But, like all devices, Xbox controllers will eventually have malfunctions. Reportedly, some users have experienced that their controller randomly turns off during games. It can be overwhelming once you’re eager to play with your friends and it shuts down instantly. In this guide, we’ll show you the common reasons for this Xbox controller issue and how you can fix it. Read on to learn more.
“Why Does My Xbox Controller Keep Turning Off?”— Common Reasons
The Controller is Not Fully Charged or Has Low Battery – When encountering this issue, it’s best to first check your controller’s battery level. The battery indicator can be found in the upper-right corner of your Xbox console’s display.
1 “Why Does My Xbox Controller Keep Turning Off?”— Common Reasons2 How to Stop Xbox Controller From Automatically Turning Off2.1 Fix #1: Charge your Xbox Controller Fully2.2 Fix #2: Power Cycle Your Xbox Console and Controller2.3 Fix #3: Turn Off Auto Sleep2.4 Fix #4: Use your Xbox Controller in the Recommended Range2.5 Fix #5: Use a Wired Connection2.6 Fix #6: Update the Xbox Controller’s Firmware2.7 Fix #7: Reset your Xbox Console3 Final Thoughts
Turn Off Auto Sleep on Xbox – Auto Sleep is a setting on Xbox that turns off your controller once it is inactive for a while. While this saves your controller some of its power, it can also be the reason why your controller suddenly turns off.
Xbox Controller is Out of Range – Controllers can be at their best when you use them wirelessly. It enables you to play at any position as long as it is in the recommended range of 19-28 ft. (6-9 m.<>). Once it is farther than that, your controller can be suddenly disconnected from the console.
Another factor is interference from other nearby wireless devices. It can cause connection issues, which leads to your controller being disconnected and turning off.
Outdated Xbox Controller Firmware – Your Xbox controller must have an updated firmware. They are crucial for your controller’s features to work properly and to avoid any glitches like sudden shut downs.
Faulty Controller – If you’re using an old or pre-used controller, it may have internal problems before you used it. Once you’ve tried all the troubleshooting solutions in this article, it’s safe to assume that you may have a faulty controller.
How to Stop Xbox Controller From Automatically Turning Off
Now that you know all the common reasons why your Xbox controller suddenly turns off during use, it’s time to go over the fixes that you can try. Most of them can be easily done on the console and can be applied to all Xbox consoles.
Fix #1: Charge your Xbox Controller Fully
Most of the time, you can forget to charge your Xbox controller, especially if you just want to go straight to your favorite games. However, it can lead to sudden disconnections once you don’t pay attention to your controller’s battery level. If your controller comes with an Xbox One Play and Charge Kit, you can use it and wait for your controller to fully charge before using it.
Fix #2: Power Cycle Your Xbox Console and Controller
Power cycling your Xbox console and controller can solve most of its common problems. It resets your device and any ongoing connections so you can connect once again without any issues. To power cycle your Xbox console, follow these steps: This is a fairly common fix and is also one of the recommendations for when your Xbox won’t turn on but makes noise.
Fix #3: Turn Off Auto Sleep
As mentioned earlier, most Xbox consoles have an Auto Sleep function that turns off your controller automatically once it has been idle for a while. It can sometimes go unnoticed and can be annoying to deal with. To turn off Auto Sleep in Xbox, follow the steps below:
Fix #4: Use your Xbox Controller in the Recommended Range
Another factor to look at is to see if you’re using your controller too far away from the console. Make sure to be closer to the console to avoid any connection issues and to have a better console experience. Also, ensure that your controller is directly facing the console so it can detect your controller properly.
Fix #5: Use a Wired Connection
When there are unavoidable interferences nearby your console, you can try to use a wired connection from your Xbox console to the controller. It will eliminate any issues that are caused by a wireless connection and can be more reliable. All you will need to do is to connect your controller to the Xbox console through a microUSB cable and wait for your controller to be recognized. Once it’s connected, you can now play without worrying about your controller suddenly turning off.
Fix #6: Update the Xbox Controller’s Firmware
Updated firmware can help solve many of your console’s issues, including connection problems. Microsoft continuously releases firmware updates on Xbox consoles, so make sure to be updated once an update comes out for your Xbox model. To update your Xbox controller’s firmware, do the following:
Fix #7: Reset your Xbox Console
Once you’ve tried all the fixes above and still have the same issue, the last resort to try is resetting your console. However, you will pick the option that will keep your console’s app and game data. It will restore all your console’s settings to their factory state. To reset your Xbox console, follow these steps:
Final Thoughts
Xbox controllers are critical for a great console gaming experience. Connecting them is also an easy task, regardless if you’ll use a wired or wireless connection. However, you might come across some power problems, specifically with your controllers. So, if your Xbox controller turns off abruptly, this guide has you covered.
