Microsoft offers free batteries for affected Xbox controllers

All affected customers can receive batteries at the company’s expense

Since December last year, Microsoft has shipped some batches of Xbox controllers without any batteries included. It is not clear how widespread these shipments were, but the company has issued an apology.

A limited number of controllers have been dispatched without batteries since December. "If you received one of these controllers, go to https://aka.ms/batteries to receive a rechargeable battery at our expense. All controllers shipped going forward will include batteries."

The issue applied both to standard Xbox Wireless Controllers and to Xbox Design Lab orders. Why Microsoft has only highlighted the problem now is unknown; it is possible the number of affected shipments was very small.