Some Xbox controllers will stop working with Xbox consoles, as Microsoft takes measures to crack down on uncertified accessories.
Gamers have reported seeing an error message after plugging in their gamepads to their Xbox consoles. “A connected accessory is not authorised,” the message reads, and warns “this unauthorised accessory will be blocked from used on 12/11/2023.”
It then suggests the pad should be returned or that you should get in contact with the manufacturer. Of course, that advice may not be of much help if you bought an accessory 18 months ago and suddenly find it is no longer supported.
Which Xbox controllers can still be used?
But what does “unauthorised” mean? It refers to whether an accessory has been officially licensed or not. This involves a certification process in which an accessory gains Microsoft’s Designed for Xbox stamp.
Plenty of sellers of affordable Xbox gamepads, such as PowerA, 8bitDo, Turtle Beach and PDP, all go through this certification for their Xbox pads. If you own one of these brands’ products, you should have nothing to worry about.
However, there are also heaps of gamepads still sold directly on Amazon that are likely to cease to work with Xbox consoles in November.
Buyers of pads from brands like Arceli, Bonacell and Jorrep are complaining their new pads are throwing up the error message when they connect them to their Xbox.
We have approached Amazon for comment.
These brands leave out the certification step because it costs money, and they are typically companies that aim to significantly undercut the cost of official Xbox pads – even if accessories from more reputable names like PowerA are no more expensive.
Why is Microsoft blocking third-party controllers?
“Microsoft and other licensed Xbox hardware partners' accessories are designed and manufactured with quality standards for performance, security, and safety. Unauthorised accessories can compromise the gaming experience on Xbox consoles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S.) Players may receive a pop-up warning that their accessory is unauthorised,” reads a statement from Microsoft sent to Windows Central.
“Eventually, the unauthorised accessory will be blocked from use to preserve the console gaming experience."
While it’s primarily makers of cheap "knock-off" accessories that are affected, some more interesting and niche projects will also fall within Microsoft’s ban.
On October 20, Brook Gaming posted on Twitter/X that its products would be affected by the certification policy change. It produces converters that let gamers use arcade fight sticks, racing wheels and controllers from other platforms on Xbox Series consoles.
Brook Gaming says “we're aware and actively addressing it,” but a change in costs could potentially make business non-viable for smaller enthusiast operations like Brook Gaming.
Future third-party wireless gamepads for Xbox
There is some potential good news to come from this move, which on the face of it is going to harm a lot of Xbox fans.
It may be a precursor to a great many more wireless gamepads from third-party makers, as suggested by Windows Central.
Shop around for an Xbox pad and you’ll find almost every single one not made by Microsoft, or a brand you’ve never heard of before, uses a cable. It's because until recently there was no path to making an officially licensed wireless controller.
There are precious few wireless outliers, such as the PowerA Moga XP-Ultra, which PowerA claims was the “first licensed wireless controller for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One". It was announced in May.
This may seem wild when third-party Bluetooth controllers are so commonplace, but Xbox consoles use proprietary tech to make their official wireless accessories work. It’s called Xbox Wireless, and was introduced with the Xbox One console.
It uses a higher-frequency connection than Bluetooth to avoid interference with other wireless devices in your home.
