iFixit - Active Questions With Device "Xbox Controller"

Xbox Series X Wireless Controller: My controller is recognized in windows but the led doesnt turn on.

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 14:02:50 -0700

My Xbox controller, which I was installing TMR sticks as soon as I finished installing the sticks, the controller gets connected, and Windows recognizes it as wireless_device, but it doesn't work at all. I installed the right stick first. I tested it and calibrated, and it worked fine, but as soon as I finished the left stick, the controller got recognized, but the LED indicator didn't turn on, and there was no input. The traces were all perfect, and no missing components. Is it the TMR's fault?. I will try desoldering it later, but I want answers, please!!!. thanks.

Update: At a certain point when I barely connect the two boards together it shows the led and if I kinda move even so slightly it stops. And I hear this buzzing noise very low from the controller

⟐ Commented April 01, 2026 at 14:02 MST

Xbox Series X Wireless Controller: Only works when plugged in

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 03:47:11 -0700

Whats the fix?

⟐ Commented April 01, 2026 at 3:47 MST

Xbox Series X Wireless Controller: Trigger drifting and can't be calibrated

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:54:52 -0700

So I recently been working on soldering with the xbox controllers I had. In total I have like 5 daughter boards. 3 I cleaned up because originally I thought I messed them up but turns out I didn't fully. Anyways I had another daughter board that I removed the old joysticks from and put new ones in. Before I did that I removed the impulse motors and rumble motors from the board so I wouldn't mess them up around that time I put those parts with the other motors I had when I installed the new joysticks I grabbed random motors from the pile I grabbed the correct ones for the rumble motors and the impulse motors I thought I did as well. After putting it back together I went to calibrate the joysticks which calibrated perfectly but there was still drift input which in turn when I went to calibrate the triggers it wouldn't even show me pressing it down. When I pressed it down it just showed on screen that the triggers were half way pressed down. So asking here what it might be because the magnents are perfectly fine and ultimatley I think it might be those impulse motors. I put them in correctly and soldered them in correctly and only issue it could be is that there either in the wrong spots or the wrong motors. I believe that might be the case but just wanting to know so I know what I need to do to fix it.

⟐ Commented March 26, 2026 at 16:54 MST

Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller Series 2: Can not power on without external power

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:08:55 -0700

The controller will not switch on without being plugged into the xbox or on the charging Dock.

However once powered up like this I can remove external power source or dock and use wireless as normal, the home button also works in the xbox menu!

It just won't power on when wireless...

Battery is OK as I've swapped it already.

All board connections pads are clean and carbon free.

Any ideas guys n gals

I'm not scared of Pad/trace repairs confident soldering with iron or air, but this has me stumped.....

⟐ Answered March 26, 2026 at 12:08 MST

Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller Series 2: Won't turn on

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 23:18:49 -0700

I had my elite controller plugged into my headset.

It electrocuted my head so I threw it off .

Then it stopped working .

The battery has blown when I opened it up .

So changed the battery I can't see any damage on the board but it won't turn on , no matter what I try ?

Any ideas thanks

⟐ Commented March 25, 2026 at 23:18 MST

Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller Series 2: Need to find a trigger lock spring

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:17:50 -0700

My controller shell broke and I threw away the one of the trigger locks thinking the new one I ordered came with them but it didn’t so now I’m looking for a replacement spring because I couldn’t find a complete trigger lock assembly anywhere

⟐ Commented March 25, 2026 at 15:17 MST

Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller Series 2: Xbox Series X Gulikit TMR Joystick compatibility with Elite controller

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 15:59:58 -0700

This question is regarding the warning about compatibility of the Gulikit TMR Joystick with the Xbox Elite series controllers. There is a warning stating "Not recommended for Xbox Elite or Xbox One controllers due to unavailable software for joystick calibration." This doesn't make any sense because the Elite controllers actually use the Xbox Accessories app that has built in joystick calibration software. The very same software I see being used to calibrate the joysticks for the regular Xbox non-Elite version controllers.

I'm assuming the actual issue of compatibility is the different style of stem that has a thread to screw the Elite series thumbstick cover on. If that is the case, then my second question is if it is possible to replace the stem of the Gulikit thumbstick with the stems from Elite thumbsticks or not? I would really like to be able to replace the thumbsticks with TMR type if possible. The product page states that lack of calibration software is the issue, but I believe that is incorrect and the real problem is the stem difference. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone that has attempted this or knows enough about the TMR joysticks to know if they can be modified to fit the Elite 2. Thanks.

⟐ Commented March 22, 2026 at 15:59 MST

Xbox Series X Wireless Controller: My joysticks randomly lose the ability to go forward

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:44:42 -0700

My Xbox Series X controller randomly loses the ability to push forward, with it instead pushing backwards (left stick), while the right stick will push all the way down. I initially suspected the sticks but that can't be the case, as they suddenly behave normally upon entering the Xbox accessories recalibration screen, before reverting in a matter of minutes. Furthermore, this issue only occured after I had entered the recalibration screen for the first time to fix bad circularity

(Installed joysticks are Ginfull Hall Effect V2 sticks, additionally, I have the ExtremeRate HOPE Remap kit installed)

⟐ Answered March 20, 2026 at 11:44 MST

Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller Series 2: Rear Flapper level buttons 1 is not working

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 03:33:15 -0700

On the read of the controller there are 4 extra programmable flappers, I have 1 on the bottom left (while holding the controller) that is not working. I saw a few boards for purchase here, but I did not see the 2 small ones for the read left and right flapper things. does anyone know where I might purchase said boards?

⟐ Answered March 19, 2026 at 3:33 MST

Xbox Series X Wireless Controller: Totally dead, won't turn on

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:02:30 -0700

Won't turn on, totally dead

⟐ Commented March 18, 2026 at 11:02 MST

Xbox Series X Wireless Controller: Right trigger is getting somewhat sticky

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 05:05:13 -0700

When I push my right trigger all the way down, it sticks a bit before releasing, giving a weird, sticky sensation, but it doesn't actually get stuck, nor does it hold down the button.

⟐ Answered March 14, 2026 at 5:05 MST

Xbox One Wireless Controller Model 1708: Replaced joysticks and still have random inputs

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:42:49 -0700

Hello there, i recently got a cheap xbox with a controller that was listed as having drift.

Apon replacing the joysticks and testing it via online drifting tools, its smack bang in the middle with zero play but my controller will still pull downwards on the menu no matter what.

I’ve completely cleaned the entire controller inside with 99% iso with a brush.

Heres a video of it.

https://streamable.com/rqcxqg

⟐ Commented February 22, 2026 at 14:42 MST

Xbox One Controller: Why does my controller have stick drift

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 04:34:00 -0700

I have stick drift on my right analog stick

⟐ Answered February 16, 2026 at 4:34 MST

Xbox One Wireless Controller Model 1708: How to make it a wired controller with out using the Micro Usb?

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 19:16:13 -0700

How to make it a wired controller with out using the Micro Usb?

⟐ Commented February 14, 2026 at 19:16 MST

Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller Series 2: My right analog stick spins

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:54:10 -0700

My right analog spins anti-clockwise and the further I screw it, the higher it goes and starts scratching on the plastic around it but if you screw it the other direction, it locks. I can still play fine but it just randomly starts unscrewing sometimes and it's annoying. Does anyone know how to fix this?

⟐ Answered February 14, 2026 at 11:54 MST

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller: Clicking left stick in also clicks right stick?

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:54:21 -0700

Kind of a bizarre issue I'm having, but I have a controller where if I click the left stick in it also sometimes registers the right stick being clicked in at the same time. I first noticed it in call of duty when I kept trying to sprint but would crouch or go prone instead. Tested it on PC using the wireless receiver and a controller tester and it does indeed show up as the right stick being clicked in occasionally. I've taken it apart already and given everything a good clean but it's still happening, any ideas on what could cause something like this? I realise it's a pretty weird issue but if anyone has any advice it would be helpful, thanks :)

⟐ Answered February 12, 2026 at 9:54 MST

Xbox One Wireless Controller Model 1708: Controller will not sync

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 01:32:24 -0700

I dropped my controller and now it won't sync unless I have the controller within a couple inches next to the console. How do I fix this

⟐ Answered February 12, 2026 at 1:32 MST

Xbox Series X Wireless Controller: New TMR Sticks Not Working

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 02:24:55 -0700

I am nee to soldering and know the basics. I replaced both joysticks with new TMR sticks with new Xbox joystick soldering tool. Replacement and soldering went well. But when I go to check controller with Xbox app, it connects but I can't move or use any part of controller. Any thoughts?

⟐ Commented February 11, 2026 at 2:24 MST

Xbox Series X Wireless Controller: battery compartment smells burnt and controller won't turn on

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 22:45:29 -0700

The battery compartment smells like matches and when the batteries are in it does not turn on.

⟐ Answered January 28, 2026 at 22:45 MST

Xbox Series X Wireless Controller: Thumbstick replacement unsuccessful, no X-Y axis, refuses to calibrate

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 08:44:13 -0700

I just tried to replace both thumbsticks on my Xbox Wireless 1914 controller (900hrs of Isaac, no regrets). The sticks have gone in, reassembled everything, tried to calibrate in Xbox Accessories on my PC, and it's not detecting any input from the sticks. When I flip over to Steam's controller tester, all buttons on the controller are working (even the stick click from pushing them down), but the X-Y axis are locked at 32767 and -32768. I've gone back and redone the soldering on all four potentiometers and no change in behavior.

One thing that I did have question about was the black and black/white wires on the side pads, as the guide did not specify if there was a specific order they should go back in (and I don't recall what positioning they had before I started). I don't know if that would even have any effect on what I'm experiencing, but I'm grasping at straws. Is there anything that would be recommended to fix this?

Edit 2: Adding photos per request.

Edit 3: XBox Accessories

⟐ Commented January 17, 2026 at 8:44 MST