How to fix common issues with the Xbox 360 Speed Wheel controller model

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The controller does not turn on when pressing the Xbox, big-”X”, home button.

If the controller is not turning on - no buttons are lighting up and Xbox is not recognizing controller connection - make sure the batteries are fully charged. To do this, you will need 2 AA batteries.

  • Tip: *** Make sure the batteries are placed properly in the controller in that the “+” side of the battery matches with the “+” labeled side on the controller and the “-” side of the battery matches with “-” side on the controller.

Follow these steps to check/change batteries:

Step 1: Turn controller on its backside.

Step 2: Push small release button. It will look like a standard eject button with a line and down arrow underneath. The cover of the battery compartment will eject.

Step 3: Make sure the battery’s “+” and “-” sides match with the controller’s marked “+” and “-” pictures. If the controller still won’t turn on, move to step 4.

Step 4: Take 2 new AA batteries and place them in with the corresponding “+” and “-” signs on the controller.

Parts Required: Two AA batteries

Buttons not immediately returning to resting position after being pressed

Dirt can accumulate from everyday use and soda spills can cause a sticky mess! See our guide for Button Replacement to remove the controller casing and access the buttons for cleaning. Once the buttons are exposed, dip a clean cotton swab into rubbing alcohol and carefully clean around the button. Leave the cover off until the alcohol has completely dried, then place the cover again.

Tools Required: T9 Torx

If you can see the food pieces lodged between the buttons, try to use tweezers to pull the piece out. If tweezers are too large, try a fine-tipped brush (like a paint brush) or a can of pressurized air to remove the food. If you still can’t get the crumbs out, see our guide for Button Replacement to remove the controller casing and access the buttons. Once the buttons are exposed, use a fine-tipped brush or a can of pressurized air to remove the crumbs. After the food has been cleaned out, place the cover again.

Tools Required: T9 Torx, Brush, Pressurized Air

If you’ve dropped the controller, threw it at a wall in a post-loss rage, or have been doing some hardcore gaming, the buttons may break. See our guide for Button Replacement to repair the buttons.

Parts: Button Covers, D-Pad Cover, Analogue Triggers

The console does not recognize the controller and the controller won’t connect.

To sync controller to console, turn the console on. Turn on controller and press and hold the big home “X” button until the wheel lights begin to flash. On the console, press and release the connect button - this button will look like three, thin arrows pointing left. Within 20 seconds, press and release the connect button on the controller - this button will look exactly like the connect button on the console. The light on the controller’s right handle will flash while it connects to the console. Once the controller is connected to the console, the center ring around the big home “X” button will light up and stay on.

If the batteries are low on juice, this can affect the signal strength between the controller and console. Try changing the batteries in your controller and see if you get connection after powering the controller back on.

Parts Required: 2 AA batteries

Sometimes if you reset the console, the controller might connect on the second try. Go ahead and power off the console, wait 30 seconds, and turn the console back on. Turn on the controller and try syncing again.

Connectivity issues can be related to a conflicting signal. Consider turning off unused, nearby devices and reconnecting the controller.

The Xbox 360 only allows 8 controllers to be connected at one time. If more than 8 controllers are connected, disconnect the controllers. To disconnect a wireless controller, press and hold the big home “X” button for 3 seconds and then select “turn off controller”.

When playing a game, the controller won’t vibrate.

There is no universal setting for vibration controls under Xbox 360 settings, however, most games that use vibration will have vibration settings you can navigate to and adjust the vibration there.

First try using a different controller and see if vibration occurs. If it does not occur, then you can conclude that the game does not support vibration.

Sometimes low battery life will not support vibration. Try putting new batteries in the controller and see if vibration occurs. Also, you can check battery life by clicking the big home “X” button and navigating to controller settings. The battery life will show for the controller’s batteries.

If you have tried all of the above and the controller still won’t vibrate, then the controller has a defective vibration sensor. See ‘Vibration Motor Repair Guide’ to fix the vibration motor in the controller.

You are experiencing a delay between the console receiving a signal from the controller.

Sometimes the controller will be too sensitive or not sensitive enough and this can interrupt the use of the controller. There is no universal sensitivity setting to adjust for this, however, most games will have an option to adjust the controller’s sensitivity under the games’ controller settings.