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Xbox One Controller Bluetooth Shows Driver Error on Windows 11 - not working

Dean Pellizer 0 Reputation points
2025-10-16T15:09:20.8766667+00:00

Hi,

My Xbox One controller, which was previously working fine wirelessly via Bluetooth on my laptop, has stopped functioning correctly. Today, when I pressed the connect button, nothing happened. I removed the controller from Bluetooth devices and then held the connect button again. My laptop recognised it, and I was able to pair it.

The problem is that after a few seconds, the controller’s light turns off, and Windows 11 shows a driver error next to the controller in the Bluetooth devices list.

Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

  • Uninstalled the controller driver through Device Manager
  • Updated the Bluetooth drivers of my Lenovo laptop

Updated the controller firmware via USB cable using the Xbox Accessories app

  • Restarted the PC multiple times throughout the process

Verified that Windows 11 is fully updated

Unfortunately, none of these steps resolved the issue. I’m not sure what to do next and would greatly appreciate any guidance.

Thank you for your help!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

6 answers

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  1. Dean Pellizer 0 Reputation points
    2025-10-17T12:18:10.6933333+00:00

    Ok solved it by doing this:

    Step 1 – Download the official Windows tool

    Go to Microsoft’s official page: 👉 https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 (or Windows 10 if you’re on Windows 10)

    Click “Download Now” under Create Windows 11 installation media (or “Windows 10”).

    Run the downloaded file

    Install/repair your windows while keeping your files

    This should take quite a long time, after which your pc will restart a couple of times ( 3h ), but it solved the problem once I reconnected my controller!

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  3. IGYQ 19,275 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-10-16T18:18:04.8366667+00:00

    That's a bit odd since those commands are built into PowerShell by default.

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type:

    powershell -Command "Restart-Service -Name bthserv -Force"

    This will explicitly launch PowerShell in the background and restart the Bluetooth service correctly.

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  4. IGYQ 19,275 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-10-16T17:05:49.2333333+00:00

    Can you run PowerShell again and try this command:

    Stop-Service -Name bthserv -Force; Start-Service -Name bthserv

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  5. IGYQ 19,275 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-10-16T16:07:01.58+00:00

    Hi!

    Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

    You're describing a common Bluetooth driver fault that occurs after a Windows 11 or Xbox controller firmware update, especially when the controller’s Bluetooth profile becomes mismatched or corrupted.

    I've noted down the things you've completed already. Here are additional steps to do (do it by order)

    Step 1: Remove all traces of the controller

    • Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Devices
      • Find your Xbox Wireless Controller and click Remove device.
    • Open Device Manager → View → Show hidden devices
      • Expand Bluetooth and Human Interface Devices (HID).
      • Right-click any entries like:
        • Xbox Wireless Controller
        • Bluetooth LE XINPUT Device
        • Microsoft Input Configuration Device
    • Choose Uninstall device → check Delete the driver software for this device when available.
    • Also expand Universal Serial Bus controllers, remove anything called Wireless Controller or Input Device if it appears. Then, reboot your laptop.

    Step 2: Reset Bluetooth stack in Windows

    • Open PowerShell (Run as Administrator) and run: Get-Service bthserv | Stop-Service -Force Get-Service bthserv | Start-Service
    • Go to Device Manager, right-click your Bluetooth adapter → Uninstall device → tick Delete the driver software for this device → reboot. Windows will reinstall the default Bluetooth driver automatically.

    Step 3: Reset your Xbox controller’s Bluetooth pairing memory

    • Connect your controller via USB.
    • Hold Pair button (top) for 15 seconds until it turns off.
    • Disconnect USB.
    • Now press and hold Pair until it flashes rapidly (ready to pair again)

    Step 4: Pair again

    • On Windows: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Add device → Bluetooth → Xbox Wireless Controller
    • You can Pair it as normal ( Do your normal controller pairing as you do it before the issue happened)

    Let me know once done so I can assist you further.

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