Microsoft is Now Blocking Unofficial Controllers on Xbox Consoles

Microsoft has quietly started to block the use of unofficial Xbox controllers and accessories on Xbox consoles. According to a report from Windows Central, it appears that gamers who try to connect unofficial accessories to their consoles are now seeing an error code 0x82d60002, which says that unauthorized accessories will be blocked starting on November 12, 2023.

In a support page for the error 0x82d60002, Microsoft explains that “from the moment you connect an unauthorized accessory and receive error code 0x82d60002, you’ll have two weeks to use the accessory, after which time it will then be blocked from use with the console.” The company also suggests users check how to return their unauthorized accessories and replace them with officially licensed ones.

Microsoft has an official “Designed for Xbox” program that currently includes over 50 gaming brands making controllers, headsets, remotes, and other accessories for Xbox consoles. Microsoft makes sure that these companies offer customers a consistent experience with devices that guarantee a certain level of comfort and security.

However, there are also lots of third-party accessories on the market, including controllers and adapters, that may not be officially licensed by Xbox. Unofficial accessories usually lack the “Designed for Xbox” badge on their packaging, and in the case of controllers, they may lack an Xbox button on their face.

Brook Gaming, a company selling controller converters for Xbox consoles recently acknowledged that its Wingman XB2 and XB Fighting Board products were affected by “functional disruptions” following an Xbox update released on October 16. The Brook engineering team is fully committed to developing a solution to maintain product quality and functionality,” the company said.

Xbox console-related product Issue Update pic.twitter.com/QK0N41LmHW

— Brook Gaming (@brookgamingfans) October 20, 2023

According to Windows Central, Microsoft’s recent efforts to block unofficial accessories on Xbox consoles may be tied to an upcoming development of the Designed for Xbox program. “Our sources indicate that Microsoft is lifting restrictions on the ability for third-party hardware manufacturers to build wireless accessories for Xbox Series X|S devices,” the report reads.

Xbox controllers manufactured by Microsoft use the company’s proprietary Xbox Wireless protocol, which provides better latency than Bluetooth. Most third-party controllers on the market currently use a less convenient wired connection, but as Windows Central pointed out, this is starting to change. Earlier this year, PowerA released the first licensed wireless controller for Xbox consoles, and it will be interesting to see if other manufacturers will follow.

In the meantime, Microsoft blocking unofficial accessories is certainly not great for gamers who purchased them. However, some of these accessories such as XIM/Cronus adapters are also used by some gamers to get an edge on console players by using a keyboard and mouse instead of a controller. Blocking these devices may actually help to keep cheaters away in games like competitive shooters.