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It’s important to know how to Change Xbox Controller to Player 1 in Windows PC because many users prefer to play games on Xbox in pairs for added entertainment. This is why it’s important to know how to change the Xbox controller. On the other hand, the Xbox PC controller has a tendency to get stuck on Player 2, making it difficult to switch to Player 1. Microsoft is the company that launched the gaming console brand known as Xbox. People tend to de-stress their minds by playing a variety of games on Xbox when they have some free time. When there are two people using an Xbox at the same time, both of them need to know how to switch their controller over to player 1 mode.
It is straightforward to connect to any and all computers. It has been reported by a number of Xbox users that they experience difficulties when attempting to switch the Xbox controller to Player 1 in Windows 10. The topic of this article is “How to Change an Xbox Controller to Player 1 on Windows 11/10,” and we will guide you through the process. The game controller for the Xbox console is referred to simply as the Xbox. On the other hand, if the Xbox is hooked up to the personal computer, it can sometimes function as player 2. The users are the most frustrated by it. Here are the steps how to Change Xbox Controller to Player 1 in Windows.
What is an Xbox controller?
At the Game Developers Conference in the year 2000, the Xbox controller was first shown to the public for the first time. It is the primary game controller for the Xbox home video game console. The original Xbox controller, affectionately known as “The Duke,” was the first device of its kind to be included in the box with an Xbox system in every region of the world except Japan. In Japan, a more compact and reimagined version of the controller was marketed under the name “Controller S” and sold separately alongside the console.
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Left stick | Controls movement in video games. |
Right stick | Controls the camera or view in video games. |
A, B, X, and Y buttons | Used to interact with objects, perform actions, and attack enemies in video games. |
D-pad | Used to control movement and select options in video games. |
View button | Opens the game menu or map. |
Menu button | Opens the game menu or options. |
Left and right bumpers | Used to trigger actions in video games, such as reloading a weapon or throwing a grenade. |
Over the course of its existence, the Xbox controller has undergone numerous iterations, during which time new design elements and functionalities have been added to the device. The Xbox Wireless Controller, which is the currently available Xbox controller, was first made available in 2013 alongside the Xbox One gaming console. It has a design that is more ergonomic than previous controllers and comes with a number of new features, including a headphone jack, rumble triggers, and an integrated gyroscope, among other things.
How to Change Xbox Controller to Player 1 in Windows

Delete specific controller driver
- First and foremost, launch the Control Panel.
- To review these settings, go to the Hardware and Sound section of the Control Panel and click on the View Devices and Printers link.
- You will see an Xbox 360 controller for Windows as well as an Xbox 360 Wireless controller. The Xbox 360 controller for Windows should be deleted.
- At this point, you should disconnect the controller that is labelled “Player two.”
- Now is the time to reconnect your controller and check to see if everything went smoothly.
Run the troubleshooter
- Launch the Control Panel is the first step in moving forwards.
- Navigate to the section labelled Hardware and Sound, and once you’re there, click the View Devices and Printers button.
- Now, right-click the Xbox 360 controller for Windows icon, and select the Troubleshoot option from the menu that appears.
- The only thing left for you to do is wait for the process to finish and check to see if it altered anything. It’s possible that an error message stating that the device has stopped responding will appear, at which point your controller will become player one.
Restart and Connect Controller
- Turn your PC back on with the controller still connected.
- As soon as the system restarts successfully, look for a connection with the controller right away so the four lights start blinking.
- It should connect the controller to the player one after Windows starts up.
Why Change Xbox Controller to Player 1?
- Player Preference: Players may have a preferred controller or want to use a specific controller for their gaming experience. Assigning a controller as Player 1 allows them to have the primary control and set up their preferences.
- Gameplay Mechanics: In some games, the first player controls the main character or has a significant role. If you want a particular controller to have that role, you would designate it as Player 1.
- Multiplayer Setup: When playing local multiplayer games, it’s essential to assign controllers to specific players, so the game can recognize who is controlling which character or vehicle. The Player 1 designation often corresponds to the primary or lead player.
- Controller Prioritization: Some games or consoles automatically assign the first connected controller as Player 1. If you want to use a different controller as the primary one, you may need to change the order to make it Player 1.
Compatibility and System Requirements
System Requirement | Specification |
---|---|
Operating System | Windows 10 or higher |
Xbox Controller Model | Xbox 360 controller for Windows |
Access to Control Panel | Yes |
User Privileges | Administrator or user with administrative privileges |
Troubleshooting Tool | Available in Control Panel |
Conclusion
The primary focus of this article is to present three different ways in which gamers can connect their Xbox controllers to the most recent version of Windows 11. Additionally, it provides some potential solutions to problems where controllers do not recognise Windows 11 or where Windows 11 does not detect controllers.
A significant number of gamers have upgraded their systems to Windows 11 because this most recent version of the Microsoft operating system (OS) has made Xbox better and added some new features that make for a more enjoyable gaming experience. After that, they might be curious about how to connect their Xbox controller to the most recent operating system.
Questions and Answers
Your computer needs to be restarted, and you should start looking for the controller right away. The Xbox 360 controller getting stuck on player 2 PC is a common problem, and many users have reported that the issue can be fixed by simply restarting the PC and looking for the controller first.
After opening the Xbox Accessories app, navigate to your controller on the menu and select Configure to begin setting up your controller. Select New profile, and then proceed to make the desired modifications. When you are finished, you can make your changes take effect by pressing the B button (). If you want to make changes to an existing profile, select the profile from the list first, and then click the Edit button.
In the Windows search bar, type “Bluetooth,” and after that, check to see that “Bluetooth discovery” is turned on. Put your game controller into play mode. Keep pressing and holding the Sync button that’s located on the top of the device until the Guide button begins flashing. Simply select “Add device” from the Bluetooth menu on your personal computer, and it will immediately begin searching for your controller.