4. Select Voice .
5. Clear the Mute checkbox, and increase the volume to 10 .
6. Under Voice Output, select Play Through Both .
7. See if you can hear other players.
8. If this doesn’t fix the problem, try selecting Play Through Headset under Voice Output .

Check your Privacy settings

Make sure that your console settings are not blocking voice chat. Here’s how:

1. Go to My Xbox, and then select your avatar.
2. Select Profile .
3. Select Edit Profile .
4. Select Privacy Settings .
5. Select Voice and Text, and then choose either Everyone or Friends Only .

Make sure you don't have a NAT issue

To determine if you have a NAT issue, see Error: Your NAT type is set to strict (or moderate)

Turn on vibration

If your controller does not vibrate, make sure that vibration is turned on. Here's how:

1. Press the Guide button on your controller.
   
   
2. Select Settings, and then select Preferences .
3. Select Vibration .
4. Make sure Enable Vibration is selected.

If your controller still does not vibrate, connect to Xbox LIVE, and update your console software if you are prompted to do so.

Try a different battery pack

1. If you have another Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, take the battery pack off that controller and attach it to your controller. Then try to turn your controller on.
2. If your controller works with a different battery pack attached, there might be something wrong with your original battery pack. Order a replacement battery pack.

If this doesn't solve the problem, try the next solution.

Try a rechargeable battery pack

If you or a friend has an Xbox 360 Rechargeable Battery Pack, attach that battery pack to your controller, and then try to use your controller

If your controller works with the rechargeable battery pack attached, order a replacement battery pack.

Connect the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver to your computer

Step 1: Connect the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver to your computer

1. Remove the green label from the USB connector on the receiver.
2. Insert the USB connector into a powered USB 2.0 port on the computer.
   
   
   Note   The USB ports on the front of your computer are probably not powered USB 2.0 ports. Try using the ports on the back of your computer.
   A green light on the receiver indicates that the unit is working.
3. If the Add New Hardware Wizard starts automatically, select Install the software automatically (Recommended), and then click Next . If the wizard installs the software successfully, click Finish, and then skip to Step 3: Connect an Xbox 360 wireless accessory to your computer .

Step 2: Install the receiver software

Before you can use wireless accessories with your computer, you might need to install some software on your computer. Install the software from the installation disc that came with your receiver.

1. Insert the installation disc into the CD or DVD drive of your computer.
   Note   If the Setup program does not automatically start, navigate to your disc drive, and double-click the Setup program.
2. Follow the steps in the wizard to install the software.
   Note   You might be prompted to restart the computer.

Step 3: Connect an Xbox 360 wireless accessory to your computer

1. Turn on the Xbox 360 wireless accessory that you want to use with your receiver.
   For example, to turn on a controller, press and hold the Guide button. If you do not know how to turn on the accessory, read the documentation for that accessory.
   
   
2. On the receiver, press the connect button. The light flashes green.
3. On the wireless accessory, press the connect button. For example, on the controller, the connect button is on the back.
   
   
   Green flashing lights on the accessory and on the receiver indicate that the device is trying to establish a connection. When the lights stop flashing and remain lit, the accessory is connected. For example, on a wireless controller, one of the lights around the Guide button will remain lit.
   
   

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