The average gamer spends around 9 hours a week playing video games. Some more hardcore gamers will play significantly longer. If you’re using an Xbox controller, these hours can add up, resulting in significant wear and tear on your input device.
Not only can issues with your controller cause a frustrating gaming experience, but they could also result in sub-optimal gameplay. Thankfully, there are a lot of things you can try to fix a malfunctioning or broken Xbox controller.
This article lists some of the things you can try when fixing a controller that should hopefully get you back to playing Xbox as soon as possible.
Check for Loose Wires
First, ensure the Xbox controller is disconnected from any power source, then open up the controller. If you see any disconnected, loose, or frayed wiring, it could indicate a problem.
If you’re comfortable working with electronics, you could try fixing the problem yourself. Alternatively, you can bring the device to an electronics repair shop. Fixing broken wires is fairly trivial, so any good repair shop should be able to fix it.
Replace the Batteries
If your controller won’t turn on or if it turns off after a short amount of time, it could indicate that you have a dead or dying battery. Thankfully, the fix for this Xbox controller problem is fairly simple. You just need to replace the battery.
Typically Xbox batteries are standard AAs, but if you’re using a third-party controller, there’s a chance it will use a different kind of battery. You could also consider purchasing an Xbox rechargeable battery kit.
This will ensure you’re never left without batteries again. It can also save you a lot of money in the long run because you won’t need to keep buying batteries.
Clean the Controller
If you’re experiencing inconsistent inputs or button presses that are simply not registering at all, there might be a simple fix. Dust, dirt, and grime can build up on your controller over time, and this can interfere with the internal connections.
Often all you need to do is clean the controller to get it to work again. Using something like compressed air, you can get into all the tiny crevasses of your device and clean the connections. If you want to do a full deep clean of your controller, you might consider opening it up and cleaning the connections with isopropyl alcohol.
If you go down this route, make sure you wait long enough for the alcohol to evaporate before turning on your device. Switching the controller on to early could cause components to short circuit, causing more damage.
Reset the Controller
In many cases, Xbox controller problems are not caused by mechanical defects. Instead, there’s an issue with the connection between the controller and the console. Thankfully, there’s often a simple fix for this kind of issue.
Simply hold down the Xbox button and the sync button on your controller at the same time until the controller starts to vibrate. The vibrations signify that you’ve reset the controller.
If this doesn’t resolve your connectivity issue, it could indicate a problem with the device itself. In that case you may experience difficulties playing Xbox until you attempt a repair or replace the controller.
Replace the Analog Stick
Another significant problem that Xbox controllers tend to develop over time is issues with the analog stick. The analog stick gives you precise control over your character’s movement in games, but that precision comes at a cost. The sticks are vulnerable to wear and tear over time.
Thankfully, it’s viable to replace the stick. This is a somewhat more complex fix than the others on this list as it will require you to know your way around a soldering iron. If you don’t have much knowledge of electronics or if you lack good soldering skills, you should consider giving your controller to a professional for repairs.
Install New Firmware
If you’re experiencing bugs or other issues with your Xbox controller, there’s a chance it could be related to the firmware on your device. Thankfully, there’s a simple way to check this. All you need to do is install the latest firmware from Microsoft.
You should be able to easily find an option to do this in your console settings. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the update, check to see if your issue has been resolved. If it hasn’t, it could indicate a physical problem with the controller.
Replace the Controller
If all else fails, it might make sense to replace the controller entirely. While there are certain steps you can take to repair an Xbox controller, there are plenty of situations where the controller is simply broken, and no amount of troubleshooting or repairs will be able to revive it.
In this case, it probably makes sense to simply purchase a new Xbox controller. While Xbox controllers can certainly be expensive, you can save a significant amount of cash if you shop around and look for the best deals.
Consult a Professional
Xbox controllers are relatively complex electronic devices. If you don’t have experience with electronics, you might find it challenging to repair one yourself. Thankfully, you can enlist the help of repair professionals.
If you find a good electronics repair shop in your area, there’s a good chance they’ll be able to repair your controller for you. If a professional repair shop can’t fix it, your controller is almost certainly dead.
Now You Know How to Fix a Broken Xbox Controller
As you can see, having issues with your Xbox controller doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to take a break from gaming. There are plenty of viable troubleshooting and repair options for you to try.
With that said, if you want the best chance of successfully fixing a broken Xbox controller, it makes a lot of sense to enlist the help of a professional repair company. Contact us today and we can provide you with an estimate for repairs.
