New wired Xbox 360 controller unrecognized by Windows 7

[adt141]

I've owned a wired Xbox 360 controller for some time which has worked fine with Windows 7 and recently decided to replace it as it's become worn. I can tell the new controller powers when plugged in because the LED ring flashes several times (all 4 lights) but nothing else happens. The notification sound for a connected USB device does not trigger nor does the controller appear in the device manager, the Microsoft Xbox Accessories program, or joy.cpl; all of which is contrary to the way the old controller works. It's different from other posts I see as there is no error message of any kind, just a total non-recognition of this controller as opposed to the older one which works properly.

I've tried some solutions such as uninstalling and reinstalling drivers for the controller but nothing has had any effect.

Both controllers are marked E-C015-05-4542 (B) on the back leading me to believe they should be functionally identical.

I'm leaning toward deciding the new controller is defective.

EDIT:
I have since tried another specimen of new controller and had the exact same problem so it's very unlikely to be due to hardware malfunction.

I also had the opportunity to plug the new controller into another Windows 7 machine as well as a Windows 8 machine to see what would happen; on both machines the controller was detected and started installing drivers.

 

[Turb0Yoda]

have you tried manually installing drivers?

 

[adt141]

have you tried manually installing drivers?

I installed the Xbox Accessories program which came with the controller on a CD. I also tried uninstalling this and downloading the program but it turned out to be the same version (1.2).

Is there another option?

 

[Turb0Yoda]

Via Device manager, there should be an option to manually choose something like "game controller driver"

 

[adt141]

Via Device manager, there should be an option to manually choose something like "game controller driver"

I'm not seeing that option. There's a "Sound, video, and game controllers" section but only has audio devices in it.

A listing for the old controller appears if I plug it in which allows me to manually select drivers (but not under the game controllers heading but under "Microsoft Common Controller for Windows Class"). I downloaded a driver (version 2.1.0.1011) and it successfully installed. However, the new controller is still not recognized when I plug it in on its own.

While doing this I discovered that if I plug the old controller in and THEN the new one, the new controller will successfully be recognized and remain so if I unplug the old controller. The new controller still is not recognized if plug in on its own, though.

 

[Turb0Yoda]

Huh. I haven't ever heard of that at all

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2161771/xbox-360-controller-windows-drivers-installing.html
Rezeo seems to have a working solution in this thread.

 

[adt141]

Huh. I haven't ever heard of that at all

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2161771/xbox-360-controller-windows-drivers-installing.html
Rezeo seems to have a working solution in this thread.

No good, I'm afraid. Going through that process doesn't seem to have changed anything,

 

[Zenic2JZ]

bumped, if you still have issues, refer to this page for xb360 controller installation.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2161771/xbox-360-controller-windows-drivers-installing.html

If that doesn't work you'll probably need to tweak certain files to get it working

Locate your controller within your device manager and pull up details for hardware ID, copy that line for USB\VID_####&PID_####

Locate your folder for the xbox 360 accessories driver and pull up the .INF file located inside it.

under wired or wireless on lines that have a USB\VID_####&PID_#### setup, replace your hardware id from your controller onto the proper setup.

Save the file

Once you're done go back to your device manager window and right click the "?CONTROLLER" device and update Driver Software.

Select Browse my computer for drive software > Let me pick from a list.
TAKE NOTE: When you modify the .inf file it will be considered not digitally signed, the hassle, you need to advance reboot the PC into
disable driver signature enforcement.

click HAVE DISK > Locate xbox 360 pc driver folder and choose the .inf file.

Profit, your controller should now be usable on windows 7~8.1, Windows 10 has already built in xbox one drivers.