Ever since the eight-bit NES game consoles, gamers are accustomed to wired accessories. Both gamepads could only be connected to the console with cords, and often disconnection was not implied at all: the wires of the control devices were soldered into the console, seriously complicating the replacement of a failed accessory or its repair.
How to connect a second joystick to the Xbox 360
The development of wireless technologies could not but affect the gaming industry: most modern consoles support not only wired, but also wireless gamepads. But since they are equipped with only one control device, and the collective game is most often carried out via the Internet, then connecting a second gamepad for joint play often causes difficulties. The popular Microsoft console is no exception; connecting the second joystick to the Xbox 360, as a rule, doesn’t work for everyone the first time.
Wireless devices
You cannot quickly connect the gamepad to the Xbox 360: synchronization with the console is done gradually. The following steps must be done:
- Launch Xbox 360.
- On the front of the console, press the sync button.
- At the same time, press the button with the Xbox logo on the controller.
- Immediately after that, at the base of the gamepad from the front, press and hold the sync button (from five to twenty seconds). At this time, both the console and the gamepad will emit light signals.
- If the gamepad is working and there are no problems with the batteries, the console will complete the synchronization, and the connected device will be assigned a number (one of four available for connection): this is visually determined by the illumination of a part of the circular light indicator on both the console and the joystick.
- Synchronization is complete, the Xbox 360 wireless joystick is connected and ready to use.
Similarly, other wireless devices are synchronized: the Xbox 360 supports a maximum of four connected joysticks, each of which will receive its own designation on the console light indicators.
When you turn on the game console again, the synchronization procedure is not required again: each of the already synchronized accessories will be available for use. If you need to disconnect one of the devices, just hold down the button with the Xbox logo on it for three seconds, and then confirm the disconnection in the console interface.
Connectivity issues
In situations where you cannot connect the second joystick to the Xbox 360, you should check the batteries. This applies both to the batteries themselves (the joysticks use classic "finger" batteries, or the AA standard), as well as the original battery packs. The device, which is quite voracious in terms of power, requires the use of alkaline batteries, therefore, it is clearly not worth saving by purchasing low-cost salt batteries. The battery packs with which the gamepads are equipped by default have a small capacity (within 1000 mA), so it is more advisable to purchase a set of AA batteries of a larger capacity, as well as a charger for them, so that ready-to-use batteries are always at hand.
If the procedure for connecting the second Xbox 360 joystick does not start, you can try changing the original battery pack. To begin with, you should remove the unit from another wireless controller (if available) and, based on the result, decide on replacing the batteries or repairing the joystick.
Wired devices
Users have the opportunity to both connect a second joystick to the Xbox 360 wirelessly and use wired devices. A wired gamepad connects via a classic USB port on the front of the console. At the same time, the original devices use a special adapter, which significantly reduces the likelihood of the console falling during sharp jerks of the wire.