Xbox One Controller Won’t Stay On With New Batteries [FIXED]

Some Xbox One users find themselves frustrated as their Xbox One controller won’t stay on with new batteries. This unwelcome glitch can impede gaming sessions and disrupt the overall experience.

Whether it’s due to electrical inconsistencies, power cable issues, firmware concerns, or physical wear and tear, pinpointing the exact cause behind this dilemma is essential. 

Key Takeaways

• Xbox One users experiencing controller power loss with new batteries might face challenges stemming from new battery and this can be solved very easily. 
• This problem can be caused by dirty battery contacts, faulty batteries, outdated firmware, internal circuitry problems, or worn-out power cables.
• Solving the Xbox One controller power issue involves cleaning battery contacts, replacing batteries, updating firmware, or repairing power cables. 

Reasons Why Xbox One Controller Won’t Stay On With New Batteries

Replaced your old batteries with new ones, but your Xbox controller isn’t working? Well, several reasons are contributing to this issue, such as: 

• Battery contacts are dirty or corroded: If the metal contacts inside the battery compartment are covered in dirt or corrosion, they might not establish a proper connection with the batteries, leading to intermittent power loss.
• Faulty batteries: Even new batteries can be defective or drained due to manufacturing issues or prolonged storage, preventing the controller from receiving sufficient power.
• Controller firmware needs to be updated: Outdated firmware might have bugs or compatibility issues that impact the controller’s ability to function correctly with new batteries.
• Internal circuitry problem: Damage to the internal circuitry, such as a loose wire or a broken component, can cause irregular power behavior.
• Power Cable is worn out or loose: If you’re using rechargeable battery packs that require charging via a cable, a worn-out or loose cable might not effectively charge the battery pack, leading to the Xbox One controller not staying on with the new battery issue.
  

How To Fix An Xbox One Controller That Won’t Stay On With New Batteries?

Some of the fixes that you can try to get rid of the issue are mentioned below. 

1. Clean Dirty, Or Corroded Battery Contacts 
2. Replace Faulty Batteries 
3. Fix Broken Or Worn Out Power Cable 
4. Perform Firmware Updates 
5. Get Help For Internal Circuitry Problems
6. Frequently Asked Questions

Clean Dirty, Or Corroded Battery Contacts 

Mostly overlooked, dirty, or corroded battery contacts can prevent your Xbox controller from turning on due to poor electrical connection between the batteries and the internal components. This disrupts the flow of power, causing the controller to intermittently lose power or fail to turn on altogether.

Here’s how you can clean the Xbox One battery compartment and get rid of this issue: 

1. You need a cotton swab, rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), and a clean, dry cloth.
2. Take out the batteries from the controller to access the battery compartment.
3. Examine the battery contacts inside the compartment. Look for any signs of dirt, debris, or corrosion on the metal surfaces.
   
4. Dip a cotton swab into a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Make sure it’s not dripping wet.
5. Gently rub the dampened cotton swab against the battery contacts. Use light pressure to remove any dirt or corrosion. Rotate the swab to ensure thorough cleaning.
6. Allow a few minutes for the rubbing alcohol to evaporate. You can also use a dry cotton swab to help speed up the drying process.
7. Once it dries, insert your new, fully charged batteries into the controller’s battery compartment. Make sure they are properly aligned with the positive (+) and negative (-) markings.
8. Turn on the controller to check if it powers up without any issues. Press the Xbox button to see if it responds.

Replace Faulty Batteries 

Faulty batteries, even if they are new, can lead to multiple issues. It’s because they may lack the required power capacity to operate the controller’s internal components effectively.

This results in an insufficient energy supply, preventing the controller from powering up consistently or at all. Unfortunately, there’s no solution to this issue other than replacing your controller batteries.

Following are the steps to do that: 

1. Take out the current set of batteries from the controller.
2. Opt for high-quality alkaline batteries from a reputable brand. Make sure they are fresh and have an extended expiration date.
3. Insert the new batteries into the battery compartment, ensuring they align correctly with the positive (+) and negative (-) markings.
4. Close the battery compartment securely to ensure proper contact between the batteries and the controller’s internals.
5. Attempt to turn on the controller by pressing the Xbox button. If it powers on without any issues, your Xbox One controller won’t stay on with the new batteries issue is likely to be solved.

Fix Broken Or Worn Out Power Cable 

If your Xbox has rechargeable batteries, a worn-out or loose power cable can prevent your Xbox controller from turning on even with new batteries. It hinders the charging process of rechargeable battery packs.

Here’s how you can fix the damaged power cable: 

1. You’ll need electrical tape, wire strippers, and a wire cutter.
2. First, ensure the power cable is disconnected from the control and power outlet.
3. Locate the point where the power cord is broken or damaged.
4. Use the wire cutter to trim away the damaged section of the cord. Make sure you have clean, undamaged wires exposed.
5. Twist the exposed copper wires tightly to prevent fraying. If using a replacement plug, follow the instructions to secure the wires to the terminals.
6. Wrap each exposed wire individually with electrical tape to insulate them. Then, wrap both wires together to keep them secure and insulated.
7. Plug in the controller or battery pack and test whether it powers on. If it does, your repair was successful.

Perform Firmware Updates 

When the controller firmware is outdated, it can prevent your Xbox controller from turning on with new batteries due to compatibility issues or software glitches. This leads to the controller failing to communicate properly with the console, causing problems.

The following steps will help you update your Xbox controller firmware and have a smooth gaming experience:

1. Turn on the Xbox console and go to the guide.
   
2. On the Home screen, navigate to the “Settings” menu using the controller.
   
3. In the Settings menu, select “Kinect and Devices,” then choose “Devices and Accessories.
   

   

4. Tap on the three dots below the controller image on the screen to access more options.
   
5. Choose the option saying firmware updates.
   

   

6. Hit the “Update Now” option to start the process.
   

Get Help For Internal Circuitry Problems

An internal circuitry problem can prevent your Xbox controller from turning on by disrupting the power flow and communication within the device. Malfunctions in components like the power distribution circuits, microcontrollers, or wiring can lead to power failures or unresponsive behavior.

In such a case, you should seek professional assistance, as attempting to repair the intricate internal circuitry without proper expertise can exacerbate the issue or cause further damage.

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