Updated
Controllers won't pair
Applies to Galaxy XR.
The Galaxy XR controllers are sold separately and normally pair on their own when you press their power buttons. When that fails, Samsung's fallback is to add them manually from the Inputs section of the headset's settings. Range and wireless interference can also block pairing, so keep the controllers close and away from other busy wireless gear. A restart of the headset and the controllers clears most stuck states. Power is the first thing to rule out: Samsung says each controller runs on a standard AA battery, so a flat cell looks exactly like a pairing failure.
Official steps
- Press the Power button on the controllers to auto-pair
- Otherwise press the headset's Top button > Settings > Inputs > Controllers > Add controllers
- Keep controllers in range and away from interference
- Restart headset and controllers
Steps from the maker's support pages.[1]
Still not working?
If the controllers still will not pair, fit fresh AA batteries and try each controller on its own. Then contact Samsung Support with the controller and headset serial numbers and proof of purchase, which matters since the controllers were bought separately. Mention whether the headset sees the controllers at all under Inputs, which helps support separate a radio fault from a pairing bug.
Questions people ask
Do Galaxy XR controllers come with the headset?
Samsung sells them separately in the US. Hand tracking works without them.
What battery do Galaxy XR controllers use?
A standard AA battery in each controller, according to Samsung. Swap in a fresh one before anything else.
Where do I add the controllers by hand?
Press the headset's Top button, open Settings, then Inputs, Controllers and Add controllers. Samsung lists this as the fallback when automatic pairing fails.
Should I restart the headset or the controllers first?
Samsung's steps say to restart both. Do the headset first, then power each controller back on with its Power button so it can pair automatically.
Can other wireless devices block pairing?
Samsung says to keep the controllers within range and free from interference. Move away from busy wireless gear, such as a router or a pile of Bluetooth devices, and try again.
Other fixes
- Galaxy XR battery pack not charging or turning on
- Galaxy XR screen won't wake: sensor, cable, battery
- Galaxy XR Wi-Fi problems: no connection or slow speeds
- Galaxy XR hand tracking not working: light and space
- Galaxy XR eye tracking off after setup or Rx inserts
Sources
- samsung.com(samsung.com)
- Galaxy XR controllers (Samsung US), pairing(samsung.com)
Last verified 5 October 2026 against the sources listed on this page.