Controller bar not available or working on Windows 11? 10 fixes and 6 inspection attempts

Windows 11 developers have been working hard to eliminate persistent bugs in the operating system while introducing new features that will help attract more users. The controller bar is one such feature that was released recently to provide a smoother experience for gamers.

Controller Bar is a new version of the Xbox Game Bar that now lets you control almost any element on the screen using a controller. However, since this feature is fairly new, you may end up running into some bugs and issues that may hinder your experience. If you are in the same boat, then you can fix the same issue on PC.

Controller Bar on Windows 11: What to Know First

There are a few things you should keep in mind when using the new Controller Bar. This will help you understand the current limitations of the feature and bypass them accordingly. Listed below are some of the prominent aspects of the Controller Bar in Windows 11.

• Beta: The controller bar is currently only available in the Beta and Insider Dev channels, and there's a reason for that. The feature is not currently ready for a stable release, and there is a list of known issues that need to be noted before being released to the public.
• New: The Controller Bar is fairly new, which means, not surprisingly, it's prone to bugs here and there. Microsoft still needs to iron out various hardware configuration hiccups that cause problems with the Controller Bar.
• Known Bugs and Issues: In addition to all of these factors, Controller Bar also has a list of known bugs and issues (via Microsoft) that have been documented . We recommend you check the list first to make sure none of these will affect your transaction. You can then select another beta to alleviate issues unique to your workflow.

The controller bar is not available on Windows 11? Check These 6 Requirements

Here’s what you need to get the Controller Bar on Windows 11.

Check 1: Make sure you are running a compatible version of Windows 11

The Controller Bar is compatible with Windows 11 v225xx or later. We recommend that you check your Windows version using the following tutorial to make sure you're running the desired Windows 11 variant.

Press Windows R to start the run dialog box.

Type the following command and press Enter.

winver

Details about the current Windows 11 installation will now be displayed. You will find the build number on the second line.

If your build number is higher than v225xx, then you can proceed with the following checks. If not, we recommend that you update to a compatible version of Windows 11 and try to use the controller bar again accordingly.

Check 2: Make sure you are registered for Windows Gaming Preview

Game Preview registration is another mandatory requirement to download the latest Xbox Game Bar beta to your PC. If you don't sign up for this beta, you may end up seeing the old Xbox Game Bar despite having a compatible version of Windows 11. If you don't have one, follow the tutorial below to help you check out and join the game preview.

Open the Xbox Insider Center on your PC. Now click on the Preview button on the left (second from the top).

If you have joined the Windows game preview, it will appear under Joined.

#However, if you haven’t joined the game preview yet, you can click the same and click

Join as shown below.

#After joining the beta, update your Windows apps from the Windows Store. This will help install the new controller bar in your Windows 11 setup.

Check 3: Make sure the Xbox Game Bar is installed and enabled on your PC

While this may seem counterintuitive, you still need to have the Xbox Game Bar installed on your PC for everything to work as expected Work. This is because the controller bar is still part of the Xbox Game Bar and is activated when you're not using your controller.

Here's how you can check the Xbox Game Bar on your PC and install it if it's missing. Please follow the steps below to get started.

Press

Windows i and then click Applications.

Click Installed Applications.

Scroll through the list to find Xbox Game Bar and check its size.

• If the program size is in KB: Xbox Game Bar is currently uninstalled or corrupted on your PC. This could be due to third-party software removal tools, bloatware removal tools, or enterprise-level restrictions.
• If program size is in MB: Xbox Game Bar is already installed on your PC. In this case, you can check for updates and enable them on your PC.

If necessary, visit the link below to install Xbox Game Bar from the Microsoft Store.

• Xbox Game Bar: Download Link

After downloading, restart your PC to make everything work as expected again. We will now enable the Game Bar so that we can access it using the keyboard or the controller bar using a controller. Press Windows i and click Games.

Now click on the Xbox Game Bar.

#Use this button on your controller to enable the toggle at the top of the Xbox Game Bar.

That's it! Xbox Game Bar will now be installed, enabled, and available on your PC.

Check 4: Make sure Xbox Services and Game Services are running as expected

The Xbox Game Bar requires some background services to work as expected. These services, while useful, may end up being disabled by third-party software designed to reduce clutter and increase PC speed.

If you use such a program, it may disable one of the Game Bar's essential services, preventing it from running as expected on your PC. In this case, you can use the following tutorial to check and fix the Xbox service on your PC.

Press the Windows keys on your keyboard and enter Services. Click and launch the service application from your search results.

#Scroll to the bottom and look for the following services.

• Xbox Accessory Management Service
• Xbox Live Authentication Manager
• Xbox Live Game Archives
• Xbox Live Network Services

Check the Startup Type column for each service. If each service is set to Manual, then you're good to go.

If not, select the relevant service and press Alt Enter. Click the drop-down menu next to Startup Type and select Manual.

Click OK.

Repeat and set other Xbox services to manually.

Restart your PC to apply the changes. After configuring the service, you can try using the controller bar on your PC.

However, if these services do not exist on your PC, we recommend that you reinstall the Xbox Insider app and Xbox Game Bar on your PC.

Check 5: Make sure you’re signed up for the Xbox Insider Program

You can skip this check if you’re already signed up for Windows Gaming Preview. However, if you can't find the same content in the Xbox Insider Hub, or you don't have an Xbox Insider Hub on your PC, then this could be the reason why the Controller Bar isn't working on your PC.

The Controller Bar is a beta feature that requires you to sign up for the Xbox Insider Program and Windows Game Preview. You can use Microsoft's Xbox Insider Hub to sign up and check it out.

• Xbox Insider Hub: Download Link

##Note: If the link doesn't work for you, you can usually Search the Microsoft Store for the app.

Open the Start menu and search for and launch

Xbox Insider Hub. If you don’t have the app, you can install the same using the link above.

If you are not a member of the

Xbox Insider Program, you will be asked to join the program on the welcome screen. If you can get past the welcome screen, it means you are already enrolled in the program and you can skip to the next check.

If not, please click

Join to register the same.

#Verify your identity and your account will now be enrolled in the Xbox Insider Program. We now recommend that you use the section above to check out the

Windows Gaming Preview or register if you haven't already.

This should help get everything set up as expected on your PC, which should help get the controller bar working again.

Check 6: Make sure you have a compatible controller

Unfortunately, the Controller Bar currently only supports Microsoft Xbox controllers, according to Microsoft's release notes. While this doesn't restrict you from using a legitimate Xbox Elite controller, it does restrict you from using a controller that uses the XInput protocol.

This means that your controller needs to use the XInput protocol for the controller bar to work as expected. If you have a different controller or a third-party controller, this may be why you can't use the controller bar on your PC. If you're not sure whether your controller uses the Xinput or Dinput protocol, here are a few places to look.

Note: Many third-party controllers may use protocols other than DInput. These mainly include Nintendo Switch controllers. These will also now be incompatible with the Xbox Controller Bar.

Your product packaging/box
• Your product manual
• Online product details of your product
• Special to your product Support Page
• Your OEM Support

If your controller is not compatible, we recommend that you try using an Xbox controller on PC. If the controller bar is calling as expected, then your incompatible controller is the cause of all the problems.

Controller bar not working on Windows 11? 10 Fixes

Now that you have performed the necessary checks, here are the fixes you can try to fix Xbox controller bar on PC. let's start.

Fix 1: Remove and reinstall the Xbox Game Bar

Reinstalling the Xbox Game Bar should help resolve the issue on most systems. This will also help resolve issues on systems that are registered in Windows Gaming Preview but are unable to get the Xbox Game Bar beta. Please follow the steps below to help you through the process.

Step 1: Uninstall Xbox Game Bar

• BC Uninstaller: Download Link

We will use a third-party app Procedure to remove Xbox Game Bar from our PC. Microsoft does not allow you to uninstall the Xbox Game Bar natively. Download the BC Uninstaller linked above and extract it to a convenient location. After decompression, start

BCUninstaller.exe.

Wait for the application to start and scan your hard drive. You will now get a list of all the applications installed on your PC. Scroll through the list and check the boxes for the following apps.

Xbox Game UI
• Xbox Identity Provider
• Xbox TCUI

Single Click

Uninstall at the top, then click Continue.

If you are asked to terminate the application using the applications we have selected for removal, click Terminate All.

Click on the next page to continue.

Click to start uninstalling.

When finished, click Close.

The uninstaller will now prompt you to search for remaining files. Agree to the same to view all related registry keys still present on your PC. Scroll through the list and select the checkbox for the unchecked registry key related to Xbox Game Bar. Don't check for entries that are not related to Game Bar. Click to delete the selection. Click Create when prompted.

The uninstaller will now also remove necessary registry values. We now recommend that you restart your PC as soon as possible. Once completed, you can use the next step to install Game Bar on your PC.

Step 2: Reinstall Xbox Game Bar

• Xbox Game Bar: Download Link

Now that you have removed it Xbox Game Bar and restarted your PC, we can now reinstall it. Press Windows G on your keyboard to make sure Xbox Game Bar is removed from your PC. Now visit the link above and click Install.

Xbox Game Bar will now be installed and set up on your PC. This will reinstall and set up most services, tasks, and other background activities required by the Xbox Game Bar.

Since you signed up for Windows Game Preview, the latest beta version of Xbox Game Bar will be installed on your PC. Once the process is complete, press Windows i and click on Games.

Now click on Xbox Game Bar.

Turn on the same toggle at the top of the screen. After installing the beta version of Game Bar with Controller Bar on your PC, this option will read Open the Xbox Game Bar using this button on your controller, followed by the Xbox button.

#Once enabled, connect your controller and press the Xbox button to launch the controller bar. If everything went as expected, you should now be able to use the Controller Bar on your Windows 11 PC.

Fix 2: Re-register Windows Game Previews

The Xbox Insider Hub can be a finicky platform and sometimes fails to register changes. Despite your efforts, your registration in Windows Game Preview may not be active. We will now exit the program and rejoin it to see if this resolves the issue for us.

Note: We recommend waiting at least 30 minutes before re-enrolling in the program to ensure everything is enrolled as expected.

Open the Xbox Insider Center and click Preview in the left sidebar.

Click Windows Games under AlreadyJoined.

Click Manage.

You will now see a preview of what you are joining as part of the current plan. Windows Games Preview will be selected by default.

Click at the bottom to leave the preview.

Click Continue.

##

Your status will now change to (Pending). Wait a few seconds, the status should now be Join.

You are now outside the Windows Game Preview. We now recommend waiting 30 minutes before rejoining the preview.

Launch the Xbox Insider Hub again and click Previews.

Click Windows Games.

Click to join.

Your status will now change to (Pending) and then to Manage. This now means you are signed up for the Windows Games preview.

Open Microsoft Store and click Library.

Click now Get Updates.

Install any updates available for Xbox Game Bar or related services.

That's it! You will now have the Xbox Game Bar beta installed on your PC, and you should now be able to launch the Controller Bar using your Xbox controller.

Fix 3: Disable third-party controller apps

Third-party controller apps are a godsend when it comes to setting macros and adjusting stick and trigger sensitivity. However, these apps can cause issues with other third-party apps and native services, such as the Xbox Game Bar and Controller Bar.

We recommend that you temporarily remove such software from your PC and see if this resolves your issue. If so, then your third-party software is most likely causing a conflict with the Xbox Game Bar. You can look for updates from the software developers or file bugs to have them fixed in future updates.

Fix 4: If Game Bar launches using keyboard shortcuts

If you are able to launch the Xbox Game Bar using keyboard shortcuts, your controller may not currently be compatible with your PC. This may be due to one of the following reasons.

• Your controller does not use the XInput protocol
• Your controller's Xbox button uses custom mapping
• Your third-party controller detects the Xbox button For just another switch instead of a special key
• Outdated Driver
• Your controller requires specific and custom drivers from the OEM
• Your 3rd party control Your controller doesn't have an Xbox button
• Some third-party controllers map the Start or Select button to an Xbox button
• Your third-party controller uses the Xbox button to turn the controller on and off.

All of these reasons may prevent an incompatible controller from launching the controller bar on your PC. In this case, we recommend that you try a different controller to see if it launches the controller bar on your PC. If so, then you have an incompatible controller on your hands. However, if the controller bar still won’t launch, then you can try the other fixes mentioned in this tutorial.

Fix 5: Disable third-party launcher overlays and widgets

Game platforms and stores often have dedicated launchers and overlays that use the Xbox button. These overlays help you view widgets, performance metrics, perform in-game purchases, and more. However, since these overlays are mapped to Xbox buttons, they may cause conflicts when trying to activate the controller bar.

We recommend that you disable overrides for launchers installed on your PC. You can use the following tutorial with Steam, GOG, and Epic Games. If you have other launchers, you can refer to their support sites accordingly to disable their respective overrides on your PC. let's start.

5.1 – For Steam

Open Steam and click on the same in the upper left corner.

Select Settings.

Click In-game.

Uncheck the box to enable Steam overlay in the game.

Click OK.

#Steam overlays will now be disabled on your PC.

5.2 – For GOG Galaxy

Open GOG Galaxy on PC and click on the icon in the upper left corner.

Select Settings.

Click Game Features.

Uncheck the Overlay box.

Close the dialog box and restart GOG Galaxy.

Overlay will now be disabled on your system for GOG Galaxy.

5.3 – Epic Games

Epic Games has no official toggle or option to disable overlays in the game. Therefore, we will manually disable overlay on Windows 11. Follow the steps below to help you through the process.

Access your Epic Games installation directory according to your settings. The default location for installation is shown below.

C:\Program Files(x86)\Epic Games

Navigate to the following location in the installation directory.

Launcher\Portal\Extras\Overlay

Rename and add _disabled at the end of each file.

##EOSOverlayRenderer-Win32-Shipping.exe
• EOSOverlayRenderer-Win64-Shipping.exe

Make sure to add a suffix after the file extension, i.e.: .exe. Your renamed file should be as follows.

That's it! Epic Launcher will now disable overlays.

Note: You may need to disable overrides again when updating the launcher in the future. Additionally, as the Epic Games Launcher evolves, this method may stop working in the future.

Fix 6: Disable any screen capture software

Screen capture software, just like the overlay, will also end up interfering with the Xbox Game Bar. We recommend that you disable any active screen capture software on your PC. This includes Microsoft's PowerToys, especially if you're running a beta version.

After removal/disabling, restart your PC and try using the Xbox Controller Bar again. If everything is working fine, your screen capture software is most likely conflicting with the Xbox controller bar in the background.

Fix 7: If your screen goes gray without the controller bar

This is a known bug if everything is set up on your PC but you haven't rebooted yet system, this error occurs. Once the Xbox Game Bar is updated through the Microsoft Store, registry changes need to be applied and Windows services restarted to display the controller bar correctly.

This in turn requires you to restart your PC so that these changes can be applied in the background. The gray screen that appears when activating the Controller Bar before restarting the PC is because Windows is trying to run the Controller Bar without enabling the necessary registry keys and running services in the background. This works halfway through overlay activation, indicated by a gray screen, but the controller bar won't launch due to missing permissions and registry keys.

At this point simply restart your PC and try using the controller bar again after the restart. Once your PC restarts, you should be able to use the controller bar as expected.

FINAL FIX

If you still can’t launch the Controller Bar on Windows 11 at this point, you may be experiencing issues with your system files. Here are some last resorts you can try to get everything up and running again on your PC.

Fix 8: DISM and SFC scans

DISM and SFC scans help check your disks and Windows images for errors. These commands then use the network to replace corrupted or missing files, repairing your Windows 11 installation in the process. Follow the steps below to run these commands on your PC.

Press Windows R to start the run dialog box.

Type the following and press Ctrl Shift Enter.

cmd

Now use the following command. Press Enter to perform the same operation.

sfc /scannow

Once completed, run the DISM check using the following command.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

The process may take some time. Once done, close CMD using the following command.

exit

Restart your PC and try using the Xbox Controller Bar. If conflicting, corrupted, or missing system files are preventing you from accessing this feature, it's time to fix the problem for your system.

Fix 9: Waiting for Updates

At this time, your system may be facing outstanding errors specific to your CPU, GPU, or SSD. This bug may prevent you from using the controller bar if you want, in which case you'll have to wait for a subsequent update from Microsoft. This will help resolve inherent errors and get everything working again on your PC. As a last resort, you can also try force removing and reinstalling Xbox Game Bar after exiting the Insider and beta programs. Once completed, reinstall Xbox Game Bar as a stable user and then upgrade to the Insider program again using the tutorial above. This will help re-register all previous changes, which will help make the new controller bar work as expected on your PC again.

Fix 10: Refresh or Reset Your PC

If your PC is generally running slowly and is intermittently experiencing background errors and issues, it might be time to give your PC a full refresh . This is especially useful for users who haven’t started using their PC again in a while. You can choose to refresh your PC to keep all installed apps and files, or you can choose to completely reset your PC and start over. Please follow the steps below to help you through the process.

Press Windows i and click Restore.

Now click Reset PC.

#Choose whether you want to keep or delete all files by selecting one of the options below.

• Keep my files: This option will keep your files and settings. However, this option will remove third-party installed apps and programs.
• Remove All Content: This option will remove all content from your PC, allowing you to set it up as new.

Select your preferred method of obtaining Windows images. We recommend using the cloud download option to ensure you get a clean installation.

Click Next.

Now follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process. Your PC will restart multiple times during this process. Once completed, you will see the OOBE screen and you can now set up your PC as new.

File Feedback

We also recommend that you submit feedback to the Windows team about the Controller Bar not working on your PC. Microsoft developers have been working hard to fix a bug in upcoming Windows updates, and your feedback will help the developers resolve this bug.

• Feedback Hub: Download Link

If needed, use the Microsoft Store link above to download Feedback Hub on your PC. Press the Windows F keyboard to launch the application. Enter a summary of your feedback at the top. We recommend that you include the words "Controller Bar" in your summary.

Now explain the problem you are facing in the detailed explanation (optional) section.

Click Next step when completed.

Select the question under Select Category.

#Click the first drop-down menu and select Games and Xbox.

Now click on the next drop down menu and select Game Bar.

Click Next.

Similar feedback will not be available. If there are, click and select one, otherwise select New feedback.

Click Next.

Select the Set this priority to high severity checkbox.

Click and select the list that best describes your problem

Now proceed to attach your screens as needed Take screenshots or screen recordings.

##Finally check the box that says I agree to have attachments and diagnostic information sent to Microsoft along with my feedback.

Click

to submit.

#You will now submit the necessary feedback to Microsoft. We recommend that you also advise other users who are facing the same problem file feedback. The more reports Microsoft receives, the more likely it is that the next Windows 11 update will fix this issue.

FAQ

Since the Controller Bar is a fairly new feature, here are some FAQs to help answer some common questions you may have.

When will Microsoft officially release Controller Bar?

There is no official release date for this feature yet. This is the first time the Controller Bar has been spotted in Windows 11, leading many to believe the feature is still in its infancy. Therefore, educated guesses have led many experts to believe that the Controller Bar will still be a good idea from the date of its official launch.

Can I get the Controller Bar through the Windows Insider Beta Channel?

Yes, the Windows Insider Beta channel is now receiving Windows 11 builds higher than 25xxx. This means you can follow our tutorial at this link to get the controller bar and have it working on your beta build.

Can I use a controller to control Xbox widgets?

Yes, you can now control your widgets using controllers. Use the tutorial at this link to help you control widgets on Windows 11.

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