How To Fix An Xbox Series X Or S Controller That Won T Turn On

When the Xbox light on an Xbox Series X or S controller won’t turn on, that typically means that the controller itself isn’t turning on either. That makes the Xbox button light the best indicator of whether or not one of these controllers is working.

What Causes an Xbox Series X or S Controller to Not Turn On?

When an Xbox Series X or S controller won’t turn on, it’s usually the batteries or the battery contacts, but it can also be a defective play and charge kit or charging cable, corrupt firmware, or an internal fault. This problem can usually be fixed at home, but there are cases where a controller will need professional repairs or even be beyond fixing. Here are the most common issues you’ll run into with an Xbox Series X or S controller that won’t turn on:

Batteries: When using a controller in wireless mode, batteries are the most common cause of the controller not turning on. If the batteries are worn out, in need of a charge, or installed wrong, the controller won’t turn on.Battery contacts: If the spring-loaded battery contacts are worn or bent, they won’t make good contact with the batteries. When that happens, the controller will fail to turn on.Battery pack: Some battery packs designed for the Xbox One won’t work quite right in Xbox Series X or S controllers due to slightly different dimensions in the battery compartment. The controller also won’t turn on if the battery pack itself has failed.Charging cable: If you use a charge and play kit, or just a regular USB C cable, the cable may be bad. You won’t necessarily be able to tell just by looking at it.Firmware: If a firmware update is interrupted, or firmware is corrupt, that can prevent a controller from charging correctly in the future.Internal faults: Some controllers simply fail due to an internal component breaking or wearing out.

How to Fix an Xbox Series X or S Controller That Won’t Turn On

If your controller won’t turn on, try these troubleshooting tips to get it back up and running: Plug the controller in via USB, and use another controller to update firmware using this procedure: