How to Reset Xbox 360 Controllers

By Elliot Volkman

Updated September 22, 2017

Items you will need

  • Xbox 360 game console

  • Xbox 360 controller

Xbox 360 wireless controller.
i Elliot S. Volkman

The same method to properly turn off the Xbox 360 controller is used to restart it. To avoid causing issues with Xbox Live profiles and system errors, a specific set of commands is necessary to properly restart the controller. This step-by-step guide will take you through that resetting process.

Locate the large "X" or "Menu" button in the center of the Xbox 360 controller. Press the "Menu" button to bring up the quick guide.

Sign out of the Xbox Live profile by pressing the blue "X" button on the right side of the controller. A new prompt window will then appear.

Select "Yes, sign out" from the new prompt window, to properly sign out of the Xbox Live profile.

Hold down the center "Menu" button until a prompt window appears. Three options will be apparent on the prompt. Select "Turn off controller" and the Xbox 360 controller will turn off.

Press the "Menu" button in the center of the Xbox 360 controller until it begins to flash lights around it. The Xbox 360 controller will now be fully restarted.

Tips

Pulling the battery out of the Xbox 360 controller will also turn it off or restart it.

Warnings

When pulling the battery out of the Xbox 360 controller, it will still be signed into the profile and will often cause errors.

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