How to Connect Your Controller to a SHIELD Device

Your controller is compatible with the SHIELD portable and the SHIELD tablet. It can also be used as a wired controller for a Windows 7 or Windows 8 PC running GeForce Experience.  Learn more about wired PC support here.  Your controller cannot be used with other Android devices at this time.

How to Connect Your Controller

The first time you use your SHIELD controller, you must establish a connection with a SHIELD device. This connection is saved for future use.

NOTE  If you connect the controller to another SHIELD device, the connection is removed. Follow the steps in this procedure to establish the connection again.

1. Verify that your SHIELD device has Wi-Fi turned on. The device does not have to connect to a network, but Wi-Fi must be turned on.

2. On your SHIELD device, open the SHIELD controller app .

3. On your controller, tap the NVIDIA button. The NVIDIA button flashes to show that the controller is in connection mode. If the NVIDIA button is not flashing, hold the NVIDIA button until it starts flashing, and then release.

4. When the controller is connected, the Quick Guide opens and a controller icon shows in the status bar on your SHIELD device. This icon indicates that the controller is on and connected.

5. Optional: To connect an additional controller, repeat these steps on the additional controller.

How to Reconnect the Controller

Your controller automatically reconnects when the SHIELD device and the controller are turned on and in range.

1. Turn on your SHIELD device.

2. Turn on the controller.

NOTE  When the controller is connected to a SHIELD and the goes into sleep mode, the controller can wake the for the first 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, the controller goes to sleep. You must then manually turn on the and the controller.

How to Troubleshoot Connection Problems

• Verify that the controller has enough charge or connect the controller to a power source other than a computer.

• Verify that the controller is not connected to a computer. The controller cannot be connected to a SHIELD device while the controller is charging from a computer.

• Verify that the controller's NVIDIA button is flashing at the same time that the SHIELD device is searching for a controller. - On the controller, hold the NVIDIA button until it starts flashing. Open the SHIELD controller app on your SHIELD device to initiate the connection process.

• Verify that the SHIELD device has Wi-Fi turned on.

• Verify that only one controller in range is attempting to connect to the SHIELD device. The connection process for one controller must complete before you can connect another controller.

• Verify that only one SHIELD device in range is attempting to connect to the controller.

• Verify that the SHIELD device has the latest system update.

• Verify that the controller has the latest controller update. For more information, see Update Your Controller.

• If your controller is still not responsive, hard reset the controller by holding the Nvidia button for 15 seconds.

• If you are still having trouble, please contact customer support.