Baffling Xbox Hardware Error Gets Free Compensation You Can Claim Now

Xbox is currently in the process of correcting a very big mistake regarding some of its hardware, and encouraging gamers to claim free compensation as a way of apology.

Since December 2025, Xbox was reportedly distributing a limited amount of new controllers missing one vital component, batteries.

The PlayStation 5 DualSense controllers have a built-in battery that can simply be recharged via USB-C, but Xbox is practically still in the stone ages.

Xbox owners are still subject to the ritual of buying and replacing AA batteries for their controllers, unless they purchase a rechargeable battery themselves or simply keep it plugged in 24/7.

Thankfully Xbox packages in batteries with every controller purchase but if you bought yours from December onwards they might have been missing.

It’s taken a while but Xbox has finally addressed the complaints, and there’s a pretty generous freebie to claim for those affected by the error.

Claiming Your Compensation From Xbox

Xbox recently posted to its official X account: “A limited number of controllers have shipped without batteries since December. If you received one of these controllers, go here aka.ms/batteries for a rechargeable battery on us. All controllers moving forward will include batteries.”

It’s a nice gesture if you were one of the unlucky customers but even then there’s a caveat…the rechargeable controller packs from Xbox kind of suck.

In my personal experience they’ve never been built to last, and need to be returned or exchanged not long after purchasing them. Third-party battery packs are generally better.

Nevertheless it’s nice to see Xbox doing something to acknowledge its mistakes, though it hasn’t done much to quell the onslaught of mockery from fans.

One user remarked “[Xbox spent $69 billion on Activision and couldn't put batteries in a controller for four months.”

Others questioned why Xbox controllers even use normal batteries in the first place, like one comment that read: “Why are you still using batteries? Switch to a built in battery.”

It’s a fair point, though some leaked controller designs from the Microsoft V FTC trial did show a controller with a built-in battery.

Read More: New Xbox Controller Appears Online, Is Basically A PlayStation 5 DualSense

While there was no real follow-up on that there’s a good chance we’ll see it return for Xbox’s next console.

If you bought a controller from Xbox recently and it didn’t come with batteries don’t hesitate to reach out to the company and claim your freebie.