Installing a Xbox 360 controller on a PC

**ccllnply** · June 28, 2011, 06:28 AM

I was on my friends computer yesterday trying to install his Xbox 360 wired controller on to his PC so he could use it for games. I already have my PS3 controllers working on my PC at home and that was easy enough so I thought installing a 360 controller would be a walk in the park. How wrong I was

First, I plugged the controller in. Unlike the PS3 controller, the PC didn't even recognize it. No problem, I went on to the Microsoft website and searched for the drivers. Sure enough, I found some for Vista and installed it. Still, the PC wouldn't recognize the controller.

I searched around Google to find a solution but there is barely anything on the subject and even less on this specific problem. I honestly thought it would be as easy as plugging it in and playing, instead it seems to be even harder than the PS3 controller.

Any help?

**a tw player** · June 28, 2011, 06:32 AM

I've tried this too, but I think you need to have a specific "PC xbox" controller to use on the PC

**SonOfOdin** · June 28, 2011, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by a tw player

I've tried this too, but I think you need to have a specific "PC xbox" controller to use on the PC

Not really. My Xbox controller works fine on my pc.

If it's wireless, you need a wireless Microsoft Adapter for Xbox Controllers to be ported to the PC. If it's wired, I have no idea what could be wrong.

**a tw player** · June 28, 2011, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by SonOfOdin

Not really. My Xbox controller works fine on my pc.

Oh? My PC recognises the controller, but on the one game I tried it with (fifa 09) the game settings don't register it...

**SonOfOdin** · June 30, 2011, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by a tw player

Oh? My PC recognises the controller, but on the one game I tried it with (fifa 09) the game settings don't register it...

For Fifas before 10, you need an older driver version

**beckyolt** · June 28, 2011, 07:33 AM

Hell, LOL actually i didn't even know you could do this! I'm gonna search how you do it !

Because one of the main reasons i prefer consoles over PC for most games ( except RTS ) is the controller which i prefer over keyboard/mouse.

**the_mango55** · June 28, 2011, 08:12 AM

I have no idea what could be wrong with it. Not only was it easy to install but the majority of windows games automatically recognize 360 controls and assign button layouts to be the same as the console version, plus when displaying the controls they show the color and letter of the buttons.

**Steapa Snotor** · June 28, 2011, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by ccllnply

I was on my friends computer yesterday trying to install his Xbox 360 wired controller on to his PC so he could use it for games. I already have my PS3 controllers working on my PC at home and that was easy enough so I thought installing a 360 controller would be a walk in the park. How wrong I was

First, I plugged the controller in. Unlike the PS3 controller, the PC didn't even recognize it. No problem, I went on to the Microsoft website and searched for the drivers. Sure enough, I found some for Vista and installed it. Still, the PC wouldn't recognize the controller.

I searched around Google to find a solution but there is barely anything on the subject and even less on this specific problem. I honestly thought it would be as easy as plugging it in and playing, instead it seems to be even harder than the PS3 controller.

Any help?

I used my PS3 pad but the xbox pad is more pc friendly. Did you use motion joy to get your PS3 pad working if so make sure you uninstall it because it clashes, then the xbox drivers should be OK.
I had this problem last week.

**ccllnply** · June 28, 2011, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by a tw player

I've tried this too, but I think you need to have a specific "PC xbox" controller to use on the PC

No, I doubt that. If I can install a PS3 controller on a PC, I don't think an Xbox controller would need to be PC specific.

Originally Posted by the_mango55

I have no idea what could be wrong with it. Not only was it easy to install but the majority of windows games automatically recognize 360 controls and assign button layouts to be the same as the console version, plus when displaying the controls they show the color and letter of the buttons.

I know, that's what I was thinking should have happened. But I plugged the controller in and went to Control Panel. The computer just didn't recognize it at all. Then I installed the drivers from Microsoft.com, but the only thing that changed was that the light came on to say the controller was charging

Originally Posted by manmayo

I used my PS3 pad but the xbox pad is more pc friendly. Did you use motion joy to get your PS3 pad working if so make sure you uninstall it because it clashes, then the xbox drivers should be OK.
I had this problem last week.

As I said, I was installing the Xbox controller on a friends computer. I have PS3 controllers working on my computer

**Steapa Snotor** · June 28, 2011, 12:07 PM

He must have something conflicting with it because the xbox pad should work perfectly with windows. has he ever used any other controller ? Did it show up in devices and printers ?

**ccllnply** · June 30, 2011, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by manmayo

He must have something conflicting with it because the xbox pad should work perfectly with windows. has he ever used any other controller ? Did it show up in devices and printers ?

No he's never tried to do it with any other controller. And it didn't show up on devices and printers, it didn't show up anywhere

**Steapa Snotor** · June 30, 2011, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by ccllnply

No he's never tried to do it with any other controller. And it didn't show up on devices and printers, it didn't show up anywhere

That is strange, does the pad work elsewhere ? I hope you get it sorted, cos i hate having a problem with no fix in sight.

**Crazyeyesreaper** · June 28, 2011, 01:50 PM

i can say some games dont like the XBOX 360 controller these older games dont like it becuase of one very simple reason

DX input is the old standard its used on 90% of PC peripherals aka game pads etc, The Xbox 360 uses Xinput and its what the PC 360 pad uses its why some games like the 360 pad and some dont some games are DX input some are X input, some are both but in general most newer games are using X input.

that said Windows should automatically recognize the 360 controller, if on Vista or windows 7 and fully up to date. as both should auto search and find the driver download and install it without to much trouble if its not doing that somethings up.