Fake Microsoft XBox 360 wireless controller adapter in Windows 7 64-bit
by krisrowland
I recently bought an XBox 360 wireless control adapter on eBay. It seems the only way to buy an official Microsoft adapter is via an official retailer and I couldn’t find any on eBay. The adapter I ended up purchasing was, and I knew it was, a cheap(ish) Chinese knock-off. I had read around enough to know that it should work, but hadn’t realised how varied people’s experiences had been.
The adapter I bought was from the eBay store Console Mate (a popular Australian, NSW, power seller) and was listed as “WIRELESS GAMING RECEIVER – Xbox 360 Controller on PC”. the store was easy to deal with and the device arrived in under a couple of days via express post.
A genuine wireless adapter will have “Microsoft” written on the top of the adapter itself. These knock-offs (at least mine) say only “XBox 360” with no branding, copyright, etc. Otherwise, they look like the real deal.
My issues began when trying to install the adapter in an install of Windows 7 64-bit. I tried using the software bundled with the device, but had the same experience with the official software (which I ended up getting to work). Using the driver on the CD that came with the adapter, I kept getting the error message:
Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it. PC Wireless Gaming Receiver. The system cannot find the file specified.
I then turned to the official drivers. After installing the official Microsoft software (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/d/xbox-360-wireless-controller-for-windows) I then plugged the device into a USB port. My install of Windows 7 64-bit couldn’t install the device; ultimately, the adapter always ended up being listed as “Unknown Device”.
Googling will bring up a few solutions for this issue, but I found only one works. These are the steps I took to install the drivers for the device:
– Install the official software: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/d/xbox-360-wireless-controller-for-windows
– Start -> Search for “Device Manager” -> Open it
– Find the “Unknown Device” -> right click -> properties
– Driver -> Update driver -> Browse my computer -> Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer
– Double click “All devices” -> Search for “Microsoft” in the left pane and select it -> Search for “XBox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows Version: 2.1xxx”
– Choose “Next” and complete the install
The “Unknown Device” should then disappear from the devices list. I was then able to sync my existing wireless XBox 360 controller (which came with my XBox 360 console) with the adapter by pressing the large “X” button on the controller to wake it (it should start blinking), then pressing the button on the adapter (its light should start blinking), then pressing the receiver sync button on the controller (a small button in between the left shoulder button and the central top port of the controller). After a few seconds, the controller and adapter lights stopped blinking, leaving the top left light of the controller lit (the Player 1 state). Viola! Done.
These links helped me:
http://www.dealextreme.com/forums/Forums.dx/Forum.31881~threadid.504450
http://www.ehow.com/how_6745166_360-controller-won_t-connect-pc.html
I also highly recommend XPadder: http://www.xpadder.com/
It allows you to fully customise the way the controller interacts with the OS and applications.
kRow.bLog 
I cannot thank you enough! I bought one of these crappy wireless receivers some months ago, worked just fine under XP. But that computer broke. Bought a new computer with Windows 7 and it wouldn’t work at all!
Thanks!
I’ve been trying to install this in XP for a couple of days now,without success.I just today tried using the method abouve,which was working fine up the the point where you click on ‘Microsoft’ in the left pane,as in the right pane,there is no option thats says ‘Xbox wireless reciever’,as there is no such option there,or anything apparently pertaining to wireless recievers.Does anyone else have the same problem,or solution to this?
Had the exact same problem, trying unplugging and replugging in the device, uninstalling the “fake” driver, and then repeating the steps. Seemed to work for me.
I got the same problem on windows XP. Somebody help me please!
I SPENT THE PAST MONTH TRYING TO GET THIS TO WORK. I COULD FREAKING KISS MAN
OMFG thank you so so much words cant describe how much hair you have saved me from which i have ripped from my scalp lol. Regards Callum
made a video tutorial following this instructions
i used it for one week. after don’t sync my controller. It’s connected for one second and after disconnected.
ERROR id 441. migration not be possible
Impossibile eseguire la migrazione del dispositivo USB\VID_045E&PID_0291\5&d5f8ac9&0&1.
ID ultima istanza dispositivo: USB\VID_090C&PID_1000\5&D5F8AC9&0&1
GUID classe: {36fc9e60-c465-11cf-8056-444553540000}
Percorso: PCIROOT(0)#PCI(1400)#USBROOT(0)#USB(1)
Classificazione migrazione: 0xF000FFFFFFFF0023
Presente: false
Stato: 0xC0000719
many thanks, you help me a lot
Excellent stuff, my 2nd official receiver died last week after blowing a fuse which is a common problem so I bought this cheap one for £8 on eBay in hopes that the Chinese knockoff has a better fuse than the more expensive official one only to encounter the driver problem and this helped a lot 🙂
Dude you made my day!!!!! THANK YOU!!!! 😀
Man thanks a lot. There were similar instructions on the sellers ebay page but i couldn’t get it to work. This worked perfectly. Thanks again.
[…] sources: The thread where I originally found the updated driver A blog article troubleshooting similar problems under Windows 7 64bit Tagged as: Guides, Hardware, PC, Xbox 360 Leave a comment Comments (0) Trackbacks (0) ( […]
Thanks! Worked like a charm. However…. whenever I turn off my PC and reboot, it says that the device is unknown again… its like windows is uninstalling this after I turn off my system. why would windows self-uninstall a driver? Any ideas?
Glad it worked 🙂
Not sure about the issue with the settings being lost on reboot, though. As long as you’re using the same USB port each time, there shouldn’t be an issue. Hopefully it’s a generic issue regarding new devices and not specific to this device. Good luck googling the answer. If you figure anything out, it’d be great if you could repost your solution here for others. These imitation devices seem to be a real pain for people, requiring different solutions depending on the platform.
Cheers1
So cool you shared this, thanks man.
hey !! i don’t know who u are but i thank u a lot!! I bought this crappy thing and the drver cd dont even semms to work but after your nice an presice discription i work now!!
thanks you again !
keep on with those action
Thank You So Much!!!
many thaaanks :-* ….: D
Thanks, had the same problem and your solution worked perfectly…
I love you, you rock the only tuto that really work!!!!
Thank you if I can help you back it will be with pleasure 🙂
I love you!!!
I LOVE YOU!
THANK YOU!
Thanks so much! I never would have figured this out on my own.
Kris – thanks so much for this, very much appreciated.
THX a lot
you legend!!
Got a black wireless reciver from ebay also. This guide saved my day!!
Thanks!!
thanks man
Thanks a lot man!!! Your guide really helped me!! Thanks again!
You are my hero for the day. Thanks for taking the time to write out all the shit you had to go through, you saved me several hours and contributed to the betterment of mankind!
[…] if(!document.referrer || document.referrer == '') { document.write(''); } else { document.write(''); } Fake Microsoft XBox 360 wireless controller adapter in Windows 7 64-bit […]
[…] = 'none'; document.getElementById('singlemouse').style.display = ''; } Fake Microsoft XBox 360 wireless controller adapter in Windows 7 64-bit function quick_contact_send() { //Send Message Ajax Call //Deactivate submit button var […]
Thank you sooooooooooooo much, really helped!!!!!
My controller keeps fading in and out, do you have a solution?
Hi Peter,
Can’t say I’ve had that problem yet. By “fading in and out” I guess you mean it disconnects every now and then. Aside from obvious things like batteries going flat or the controller being too far away from the receiver, I’m not sure I have anything sensible to suggest besides more Googling. Hopefully it’s not a problem particular to this particular fake receiver, since there’s not much in the way of documented experiences with it online.
Good luck!
Thanks for the response, I guess the receiver must be faulty, I keep searching and if I find a solution il be sure to post it here
When my controller connects to the receiver it shows up as a xbox 360 headset under device manager. Is that supposed to happen? Is their anyone to update the driver to a controller instead of a headset?
Hi Peter,
All I can say is that that didn’t happen to me. Have you ever used a 360 headset with that computer? My experience, as it seems for a lot of others, is that the device is detected as an “unknown device”. Once the drivers are installed, as per my instructions, you can point the system manager manually to assign the controller receiver device to what it should be. If you’ve tried this (and didn’t accidentally select the headset option from the list of possible devices) then it seems something funky is going on. Possibly the receiver, as you said.
Good luck again! If you make any progress, reporting back with your findings would be great.
Ya its faulty, i’m going to buy a new one.
The receiver is faulty,all the technology stuff buyed from Ebay is fake.
I have the same problem. I did everything as in the instruction above. It shows normally in the device manager, but keeps disconnecting after a few seconds.
OMG I thought I was the only one with this problem but now I finally found someone else who had the same problem! Thank you for confirming my analysis!
Thank you SO MUCH! My receiver just arrived today and came across this website, fixed the driver issue in no time at all 🙂
You are a genius for your instructions to get a non-functioning Xbox wireless controller on Windows 7! Thank you so much. My old one gave out, and the new one that says “Microsoft” and came in official packaging, showed up as Unknown.
EDIT: comment moved to this thread by admin (hence Gravatar image).
You’re the man, my savior! Just bought a cheap receiver from Ebay, and couldn’t connect it with the controller. Thanks to you, I managed to install it ! Thank you sooo muchh!!!!
Thanks so much! Pretty sure I ended up with the same cheap knockoff from eBay, and your advice worked perfectly, after trying some of the similar things that did not as you did. Thanks.
thankyou, I had lost the original drivers that came with it.
My solution was actually a little different, I had to extract the Xbox360_32Eng.exe I downloaded form your links using 7-zip and recover the xusb21.inf file from there, besides that I pretty much followed your instructions. (i had to do this becuase the wireless adapter didnt show up for me under devices)
Hi. Thank you so much for your help. Your guide is written very well and helped me to fix my Chinese generic Xbox 360 PC Wireless Gaming Receiver driver problem. Thanks for your help, it was much appreciated
Thanks Champ, this worked perfectly 😀
Hi all! Help me please. I did everything your instructions. I have a list of installed programs do not appear “XBox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows Version: 2.1xxx” How to solve the key problems?
I’m on windows 7 maximum it worked out! But on windows 7 ultimate does not work out
Hey check out my comment a little ways up, you’re going to need the xusb21.inf file, thats the actual driver , you can then go to have disk and direct to that file, and then you select XBox 360 Wireless Receiver from there.
I used a program called 7-zip to extract the Xbox360_32Eng.exe file, the driver is packaged in there, you might have to go a couple of folders deep.
You can describe in detail the bolle?
1.Download http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/d/xbox-360-wireless-controller-for-windows
2. Download and install http://www.7-zip.org/
3. Right click on Xbox360_32Eng.exe, on the menu that comes up, go to 7-zip Extract (wherever you want to store the files)
4. Look for xusb21.inf wherever you extracted. That your driver.
Then you can follow the steps in the blog post,
Start -> Search for “Device Manager” -> Open it
– Find the “Unknown Device” -> right click -> properties
– Driver -> Update driver -> Browse my computer -> Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer->xusb21.inf file->XBox 360 Wireless Receiver
Click “All the devices” (it should be the first line in the list) and then wait for the real device list to load (manufacturer on the left, device on the right)
Thank you so much! I just replaced my old wireless adapter and I just couldn’t figure out how to get it to work with my system again. I can’t tell you how happy I am.
Thank you sir, you made possible for me to play Super Meat Boy porperly!
Your article was a great help. Thanks
I literally tried everything and couldn’t get it working. At least it seems like everything. Eventually I gave up and bought a 20$ cheap controller from walmart. I will try this and see if it works.
I have the driver installed but it doesnt pick up my controller when i try to sync? any ideas? fully working controller working with xbox fully charged etc
This might mean that the adapter isn’t installed correctly. Even though the lights would flash when connected, I found that I couldn’t sync my controller when the drivers weren’t installed just so. If you’ve followed the instructions in the post, and maybe the extra tips from others above, including the order to press the buttons to sync it, then I’m not sure what the problem is. These cheap knock-off adapters are a real pain. I’m even tempted to purchase a wired controller just to avoid these and similar issues.
It seems as if Microsoft manufactures the wireless adapters both labelled “Microsoft” and “Xbox 360” depending on a different revision of the product. It should however, still have a label on the bottom with the Microsoft hologram. I own the original version labelled “Microsoft” but there are official pictures of the “Xbox 360” labelled version on Microsoft’s website, and in Windows 7 under “Devices and Printers”. For example:
http://www.microsoft.com/games/en-US/Hardware/Controllers/Pages/XboxWirelessGamingReceiverforWindows.aspx/
The official Microsoft versions have a habit of fizzing out due to a faulty fuse, as it did with mine. I’ve heard that the knock-offs actually work better with this regard. For anyone experiencing this issue, here are repair instructions (I actually bridged the connections using aluminum foil tape):
This advice worked perfectly. I was another victim to the digitally unsigned or non offical driver problem on my 64-bit OS. I was worried I’d actually have to buy the official microsoft adapter. Thank you for thorough instructions that resulted in my enjoyment of Batman: AC.
Thanks a ton. I had the exact same problem. Cheers!
Same problem as everybody else, it worked for me too. Thank you very much!
Fantastic! My steps were varied just a little from the instructions but your steps helped me get there.
Thank you!
your a star.thanks so much
you rock!!!!! worked perfect.
Wow thanks a bunch…
Awesome. Simple. Worked like a charm. Thanks.
Dude you made my day thanks so much!!!!!
Thank you so much! This guide helped me connect my controller with no issues. This guide was extremely helpful, I can’t thank you enough.
[…] Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver For Windows TargetFake Microsoft XBox 360 wireless controller adapter in Windows 7 64-bit […]
Excellent!!! I had already tossed it out in the garbage bin, but picked it up after reading some Amazon reviewers who had bought the knock-off had gotten it to work. Then I found your blog and tried overriding the Unknown Device just as you suggested. And BAM! It actually works! Wow. I am really surprised. I thought that maybe they had just put an LED in there and that’s the only function it could do.
Thank you so very much.
Hey very nice blog!!
Hi there,I enjoy reading through your article post, I wanted to write a little comment to support you and wish you a good continuationAll the best for all your blogging efforts.
Appreciate the recommendation! Let me try it out.
Keep working ,great job! � I will be back – hxxp://windowsn7keysbmcom
Thanks for every other excellent post. The place else may anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect means of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m on the search for such info.
Hey There. I found your weblog the use of msn. That is a really smartly written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to learn extra of your helpful info. Thank you for the post. I will definitely return.
I had the exact same issue. I followed these steps exactly as typed out and it works fine. Thanks for the detailed instructions/workaround.
aaron
thank you so much! this is the only method that worked for me :D:D
Concise, to the point, and well organized. I was able to fix my issue right away. I applaud your initiative and salute your resourcefulness! I’m an experienced PC maintenance man and it would have never occurred to me to use a “redundant” method like this. But it turns out it was exactly what the device needed to go in the right direction. Cheers and thanks again!
Thank you so much, bought the replacement for my DOA adapter, and the replacement didn’t connect, works now!
Thanks again!
When ever I try installing the the software (Im on win 7 64 bit)
I half installs then it shows this message
“An error has occurred please run the setup program again.”
I have tried many times and tried to install it in many different compatibility modes but i wont work
any help?
Doesn’t work for me…
I deleted all the old drivers I had installed, got the latest, tried to extract the file from the .exe etc. Nothing will make it work properly.
The controller is found, but then loses connection on and off, so it’s not usable.
Did you get the wireless receiver with the red disk? There seems to be a couple of versions. Mine does not have the XBOX 360 text on it.
Piece of shit Microsoft wants me to buy two new wireless controllers specifically for Windows or get a new controller + new receiver everytime they break.
Thanks. Had to get another receiver because there’s no point in forking out for an official one. Did not want to have to get a refund because of it.
OMFG This worked 🙂
Thank u sooooo much
Thank you SOOO much!! This helped me very much! I wish there was like a way to donate to you or something to take the time to post this.
I, too bought the SAME adapter, not realizing that I’d run into the same problem. Your solution really helped. I can’t believe we fell for that! Thanks for saving me serious frustration. From now on, I’ll buy genuine Microsoft accessories on Amazon. :S
Mate this worked perfectly thank you! Now I can game and use the controller for XBMC!
Thanks a lot man, saved me a lot of time.
Same deal, bought from ebay, thanks so much man!
Thanks! This worked perfectly – I just ran into this exact problem and was thinking I’d have to return the thing.
You goddam legend, saved me hours of pain!
Awesome it FINALLY WORKED on my win 64bit Thank you
Now the controller is turning off and on I see a few others have had this issue. Any suggestions?
Think i’ve got the same problem you mentioned. I’m able to make a connection but it keeps on disonnecting or dropping the signal and then reconneting again. How did you fix yours?
Did you ever fix this? I occaisionally manage to get it to connect but it will lose signal in 30 seconds.
You are the MAN!!! If sellers on Ebay put half the effort you did it be a much better world…Thank you so much.
Dude, thank you so much! You practically saved me hours of troubleshooting.
Unfortunately this solution didn’t work for me. I’m using Windows 7 64-Bit.
I was able to install the driver, and the receiver now appears in Device Manager under the heading ‘Microsoft Common Controller for Windows Class’ as ‘Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows’. I’m also able to connect my wireless controller to the receiver, and the player 1 light on the controller is lit.
However, my computer does not get any input from the controller and does not recognize that the controller is connected. Anyone have any ideas for a fix?
Hello,
Can you please help me?
I followed every step (and tried it 20 times), but it goes wrong here:
– Double click “All devices” -> Search for “Microsoft” in the left pane and select it -> Search for “XBox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows Version: 2.1xxx”
Xbox 36o Wireless Receiver for Windows I can click on that but (Version:2.1xxx is’nt there.
I can’t make it work and i really want it.
PLEASE help me.
I had the same thought process but I clicked on “Xbox 36o Wireless Receiver for Windows” even though it didn’t specify the version and it worked just fine
Hi Basa,
I had the same issue. Make sure you go to that link as discribed in the original post and install that update. If you can not install it, uninstall the one mentioned in your software list & install it again.
At some point it suddenly appeared for me and the controller magically made a connection….
thanks a lot man! 😀
I shall name my first born child after you good sir.
Worked for me too man thanks
thx bro!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE you!!!!!!!
Thanks a lot!
thanks god i found your blog, now i can use my wireless xbox controller, thank you very much
This place really keeps looking better every
day. You should certainly be happy.
Thanks man !
You’ve made and continue to make a lot of people’s days. Long live the internet and it’s community.
THANKS SO MUCH YOU ARE A GENTLEMAN AND A SCHOLAR OMG OMG OMG SO MUCH THANKS
You sir are a gift. a damn fine gift. i wish you many a women sprawled across your living room and many a glasses o wine at your lips
My first search in google about this, and it send me here. Very thanks! Works fine!
Note: In Windows 8, step 1 is not necessary, Windows 8 already come with necessary drivers. =)
Takes forever (30mins +) just to get the controller to sync and then once it does the connection drops (even with the adapter right next to the controller) and you have to start over again. Does anyone know a fix?
My advice is to just buy the official adapter. It’s not worth the effort.
Found out the problem was with my controller. Managed to borrow a new one and it worked fine.
Thanks man!
Brought mine from Amazon UK, I was surprised to see that mine was a “Chinese knock off”
Hi Kris,
Thank you so much for your guide! It works! Another happy gamer here now : )
I spent an hour or two last week trying to get my generic wireless receiver to work with my system (Win7 Pro 64). In the end, I could be bothered no more and just threw the receiver to one side…
Today I considered just buying a wired 360 controller for PC, but at £20-25, and having two perfectly good wireless 360 controllers anyway, thought better of it, so set about trying to find a working guide online!
Your’s was the first I found today, and having followed it exactly, I was up and running in a couple of minutes!
Thanks again for taking the time to write your guide. You’ve saved me time and money : )
All the best,
Tom
I have tried everything on this blog to get this to work and nothing works. When i try the method of extracting the xusb21.inf file from the setup.exe i then tell windows to use that file but i get the message, that the driver already appears to be up to date!!. Any ideas?
Click the link he provided for the original driver, download it and open it. It will extract on its own. You shouldn’t have any problems with it. MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING THE PROPER DRIVER FOR YOUR WINDOWS MACHINE! ie Windows 64 bit. To find this info, go to start, computer, system properties.
Once it is installed, follow his next step, go to start, right click computer, go to manage, and then find the “Unknown driver” and click “update driver software” and follow the rest of his tutorial and you shouldn’t have a problem.
MAKE SURE you’re downloading the right driver for your machine.
Thanks mate! Great tutorial! Bought one about 8 months ago, couldn’t get the driver to work, thought I’d have another go today. Hunted around everywhere, called MS looking for a 60 dollar original one, couldn’t find one anywhere. Thought I threw the old one out. Went online to pay for another (luckily my paypal account is disabled for the time being) so thought I’d have a look, found it, followed your tutorial and connected perfectly!
dude, thank you so much!!!!! 🙂
Definitely doesn’t work for everyone.
I have followed this to the letter, on 2 machines, and it doesn’t work for me.
Could be the receiver is knackered maybe, but seems unlikely since it does show up (albeit as an unknown device)
Also, in the list of devices, for me it shows up as
XBox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows
NOT as
XBox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows Version: 2.1xxx
However the driver version IS 2.1.0.1349 when I examine it.
Thanks for the good article and trying nonetheless!
I am having the issue of controller connects and disconnects after few seconds, he keeps syncing and losing sync, everytime, like every 10~20 seconds…
Anyone knows why?
Thanks!!
Thank you man!
Anyone think the responsiveness of it is slightly off, like milliseconds off, just about noticeable? Maybe just me tho…
Having the same issu as a few other guys around:
Driver installation works as described, controller connects properly but loses connection about every 30 seconds then quickly reconnects….
…rendering the device absolutely unusable 😦
Windows 7 X64 latest updates.
Please, we need a fix for this issue !!!
I even pried open the case and removed the metal plate like some guy suggested (http://www.sevenforums.com/gaming/239135-xbox-360-wireless-receiver-not-working-solution.html) but it didn’t change anything so don’t try it.
Maybe in the next days I will try on a WinXP 32bit machine to see if it’s a driver (software) issue or the controller’s fault (I’m using one of those greyish old wireless controllers and I don’t have one of the new black ones).
Hi, I just bought a new wireless controller (the black one) and it works flawlessly with the fake adapter. No more disconnects every few seconds with this new device. The old gamepad however, disconnects/reconnects all the time just like before. So its obvious that some of the old white/greyish controllers are simply incompatible with the fake wireless adapter.
Thanks a million for this, never would have got this working otherwise!
Thank you so much got it working i was all for sending it back. 🙂
I love you.
[…] Related articles: support.microsoft.com/kb/2757006 http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Xbox-Wireless-Controller-Windows/product-reviews/B004QRKWKQ/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1 answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-gaming/windows-8-driver-for-xbox-controller/3a534f73-f1a2-49d3-8ed7-b946283ee05a http://www.howtogeek.com/118059/how-to-use-an-xbox-360-controller-on-your-windows-pc for those using Windows 7, I had good luck with the method explained in this article: krisrowland.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/fake-microsoft-xbox-360-wireless-controller-adapter-in-windows-… […]
Dude, Worked like a charm first time following your instructions. Thank you for your hard work to get to this post.
You Sir deserve a drink.
Thanks, This helped me a lot!
Just wanted to say thanks!
This was the exact fix I needed, hooray!
THANK YOU!
Sorry but this didn´t work for me, right after I clicked “All Devices”, there was no option anymore!!!
The driver worked before, then I havn´t played for seom weeks and after that it didn´t work anymore!
I uninstalled it multiple times and tried many solutions, could you help me please?
Thanks man! now me and my son can play GTA4 together with controllers without paying a silly price.
I appreciate.
So I’ve already gotten as far as this, but once I can actually connect my controller to the device my wired USB mouse no longer works. It’s happened regardless of which USB port I’ve used, so I have no idea what might be causing it.
Anyone experienced anything like this or have any possible fixes?
You Sir, are a hero. A hero worthy of a medal!
One more not of thanks. Was about to toss this knockoff receiver, and order a new one….saved me some $$.
I’m on WIndows 7 64-bit, in the same boat (got a cheap Chinese knockoff receiver off Amazon – says “XBOX 360” on top instead of “Microsoft”). The instructions in this article worked perfectly. Now I’m dying horribly in Super Meat Boy with a controller instead of a keyboard. Thank you!
ty 🙂
Thanks a bunch, finally got my controller working after sifting through loads of useless threads on the xbox support forum and so on.
So thanks again!
Works on Windows 8.1 64-bit!
Thank you!
Thanks for the fix, your a legend
any fix/idea how to stop windows 7 forgetting about it every reboot and having to reinstall it as mentioned before?
Thank You. Very useful.
you are the best!! really!
thank you for your time and effort blogging a solution to this compatibility problem, the software disc sent with my wired receiver wasn’t worth jot. I’m going to follow your blog with a new interest now.
regards, Peter
You deserve this on the top page of Microsoft’s bullshit support page. I felt inclined to comment after this, my fourth time, having to redo this difficult to remember chore, because I often make drastic hardware changes to my main PC (I am a 3D artist by profession). I’ve finally learned my lesson and bookmarked this page because I KNOW it is going to happen again, and I KNOW there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell I’ll remember how to fix it myself.
I hope I remember I have the fix bookmarked. I have a really bad memory…
Thanks!
Thanks a lot, my man. Worked like a charm. I got the Peter Mofo Zhu receiver, although the controller that came with it is completely ORIGINAL, including the Microsoft holo sticker. Go figure. Thanks again!
On a windows 8 64 bit system you need to do the following if have the cheap Chinese knockoff
1. Right click on Computer
2. Go to Properties
3. Click on Device Manager
4. Right click on the Unidentified Device
5. Go to Properties
6. Go to the Drive tab
7. Click on Update Driver…
8. Browse my computer for driver software
9. Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer
10. Xbox 360 accessories (bottom)
11. Install drivers for both the wireless receiver and the xbox controller
That’s it! Be careful though for two things if you dont install both drivers the receiver will work but it will simply keep dropping your controlers. Also you need to put the receiver on a usb 2 port in simply refuses to work on a usb 3!
What do you mean, install both drivers? I only get an “unidentified device” when I plug in the receiver, but not when my controller syncs. The controller constantly loses connection (every 10-30sec.). How can I install the controller’s driver, if there is no unidentified device? Thanks!
Hi
Spyros… you wrote that both drivers should be installed, which two drivers do you mean exactly?
please help, i’ve followed all the steps but after selecting the driver, windows says “Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it, Xbox 360 wireless receiver for windows. Access denied.
please help.
great!!!!
[…] I bought the thing on ebay, exactly like this guy did. […]
Awesome dude, thank you so much!
Oh, man. Thank you sooooo much. I messed around with this for an hour or so before this. You saved me a ton of time and frustration, thanks.
Thanks heaps …. saved me from a heart attack
Right, so here’s what happened to me.
Installed the thing following all the instructions: no problem
Turned on my controller to connect: no problem
Went to the game controllers panel to check: no controller detected…
What? Why not? Controller clearly had made a connection so WTF is going on?
Uninstalled driver, tried again. And again… Same results.
So after trying several different options and installs for about an hour my girlfriend walks in and says: Hey what’s up with your Xbox? It just turned on all of a sudden.
Doh! I’d connected with my Xbox which is on the first floor at least 40 feet away from my PC. So do I have to unplug it if I want to use the receiver? That’s pretty lame.
And when turnng off my PC the receiver still gets power and stays connected to my controller. How do I turn off the controller? I don’t want the batteries to drain after I turn off my PC.
First: Thanks a lot for this post! A lot of happy hours of gaming thanks to you!
Second: Since you also post stuff about Raspberry Pi, did you (or any other commenter/reader here) find a way to make this device work with Linux? Would be great do use the Xbox Controller with PiMame 🙂
Thank you so much I really thought I had bought something from the other side of the world that didn’t work. Cheers for the help!
i owe you a beer my friend… anytime you’re in miami look me up…..
Thanks. Worked for me with an unofficial receiver off ebay
THANK YOU SO MUCH SIR!!!!
ALMOST SPENT 2 HOURS BEHIND THIS SHIT. GAVE IT A LAST TRY, YOUR BLOG!! AND IT WORKED! THNK YOU SO MUCH!!
I am wondering why this actually works. Could someone check the VID/PID of the device at first (when it is unknown) and the VID/PID when it is recognised? They are probably faking these numbers. (that is illegal as far as I know)
Wow.. old post but still works… I purchased some generic receiver.. but with this.. worked like a charm… thanks a lot for this!!!… I’ll save this post for further refference.
Thank you, your guide worked for me.
For those who want to turn off the controller, check out this software (Xbox360 controller manager):
http://pety.me/XboxExt/
Thank you! I never would have found that. The instructions included were worthless
thank you so much! this is the best article!
I am wondering why this actually works.
Can someone check de device VID/PID combination before and after the fix?
They are probably faking that ID, which is illegal as far as I know.
Gonna join the parade and give you a huge big THANKS. You saved my day, man.
Still visit this instruction after every format c – so incredibly helpfull! One of my most important bookmarks!
thankx to you. you are awesome man.
Unbelievable. Spent so much time getting this to work, so frustrated and then found this . Saved my life. We were able to play four player tower ascension thanks to this 🙂 ❤
Thank you so much! It worked perfectly!
Still solved my problem with a cheap clone all these years later. Thanks for the info!
Dude this material is very HELPFUL works 100%
The only thing I will add is you can do same for Windows 8,8.1,10
Regards,
Claudiu