Oops Ps4 Controller Won’t Connect To Pc
The PS4 device comes with a DualShock 4 controller, which is similar to the classic PlayStation controller it consists of a directional pad, two sticks, four triggers, and triangle, cross, circle, and square buttons. Whats more, theres a directional pad on the front and a PlayStation Move-like “light bar” at the top.
But, the connection of DS4 controller to PC is not as easy as Xbox controller. Many people said that their PS4 controller won’t connect to PC and they need useful solutions to fixing it.
In generally, you have 3 ways to connect your PS4 controller to computer:
- Pair PS4 controller with PC through a wired connection.
- Pair PS4 controller with PC through a wireless connection.
- Pair PS4 controller with PC through Bluetooth.
PS4 controller won’t connect to PC Bluetooth or PS4 controller won’t connect to PC wired/wireless means you can’t play your favorite games by using the controller this can drive the gamers crazy. So I summarize the following three ways that can help users get out of trouble when PC won’t recognize PS4 controller.
How To Connect Ps4 Controllerto Pc With Bluetooth
If your PC supports Bluetooth and if it was made in the last ten years, chances are it does you can pair and connect your controller wirelessly.
This method also works for the newer PS5 DualSense controller, although that controller might not be supported by every game.
1. Open your PC’s search menu and search for “Bluetooth.”
2. When “Bluetooth and other devices settings” appears in the search results, click on it.
3. Make sure your computer has Bluetooth enabled by setting the switch labeled “Bluetooth” to “On.”
4. Hold down the Playstation and Share buttons on your controller until the backlight starts flashing.
5. On your PC, click “Add Bluetooth or other device,” and select “Bluetooth.”
6. You’ll see your PS4 controller listed as “Wireless Controller.” Click it to finalize the connection. If you’re asked for a passcode, enter “0000.”
Dave Johnson contributed to a previous version of this article.
How Do I Know If My Ps4 Controller Is Charging Pc
The controller battery charges when you connect the controller to your PS4 system with a USB cable. The system must be turned on or in rest mode. The charge level of the battery appears on-screen when you press and hold the PS button. While the system is in rest mode, the light bar slowly blinks orange.
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Connect The Controller Via Usb
Tip:Heres how to recover data from PS4 hard drive
The first way to try when finding PS4 controller not connecting to PC is connecting the controller by using a USB cable.
If your PS4 controller won’t connect to PC with USB, you can find another USB cable to try again or follow the methods below.
Connect Via Ds4 Windows Utility
If you want to use the wired controller with a non-Steam game, this is another option.
1. In a web browser on your PC, go to DS4Windows.com. Click “Download Now.”
2. You’ll be redirected to Github. Find and click the DS4Windows.zip file, and then download it onto your computer.
3. Find the downloaded .zip file on your computer and open it, and then double-click “DS4Updater” and click “Extract All.”
4. Pick a location for the files to be extracted to it should be a location that you can find easily.
5. Once extracted, open the location you picked and double-click “DS4Windows.” If you’re asked to confirm that you want to run the program, click “Run.”
6. You’ll be asked where you want to save the program’s files. If you don’t care where they go, pick “Appdata” if you want to be able to move them around, pick “Program Folder” and select a location.
7. Once you’ve picked a spot to save the files, click “Step 1: Install the DS4 Driver” and let the program install its files. If you’re asked whether you’d like to install the software, click “Install.”
You can now use the PS4 controller on your PC with a micro-USB cable, although you may need to restart your computer first.
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How To Pair Your Playstation 4 Controller With A Wired Connection
Connecting the DS4 to your PC with a USB-A to Micro-USB cable is by far the easiest way to start gaming with the PS4’s pointer. Just plug it into your PC and let the drivers install themselves.
Hitting the PS button in the middle of the controller at this point won’t do anything unless you have Steam installed and running. If so, you’ll notice that Big Picture mode launches when you hit the button. At this point, you can make some tweaks inside Steam.
Connect The Ps4 Controller To Your Pc Via Bluetooth
One of the best things about using the PS4 DualShock 4 controller on your PC is that you can use it wirelessly, giving you far more flexibility when gaming.
The PS4 DualShock 4 controller uses Bluetooth, so you’ll need to make sure your PC or laptop has a Bluetooth receiver built in. If it doesn’t, you can buy a Bluetooth USB dongle such as the Tiny USB 2.0 Bluetooth Mini Wireless Adapter not only is this small enough to be plugged unobtrusively into your PC, it’s also pretty cheap at just £2.99 .
To connect the PS4 controller via Bluetooth, press and hold the central PS Button and the Share button for three seconds until the lightbar at the top of the controller begins to flash.
Next open up the Bluetooth settings on your PC. In Windows 10, click on the speech bubble icon in the Taskbar at the bottom-right corner of your screen. This opens up the Action Center from there click ‘Bluetooth’ and then select ‘Wireless Controller’.
You may be asked to enter a pair code if so type in 0000. The PS4 DualShock controller will now be connected wirelessly to your PC.
Image credits: TechRadar
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How To Wireless Connect A Ps4 Controller To Steam
If you hold down the PS and buttons simultaneously on your controller, your PC might automatically detect it via Bluetooth. If it doesn’t, you might need a PS4 DualShock 4 wireless dongle to play wirelessly. Official ones can be purchased from Sony, or you can find one made by another manufacturer.
To wirelessly pair the PS4 controller with Steam:
Launch Steam.
Plug the PS4 Bluetooth dongle into your computer’s USB port.
Simultaneously hold the PS and buttons on the controller until the light on top starts flashing.
When the controller appears in the device list, press the X button on the controller to activate it.
Press the button on the end of the dongle. It should also start flashing.
How Long Does A Ps4 Controller Last
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 4 to 8 hours of play per charge, far less than the Xbox One controller or the Nintendo Switch Pro controller.
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How To Emulate An Xbox Controller With A Ps4 Controller
RELATED:Why You Should Get an Xbox Controller for PC Gaming
Xbox 360 controllersand Xbox One controllers, now that Microsoft has finally released the necessary driversare usually best for PC gaming. Many PC games are designed specifically to work with Xbox controllers. Many games also require xinput input, which Xbox controllers provide, but other types of controllers dont.
If youre using a a PS4 controller with an emulator to play older games, you could easily configure the emulator to accept the controllers button presses. If youre using it with a PC game, you may need to open the PC games control-settings and configure the game to respond to the controllers inputs.
But for games that expect an Xbox controller, you may have to emulate xinput. This will convert the PS4 controllers input to the equivalent Xbox button presses, and games will just work with the DualShock 4 just like they would with an Xbox controller. Theyll just think youre just using an Xbox controller.
Sony hasnt released any official drivers for the PlayStation 4 controller on a PC, so theres no official way to do this. There are tools for emulating xinput with a PS4, but theyre unofficial, third-party tools developed by the community.
We recommend the free Input Mapper program. This tool will also helpfully show the battery level of your controller, which is something you wont normally be able to see in Windows.
Why Wont Your Pc Recognize Your Controller
You may find that your PC doesnt recognize your controller because youve plugged in too many devices into your machine. You can try disconnecting other devices that you dont currently need and see if your PC still cant recognize your controller. Also, using a USB hub can cause problems, so try plugging the controller directly into your PC.
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How Do I Use My Ps4 Controller On Steam On Pc
To get your DualShock 4 set up on Steam, launch the Steam client and click the controller icon at the top right to enter Big Picture Mode, which is Steams console-like, controller-friendly interface. From there, go to Settings > Controller Settings and make sure PS4 Configuration Support is toggled on.
How To Get A Ps4 Controller To Work On Pc
Getting your PS4 controller to work directly on your PC is slightly more difficult than getting it to work on Steam.
You will need to install a software called DS4Windows and make minor adjustments to trick your Windows PC into thinking that youre connecting an Xbox 360 controller.
What youll need:
- DS4Windows application download the zip file here.
- Bluetooth USB dongle
Note: Make sure you download and install a file archiver utility for Windows software like WinRAR if you dont have one yet. Youll need this to extract the DS4Windows zip file.
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Connect Ps4 Controller To Ps4 Wirelessly
Here is how to connect a PS4 controller to PS4 without a USB cable.
Step 1: Power on your PS4 and then go to the path: Settings> Devices> Bluetooth Devices.
Step 2: Press the button and the PS button on your PS4 controller for about 5 seconds.
Step 3: Look back at the Bluetooth Devices screen on your PS4, and you will see the PS4 controller listed on the screen.
Step 4: Select the controller.
Now the PS4 controller should be connected to your PS4 successfully, and you can start enjoying games on your PS4.
Install Xbox 360 Controller Driver
This step is only for those using Windows 7 or a lower version. If you have Windows 10, directly go to Step 3.
You cant use the PS4 controller with Windows 7 or lower versions by just physically connecting it to your PC. Windows Games cant directly recognize PS4 they need a bit of help in this department. What you need is a third-party application software that emulates Xbox 360 controller.
However, for such applications to work on Windows 7 or a lower version, you will need Xbox 360 controller software. You can download the software from Microsoft website.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Open the file and install the software
- Reboot Windows when the installation is complete
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Connect A Ps4 Controller To Pc Using Bluetooth And A Wireless Adapter
For a plug-and-play solution, grabbing yourself the official Sony Wireless Adaptor is the best way forward. Simply plug the adaptor into a USB port in your PC and turn on your DualShock 4 controller by pressing the home button. The two devices will detect one another after a few seconds and youll be good to go.
Play Steam Games With A Ps4 Controller
Since Steam added native DualShock 4 support, this method is another nice and easy solution for playing the contents of your Steam library with your PS4 controller without a whole lot of faff. Boot up Steam, make sure its up to date, plug your PS4 controller into your PC and youre away. Youll be able to use the controller in Big Picture Mode, and games in your library will display DualShock 4 inputs.
If you have any issues with specific titles using this solution, you should try out method number three which should resolve any problems.
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How To Navigate Steam With A Ps4 Controller
In addition to playing games, you can use your PS4 controller to navigate the Steam platform. For example, you can use the joysticks as a mouse and even enable the controller’s trackpad.
Open Steam in Big Picture Mode. You can select the Big Picture icon in the top right corner of the Steam client, or you can simply press the PS button.
Select the settings icon in the top right corner.
Select Base Configurations > Big Picture Mode Configuration.
From here, you can configure the control for navigating Steam in both Desktop and Big Picture mode.
Enjoy navigating Steam using your wireless PS4 controller.
How To Pair Your Playstation 4 Controller With A Wireless Connection
Sony has an official USB-A wireless adapter meant to bridge the gap between the DS4 controller and any PCs without Bluetooth capabilities. Unfortunately, it seems like the product has been discontinued, making it much harder to track down.
This Japanese version which by all means should work no matter where you are located costs about $60, making it the most expensive route. If your PC doesn’t have Bluetooth capabilities and you don’t want a long cable running between your PC and controller, though, it becomes quite attractive.
To use this adapter, just plug it into your PC and let the drivers install automatically. From there, the DS4 should operate just as though you have a wired or Bluetooth connection.
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How Do I Connect My Xbox 360 Wireless Controller To My Pc
Connect your Xbox One Wireless Controller to your PC using Bluetooth
Using The Xbox Wireless Adaptor For Windows :
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How To Connect A Ps4 Controller To Pc
Lets go over how to connect a PS4 controller to a PC through wired and wireless methods. Now, this method will work with Steam games, and in the article, Ill explain how to get the Dualshock 4 controller running on additional services .
Wired Method
Lets start with the basics, wired connection. Take a micro-USB cable . The USB-A fitting connects to your PC and the micro-USB part connects to the controller. Done! If your computer has USB-C ports, youll need a USB-C to USB-A adapter for the controller wire.
Wireless Method
1. Lets switch over to wireless. This will use Bluetooth so if your computer supports Bluetooth youre all set, if not youll need to buy a USB Bluetooth adapter. To enter pairing mode on the controller, simply press and hold the PS and Share buttons for about 3 seconds, youll know its ready for pairing when the top bar flashes.
2. On your computer hit the Windows button on your keyboard or on the bottom left of your screen and simply start typing Bluetooth and click Bluetooth and other device settings.
3. Click Add Bluetooth or other device at the top, select Bluetooth at the top of this popup window find your controller and youre all set.
Steam Setup
1. Open your Steam client and near the top right hover your mouse over the icons until you find Big Picture Mode and select it.
2. Steam will open in a full-screen mode click the cog icon near the top right which opens settings.
Non-Steam App Setup
How Do I Sync My Xbox 360 Controller To My Pc
How to Use a Wireless Xbox 360 Controller on a PC
- Plug the wireless receiver into an available USB port.
- Visit Microsoft.com and download the most recent driver for the Xbox 360 Controller for PC.
- Install the driver.
- Go to Device Manager, right click Unknown Device under the Other Device header and select Update Driver Software.
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How To Set Up A Ps4 Controller In Steam
On November 1, 2016, in a Steam Client Beta patch, Valve announced the addition of Steam Configurator support for the PS4s DualShock 4 Controller on PC. This went live a little over a month later on December 14 of the same year, as confirmed by a new Steam Client Update announcement.
To use your PS4 DualShock 4 controller in Steam, you need to have the following:
- A PS4 Dual Shock 4 controller
- Micro USB charging cable
- The latest Steam version
Its important to emphasize that this only lets you use your controller on Steam and inside of titles in your Steam library . If you want to use your controller outside of Steam titles, then you will need to skip down to our How To Get A PS4 Controller To Work On PC section.
IMPORTANT: Dont plug your PS4 controller to your computer just yet.