How to connect an Xbox 360 wireless controller or headset to your computer

The Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows lets you connect up to four wireless headsets and four wireless controllers to a computer running Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack (SP2) or a later version of Windows.

Note The receiver is not intended for use on an Xbox 360 console.

Step 1: Connect the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver to your computer

1. Remove the green label from the USB connector on the receiver.
2. Insert the USB connector into a powered USB 2.0 port on the computer.
   
   
   
   
   
   Note The USB ports on the front of your computer are probably not powered USB 2.0 ports. Try using the ports on the back of your computer.
   
   A green light on the receiver indicates that the unit is working.
3. If the Add New Hardware Wizard starts automatically, select Install the software automatically (Recommended), and then click Next. If the wizard installs the software successfully, click Finish and then skip to “Step 3: Connect an Xbox 360 wireless accessory to your computer” below.
   
   If the wizard fails to install the software, go to “Step 2: Install the Xbox Receiver software” below.

Step 2: Install the Xbox Receiver software

Before you can use wireless accessories with your computer, you might need to install some software on your computer. If you have the installation disc that came with your Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver, you can install the software from that disc. If you do not have that disc, you can install the software by downloading it from the Internet.

To install the software from disc

1. Insert the installation disc into the CD or DVD drive of your computer.
   
   If the Setup program does not automatically start, change to your CD or DVD drive and run the Setup program.
2. Follow the steps in the wizard to install the software.
   
   Note You might be prompted to restart the computer.

To install the software by downloading it from the Internet

1. Go to the Downloading Gaming Software section of the Microsoft Hardware Web site by following this link:
   http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/download/download.aspx?category=Gaming&type=Gaming
2. In Select type of product, select Controller.
3. In Select your product, select Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows.
4. In Select your operating system, select the version of Microsoft Windows you are using on your computer.
5. In Select your operating system language, select the language used by Windows on your computer.
6. Click Go.
7. Click the link to start the Setup program.
8. Click Run.

The Xbox 360 Accessories Setup program installs the necessary files to your computer.

Note You might be prompted to restart the computer.

Step 3: Connect an Xbox 360 wireless accessory to your computer

1. Turn on the Xbox 360 wireless accessory that you want to use with your receiver.
   
   For example, to turn on a controller, press and hold the Guide button located in the middle of the controller. If you do not know how to turn on the accessory, read the documentation for that accessory.
   
   
   
2. On the receiver, press the connect button. The light flashes green.
   
   
   
3. On the wireless accessory, press the connect button. For example, on the controller, the connect button is on the back.
   
   
   
   
   
   Green flashing lights on the accessory and on the receiver indicate that the device is trying to establish a connection. When the light stops flashing and remains lit, the accessory is connected. For example, on a wireless controller, one of the lights around the Guide button will remain lit.