Can’t find an Xbox controller? You’re not alone.
Microsoft has confirmed that Xbox controllers are currently in short supply—though some parts of the world are being impacted more significantly than others.
“We know it may be hard finding Xbox Wireless Controllers right now due to supply disruptions,” a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement to VGC. “We’re working as fast as possible with our manufacturing and retail partners to improve this. Please check with your local retailer for availability.”
VGC checked availability at a number of online retailers and found that the peripherals were unavailable in any color at five major retailers across the U.K., including Microsoft’s own official storefront. Anecdotal evidence points to similar stock shortages in countries like Australia, France, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Things aren’t quite that bad in the U.S., at least for now. Major retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and the Microsoft Store have new controllers in stock online, but at time of writing Amazon only has a handful of nonstandard colors available at or below the suggest retail price, and GameStop only list pre-ownder first-party controllers. If there is indeed a global supply issue, there’s a chance things could get worse in the U.S. before they get better. Maybe not the time to put off buying a new controller if you’ve been thinking about it.
One potential workaround, if you’re encountering the shortages yourself, may be the Xbox Design Lab. As VGC notes, Microsoft’s custom-controller program is still taking orders and still pledging delivery within 28 days.