Table of Contents
Problem Overview
A significant number of PC gamers are experiencing a frustrating and disruptive bug that causes their systems to crash—specifically, a Green Screen of Death (GSOD)—when attempting to pair Xbox controllers via Bluetooth. This issue emerged after the release of the Xbox – USBDevice – 1.14.20.740 driver update. Wired connections remain stable, but Bluetooth pairing consistently triggers the crash, regardless of hardware configuration.
Key Details:
- The GSOD occurs immediately upon Bluetooth pairing of Xbox controllers after the problematic driver update.
- Wired USB connections do not cause crashes.
- Microsoft is aware of the problem and investigating, but no official fix or patch has been released yet.
- The issue is widely reported across forums, Reddit, and support communities.
Step-by-Step Solution: Remove the Faulty Driver
Until Microsoft provides an official fix, you can resolve the issue by uninstalling the problematic driver and preventing Windows from reinstalling it automatically. This workaround is technical but effective.
Follow these steps carefully:
- Temporarily disable Windows Update to prevent the faulty driver from reinstalling.
- Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
- Go to the Boot tab, check Safe boot, and select Network.
- Click Apply, then Restart.
- Once in Safe Mode, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Run the following command to export a list of installed drivers: pnputil /enum-drivers > %USERPROFILE%\Desktop\drivers.txt
This creates a drivers.txt file on your Desktop. - Open drivers.txt and search for version 1.14.20.740.
- Note the associated .inf file (e.g., oem74.inf).
- In Command Prompt, run the following command to delete faulty driver: pnputil /delete-driver oemXX.inf /uninstall /force
Replace oemXX.inf with the actual file name you found. - Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
- Go to the Boot tab, uncheck Safe boot, click Apply, then Restart.
- Continue pausing Windows Updates until Microsoft releases an official fix to avoid the issue recurring.
- Try pairing your controller via Bluetooth. The GSOD issue should now be resolved.
Alternative Workarounds
- Use a Wired Connection: Connect your Xbox controller via USB cable to avoid crashes.
- Use the Official Xbox Wireless Adapter: Some users report this method avoids the Bluetooth bug entirely.
- Update Controller Firmware: Use the Xbox Accessories App to update your controller’s firmware, which can sometimes resolve Bluetooth issues (though not guaranteed for this specific bug).
Stay Updated
- Monitor Microsoft’s official channels and community forums for the release of a permanent fix.
- Do not install the Xbox – USBDevice – 1.14.20.740 driver until the issue is confirmed resolved.
“Because of this update I get a Greenscreen and my PC restarts when I try to connect my Xbox Series X controller with Bluetooth to my computer.” — Affected user, Microsoft Forum
While this bug is highly disruptive, the workaround above has helped many users restore Bluetooth functionality. With Microsoft actively investigating, a permanent fix is likely forthcoming. Until then, following these steps will get you back in the game—wirelessly and crash-free.