Why Is My Xbox Controller Blinking?

We all have been there: you are about to rage quit a game, and in order to control your rage, you think that your Xbox wireless controller must pay for the consequences.

Stop! Xbox controllers are relatively durable, but that doesn’t mean you should treat them badly.

If, all of a sudden, your Xbox one controller is blinking and you cannot play games because of it, then we must find a solution to this matter as soon as we can.

Worry not - we might be talking about a small connection bug with your system.

Keep on reading to learn more about:

• Why is my Xbox controller blinking?;
• Easy fixes for connection flashing problems with your Xbox controller;
• What to do if you cannot solve Xbox controller blinking issue by yourself.

Why is My Xbox Controller Blinking?

If you have an Xbox One console or the new Series models, then you know that an Xbox controller flashes when you are trying to connect it to the system.

Therefore, having a controller flashing for a few seconds is normal, but if this flashing problem continues, playing games will be impossible.

That’s why we must understand the reason behind these connection issues so we can fix them once and for all.

1. Your Xbox Controller is Not Paired

As simple as that - perhaps you bring your controller to a friend’s house, turn it on by pressing the Xbox button, and a continuous light starts to appear.

This happens because you need to press the sync button in order to connect your Xbox to the controller.

If the controller isn’t connected, then the flashing light will appear on the device nonstop.

2. Xbox Controller Has Low Battery

Maybe you can’t start gaming because the batteries of your controller are now depleted.

The power cycle of AA batteries is not that great, so we recommend you get rechargeable batteries so you can forget about flashing problems in the future.

3. There’s a Bug with Your Controller and Xbox Console

All devices connected to your Xbox One console can face small bugs without further notice.

You might try to move your Xbox One console out of the entertainment center to see if the flashing occurs because of that.

Remember that the Xbox controller has its own firmware, which creates the need to update the Xbox controller firmware from time to time.

How to Fix Xbox One Controller Blinking

If you have updated your controller firmware and still connecting it to the Xbox One console seems impossible, then you need to follow these fixes on this Xbox troubleshooting guide.

Fix 1: Check the Batteries on Your Controller

First of all, you must check that your controller batteries are working.

Whether you play on an Xbox system or PC, you can go to the home menu and look for the Battery icon.

This little icon located at the top right corner of the screen will tell you whether you need to replace the batteries or not.

If the problem is indeed the battery life, then replace it and that’s it! Otherwise, move on to the following fix.

Fix 2: Re-Sync Your Controller to the Xbox

If you have a working controller with full batteries, then you might need to start the pairing process again.

1. Press the power button on your Xbox console;
2. Then, press and hold the pairing button on your console for a few seconds;
3. Now, press and hold the pair button on your controller;
4. Your Xbox controller will start to flash until it establishes a connection;
5. Last but not least, press the Xbox button on the Xbox One controller, and it should work now!

Fix 3: Check for Interferences and Obstructions

Perhaps you have an Xbox One controller flashing due to interferences and obstructions.

In that case, try the following:

1. Remove obstructions between two devices, such as your console and Xbox One controller;
2. Check that the Xbox One controller is in wireless range. Otherwise, it won’t be able to establish a wireless connection;
3. Check if other nearby wireless devices are connected to the Xbox as well and disconnect them;
4. If you have more controllers with you, check if the controller flashes when you try to connect them.

Fix 4: Connect the Xbox Controller with a Micro USB Cable

If you have an Xbox One controller flashing on the console or even a PC, try connecting a compatible micro USB cable to it.

Simply find a cable, plug it into the USB port, and see if you can connect the device to the Xbox One or PC this way.

In this case, you don’t need to use the pair button - connecting controllers with a USB cable (or power cable) is also possible as well.

Fix 5: Get a New Controller

After trying all the aforementioned solutions, your Xbox One controller should be working now.

Otherwise, we might be talking about a hardware issue with either the connected controller or the Xbox One console.

At this point, replacing your controller is the smartest thing to do.

Nonetheless, make sure that you manually plug it, replace the batteries, and even try another device before deciding to replace your controller.

That will be all for now! We hope you get your controller working again. Get more useful Xbox tips here, at Hypenoon!

FAQ

Can Xbox Support Repair Your Controller?

Yes! Fortunately, Xbox offers controller support where they can repair your damaged controller if the device still is under warranty. Open the following link on your browser to get more info about this matter: Xbox controller warranty.