Xbox controllers are messing up due to recent firmware update

The latest firmware update for Microsoft’s Xbox controllers is causing considerable problems for gamers. In some cases, playing with an Xbox controller has become impossible.

The feature-packed update, which has version number 5.23.5.0 and was released on February 25th, was intended to improve the precision of the controllers, as Microsoft announced on the official Xbox website. Unfortunately, the opposite appears to be the case.

Unintended thumbstick movements

After installing the firmware update, users are reporting unintentional thumbstick movements, sudden disconnections, and incorrect buttons triggering. Precise aiming in shooters and even simple navigation through menus is a huge pain with arbitrary movements occurring again and again, and some games are just impossible to play.

Reports of Xbox controller problems have been piling up over the past two weeks since the update rolled out. One user on Reddit tried to narrow down the problem and concluded that it must be a fault with the deadzones on the controller thumbsticks.

Another user referred to a chat with Xbox support, who confirmed that the issue involves a new feature for virtual gamepad deadzones. The thumbstick deadzones are supposed to be activated shortly before returning to center position, which apparently no longer works as intended and leads to unintended movements.

What you can do about it

If you’re affected, what can you do? Some users have, of course, tried solving the problem on their own. One option is to reset the firmware on Xbox Elite Series 2 controllers, but this method doesn’t work with conventional Xbox Series X/S controllers.

This means most gamers will have to wait for a bug fix patch from Microsoft. While waiting, you can switch to a different controller. (It isn’t yet clear when Microsoft will address these problems.)

If you haven’t installed the firmware update yet, you should hold off. Avoid updating to version 5.23.5.0 for the time being.