You can only connect one Xbox One S controller to a Windows 10 PC via Bluetooth

In typical Microsoft fashion, the company takes one step forward, but takes two steps back.

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While we know the Xbox One S controller is capable of connecting to a PC via Bluetooth, as well as how to set it up, Microsoft has yet to publicly disclose if there are any limitations. Today, we’ve learned there is a limitation to the Bluetooth feature on the Xbox One S controller, and it’ll affect fans of couch co-op or party games the most as only one controller can be connected to a Windows 10 PC at a time using this method.

During our time with the Xbox One S controller, we ran into some issues connecting multiple controllers via Bluetooth. After conducting some research, we discovered this is a limitation Microsoft has purposely implemented in Windows 10.

According to the “How to connect an Xbox One Wireless Controller to a Windows PC” support page, only one Xbox One S controller can connect to a Windows 10 PC with the controller needing to support Windows 10 Anniversary Edition. If you want to connect more than one Xbox One S controller to your Windows 10 PC, you’re going to have to purchase the new Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows. The adapter supports either eight Xbox One wireless controllers, four Xbox One wireless controllers and Xbox Chat Headset, or two Xbox One wireless controllers and Xbox Stereo Headset.

While Microsoft took a step in the right direction as it finally allows consumers to use their Xbox One controller on their Windows PC wirelessly, in typical fashion, it took two steps back by limiting how many can be connected via Bluetooth. Meanwhile, those who figured out how to connect DualShock 4 controllers to their Windows 10 PC have been enjoying it, especially since you can connect multiple controllers without any sort of limitations.

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From The Chatty
    • reply
      August 8, 2016 7:21 AM

      Whhhhhhhhyyyyyyyy

    • reply
      August 8, 2016 7:23 AM

      [deleted]

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          August 8, 2016 7:48 AM

          [deleted]

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            August 8, 2016 8:56 AM

            Seriously though I wonder if it's some bluetooth limitation maybe? I've noticed I can only connect one phone at a time to my car via bluetooth, or my bluetooth portable speaker, etc.

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              August 8, 2016 10:36 AM

              I've connected multiple Dualshock 4 controllers with 0 problems.

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              August 8, 2016 10:54 AM

              [deleted]

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                August 8, 2016 10:58 AM

                When you say "hooked up" you mean paired correct? I haven't seen a car yet that allows this, but that may just be the small amount of cars I've tried this with. I think it's because it doesn't know which phone to use for calls or audio, but again this may not mean shit compared to controllers and pc's. I think in the end MS needs to explain why this is the case with the controllers. If it's some limitation, fine, but if it's because they just fucked up, then they deserve the shit they get for it.

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      August 8, 2016 7:24 AM

      That's pretty lame and fucked up of MS.

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      August 8, 2016 7:24 AM

      [deleted]

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        August 8, 2016 7:27 AM

        [deleted]

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          August 8, 2016 7:34 AM

          Samurai Gunn
          Nidhogg
          Mount Your Friends
          Overcooked
          Human: Fall Flat
          Gang Beasts
          Lego everything
          Rocket League
          Broforce
          Nuclear Throne
          EDF! EDF! EDF!
          Speedrunners
          Enter the Gungeon
          Risk of Rain
          older Codemasters F1 games
          the Trines
          Rayman Origins

          It's an official search criteria on Steam. Nearly 400 games.

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            August 8, 2016 7:41 AM

            You forgot Demons With Shotguns. Also all the Lego games.

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              August 8, 2016 7:49 AM

              Lego everything is on my list!

              I also forgot Duck Game and the glorious Lantern Run in Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet.

              There are a ton of great local 2-4 player games on the PC.

        • reply
          August 8, 2016 7:50 AM

          Any and all of the lego games, portal, child of light, valiant hearts, tons of stuff

      • reply
        August 8, 2016 7:34 AM

        Split screen has nothing to do with it, there are tons of same screen multiplayer games, TowerFall, Duck Game, BroForce, Dungeons and Dragons Arcade, Chariot, Double Dragon, Starwahl, Lovers in a Dangerous Space Time, Gang Beasts, any Telltale Lego game, etc. All those are better with controllers and I play with friends regularly. Good thing I keep my old 360 controllers in good condition.

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          August 8, 2016 7:50 AM

          Helldivers, Gauntlet, Lara Croft games are a few I enjoy.

      • reply
        August 8, 2016 8:05 AM

        Fucking ROCKET LEAGUE

      • reply
        August 8, 2016 8:11 AM

        http://co-optim.us/1m8Ysft

        • reply
          August 8, 2016 8:12 AM

          (that list is actually missing a ton of games)

      • reply
        August 8, 2016 8:58 AM

        Towerfall

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        August 8, 2016 10:39 AM

        [deleted]

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        August 8, 2016 6:10 PM

        emulation?

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      August 8, 2016 7:30 AM

      You can still connect 8 controllers if you have the dongle

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        August 8, 2016 7:41 AM

        I think that's the point: They're forcing you to buy the dongle.

        Now, maybe there's something about Bluetooth that prevents using multiple controllers over the Bluetooth connection, but without some explanation it just sounds like money grubbing.

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          August 8, 2016 7:46 AM

          Sounds like nothing limits the amount of connections to Bluetooth. It says in the article that multiple dual shock controllers can be connected to the PC already.

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            August 8, 2016 8:45 AM

            I'd like to know how cause I have 2 DS4 controllers and couldn't figure out to sync 2 controllers at once on my rig.

            Was tryin to play fighting games with a friend (MKX, SFV etc) and we just said fuck it and plugged the 2nd controller into USB.

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              August 8, 2016 8:53 AM

              Hmmm... Yeah, it has been a while, I'd have to give it a try again. I use the DS4Windows app and surely I've done it before.

              I think you have to plug it into the usb once, then it's registered to the app. Afterwards you can unplug and play via bluetooth.

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              August 8, 2016 8:59 AM

              I've connected 4 DS4s within the last year and I used 3 just last week or so. It's totally possible. You just sync them like any other BT device. It shouldn't matter just for the syncing but Use DS4Windows

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                August 8, 2016 9:04 AM

                Alright, I'll try that. I don't think I tried plugging them in 1st but ill give it a whirl.

                If that's the case, then wtf was MS thinking lol?

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                  August 8, 2016 9:08 AM

                  Oh I'm not even talking about plugging them in. You just hold the menu and PS buttons on the DS4 till it's in pairing mode then connect with the windows BT settings page. It might be that you need to clear out old entries. I did have to do that so just unpair any controllers you have listed in bluetooth settings before you try and pair them.

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                August 8, 2016 11:05 PM

                All on and being used simultaneously?

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          August 8, 2016 9:01 AM

          I don't think bluetooth has any such limitation with it, pretty sure you can connect as many PS4 controllers as you want to your Windows computer.

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            August 8, 2016 9:03 AM

            That would be my assumption, but Bluetooth on PCs can be remarkably dumb, and it sounds like some people have had difficulty.

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        August 8, 2016 7:42 AM

        Ok that's a little better.

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      August 8, 2016 7:38 AM

      As soon as I get a real life friend that plays games, I will be angry about this.

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      August 8, 2016 7:39 AM

      Looks like Microsoft is keeping their promise to improve PC gaming.

      • reply
        August 8, 2016 10:39 AM

        Yep, by possibly crippling Steam.

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          August 8, 2016 11:04 AM

          yeah. this is starting to worry me.

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          August 8, 2016 2:11 PM

          How is this going to happen?

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          August 8, 2016 2:14 PM

          [deleted]

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            August 8, 2016 2:32 PM

            It's a reference to a quote by a Tim Sweeney driven mad by UWP conspiracy theories.

            Basically he thinks Microsoft is going to build shit into Windows updates over the next 5-10 years exclusively to break Steam in tiny, annoying ways in order to drive people to the Windows Store.

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        August 8, 2016 2:37 PM

        I think it's a bug. The whole point of that new Bluetooth feature was to connect to a PC--the new Xbox doesn't use it. I doubt they'd add it and then fuck it up so badly.

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      August 8, 2016 7:41 AM

      That is a bit of an odd choice; I wonder if that could just be fixed in software should enough people show interest in the feature.

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      August 8, 2016 8:06 AM

      Being able to connect one controller without a dongle is still a step up from being able to connect no controllers without a dongle like last gen.

      I use the DS4 with more than one controller at time too but you can't really compare that since none of that is Sony supported. It's purely use created software that lets you do that.

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        August 8, 2016 9:03 AM

        The Xbox One controller can also be connected by USB, unlike the wireless Xbox 360 controllers. So as long as you're all cabled up, you can connect many controllers without a dongle.

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      August 8, 2016 8:18 AM

      [deleted]

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      August 8, 2016 9:14 AM

      Has anyone tried the XBO S controllers? How are they? I really liked the custom color ones you can make for like 80 bucks, but for that price, it needs to be one badass controller.

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        August 8, 2016 6:57 PM

        I'm sad nobody has replied to this yet. Is the controller even available yet?

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      August 8, 2016 10:21 AM

      What the fuck, Microsoft?!

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      August 8, 2016 11:14 AM

      They still refuse to make it where I can use my razer arcade stick while having all the buttons functional. It's complete bullshit.

    • ArB legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
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      August 8, 2016 1:50 PM

      That's dumb. I always leave my xbox controller plugged in with no batteries in it. I don't need the range of wireless at my desk.

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        August 8, 2016 2:16 PM

        Bro. Wires. :(

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          August 8, 2016 2:35 PM

          Well, you have less lag with a wired controller. It may only be 5ms, or it could be 50ms, depends on the controller. Either way, with a wire you know you're getting the most lagless experience.

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            August 9, 2016 5:39 AM

            Sure. But I tripped over my headphone cables so many times. The lag is imperceptible.

        • ArB legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
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          August 8, 2016 5:41 PM

          It doesn't bother me.

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      August 8, 2016 2:34 PM

      [deleted]

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        August 8, 2016 7:24 PM

        i dont know but motherboards come with them built in for the past few years or so

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      August 8, 2016 3:08 PM

      That is the forward thinking hardware prowess that makes Microsoft the best in the biz...

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        August 8, 2016 6:12 PM

        Kinect 3 will be mandatory in Windows 11, even if you only use it to browse the web and excel

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