Tips For Saving Battery Life In Your Playstation 4 Controller
The PlayStation 4 is a brilliant system with an absolutely killer lineup of exclusive games. That means weve spent plenty of time with its wireless controller, the DualShock 4. Though we appreciate its large face buttons, terrific direction pad, and responsive, snappy triggers, the DualShock does not have fantastic battery life. Typically, the DualShock 4 lasts for four to eight hours of play per charge , far less than the Xbox One controller or the Nintendo Switch Pro controller.
Why does the DualShock 4 battery die so quickly? Simple its equipped with a 1000mAh battery, which is substantially smaller than standard AA batteries used in the Xbox One;gamepad. Unless you want to commit to a wired connection, youre going to want to take some steps to squeeze extra life out of your PlayStation 4 controller. Luckily, we have some tricks to help you ensure that youll never have to wait to play again.
Solution 2: Power It Off And Reset
If you face an issue like my PS4 controller wont charge when plugged in try powering off the PS4 and then pressing the reset button on the controller. Once done plug in the USB cable, connect it to both ends and turn on the console. Youll see the blue light flashing on the console and that exactly when you should press the PS button on the controller. It will pair the controller to the PS4 video game console. And you get ps4 controller not charging fix.
Keep Track Of How Long It Is Charging
Another way to know if it is finished charging is to keep track of how long you have had it on the charger. The PS4 controller should take about two hours to charge completely if the battery is completely out. When you plug it in, take a look at a clock, and in about two hours, you will know it should be finished.
It is also important to note that the controller charges best when it is between 50 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. If your environment is outside of this temperature range, it could affect the time it takes to charge your controller because it will not charge as efficiently.
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How Long Is The Ps5 Controller Battery Life
On average, your PS5 controller has a battery life of up to 15 hours. However, the average DualSense controller battery life may greatly vary depending on how intensively you use it and the games youre playing.
For example, if youre playing a jump-and-run game or an arcade fighting game, your controller will run out of battery after 5 or 6 hours. If your controller vibrates a lot while youre playing games, this will drain the battery faster. On the other hand, if youre playing a card game, your battery will last over 10 hours.
Does the PS5 have a lithium battery? Your PS5 DualSense controller packs a Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery.
What battery capacity does the PS5 controller have? The PS5 controller comes with a 1560mAh battery. By comparison, the PS4 DualShock 4 controller has a 1000mAh battery capacity. A bigger battery means more battery life.
Is the PS5 controller bigger than the PS4 controller? The PS5 DualSense controller is indeed bigger than the PS4s DualShock controller. It weighs a little bit more, and has more heft to it.
- PS5 DualSense specs: 6.3 x 2.6 x 4.2 inches, 9.9 ounces, USB-C. Haptic feedback, motion controls, adaptive triggers, built-in microphone, touchpad.
- PS4 DualShock 4 specs: 6.4 x 2.0 x 3.9 inches, 7.4 ounces, microUSB. Motion controls, touchpad, built-in speaker.
References:
How Long Does It Take For A Playstation 3 Controller To Charge
two hoursabout 2 weeksabout 2 hours
Correspondingly, how do I check my ps3 controller battery?
To check the battery status of the PlayStation’s wireless controller, follow the below procedure:
Do Playstation 3 controllers charge when the system is off?
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Can you use a cell phone charger to charge a ps3 controller?
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Get A Dualshock 4 Battery Pack
You can now get officially licensed Venom rechargeable battery packs for your PS4 controller. These clip to the bottom of the controller and add a claimed 20 hours of use. These do change the heft and shape of the controller, though, so try and have a go before you buy, in case you dont like the change.
We gave the Venom PS4 rechargeable battery pack a whirl and gave it a full review. Although it couldnt give that claimed extra 20 hours of play, we managed to more than double our DualShock 4s battery life by using it.Related: PSVR Review
How Long Does It Take To Recharge A Ps4 Controller
A common question most gamers have when their new PlayStation 4 controller runs out of battery for the first time is how long it will take to recharge the controller.
If you know roughly how long it will take to recharge your PS4 controller, then you can plan accordingly.
Maybe you can take a coffee break or go for a walk around the block with the dog while your controller charges.
It can take roughly 2 hours for a PlayStation 4 controller to fully recharge if the battery has run out. Completely charging your controller from zero charge is the best way to maintain good a battery life in your PS4 controller.
Of course, to avoid having to wait the length of time it takes to fully charge your PS4 controller, you can simply buy a second or even third controller to swap out when needed.
I mention this tip plus some really useful tips for becoming a better gamer in my other blog post:
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My Ps4 Controller Wont Charge Fix
One of the most discussed and probably the most annoying problem reported by the players is their PS4 controller wont charge but works when plugged in. So, if you are currently facing the PS4 controller not charging when plugged in issues, weve got some fixes for you. Hopefully, they will work for you all.
Do Ps4 Controller Batteries Die
PS4 controller batteries are capable of dying. They are made out of lithium-ion batteries. Research shows that lithium-ion cells dont last forever. Just like every other battery, they are capable of running down. Sometimes, they get so bad that they need to be replaced
If youre looking for a scientific explanation for this, I will give it to you. PS4 controller batteries can die because of two reasons:
- High temperatures
- High charge level
The latter tells you why Im not in full support of the charge and play feature. However, dont get me wrong. You can use the PS4 Controller while its plugged into the console. My major worry comes in when you charge it only when you use them. Please try plugging your PS4 Controller in when youre not using them as well.
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Ps4 Controller Charging Time
The DualShock 4 is among the top console controllers designed and developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment and is the primary controller for the PlayStation 4 console. The PS4 controller has a rechargeable battery that powers the controller when used wirelessly. If you want to play games with your PS4 without any interruption, it is important to know how long it takes to charge a PS4 controller.
So, how long does it take for a PS4 controller to charge? A PS4 controller takes at least two hours to fully recharge if the controller did not have any remaining charge. You can charge your PS4 controller by connecting to your console or a PC using the Micro-USB cable.
To charge your PS4 controller, you need to keep your PS console on or in rest mode. When you charge your PS4 controller in rest mode, the light bar will slowly blink in the color orange, and when charging is complete, the light bar turns off. To check the charge level on your PS4 controller, press the PS button and hold it. Your controller’s charging progress will appear on your screen.
The PS4 controller charge lasts between four to eight hours of play, depending on your gaming style. The PS4 controller battery runs out very fast compared to rival controllers such as the Xbox One controller; hence, the need to frequently recharge it.
Check To Make Sure It Is In Rest Mode
If you want the PS4 controller to charge when you are not playing the game, you need to make sure that it is in rest mode. You need to pair the device with the PS4 system when you get it, so start by connecting it to the system with a USB while the system is on.
Now, make sure that the system is in rest mode or turned on. You will be able to check the charge level of the battery by pressing and holding the PS button. It will appear on the screen so that you will know the controller is charging. You can go into the settings, and select an option other than Off in Settings. You want to go to Power Saving Settings, and then Set Features Available in Rest Mode. Then, click on Supply Power to USB Ports. Now it will charge in rest mode.
Having a wireless controller is great when you are playing on a PS4 system. It gives you flexibility, and you can connect up to four controllers. You have to pair each one, and they must be paired separately. However, once you pair them, you can charge them by connecting them to the PS4 system with a USB cord.
The life of your battery will depend on how you use the controller and how you store it. Pay attention to the temperature in the room. If you take care of your controllers, the battery life will stay around eight hours of play.
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Best Time To Get A Spare Ps4 Controller
If youre looking to get an additional controller, try to hold off on buying one until Black Friday rolls around. Luckily, its an accessory that enjoys great discounts.
While official controllers normally retail for $60, you can easily get a spare controller $40 around this time.
Some might prefer more expensive alternatives like the Astro Gaming C40 TR, but the DualShock 4 is leagues above the majority of third party controllers.
Ever get stuck with a Mad Catz or no-name controller for the PS1, PS2, N64, or Xbox as a kid?
Doing things right by going the official route is always worth it when it comes to consoles.
What Tends To Deteriorate First
- Battery Life: PS4 controllers are like phones- the battery life is the first thing you notice change the older they get. This isnt something that can be prevented, but rather slowed down . Even if the battery life declines by a couple hours per charge, you can still use it to last you the entirety of a gaming session. Our PS4 controllers are 6 years old, we simply plug them in the charge after every session instead of leave them lyingaround. We recommend charging docs since you cant get a controller that comes with batteries.;.
- The Analog Joysticks:;People who are exceptionally rough with their controllers or dont store them properly after use will probably notice a decline in this aspect . Stick drift in one sentence: when the controller naturally causes a slight movement in one direction because the analog sticks do not naturally set in their zeroed out position. The best and easiest thing you can do to prevent this for a lifetime:;store your controllers in an upright position where they wont get tumbled around.;When I traveled a lot for work I kept one of my xbox controllers in my backpack a lot and they got kicked around when they were in there. I noticed I started getting stick drift when I would use it but I was still able to play games just fine.
*Stick drift is where one or both of the joysticks will cause in-game movement even when theyre supposed to be resting in a neutral position where the player isnt touching either of them
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Reduce Controller Speaker Volume
In the DualShock 4 controller, you can find a little speaker that is used by certain games to offer novelty sound effects. The speaker is often used as a way to further immerse you in the game world.
The controller speaker is louder than it needs. The louder the volume, the more power it uses. To save the PS4 controller battery life, you can turn the controllers volume down.
To do this, you should also go to Settings > Devices > Controllers and locate Volume Control . Then, change the controller speaker volume.
Reduce The Volume Of Your Ps4 Controller
Having the speakers on the DualShock 4 blare out can reduce the batterys longevity. Heres how to reduce the volume:On your PS4 go to Settings > Devices > Controllers > Volume Control, where you can then adjust the volume using the left or right buttons on the controller.
The speaker is only used in certain titles and its usually contextual for the action taking place on-screen, but if youre after a few extra minutes of charge, this is worth a punt.
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Keep A Spare Controller In Your Bullpen
Eventually, youre going to get engrossed in an online shooter or role-playing game, and your controllers battery life will begin to dwindle. You could take a break and let it charge before resuming your play session or plug it into your console with a Micro USB cable, but neither solution is ideal. Instead, keep an extra controller on standby!
If youve purchased a second controller for your PlayStation 4, just connect it to your console with its included cable and allow it to charge while youre still using your other controller. If you put your console into rest mode rather than turning it off completely, go back to the Power Save Settings menu mentioned earlier and choose Set Features Available in Rest Mode. There, you will find an option to supply power to the USB ports, allowing the controller to continue charging.
If leaving your PS4 on standby all the time doesnt work for you, there are also a number of third-party charging cradles that offer a convenient place to stash extra controllers. The PowerA charging cradle, for example, costs between $25 and $30, and allows you to simultaneously charge two controllers without being tethered to your PS4.
When the controller is charging, the indicator light on top of the controller will blink orange. When the light shuts off entirely, youll know the charge is complete. Its a good idea to have one charger on the cradle at all times. That way, you will always have a DualShock 4 controller ready for use.
Dim Your Controllers Light Bar
One of the innovative and unique features on the DualShock 4 is the front-facing light bar, which changes colors in certain games, and allows the PlayStation camera to track the controller for registering players and;PlayStation VR games. While its impossible to turn the light completely off, you can dim the light considerably from the quick menu. Select Sound/Devices and Brightness of DualShock 4 Light Bar and youll see three different settings bright, medium, and dim. By default, the light is set to bright, but you can change it to dim.
We havent encountered any issues with the camera recognizing the dim light, so theres no reason not to save some extra juice and;keep your controller running for longer.
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Look At The Color Of The Light Bar On The Controller
The easiest way to tell if the controller for your PS4 is charging is to look at the light bar for the controller. When the controller is in rest mode, the light bar should blink orange slowly. Once it has finished charging, this light bar will turn off.
This is the easiest way to know if it is charging because you can just look at the light bar. You do need to let it charge completely to protect the battery. If you only charge it part of the way frequently, it will not last as long.
How To Increase The Grip Of Worn Analog Sticks
No, you cant eliminate a worn in deadzone, but what you can do to prolong the life of your analog sticks is buy yourself a new pair of grips.
Something like KontrolFreeks FPS Freek Vortex thumbsticks will allow you to give your DualShock 4 a second wind of sorts.
A product like this is actually designed to give you a greater degree of control when playing, and can be snapped on and off easily.
While you may prefer the feel of the default grip, giving a product like this a shot is an inexpensive way to fix butter grip sticks.
Analog stick grip replacements rarely go over $20 and can usually be had for well under.
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Why Wont My Ps4 Controller Charge From The Wall
Sometimes, your PS4 not charging problem could be due to the charging USB cable. Follow the steps below to check if theres any problem with your USB cable. Charge your another controller if you have one with the same charging USB cable. If the another controller does charge, then the problem is on your cables side.