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Microsoft’s April 2022 Xbox system update began rolling out on April 6 for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. It added a controller shortcut for switching a compatible TV back to the Xbox input, plus separate controls for muting navigation and notification sounds. The CEC feature reached the general update after appearing in Xbox Insider preview builds in 2021; it was a public rollout, not a brand-new invention.
What the HDMI-CEC improvement does
HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) lets compatible devices send control commands over HDMI. With the Xbox option enabled, pressing the Xbox button on the controller can tell the TV to return to the HDMI input connected to the console. That saves a trip to the TV remote when, for example, you have switched to a streaming device, cable box, or another console.
The command depends on the TV and the rest of the HDMI setup supporting and passing CEC. It is a convenience feature, not a guarantee that every TV or HDMI chain will switch inputs consistently.
How to enable input switching
- Update the console. Install the available Xbox system update. If the option is absent, restart the console and check for updates again.
- Turn on CEC on the TV. In the TV’s settings, look under HDMI, inputs, external devices, device connection, or system controls. Enable HDMI-CEC or the equivalent setting.
- Enable the Xbox control. The reported April 2022 path is Settings → General → TV & display options → Device control → HDMI CEC → Switch TV input using controller.
- Test it. Change the TV to another input, then press the Xbox button on the controller and check whether the TV returns to the Xbox input.
Menu names and locations can differ between Xbox dashboard builds. If you do not see the April path, look in a similarly named TV or device-control section, including TV & A/V power options. Earlier Insider builds placed related controls under Power mode & start up or Sleep mode & start up; those are preview-era paths, not a promise that every retail dashboard uses them. Xbox’s Insider notes also specify that the TV must support CEC and have it enabled.
#1 Best Overall
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
TV makers often give CEC a brand-specific name. Examples include Anynet+ on Samsung TVs, Simplink on LG, BRAVIA Sync on Sony, Viera Link on Panasonic, EasyLink on Philips, and 1-touch play or related terminology on Roku TVs. Names and menu locations can vary by model and software, so check the TV’s HDMI or device-control settings if “HDMI-CEC” is not listed.
If the TV does not switch inputs
Start with the two settings: confirm CEC is enabled on both the Xbox and the TV. Then power-cycle the console and TV. If the Xbox is connected through an AV receiver, soundbar, or HDMI switch, connect it directly to the TV temporarily and test again. If direct connection works but the routed setup does not, the intermediary may not be passing CEC commands correctly. Re-enable CEC on each device and test with other HDMI equipment disconnected if needed.
Rank #2
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CEC implementations are not identical across brands, and another device may claim the active input. A compatible TV alone may not be enough if a receiver, switch, or connected device interrupts or overrides the command.
The update’s other change: sound controls
The April update also added controls to mute Xbox navigation sounds and notification sounds, separately or together. Contemporary reporting noted that these controls did not mute the startup-animation sound, so this was not a switch for every sound the console can make.
Rank #3
- PLAY LIKE A PRO — The XBOX Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 features over 30 ways to play like a pro. Designed in collaboration with pro-level players, it puts exceptional performance, customization, and durability where it matters most.
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- SAVE AND SWITCH PROFILES — Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly with the dedicated Profile button. Even pick which color the XBOX button lights up as.
What April 2022 did—and did not—bring
The public update was a modest quality-of-life release focused on input switching and interface audio controls, rather than a dashboard redesign or a broad set of gaming features. The input-switching option had already appeared in Xbox Insider preview notes from September, October, and November 2021, including documentation of the TV-side CEC requirement (September, October, November). April 2022 brought it to the general update, according to contemporary reporting.
There is no indication that this basic CEC input-switching feature requires HDMI 2.1, a 4K or 120Hz TV, or a premium HDMI cable. The relevant requirement is a compatible CEC setup. Do not confuse the April release with later features: Xbox’s October 2022 update separately described TV volume controls and startup-sound muting for Xbox Series X|S.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Rank #4
- XBOX ELITE WIRELESS CONTROLLER SERIES 2: Play like a pro with adjustable-tension thumbsticks, wrap-around rubberized grip, and shorter hair trigger locks..Audio : 3.5mm stereo headset jack. Also compatible with the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter and all other Xbox controller accessories made by Microsoft.
- CORE ESSENTIALS: Includes just the components you need to unleash your best game. Additional components sold separately for even more customization with the Complete Component Pack.
- LIMITLESS CUSTOMIZATION: Exclusive button mapping options in the Xbox Accessories app—even pick which color the Xbox button lights up with.*
- CUSTOM PROFILES: Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly.*
- EXTENDED GAMEPLAY: Stay in the game with up to 40 hours of battery life and refined components that are built to last.*
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