The Xbox controller is one of the most loved controllers out of all the consoles. It just seems to fit perfectly in your hands. While the Series X controller has some improvements compared to its predecessors it does have its problems. One problem lots of users have been facing is their controller turning off automatically.

Xbox Series X Controller turning off automatically
Xbox Series X Controller

For most people, this isn’t a problem as it helps to save their batteries if they have stopped using the console. However, there are some situations where this energy-saving feature causes problems.

For example, if you like to use the headphone jack on the Xbox Series X controller to use headphones and watch a movie, you likely won’t be hitting any buttons on the controller.

This means that every 15 mins of inactivity your controller will turn off and you will lose audio. This obviously isn’t ideal if you want to enjoy a movie. Let’s take a look and see if there is a way to stop your Xbox Series X controller from turning off.

How To Stop Xbox Controller From Turning Off

The best way to stop your Xbox controller from turning off during periods of inactivity is to plug it in using a USB cable. When the controller is plugged into a USB port on your console it will stay on until your Xbox is turned off.

You likely came to this article hoping for a setting that you could adjust in the Xbox series X menu however that is not the case. Unfortunately, Microsoft did not include a setting allowing you to leave the controller on until your console is turned off.

This is likely due to the fact that your controller batteries would run down very quickly if you ever forgot to turn your console off overnight.

So, if you want to keep your Xbox Series X controller on the best option is to connect it to your console with the USB cable.

Why Is My Xbox Controller Turning Off Immediately After I Turn It On?

If your controller is turning off immediately after you turn it on there is some other problem happening that is not related to power saving.

The most likely issue is battery level. There is a good chance that your controller has simply run out of battery. The Xbox Series X controller is powered by two AA batteries. Get a new pair and add them to your controller and it should power up like normal again.

A second problem is that your controller is not connecting to your Xbox Series X console for some reason. If that is the case, we recommend resetting your controller and re-connecting it to your console. We have outlined how to reset your controller below.

How To Reset Your Xbox Series X Controller

Follow the steps below to reset your Xbox Series X/S controller:

  1. Turn off the Xbox control completely by holding down the Xbox button for a few seconds
  2. Turn on your console and click on the pairing button on the front of your console
  3. When the power button on the console starts to flash, click on the pairing button on the back of your controller
  4. Once connected the Xbox button light will stay solid

You have now successfully reset your controller and re-connected it to your console. You can now happily enjoy playing your games with the Xbox Series X controller.

Update Your Xbox & Controller Firmware

If your controller is still struggling to connect or is repeatedly disconnecting you may need to update your console or controller. Follow the steps below to do both.

How To Update Xbox Series X

  1. Make sure that your console is connected to the internet, and then press the Xbox button  to open the guide.
  2. Select Profile & systemSettings > System > Updates.
  3. Under Updates, you’ll see:
    • Console update available. Select this to begin your update, or
    • No console update available. This means your console is up to date.

How To Update Xbox Controller Firmware

  1. Press the Xbox button  to open the guide, select Profile & system > Settings > Devices & connections > Accessories, and then select the controller you want to update.
  2. On the Xbox Wireless Controller screen, select “” to check the firmware version for your controller.
  3. If it says “Update,” select Firmware version, and then follow the steps provided.

If your controller is still not working after performing all of these steps it may be broken and need repaired.

Wrapping Up

Hopefully, this guide has explained why the Xbox Series X controller turns off after a period of inactivity. The main reason is simply power saving. If you want it to stay on you will need to connect it via a USB cable to your console.

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