Microsoft has acknowledged that it accidentally released some Xbox controllers without included batteries. To make up for it, Microsoft is offering up compensation in the form of a free rechargeable battery as opposed to the standard AA batteries it should have come with.
This mishap impacted only a “limited number” of controllers, Microsoft said, and this has been going on since December 2025. Anyone who received an Xbox controller without batteries can visit this website to fill out a form to request a free rechargeable battery.
If you lost your original receipt, that’s OK, as the registration process involves adding the unique serial number to Microsoft’s website for validation. The affected controllers include newer Xbox wireless controllers and some Xbox Design Lab controllers.