How to Fix Kinect Pairing Issues on an Xbox One

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Xbox Kinect device.


The Kinect for Xbox One enables you to control and interact with your console through gestures and spoken commands without the need for a game controller. If your Kinect sensor is having trouble being detected by your Xbox One console, this guide will take you through troubleshooting steps that may get you back up and running.

2. Check Kinect Light

The Xbox logo on the front of the Kinect sensor:

  • Is bright when the sensor is turned on
Bright Xbox logo pointed out on Kinect.
  • Is not bright when the sensor is turned off
Not bright Xbox logo pointed out on Kinect.

3. Additional Information

To better assist you, please answer this question.

4. Original

  1. Unplug the Kinect from the back of the Xbox One console.
Kinect being unplugged from Xbox One.
  1. Replug the Kinect to the back of the Xbox One console.
Kinect being plugged into Xbox One.

5. Load Kinect

  1. Press the Xbox button on the controller.
Placement of Xbox button on gamepad pointed out.

  1. Go to the System tab.
System icon pointed out in Xbox One menu.
  1. Then go to Settings.
Settings option highlighted in Xbox One menu.
  1. Then go to Kinect & devices.
Kinect & devices option highlighted in Xbox One menu.
  1. And then go to Kinect.
Kinect option highlighted in Xbox One menu.
  1. Make sure that Kinect On is checked.
Kinect On option highlighted in Xbox One settings.
  1. Wait up to 2 minutes for the Kinect sensor to be recognized.If the Kinect sensor needs an update, the screen will indicate that it’s updating, which should take approximately 2 minutes. If the screen doesn’t indicate that an update is taking place, the Kinect sensor is up to date.

6. Original

Only use the power supply and cable provided with your console to avoid damage to it. Ensure its power rating and wall connector match your region.

  1. Press and hold the Xbox button on the console for 10 seconds to power it off.
Power button pointed out on Xbox One.
  1. Unplug the cables from the console, wall outlet and power supply itself.
Power cables being unplugged from Xbox One power supply.
  1. Wait 10 seconds. This step lets the power supply reset.
  2. Firmly plug the cable back into the power supply and wall outlet. Do not plug the cable back into the console yet.
Xbox One power supply being plugged into wall outlet.
  1. Make sure the indicator light on the power supply is solidly lit. If it's off or blinking, the power supply needs to be replaced.
Indicator light on power supply pointed out.
  1. Firmly plug the cable back into the console.
Power cable being plugged into Xbox One.
  1. Make sure the indicator light on the power supply is still solidly lit. If it's off or blinking, the power supply needs to be replaced.
  2. Press the Xbox button on the console to power it on.
Power button pointed out on Xbox One.

7. Original

  1. Unplug the Kinect from the back of the Xbox One console.
Kinect being unplugged from Xbox One.
  1. Replug the Kinect to the back of the Xbox One console.
Kinect being plugged into Xbox One.

8. Load Kinect

  1. Press the Xbox button on the controller.
Placement of Xbox button on gamepad pointed out.

  1. Go to the System tab.
System icon pointed out in Xbox One menu.
  1. Then go to Settings.
Settings option highlighted in Xbox One menu.
  1. Then go to Kinect & devices.
Kinect & devices option highlighted in Xbox One menu.
  1. And then go to Kinect.
Kinect option highlighted in Xbox One menu.
  1. Make sure that Kinect On is checked.
Kinect On option highlighted in Xbox One settings.
  1. Wait up to 2 minutes for the Kinect sensor to be recognized.If the Kinect sensor needs an update, the screen will indicate that it’s updating, which should take approximately 2 minutes. If the screen doesn’t indicate that an update is taking place, the Kinect sensor is up to date.

9. What's next?

10. Revision S or X

  1. Unplug the Kinect adapter cable from the USB port on the back of the console.
Kinect adapter being unplugged from console.
  1. Make sure the Kinect cable is securely connected to the Kinect adapter, and that the adapter's power supply is plugged into a power outlet.
How Kinect is connected to console using the adapter.
  1. Plug the Kinect adapters USB cable into the first USB port (the one next to the HDMI ports).
Kinect adapter being plugged into console.
  1. The Kinect will only be recognized when it's plugged into the first USB port on the back of the console as it doesn't work with the other ports. Also, for best practice, make sure the Kinect sensor and Kinect adapter are not sitting directly on top of the console.

11. Load Kinect

  1. Press the Xbox button on the controller.
Placement of Xbox button on gamepad pointed out.

  1. Go to the System tab.
System icon pointed out in Xbox One menu.
  1. Then go to Settings.
Settings option highlighted in Xbox One menu.
  1. Then go to Kinect & devices.
Kinect & devices option highlighted in Xbox One menu.
  1. And then go to Kinect.
Kinect option highlighted in Xbox One menu.
  1. Make sure that Kinect On is checked.
Kinect On option highlighted in Xbox One settings.
  1. Wait up to 2 minutes for the Kinect sensor to be recognized.If the Kinect sensor needs an update, the screen will indicate that it’s updating, which should take approximately 2 minutes. If the screen doesn’t indicate that an update is taking place, the Kinect sensor is up to date.

12. Revision S or X

Only use the cable provided with your console to avoid damage to it. Ensure its wall connector matches your region.

  1. Press and hold the Xbox button on the console for 10 seconds to power it off.
Power button pointed out on Xbox One.
  1. Unplug the power cable from the console.
Power cable being unplugged from console.
  1. Wait 10 seconds. This step lets the internal power supply reset.
  2. Firmly plug the power cable back into the console.
Power cable being plugged into console.
  1. Press the Xbox button on the console to power it on.
Power button pointed out on console.

13. Revision S or X

  1. Unplug the Kinect adapter cable from the USB port on the back of the console.
Kinect adapter being unplugged from console.
  1. Make sure the Kinect cable is securely connected to the Kinect adapter, and that the adapter's power supply is plugged into a power outlet.
How Kinect is connected to console using the adapter.
  1. Plug the Kinect adapters USB cable into the first USB port (the one next to the HDMI ports).
Kinect adapter being plugged into console.
  1. The Kinect will only be recognized when it's plugged into the first USB port on the back of the console as it doesn't work with the other ports. Also, for best practice, make sure the Kinect sensor and Kinect adapter are not sitting directly on top of the console.

14. Load Kinect

  1. Press the Xbox button on the controller.
Placement of Xbox button on gamepad pointed out.

  1. Go to the System tab.
System icon pointed out in Xbox One menu.
  1. Then go to Settings.
Settings option highlighted in Xbox One menu.
  1. Then go to Kinect & devices.
Kinect & devices option highlighted in Xbox One menu.
  1. And then go to Kinect.
Kinect option highlighted in Xbox One menu.
  1. Make sure that Kinect On is checked.
Kinect On option highlighted in Xbox One settings.
  1. Wait up to 2 minutes for the Kinect sensor to be recognized.If the Kinect sensor needs an update, the screen will indicate that it’s updating, which should take approximately 2 minutes. If the screen doesn’t indicate that an update is taking place, the Kinect sensor is up to date.

15. What's next?

16. Check Power

  1. Make sure you are using a working power outlet. You can test another electric device, such as a lamp, with the same power outlet. Bypass any power strips for troubleshooting purposes.
Turned on lamp plugged into power outlet.
  1. Once you made sure the power outlet is working, firmly plug in your device into the working outlet.
Power cable plugged into power outlet.

  1. If the device has buttons or a remote control, press the power button to turn the device on.
Power symbol.