How to Connect Xbox Controller to Surface with Xbox Wireless Support

Xbox Wireless is a proprietary technology developed by Microsoft for connecting Xbox accessories to Xbox One/Series X/S console. To expand the usage of the technology, Microsoft released an Xbox Wireless adapter for Windows so everyone can use their Xbox controllers and accessories on their PC.

On top of that, Microsoft also started to include a built-in Xbox Wireless controller on some of its powerful Surface family including 15-inch Surface Book and Surface Studio models. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to connect an Xbox Controller to Surface PCs with built-in Xbox Wireless support.

Table of contents

1. What Surface Devices Have Built-in Xbox Wireless Support?
2. Why Using Xbox Wireless over Bluetooth?
3. Connect Xbox Controller to Surface with Built-in Xbox Wireless Support

What Surface Devices Have Built-in Xbox Wireless Support?

Here are current Surface devices with built-in Xbox Wireless Adapters:

1. Surface Book 2 15”
2. Surface Book 3 15”
3. Surface Studio (1st Gen)
4. Surface Studio 2

If you have a non-supported Surface or a normal PC, check this article on how to connect Xbox Controller to your PC via Xbox Wireless Adapter.

Why Using Xbox Wireless over Bluetooth?

Here are several benefits of using Xbox Wireless technology to connect your Xbox controllers over Bluetooth technology.

• More reliable connection.
• Lower input latency.
• Connect a wired stereo headset to the controller.
• Connect up to 8 Xbox controllers at once.

Connect Xbox Controller to Surface with Built-in Xbox Wireless Support

To do so:

1. Open the Settings app on your PC or you can use the “Win + I” shortcut key.
2. On the Settings app, from the left sidebar, select “Bluetooth & devices”.
   
3. On the “Bluetooth & devices” settings page, select “Add device”.
   
4. Select “Everything else” to add Xbox controllers with Xbox Wireless Adapter, DLNA, and other devices.
   
5. On your controller, press and hold the Xbox button to turn it on.
   
6. When it’s on, press and hold the Connect button to make it discoverable.
   
7. The Xbox button will blink slowly to let you know it’s in discoverable mode and you should see it pop up on your Surface. Select “Xbox One Compatible Wireless Device” to pair the controller to your Surface.
   
8. Now the controller is paired and connected to your Surface. Select Close to return to the Settings app.
   
9. You can verify the connection by looking for a device named “XINPUT compatible HID device”.