As the title says, I can’t get the Xbox Wireless Controller to work via Bluetooth. I can initially pair with it, but right after the settings report the controller as paired, the LED on the controller keeps flashing as if it wasn’t connected. When I wait for the controller to time out and turn off automatically (or turn it off manually), then turn it back on again, it keeps connecting/disconnecting continuously, very fast.
What could be the cause of this? I don’t know if it is Bazzite/Ublue specific or if it also happens on other distributions.
Btw should I report this as an issue on the Bazzite GitHub?
I have seen this in the past with Linux, for me, it was older firmware on my controllers, I had to update them on a Windows machine via the Xbox app, after doing that they work properly.
The other thing to try is a different Bluetooth dongle, I have a few of these, ranging from v4 to 5.3 and it can be a mixed bag on which one works best, this is not a Bazzite thing, more of a Linux thing, but with the latest Kernel, all of my Bluetooth dongles are working, and all of my Xbox controllers function perfectly, and I have a mix of the older ones, and the newest ones with USB-C.
Ah updating the controller is maybe a good one, I will do that. I don’t have a Bluetooth dongle unfortunately, I am just using the built-in Bluetooth on my pc.
I updated my controller firmware via the Xbox Accessories app on Windows and now it does indeed work. I still have to test it with gaming but at least the connection is stable and Steam does recognize and is able to interact with the controller.
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I thought this might work, shame you need Windows to do it though.
Yeah 
although I think it should also be possible on an Xbox.
But this way I’ll never get rid of needing to have Windows on at least one system (or dual boot / VM, although idk if VM would cover all cases with regards to hardware passthrough).
I started using Bazzite around a month ago (dual boot for now) and the experience has been mostly positive, but I discovered strangely enough that the things that hold me back the most is not actually gaming (that part has really really been improved on Linux also thanks to Valve and things like Proton and the Steam Deck), but due to various applications and peripherals that I use in my system that are really proprietary and closed source and I didn’t realize that beforehand.
Things like my Logitech peripherals (keyboard, mouse, headphones), my NZXT AIO watercooler, Microsoft OneNote, Apple Music.
Sure, basic functionality often works, but for example for OneNote and Apple Music I have to use the web versions which are missing some functionality and are slower. And on the hardware side, vendors like Logitech and NZXT only release applications for Windows (and sometimes Mac OS) which you need to control things like changing the LED colours and more advanced features. Often applications for updating firmware for SSDs etc. is only released for Windows.
It is in that way that I still very much notice the monopoly of Windows in the world.
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I learnt a long time ago, to stop purchasing things that need specific closed software to function, even when I use Windows, I use Logitech peripherals, but I never install their software, I have been where you are with NZXT, Razer and many other brands, and I make sure when I build my systems, they are as open as possible, I won’t use any AIO that requires additional software, I highly recommend Arctic gear in this regard, I wont even install my motherboard vendor software, only the main drivers direct from the chip manufacturer.
My approach now, if it requires proprietary software, a smart phone, wifi, or some silly online account for it to work properly, then its gone, this process is why I have started using Bazzite on some of my systems, and I only use Windows on my workstation, as I need to use particular CAD software, I have no choice at the moment, but all my other machines, run Debian, Fedora, Arch, and even Ubuntu.
I even block that garbage software that auto install’s itself like that crap Nahimic and other similar junkware, oh and I rejected OneNote straight away, on the very first Surface I ever owned, the first thing I found is I couldn’t just save the text to a text file, or any other kind of document its vile and disgusting pile of crap software, and that was like 10yrs ago, try Rnote on Linux.
You may also find, a lot of those products can and do run just fine without all of that bloatware, its just you are used to having these additional walled features, I’m personally done with all that, I ditched Apple Airpod Pro’s for some Nothing Ears 2, they work just as good, and require no additional software for Windows, Linux, Android or IOS, for better Audio, I went with Sony XM5’s, these also work the same, no additional software or account BS required.
This website is quite informative: FUTO Self Managed Guide
And this is another really good source of information: Mission statement - Consumer Rights Wiki
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This fixed the problem for me as well, thanks. Unfortunately I had to go and find someone with an XBOX. Once I plugged it in it immediately popped up asking me to update the firmware. Very easy to do on XBOX. Impossible to do on Windows. I couldn’t even get the accessory app to download. Kept saying the system needed to be updated but it was already up to date.
Unfortunately XBOX controllers are the only controllers I can find with swappable batteries and I’m just not willing to compromise on that with any other controller.
Yes the old school batteries are a good feature, I use the official lithium packs in mine and have a USB-C powerbank with a magnetic cable for my setup, if the batterie is low, I just connect the cable and let it charge while I play, and it can pull off easy like a magsafe connector.