Xbox One controller will not turn Xbox on

Question

I used to be able to turn my Xbox on with the wireless controller without fail but recently it will work for a while and then just suddenly stop turning on the Xbox. I hold the center X button and it flashes and the Xbox doesn’t turn on. The only way I’ve found to (temporarily) fix this is to completely unplug the Xbox power, plug it back in and then the controller will turn on the Xbox again when the center X button is pressed.

Of course, this only works for a while and then it eventually goes back to not working and I need to unplug the Xbox again. Any idea why this is happening and how I can permanently fix it?

controllers xbox one

Of course, this only works for a while and then it eventually goes back to not working and I need to unplug the Xbox again. Any idea why this is happening and how I can permanently fix it?

Nxt3 · Accepted Answer

I think it has to do with you using a surge protector / power strip. I contacted Xbox support and the first thing they had me do was make sure the Xbox was plugged directly into the wall. This seems to have fixed my issue. A quick Google search "Xbox One surge protector" will show other people having issues with Instant On if it's plugged into a surge protector. The issue stems from a "cheap" surge protector--as when the Xbox is "off" when Instant On is enabled, the Xbox goes into a low power state--and the surge protector views this as "off" so then the Xbox has difficulty waking back up. I don't have the luxury of being able to plug my Xbox directly into the wall (my setup won't allow it)--so I've ordered 4 different surge protectors from Amazon and I can update you on which one works--if any.

Correct answer by Nxt3 on March 28, 2021

Timmy Jim · Answer

You can try updating the firmware of the controller:

Connect a controller to your Xbox One with a USB cable.  Keep any headsets connected to the controller. 
  Connect to Xbox Live. 
  Press the Menu button 
  Go to Settings > Devices & accessories.  Select the controller. If you have multiple controllers attached, you can select Buzz – which
  will cause the selected controller to vibrate. 
  Then select Update to download the new firmware to the controller attached via the USB cable, and the screen will show the Updating controller... progress screen 
  When you see the Controller updated screen, press B to go back to the Devices & accessories main page 
  Reselect the controller, and the Firmware version should now be the most recent

Retrieved from the source above - slightly reworded

See if this fixes the problem.  I know that even sometimes my controller will not turn on my Xbox One, though this doesn't happen more than 1 out of 10 times, and it usually doesn't repeatedly do it.

You can also try re-syncing the controller with the Xbox.  With the Xbox on, press the button on the side of the Xbox.  Now press and hold the button the top of the controller (see screenshots).

Both the light on the Xbox and your controller will be flashing.  Once they sync up, they will become solid again.

user598527 · Answer

I had this issue with a new Xbox One S since first powering the console. Resolved by entirely turning off the Xbox:

settings → power & startup → turn off or restart → full shutdown

Xbox One controller will not turn Xbox on

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