Microsoft is issuing an apology and sending out replacement hardware after admitting it mistakenly shipped Xbox Wireless and Design Lab controllers without the customary AA batteries since at least December. This oversight broke the tradition of including power sources so users could immediately start gaming upon unboxing new hardware. Xbox Support confirmed the error via a post on X, directing customers toward a resolution pathway.

To rectify the situation, affected customers must visit a dedicated support page and register a service request with their controller’s serial number to verify eligibility. Upon successful registration, Microsoft promises to mail out a complete kit containing rechargeable batteries and a necessary USB-C cable. This action serves as a direct remedy for the missing components bundled with the peripherals.

However, the established corrective process appears to have hit some initial snags. Reports surfaced on X from a couple of users who found they could not access the required service option through the serial number check system. This suggests a potential friction point in the rollout of the fix for what is ultimately a minor but irritating omission for consumers expecting a ready-to-use Xbox controller.

This episode is a rare packaging blunder for the hardware division, forcing the company to dispatch remedial kits across the user base. The company’s swift acknowledgment and commitment to sending rechargeable alternatives—rather than just standard AAs—may dampen some consumer frustration over the missing initial power supply.