It’s a small blunder in appearance, but it’s enough to annoy when unboxing. Microsoft acknowledges that it shipped some Xbox controllers without the AA batteries usually included in the box.
This oversight is surprising when we know that these batteries allow players to plug in the controller and play immediately, without additional purchase. The problem is not a few days old since it dates back to at least December. It concerns both classic Xbox Wireless controllers and personalized models from the Xbox Design Lab program. In short, it has been around for a while now and affects several references in the range.
Microsoft promises a compensation kit
To try to correct the situation, Microsoft invites customers who are victims of this situation to go through a dedicated support page to open a service request. If the file is valid, the company undertakes to send a batch including rechargeable batteries as well as a USB-C cable. A serial number of the controller is necessary to validate its eligibility.
Unfortunately, the first feedback shows that everything is not yet perfect. Users explain that they do not see the necessary service option appear to benefit from this support. This is not a small detail and it could quickly become a new subject of tension if Microsoft does not quickly resolve the operation of its device.
This case once again illustrates the very concrete problem of quality control. Indeed, while forgetting batteries in a controller may seem minor at first glance, the impact on the day of unpacking is immediate for the end customer. Furthermore, this type of error gives the impression of negligence that is difficult to ignore.
