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Microsoft's third-generation Xbox game console, released November 22, 2013.

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Why won't my console sync button work?

Over time my sync button on the left side if my console worked but now it's gone. When I press the button on the left side it makes a ding noise but the console symbol suppose to blink indicates in trying to sync. My controllers work when I press it but not the console button. I have to play with my controllers wired but I really need help with this to have it fixed. I tried hard reset and everything so I assume its an issue inside the console.

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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whats a soft power down

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Wow! I read this wrong by the slightest bit, tried it again but this time unplugged the usb from the Xbox as well, even tho it’s a loose chord I didn’t understand that it needed to be removed

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ty this worked the controller i bought from gamestop has a broken syc button thought i was gonna have to drive 29 miles to return it so much for the tested sticker n the package

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Even if the sync button never works again, plug the controller in using an android charging cable if you don't have the one specifically for the xbox. Once its plugged in, turn controller on and press the controllers sync button. The controller will sync to the xbox. Then unplug the controller and you'll be good to go. Just went through this nonsense 5min ago. I had to do it again once powering off the Xbox and turning it back on but small price to pay.

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Thank you bro you're a lifesaver!!!!

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Hard reset your Xbox. (Hold the power button until it shuts off.)

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62 Comments:

lol its been acting up for awhile and I came I saw and I fixed lol in like 2 seconds

lmaoo I feel slow thank you tho bro

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thank you but now I feel really stuped

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thanks i was having this problem to

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Thanks so much I was struggling for ages with this but you helped me so thanks!!!

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Thanks that was just needed it just happed to me but now it's back on and had usb to remote and they sync

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1. Plug Controller in USB.

2. Hold Power Button for 10 seconds.

3. Unplug the Power Cord for 10 seconds.

4. Plug Power Cord back in to Xbox.

5. Power On Xbox Press Power Button on Console.

6. Soft Power down Xbox Press Button once.

7. Disconnect USB from Xbox and Controller.

8. Power on Xbox with Controller.

You're Welcome. Enjoy!

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This didn’t work for me

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Thank you! It worked

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THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!!This actually worked

by

I did all of this but on step 8, the controller just kept blinking and the xbox didnt power back on

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Ayyy you saved me I thought I might have fried my console because of a power out. Time to get a surge protector I guess I don't need anymore of these scares!

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So i have been having this issue, also.

I tried everything that everyone else has suggested, but it wouldn't fix the problem.

But I realized that I always have my chat mixer hooked up to my controller that has been synced to my system for weeks now. I unplugged the chat mixer and it automatically connected to my console lol maybe try that if your using a 3rd party headset.

Lemme know if that helps

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Yeah this helped I had a charger in the xbox unplugged it so far so good .

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You guys can skip all the steps here, because all you want to do is Hard Reset.

1. Wake up your xbox by pressing the power button on the console (xbox logo)

2. Hold the power button on the console (xbox logo) for 10 seconds, or until the console makes an audible and visible shutoff.

3. Turn the xbox one back on.

Done. No messing with power cables, no fiddling with the actual controller itself. All you need to do is follow these steps in order to Hard Reset the console.

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^ Negative ghost rider. Had to unplug the controller cable from the side before it would detect. (detected immediately after that)

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It does work thank you

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It says they tried this why is this showing up still people can't read for real.

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Sometimes having a USB cable connected causes this try disconnecting it then

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Yup. My ssd being plugged in was the problem.

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Alright, if doing a hard reset, pulling the sync button back a lil bit doesn’t work then I have a solution ( it worked for me) lets begin.

  1. open your xbox shell ( Follow this: https://youtu.be/bF1V1QiB17c tutorial up to 5:35
  2. Reseat the ribbon cable (remove it then reinstall it — i found this video extremely useful https://youtu.be/ghcWusCrh30.
  3. close your xbox shell
  4. Just a tip - before closing your xbox shell test that the power button, eject disk and sync are working. https://youtu.be/bF1V1QiB17c Follow this guy from around 40:00 onwards ( he also reinstalls the ribbon cable here I just thought if the other video was not proving useful you can try his ‘method’ or style.

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i have the same problem and I don't have the xbox one I have the (s) and I don't know how to do it its a whole different console

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I had this problem, followed the instructions above and it worked!

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Hi Im also having this problem and I have the xbox one s... The sync button don't want to flash at all when pressing it...

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LMAO it works. It really works. I love people thanks

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HEY EVERYBODY,UNSOLVABLE PROBLEM???

So ill get right to it. My last controller broke(semi, dog ate the RB button up). So I bought a new one today and I found that my sync button (ON THE XBOX) does not work. I try pressing it, no blinking at all. I have tried with an USB, nothing happens. I have tried both hard and soft restart, I have tried wiping it (without games) as well. Basically everything you can do. The controller I have ( the damaged one) DOES work with it. It is actually functioning. But It just won't accept a new controller into the system. Is there a way to pass around this? Please help me <3 !!!!



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i just bought my controller too the same thing happened i need help aswell

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I had this problem, I fixed it by taking the Xbox Case off and on top you will see the WiFi chip and a wire on the chip connected to the shell and too the front, I dusted it wiped it down and disconnected both points of the wire then reconnected it, put it back together and it worked

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1. Plug Controller in USB.

2. Hold Power Button for 10 seconds.

3. Unplug the Power Cord for 10 seconds.

4. Plug Power Cord back in to Xbox.

5. Power On Xbox Press Power Button on Console.

6. Soft Power down Xbox Press Button once.

7. Disconnect USB from Xbox and Controller.

8. Power on Xbox with Controller.

You're Welcome. Enjoy!

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I tried that method it worked for maybe 10 seconds then my controller started blinking again

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Hey guys I know the answer to your problems! Turn off all Bluetooth connections in the house! I turned mine off and boom the Xbox sync button works again!

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Did you get it fixed?

Could be ribbon cable, RF board or WiFi board.

If holding the power button for 10 seconds to shut it down and clear the cache doesn't work it's probably a hardware issue.

Have you unplugged it for 30 seconds?

Also can you connect to WiFi?

Update (08/07/2017)

Sorry I hadn't been following this post more closely. Many times the WiFi/Bluetooth board stops working. WiFi modules are pretty cheap on Amazon and eBay. They are very easy to replace. Can't sync if the xbox can't see the controller.

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My sync button doesn't work at all. When press it doesn't click just pushes right in. I can't even connect a controller via USB cable its like the whole sync system is broke. Will a replacement ribbon fix this or will it be something else. I really need help as can't play my Xbox and I can't find any info anywhere. Thanks in advance

Kay

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Could be hardware problem in the Xbox. Have you tried hard reset, or resetting to factory saving all your files? Please let me know if you got it to work and if so what you did to get it fixed. Thanks

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Yeah iv tried all that. Literally everything. I just left it a while and it started to work again. The xbox still clicks randomly and flashes. And the sync button on the side doesn't work at all. But managed get USB lead work. Will just put up with it until new Xbox is out. Thank you for your reply and your help. Much appreciated.

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So weird this worked.. Think ultimately my rechargeable batteries are going to junk cause my controllers keep disconnecting and reconnecting.. This helps me narrow it down as I couldn't try a reconnect of the controllers because the box wouldn't search for controllers.. Thank you very much.. Very odd sequence.. Highly didn't expect that'd work..

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This is something that hardly ever happens but I had one come into my shop that had been dropped on its back from just a few inches up and the plate that slides in behind the sink button had slid back to where the little nipple on the plate had moved just enough to where it wasn't behind the button. Long shot but it's a possibility for those of you who have the problem with the sink button not working.

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Are you sure your not pressing disk eject button? When pressing the disk eject button with no disk in the console makes a ding sound. The controller sync button is located below the power button.

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Sync button is only under the power button on the Xbox One S.

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That solved my problem. LOL I feel like a dummy. haha!

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Also if you have took the cover off the left side and removed the black peace from behind it try doing it agian blow in the console and put it back it worked for me and it is very simple just look up how to open up Xbox And the first 20 second of The video should show u no tools required or very much skill a 8 year old could do it and I tried all of these but none worked until this


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Just unplug the Xbox cord and plug it back in with the controller connected to the Xbox with a Android cord

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I tried all of these and nothing worked:

1) charge batteries

2) hard reset

3) cable attached

4) holding the controller cack handed - the lot

I then removed ALL cables from the console apart form power and did another hard reset - hey presto, the controllers all synchronised first time!

Maybe this is the last resort before you bite the bullet and send it in for repair!!!

Hopefully this helps someone who gets stuck and nothing else works!

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I feel like an idiot! I forgot to attach a cable to the underside of the lid before closing the box.!

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I fixed it but yes the button clicks but i wouldent flash but like i said i fixed it

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Make sure every cord is unplugged from the USB ports. I tried everything on these lists and finally saw where someone had a slightly frayed wire in plugged in, and after unplugging it he could sync again. Just worked for me too.

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None of the above solutions worked for me. Connect a usb wire into the side port of the xbox. (The one next to the button that you push to connect controllers) That controller has to stay in at all times and the button works properly

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If none worked then you probably need a new wireless sensor or something replaced. Because used to work for me. Now I have top have my controller plug in all the time.

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Key for me was to take the console casing apart to expose inside the front panel. Carefully unclipped the ribbon cable than links the sync button and eject button from it’s housing, gave the cable housing a quick dust (could see a strand of dust in it) and re-insert the ribbon cable (fidgety and be careful) and it cured the syncing problem instantly. I did not apply any contact cleaner spray, just a dust with a soft artists paintbrush.

So for me it was a simple ribbon cable dirty or imperfect connection issue. Console is 4 years old.

Result!

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hey i bought my consle from someone im 11 i tryed telling an adult to try an open it but it wont budge and how do you unclip the ribon an get a new one or clean it

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YouTube video I used, worked well. It is called 'How to open an Xbox console' by 'Modded Warfare'.

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Sorry, even if this is late, good luck replacing that cable if it’s a oh phat Xbox one. Very difficult land time consuming.

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So non of these suggestions worked for me. Decided to open her up and take a peek. Didn't see anything wrong. The sync button would make noise but wouldn't blink. My remotes were stuck in a infinite slow blinking stage. Never connecting. Got tired of wired remote use when I opened it open disconnected Power-sync-eject ribbon. Looked fine. Everything looked fine. Still didn't work. Then I disconnected reconnected black skinny cable going from wifi card on top of metal casing on back left corner. Finally got my remote to connect ?. Nothing else worked but this. Hopefully this helps anybody. Last entry I seen was 2018 on this page and couldn't find anything else online other than hard resets, and part replacements. I guess I got lucky.

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For me I had a power bank plugged via USB in so I turned off my Xbox by the plug switch so there’s absolute no power, I took out the power bank then I could sync my Xbox!
I didn’t know power banks could prevent the Bluetooth button from having an affect but to be honest I’m pretty sure it was making the power bank blink like it was trying to connect to something Bluetooth lol anyways hope this helps!

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