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Ultimate Guide: How to Connect an Xbox Controller to a Smart TV
Ultimate Guide: How to Connect an Xbox Controller to a Smart TV
To connect an Xbox controller to a Smart TV, put a Bluetooth-capable controller in pairing mode, open the TV’s controller or Bluetooth accessories menu, then select Xbox Wireless Controller. The exact menu depends on the TV brand and model. Pairing only establishes the connection: the TV model and the app or game must also support controller input.
Check these three things before you pair
- Controller Bluetooth support: Current Xbox Wireless Controllers, Xbox Series X|S controllers, Elite Series 2, and Bluetooth-capable Xbox One S-era controllers can pair with compatible devices. Some older Xbox One controllers do not have Bluetooth. If the controller never appears in the TV’s scan, check its model and the Xbox Bluetooth guide before assuming the TV is at fault.
- TV gamepad support: Bluetooth on a TV does not automatically mean it accepts game controllers. Some models support Bluetooth audio only, and input-device support can vary by model year, operating system, and region. Check the TV’s manual for “Bluetooth controller” or “gamepad.”
- App support: A controller can pair successfully while a streaming, cloud-gaming, or other app ignores it. Confirm that the specific app and game support a Bluetooth controller on your TV. App availability and features vary by TV model and market.
Microsoft’s Xbox controller on Smart TV instructions describe pairing through supported smart TV and streaming-device apps. For model-specific details, see Xbox’s smart TV controller setup guide and Xbox Bluetooth setup and troubleshooting.
The four-step pairing process
- Turn on the controller. Press the Xbox button until it lights up.
- Enter Bluetooth pairing mode. Press and hold the Pair button on the top edge until the Xbox button flashes rapidly. You do not need to hold the Xbox button and Pair button together.
- Open the TV’s controller-pairing menu. Use the TV remote to start a search for Bluetooth controllers or accessories. Brand-specific menu paths are below.
- Select the controller and test it. Choose Xbox Wireless Controller, approve the pairing prompt if one appears, then open a game or app known to accept controller input.
Keep the controller near the TV while pairing. If it was previously connected to a console, phone, or PC, turn off Bluetooth on nearby devices temporarily so it does not reconnect elsewhere during the scan.
How to connect an Xbox controller to a Samsung Smart TV
On many Samsung TVs, open Settings > Connection > External Device Manager > Input Device Manager > Bluetooth Device List. Put the controller in pairing mode, wait for Xbox Wireless Controller to appear, and select it. Some models use a slightly different route or label; Samsung’s support page shows the controller pairing process for compatible TVs: Samsung’s controller pairing instructions.
How to connect an Xbox controller to an LG Smart TV
LG’s controller menu changes with webOS version. Start with the path that matches your TV:
- 2026 TVs with webOS 26 or later: Settings > All Settings > System > Devices > Connect Bluetooth Controller > Connectable Devices.
- 2021–2025 TVs with webOS 6.0 or later: Settings > All Settings > General > External Devices > Connect Bluetooth Controller > Connectable Devices.
- 2020 TVs with webOS 5.0 or earlier: Settings > All Settings > Connection > Device Connection Settings > Connect Bluetooth Controller > Connectable Devices.
Choose the controller when it appears. LG lists Xbox One S and Xbox Series X controllers among supported Bluetooth gamepads in its compatibility information, but it also says support depends on the TV model. Check LG’s current Bluetooth input-device guide or your exact model’s manual if the menu is missing.
Google TV and Android TV
On Google TV, open Settings from the profile menu, then select Remote & Accessories > Pair remote or accessory. Put the Xbox controller in pairing mode, select it from the list, and choose Pair on the confirmation screen. To reconnect a previously paired controller, open Remote & Accessories, choose the device, and select Connect. Google’s instructions also recommend disconnecting unused accessories or restarting the TV if pairing fails: Google TV’s Bluetooth pairing steps.
On Android TV, the path is usually Settings > Remote & Accessories > Add accessory. Menu wording varies among TV manufacturers, so use the TV’s own manual if you do not see that option. See Android TV gamepad setup for Android TV gamepad setup.
Fire TV and other Smart TVs
On Fire TV, open Settings > Controllers & Bluetooth Devices > Game Controllers > Add New Game Controller. Put the Xbox controller into pairing mode and select it when it appears. Pairing support and app compatibility still depend on the Fire TV device and the game; Amazon’s instructions are here: Amazon’s Fire TV controller instructions.
For Roku TVs and other systems, check the exact model’s supported-input list. A Bluetooth menu intended for headphones or phones is not proof that the TV accepts a gamepad. A USB cable or an Xbox Wireless Adapter made for a PC is not a guaranteed workaround; use wired input only if the TV manufacturer documents support for that controller and app.
Fix common pairing problems
| What you see | What to check |
|---|---|
| The TV cannot find the controller | Confirm the controller supports Bluetooth, hold Pair until the Xbox button flashes, and disconnect it from a nearby phone or computer. Restart the scan and check that the TV supports Bluetooth gamepads. |
| The controller appears but will not pair | Turn the controller off and on, remove an old saved entry from the TV, then pair again. On Google TV, unplug the TV for about 10 seconds and retry if a restart does not help. |
| It pairs, but buttons do nothing in an app | Check the app’s controller support and test in a game that accepts gamepads. This usually points to app compatibility, not a failed Bluetooth connection. |
| Controls feel delayed or disconnect | Move closer to the TV, replace or recharge batteries, reduce nearby wireless interference, and re-pair. TV Game Mode can reduce display processing delay, but it will not fix a weak Bluetooth link or cloud-streaming network lag. |
What to expect after pairing
A successful connection should let a supported game respond to the controller’s buttons and sticks. Some TVs may allow basic menu navigation; others accept the controller only inside compatible gaming apps. Features such as vibration, headset audio through the controller, and multiple-controller play are not universal on Smart TVs. If you need the most reliable gamepad support, verify the TV and app compatibility before buying an adapter or troubleshooting the controller further.
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