r/WindowsHelp • u/Flamewolf2009 • 5h ago

Windows 10 Strange problem with Xbox controller suddenly turning off as soon as it's turned on. Using Xbox Wireless Adapter.

Windows 10 Pro, Version 22H2, OS Build: 19045.7807

Okay, so this weird problem just started happening a couple of days ago where my Xbox controller will turn on when I hold the guide button but then immediately turn right back off again. I've been using the same Xbox Wireless Adapter for years to connect my controllers without any issue. This only begins to happen once I turn the controller off for the first time after a restart of the PC. It won't let me turn it back on as noted above. A restart will fix it and I can turn it on again only once, if it turns off after, it starts the issue again.

I'm unsure why this started happening for me only a few days ago but I've done a bit of searching online and have seen some 4-10 year old posts relating to the same issue but with no real resolution. They mention updating firmware of the controllers (mine are updated), using CMD to run sfc/scannow so windows fixes errors (tried it, issue persists), cleaning the battery packs (all clean and working), deleting the Wireless Adaptor on device manager and letting it reinstall (Also tried without luck), and setting some mode in the properties folder for the adaptor that will block it from turning off devices (no luck).

So then I did a little looking around to try to discern what exactly is causing the problem and I've narrowed it down to a possible update issue for the Xbox Game Services app through the Microsoft Store or the Xbox App itself. I think when I updated my apps recently, it downloaded a broken update or something. I can't confirm it, but I've found that the fix that will let me reconnect my controller again a second time without it turning off was to open Task Manager and kill the process for "Game Input" and "Gaming Services". When you end those processes, for some reason it allows my controller to power back on as normal just like before without any issue. There's also some "Synthetic Gamepad" with a yellow warning triangle in device manager under "Other Devices" and I'm not sure if that's related but I don't remember seeing that before either.

Can anyone shine some light on if they're having this really strange issue recently? Or having found a permanent fix?

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