Does a wireless Xbox One controller function as a USB controller if connected through USB?

Gimpymoo · 18 Dec 2018 at 10:12

Not sure if I am doing it wrong?

When connecting USB from controller to PC, it gives power to the controller but the controller still needs the wireless controller dongle to work with the PC.

Is it not designed to work as a "USB" controller when connected this way?

It appears to me that when USB is connected, it simply gives power.

Many thanks.

picnic · 18 Dec 2018 at 11:02

That's my understanding, you need one with a captured cable for it to just work (do they do the new controllers as a cabled option?) otherwise it's the RF dongle approach as you've discovered.

sgavan · 18 Dec 2018 at 12:02

I use a wireless controller plugged into my pc with a micro usb cable and it works fine, no software installation required, check device manager and see if there's a fault with it.

ZombieFan · 18 Dec 2018 at 13:03

Mine works fine connected up via USB (with a micro usb cable stuck in the back). Mine's the non-bluetooth version.

Could you be using a dodgy micro usb cable? It may have a fault which allows it to provide power but nothing else?

willhub · 18 Dec 2018 at 13:04

If you have rechargeable batteries in it does the controller recharge when connected via USB?

picnic · 18 Dec 2018 at 13:27

Apologies, appears I'm stuck in the 360 era

Gimpymoo · 18 Dec 2018 at 14:49

So, are we saying a wireless controller always works wireless, even if a cable is connected?

Obviously, the wired controllers will always be wired

imginy · 18 Dec 2018 at 14:54

wireless controllers work fine without a dongle, if you use the wire.

Gimpymoo · 18 Dec 2018 at 14:57

imginy said:
wireless controllers work fine without a dongle, if you use the wire.

I am using the cable which came with the controller and this gives power only. Maybe the problem is with the cable they give which is maybe power only.

Will try a different cable

Kelt · 18 Dec 2018 at 15:16

Gimpymoo said:
I am using the cable which came with the controller and this gives power only. Maybe the problem is with the cable they give which is maybe power only.

Will try a different cable

I'm running a Xbox One controller on the PC with some random cable I had lying around.

Junglist · 18 Dec 2018 at 15:25

I'm using an Xbox One controller wired with PC and it works just fine.

I do think there was a newer version which could connect to the PC with a dongle if you wanted it wireless but a standard USB cable will do the trick

Gimpymoo · 18 Dec 2018 at 15:35

Thanks for the replies.

Will try a different cable then

MrRockliffe · 18 Dec 2018 at 15:37

It works via USB - my brother uses a wired XBOX One controller on his PC to play Rocket League.