Why Does Your Xbox Controller Keep Shutting Off(+Solutions)?

Like all electrical devices, Xbox can also run into a few problems as it is used more and more.

A very minor problem surrounding the Xbox One is about its controllers shutting off while you are in-game or when the controller is connected to the console.

Why does your Xbox One controller keep shutting off? Your controller isn’t within the designated range to be sending and receiving signals, the battery might need replacing/recharging. Move yourself and the controller closer to the Xbox, change the batteries of the controller, perform a power cycle/reconnect the controller if nothing works. Try twisting the body of the controller gently.

However, there are some easy fixes for this problem, and most of them are explored in this article.

Before we go on to the solutions, it may be wise to study the reasons for this problem arising in the first place.

Why Does My Xbox One Controller Keep Shutting Off?

There are plenty of reasons why your controllers might be disconnecting from your console frequently.

Let us explore the reasons from the most probable to the less probable.

This way, you can get to the solution more easily by eliminating the more probable causes first.

  • Range issue: The most common issue for the wireless controller is to stay within the designated range to be sending and receiving signals to the console. If you wander around the house with the controller and it gets too far away from the wireless range of the console, then it will probably disconnect itself. You must be wary of the wireless range of the controller and the console. Make sure to not leave this range with the controller if you want to avoid connecting to the console again and again.
  • Battery issues: Weak batteries may also be causing the controller to frequently disconnect from the console. You can check the power levels of your controllers from the battery indicator icon on the home screen of your Xbox. If it indicates a low battery, then you know where the fault lies. Replacing or recharging the battery pack is going to fix this issue.
  • Software/Hardware issues: Sometimes it is difficult to locate the exact nature of the problem. So, experts always recommend disconnecting and restarting the devices that exhibit the problem. In this case, “power cycling” and “reconnecting” the controller are two ways that can solve all problems related to controllers shutting off again and again. Proper ways to do this are described below.

Why Does My Xbox One Controller Keep Turning Off With Full Battery?

Many users have encountered a similar issue in the past, and there was no easy fix available previously.

However, Microsoft has solved the issue, and the problem seems to not exist in the newer controllers.

For old controllers, users can try two solutions (given below) as the root cause of the problem is still unknown.

Fix the Battery Compartment

The design of the controller allowed some space for the batteries, which would cause them to disconnect with a slight flinch.

This space was made for the expansion and contraction of batteries as they encounter temperature changes.

Users can use tape or other stuff (could be a conductor) to fill in space so that the batteries are held in place.

When batteries don’t move, the controllers will not disconnect as often as they used to.

Update the Controller’s Firmware

The next option is to update the controller’s firmware, as this is something the Microsoft Team might have worked on, since the problem is non-existent in the newer controllers.

To update the controller’s firmware, you need to follow a couple of simple steps given below:

  1. Connect your controller (or borrow another one if your controller keeps on disconnecting very frequently) to the console via a USB cable.
  2. After signing in to your Xbox Live account, use the Menu button on the controller to access the Menu. Go to the Settings option on the menu.
  3. In the settings, go to “Devices and Accessories” and select your controller.
  4. Select the “Updateoption from this new set of options displayed in front of you.
  5. Select “Continue” and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

If you follow the steps correctly, you will end up with an up-to-date controller.

How Do I Stop My Xbox One Controller From Turning off By Itself?

Other than updating its firmware, there are a couple of easier things you can do to your controller first.

These are the fixes for the more probable causes discussed in the first question of this article.

1. Reposition your Controller

Move yourself and the controller closer to the Xbox to see if this changes anything.

If it does, it means that you were too far away from the console.

Try to use the wireless mode when you are closer to this “wireless field” exhibited by the console.

2. Change the Batteries

Change the batteries of the controller to see if its behavior changes.

If you are using a rechargeable battery pack, then charge it for a couple of hours and then reconnect your controller to the Xbox.

If it works, it means you were just using a low battery controller.

Tip: If you have fresh batteries, try taking them out and then placing them back in. After that, turn your controller on as usual.

3. Power Cycle your Xbox

If all else fails, you can follow these instructions for a power cycle:

  1. Hold the “Xbox button” (the big button with an “X”) located on your console for more than 10 seconds. This will turn off your console. It may make a beeping sound indicating it has been turned on/off.
  2. To complete the power cycle, you need to press this “X” button again. It will power up again.
  3. This reboot allows all components to reset themselves. Try reconnecting the controller now.

4. Twist your Controller

This might sound strange at first, but this method has helped loads of people to fix their controllers.

Simply grab your controller and slightly twist the body of the controller in different directions.

We have made a YouTube video that illustrates this solution, plus a few other things.

5. Disconnect and Reconnect your Controller

It is possible that your controller isn’t the issue and there has been some minor glitch when you were pairing your Xbox to your controller.

To rule out this possibility, do the following:

Unpair your controller first:

  1. With a laptop/PC nearby, plug a USB cable into your controller.
  2. Plug the other end into the computer.
  3. Locate the Sync button on your controller.
  4. Press and hold it for a few seconds.
  5. Unplug the USB cable from the controller.
  6. Now your Xbox controller is unpaired.

Now let’s pair back your Xbox controller:

  1. Locate the Sync button on your Xbox.
  2. Press it, the X sign should start flashing.
  3. Turn your controller on so that the X button is flashing too.
  4. Locate the Sync button on your controller.
  5. Press the Sync button on the controller.
  6. Once the X sign on both your Xbox and your controller is solid white, they are synced.

6. Test out a Different Controller

If you have tested out everything you could, it’s time to try using a different controller.

You can borrow one from a friend to see if it works.

If it does, your best option is just to bet a new Xbox controller.

If it doesn’t work, chances are there is something wrong with the Xbox itself. We have a more in-depth article on this subject below.

Related Post: Why Does Your Xbox Keep Shutting Off? (+ 8 Easy Solutions)

7. Contact Xbox Support

If all five of these solutions fail, then you should connect with your seller or Microsoft.

In the past, they have replaced faulty controllers frequently, since the problem is usually on their end.

Does The Xbox One Controller Turn Off By Itself?

The controller should not turn off by itself. If it does, then there is some problem that is causing the shutdown.

To see which problem it is, you should read the three-question answered above.

Most of the probable solutions are explained in those three questions.

However, if the controller is inactive for a long time, it will shut down. This is due to the “auto sleep” option. This option is preset to be enabled.

Is There A Way To Keep Your Xbox Controller From Turning Off?

If you want to avoid the automatic shutdown that the controller experiences after being idle for a long time, then you can access settings and disable the auto sleep option.

From the dashboard, select “System” and find the “Auto Sleep” option. Disable this option to keep your controller from turning off.

You can also adjust the following Setting:

  1. Go to Profile & System.
  2. Go to Settings > General.
  3. Select Power &  Start-Up.
  4. Select Turn off after.
  5. Set it to Don’t turn automatically.

How Do I Stop My Xbox Controller From Going Idle?

You would have to press buttons continuously to keep it from going idle.

However, you can disable the “Auto Sleep” option from the Settings to avoid the controller from turning off after it has been idle for too long.

Conclusion

Xbox controllers are key to your gaming experience.

If they are not working properly, your entire gaming experience can be ruined.

Sometimes the fault is in the design, but sometimes you have the power to fix the controller.

Follow these simple fixes to stop your controllers from shutting off and behaving irregularly.