How to Set Up Peripherals for Xbox 360

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

This Guided path shows how to setup various peripherals or accessories for your Xbox 360.

2. Introduction

We'll show you how to setup your controller.

3. Connect Wired Controller

Things you need before you start:

  • A USB-certified cable that has a micro-USB connector on one end and a full-size USB connector on the other.
A micro usb cable

Steps:

  1. Connect the micro-USB connector into the controller.
An xbox 360 showing the micro usb cable


  1. Plug the other end into the Xbox 360 console.
The usb port of an XBOX 360


  1. The controller should be connected to your Xbox 360 console and ready to use.

4. Connect Additional Peripherals?

Do you have any other peripherals?

5. Connect Controller

  1. Put batteries into your Xbox controller.
  2. Push the latch for the battery compartment.
Xbox 360 wireless controller highlighting the battery compartment release button
  1. Place the batteries into the compartment, making note of their polarity indicated by the picture on the battery holder.
Xbox 360 wireless controller battery compartment highlighting battery orientation.
  1. Clip your battery compartment back in.
  2. Press and Hold the center Xbox Guide button until the controller turns on.
Xbox 360 wireless controller, highlighting the guide button
  1. Push the Connect Button on your console.
Xbox console with the connect button highlighted
  1. Push the Connect Button on your controller.
Connect button highlighted on the Xbox controller
  1. The ring around the power button will flash, then stop when your controller is connected.
Xbox 360 S console highlighting the power button

6. Connect Headset

  1. Connect a headset to the Xbox 360 controller.
Xbox controller with headset connected.


  • Headsets can only be connected to the Xbox 360 wireless controller. They cannot be connected to third-party wired controllers.
  • Xbox 360 console does not support Bluetooth functionality. Headsets cannot connect to the console using Bluetooth.

7. Connect Wired Controller

  • If you have an Xbox 360 wireless controller with a 3.5-mm port, you can connect directly a headset with a standard 3.5-mm jack to the controller.
Xbox 360 controller showing the headset jack

8. Connect Wireless Controller

Charge your headset:

  1. Connect one end of the USB charging cable to your headset.
Xbox 360 wireless headset charging cable


  1. Plug the other end of the USB charging cable into your Xbox 360 or into a suitable USB charger.
Xbox 360 console showing usb being plugged in


  1. Make sure your console is on to charge if you have plugged it into your 360.
  2. While the battery is charging, the lights on your wireless headset flash one at a time and then turn off. When your wireless headset is fully charged, all four lights blink in unison.

Connect your headset:

  1. Turn on your console and headset.
Xbox wireless headset on button


  1. Press and release the connect button on your console.
3 different xbox systems showing the connect button


  1. Quickly press and hold the connect button on the wireless headset for 2 seconds.
Xbox wireless headset connect button


  1. The headset will connect to your console and controller.

9. Connect Bluetooth Headset

Xbox 360 console does not support Bluetooth functionality. Headsets cannot connect to the console using Bluetooth and must be connected wirelessly.

Charge your headset:

  1. Connect one end of the USB charging cable to your headset.
  2. Connect the other end to your console.
Xbox and headset showing the usb cable


  1. Turn on your console.
  2. The lights on the headset flash green while charging in Xbox mode, and flash blue while charging in Bluetooth mode. Once charging is complete, the light will stop flashing.

Connecting your headset:

  1. Turn on your console.
  2. Move the mode switch to Xbox (Green) on your wireless headset.
Xbox headset switch mode green


  1. Press the power button on the headset for two seconds. The lights will flash green.
Xbox headset on button


  1. After the headset plays the startup sound, press and hold the headset’s connect button for two seconds.
Xbox headset connect button


  1. Within 20 seconds of pressing the connect button, press and release connect button on your console.
Xbox consoles showing the connect button


  1. The lights flash green three times once your headset is connected to your console. Your headset will now automatically connect to your console whenever you turn on your headset in Xbox mode.

10. Connect Kinect

Keep these in mine when positioning your Kinect:

  • Place the sensor near the edge on a flat, stable surface.
  • Position the sensor between 2 feet (0.6 m) and 6 feet (1.8 m) from the floor. Ideally, the sensor should be within 6 inches (15 cm) above or below your TV.
  • Avoid positioning the sensor in direct sunlight or within 1 foot (0.3 m) of audio speakers.
  • Do not manually tilt the sensor; it adjusts automatically.
  • Be careful not to drop the sensor.
  • Clear the area between the sensor and the players.
  • One player: Stand back 6 feet (1.8 m).
  • Two players: Stand back 8 feet (2.4 m).
  • Make sure that the play space is at least 6 feet (1.8 m) wide, and not wider or longer than 12 feet (3.6 m).
  • Make sure the room has bright, even lighting.

Connecting your Kinect:

  1. Plug the Kinect Sensor cable into the back of the Xbox One console.
Xbox and kinect being plugged in


  1. You may need to update your Xbox 360 in order to use your Kinect. You can update by inserting a Kinect game disc. The console will ask for an update.

Using your Kinect for the first time:

  1. Follow the on-screen tutorial.
Xbox welcome to kinect


  1. When the Kinect sensor is active, a window appears in the lower-right corner of the dashboard. If you can see yourself in this window, then you can interact with Kinect.
Xbox kinect sensor window

11. Connect USB Drive

  1. Plug the USB drive into the Xbox 360.
Xbox 360 showing a usb drive plugged in


  1. Press the Guide button your controller.
Xbox 360 controller with guide button


  1. Select Settings.
  2. Select System Settings.
Xbox 360 settings menu with system highlighted


  1. Select Storage.
Xbox system settings with storage highlighted


  1. Select USB Storage Device.
Xbox 360 storage device settings with usb storage selected


  1. Select Configure Now.
Xbox 360 configure usb storage device


  1. Your USB is now ready to be used as storage by your Xbox.