Why is My Xbox Controller Blinking (Slow or Fast) and How to Fix It

Is your Xbox controller light blinking fast or slow without connecting? Worry not, as this exclusive guide will help you to fix Xbox controller flashing but not turning on issue within minutes:

Xbox controllers blink mostly because of a failure to connect with the console. There are many reasons this could happen: ranging from low battery or incorrectly connected batteries to software and hardware problems.

This tutorial highlights possible reasons for this error and possible solutions. We discuss solutions you can implement on all Xbox controllers: those used on PC, Xbox One, One S, One X, Series X, or Series S, or indeed on any other Xbox controller.

Xbox Controller Blinking: Causes & Solutions

What does it mean when your Xbox controller is blinking? Why Xbox controller keeps blinking and flashing lights and how to resolve the issues:

Xbox controllers normally flash or blink after powering on because they are trying to establish a connection. Normally, the blinking does not last long unless there are difficulties in establishing a connection with other hardware, as discussed below.

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Why Does My Xbox Controller Keep Blinking? Quick Fix

#1) Attempting to Pair With the Console or PC

Try checking if the connection problem is temporal by pressing the pairing button on the console and the controller. You can also switch it off and on again to see if the problem disappears.

Also, a common test is to change the device to which it is connecting. For instance, even if you are using it on a console, you could check it using a phone or PC using the right connections and check if the problem goes away. This is the case if you suspect the problem is with the controller device to which it is being connected.

#2) Out-of-sync Controller

The controller can start blinking or flashing if it is out of sync with the console. This is done to try and re-establish the connection and alert the user of the issue. The Xbox controller blinking slowly means it cannot find the Xbox it is synced with.

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To re-sync and re-establish the connection, turn on the Xbox console, press and hold the Pair button (with ))) symbols) located on the front of the console until the Xbox button flashes. Press and hold the Pair button on top of the controller until the Xbox button on the controller flashes more rapidly. Wait for a few seconds. The controller will be reconnected if the lights stabilize.

Ensure that you are in range and have direct signal strength. Your controller might just be too far from the console and show this problem when you are using wireless connectivity.

Additionally, check that there is no interference coming from other devices around the controller. If you have already connected other controllers, try disconnecting them first and using the original controller.

Also Read => Quick Fix for Xbox Controller Keeps Disconnecting

#3) Low Battery or Incorrectly Installed Batteries

Flashing issues also happen if the controller is not adequately powered either because battery power is low or a faulty battery installation.

If the battery is low, the flashing will be occasional as it warns you that the battery is about to go flat. Again, this problem can manifest by the controller blinking diagonally across the four lights, which also warns that the battery is nearly flat.

Open the battery compartment and check if the battery terminals are correctly inserted and touching and that they are correctly placed. If the problem does not end, try recharging or replacing the batteries.

#4) Xbox Controller Light Blinking – Firmware Issues

Bugs and issues in the firmware can cause communication problems between the controller and console. You should update the software to solve these problems.

To update the firmware, connect the controller to the Xbox console with a USB cable. Press the Xbox symbol, then navigate to Settings -> Devices & Connections -> Controllers & headsets or Accessories, then select your controller. Select “…” to check the current firmware version of the controller and choose Update if an update is available, then select the most recent Firmware version. Follow the on-screen prompts to install.

Refer to this video:

Xbox controllers flash when the firmware is being updated.

Further Reading => Learn how to Update the Router Firmware for different routers

#5) After Connecting the Controller to the PC or Using it on Another Controller

Xbox controllers do sync with the latest device on which they are used. Hence, a constant blink, even when the console is on, can happen if it has been used on a different device.

To solve this problem, plug the Xbox controller into the console using a USB-to-Micro-USB cable and remove it once it connects. Press the beacon-style (with ))) icons) button on the Xbox One, S, and X (located on the side of the Xbox One or at the front of One S and X and between the LB and RB buttons next to the micro-USB connector).

The console and Xbox controller blinking fast under this operation means they are syncing and will soon stop blinking.

A rapid blink here means that the controller has gone into sync mode. In that case, pull out the battery and back in to bring it out of sync mode.

Further Reading => Simple Steps to Uninstall Xbox Game Bar

#6) Controllers Need Resetting

Resetting a controller can also fix issues with blinking or flashing. It will restore the controller to its default state and allow it to establish a fresh connection with the console.

To reset the controller, hold down the Xbox symbol to turn off the controller. Remove the batteries for a few minutes and re-insert them. Press the Xbox symbol button to turn it on again.

#7) Xbox Controller Keeps Blinking – PC Driver Issues

If using the Xbox controller as a controller for PC and not the console, it is important to have the controller drivers installed.

Xbox controllers connect to the PC via Bluetooth and a USB cable. For the latter case, it is plug-and-play on Windows 10 and later Windows versions. Therefore, either the correct drivers are not installed or it is a faulty connection with the cable or USB ports.

Try to uninstall the drivers if using an older OS, plug back the Xbox controller device, and update its drivers via the PC Windows Device Manager utility (search the settings to find this). An option can search manually and install the Xbox controller drivers on the Internet, but using the Device Manager utility on your PC can make it easier to install the relevant drivers.

Updating controller firmware on PC:

Also Read => Methods to Uninstall NVIDIA Drivers in Windows 10

When using the USB-C or other micro-USB, it should be plug and play. If not detected by the PC, press the Xbox button on the controller to turn it back on or plug the cable from the PC and in again.

If it blinks several times and stops when connected via USB to the PC, try pressing the power button and holding for 30 seconds to reset the Bluetooth hardware in order to reconnect it to the console.

Here is how to uninstall and re-install the Bluetooth drivers on your PC using the Device Manager.

For Wireless controllers, you can still use the USB cable, the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows, or Bluetooth to connect it to the PC or other Windows utility.

For those that support Bluetooth, the Xbox button is part of the face of the controller, and for those that do not the button is part of the top, where the bumpers are.

Connecting to the PC via Bluetooth means other attachments, such as the headsets, chat pads, and Stereo Adapter will not work.

To pair to a PC via Bluetooth, press the Xbox button, then hold the Pair button ((( on the controller for three seconds after which the Xbox button will start flashing rapidly). On your PC, navigate to the Start button -> Settings -> Devices -> Bluetooth and other devices or Settings -> Bluetooth and devices on Windows 11. Turn the Bluetooth on.

Select Add Bluetooth or other device -> Bluetooth or Add Device on Windows 11. The computer will search for the controller and if found, select it (Xbox Wireless Controller or Xbox Elite Wireless Controller -> Done).

If it is not found, the Bluetooth hardware on the controller or the PC may not be functioning properly. If the Bluetooth on the controller still connects to the console, then this is probably the case. Then you can try using a Bluetooth dongle on your PC to enable it to connect with the controller. Follow the same procedure.

Alternatively, you can try using the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows, which requires the PC to have Xbox Wireless built in.

All you need to do is connect the Adapter to the PC and press the Xbox button to turn on the controller (and the button will start flashing), press and hold the Pair button (((on the Adapter after which a small light flashes for several seconds, then press and hold the Pair ((( button on top of the controller after which the Xbox button will start flashing more rapidly searching for the Xbox Wireless Adapter.

The Xbox button on the controller will stay lit when they are connected.

#8) Problems With Hard Drives, Memory Units, or Console Needs Service

This is signified by a flashing light (red color) on the console’s power button when one turns on the console. You can try disconnecting and reconnecting the power supply, memory units, and hard drives or taking the device to servicing.

Do this by first turning off the console and then, at a time, unplugging each device, reconnecting it, and checking if the device works well. (NB: Not all consoles have hard drives).

If the red light continues to flash on the console even after disconnecting and reconnecting one device at a time, then the problem is not with the said device. Move on to the test by disconnecting and reconnecting the other devices and accessories each at a time.

Again, if it doesn’t work normally after disconnecting and reconnecting all devices and accessories at a time, then the console most likely needs servicing. Go to the Xbox website, sign in at Devices Services, select Register new device, and check the device’s warranty status. It can still be repaired at a fee if not covered by warranty.

#9) Console Turns Too Hot & Needs to be Cooled Down

This problem on the Xbox 360 console manifests as two flashing lights on the power button when the device is turned on. Clear the area around the console, ventilate it, or place it in an open area. Ensure that the console and power supply are placed on a hard surface, not on something soft like a bed, sofa, rug, etc.

Also, keep the console away from direct sunlight, heating vents, and other heating devices and appliances. For instance, it may become heated when placed near computers, televisions, and other electronic devices.

If the device is already in a clean and well-ventilated area, cool it down by turning it off and waiting for one hour before turning it back on. If this does not work, register the device on the Xbox website and submit a repair request.

For red or orange light on the power supply or the power supply is not lit, unplug and reconnect the power supply. To check if the power supply cables have a problem, turn the console off; disconnect power cords from the back of the console, from the electrical outlet, and from the power supply.

Make sure that the three connections are firmly secured and turn it back on. A normal working device will have a steady green light on the power button and no flashing or red lights.

Disconnect the console power supply and the power supply from the electrical outlet. Take the console and power supply to another room. Connect the power supply directly to a vacant electrical outlet. Do not use a surge protector or extension cord.

Reconnect the power supply to the console and firmly secure all the power supply connections. Turn back the console. Four red lights should flash on the console because the A/V cable is not plugged in.

If the device power button flashes a steady green light without a red light on the power supply when testing a new outlet, then inspect the faulty one or get a new power strip before returning the device to the original location.

Red lights can also show if the power supply is overheated. Turn off the console and unplug all power supply connections. Cool it down for one hour and reconnect back the device normally. It should render a steady green light on the power button. You can also order a power supply replacement from the Xbox console website.

The light on the Xbox One should be a steady solid white or orange. If the light is flashing, the power supply may not be connected or may need replacing. Also, avoid using power strips in that case.

#10) Xbox Controller Blinking Slow – A/V Connection or Cable Problems

This problem is signified by four green flashing lights on the Xbox 360’s power button. Turn off the console and television. Disconnect the A/V cable from the TV and console, then reconnect them. You can also try a different A/V cable.

Otherwise, if the problem persists, register the device on the Xbox website and submit a repair request.

If there are three flashing red lights around the Xbox 360 power button, for instance, instead of the one to four green lights that indicate normal operation, the device might need a repair. The problem is commonly referred to as the Red Ring of Death.

#11) Downloading Games/apps

A flashing light may show when the console is downloading a game.

#12) Flickering on the Screen

This may happen due to hardware compatibility issues and/or faulty connection or incompatible HDMI cables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Your Xbox controller light blinking could mean one or several things, all depending on the nature of the light on it. It could be a damaged or low-powered battery, a faulty connection being out of sync with other devices, or even damaged hardware.

To resolve a case of the Xbox controller flashing but not turning on, try resetting it, replacing or recharging the batteries, cooling it down, disconnecting and reconnecting any wired connections, removing other controllers, moving closer to the console, ensuring that there is no interference from other devices near it or console, and considering a repair service.

Time taken to review: 1 day