Use The Original Ps4 Dualshock 4 Controller
If you have got the Connect the Dualshock 4 using the USB cable and then press the PS button Error after updating your PS4 system software, theres a big chance that the PS4 controller youre using has incompatibility issue with the new firmware version.
If this is the case, the only thing you can do here is to use the PS4 DualShick 4 controller and check whether it works or not.
You can hire that controller from a friend, or take your console to a repair shop and ask them to try a DualShock 4 controller on your console before you buy it.
Can You Use A Ps5 Controller With Ps4
Sadly, the simple answer is just no. A PS5 controller cannot be used with a PS4. Even if you try plugging it in, the PS4 will simply just not recognise it as an input device.
You can however use a PS5 pad on PC.
Sam Loveridge is the Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar, and joined the team in August 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar after working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, following the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she’s also had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more. Her experience has seen her cover console and PC games, along with gaming hardware, for over seven years, and for GamesRadar, she is in charge of reviews, best lists, and the overall running of the site and its staff. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open-world RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. Basically, she loves all games that aren’t sports or fighting titles!
Go For Wired Connection
In case the Bluetooth device in the PS4 controller is defective, or the PS4 controllers battery is failing, you can simply connect the controller to PS4 wirily. That will help you figure out where the problem really is. If the controller connects flawlessly to the PS4 without any hassle, it means either the Bluetooth device or the battery must be repaired/replaced.
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Solution : Update System Software
- Turn off your PS4 console. Then hold the power button on the rear end of the console for some time to hear two beeps. The second beep will closely be followed by the first beep with a gap of 5 seconds.
- You will still be seeing the message, Cannot Start PS4. Connect the DUALSHOCK 4, however, this time, it will be on a black background. Connect your PS4 controller to the console using a USB Cable, or any other connector that transmits data.
- Press the PlayStation button on the console, and youll be redirected to safe mode, where youll have 7 options on the screen.
- Select Update System Software. Then select Update Using Internet.
- This will try updating your system software to the most recent available version.
This solution is for times when youve gone too long without updating your PS4. Updating your PS4 to the most recent version shall hopefully fix the problem in this case.
Solution : Check Your Usb Cable And Port
If the error message you see onscreen is after you connect your PS4 controller to your console using the USB Cable, it is possible that the problem lies within the cable or port.
To check if the USB Cable is working, plug it into your PC, and if it is recognized by the PC , it is functional, which means there could be a problem with the PSB Port.
Try connecting your PS4 controller to a different USB port since all PS4 consoles have more than one USB port. If the error message is gone, it means it was one specific port that was causing the issue.
However, if the issue still persists, try the following solutions:
- Look for dirt and debris in the USB port. Clean it using a toothpick, or blow air into the port.
- Check for broken or loose internal connections. To do this, plug into the USB port and wiggle the connection. If you hear some movement, it is a sign that there could be some internal damage to the port.
- If none of the solutions mentioned above work, it is possible that there is an issue with the USB hardware. In this case, there is nothing much you can do but get a replacement for your PlayStation, or get it fixed by a professional.
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Ps4 Controller Won’t Connect Or Pair
Normally, when you press the PS Button on your controller, it should turn on and connect to your system. However, when it’s not connecting, you’ll instead see the light bar on your controller flash for a bit, then turn off.
This often happens if you’ve used your DualShock 4 with another console, since the PS4 controller tries to connect to the last device you used it with. For instance, if you pair your PS4 controller with your PC or a friend’s console, it will remember that device and try to connect to it the next time you turn the controller on.
In these cases, you’ll need to re-pair your DualShock 4 with your own PS4. To do this, connect your controller to your PS4 using a micro-USB cable. Make sure you’re using a high-quality cable that you know works properly.
Related: Understand USB Cable Types and Which One to Use
Once they’re physically connected, press the PS Button on your controller for a moment, and its light should flash briefly before turning blue . This signifies that your PS4 controller has paired and connected successfully.
If you have your DualShock 4 paired with another nearby device, like your phone or a PlayStation 5, trying to re-pair it to your PS4 may turn on the other device and connect the controller to it. You should thus turn off and unplug whatever other device your DualShock 4 is paired to first.
Connect The Controller Via Usb
Your first step should be to connect the controller using the microUSB cable that’s usually used to charge it.
Try these steps:
1. Turn on the PS4.
2. Ensure the cable is securely inserted in the back of the PS4, and then plug the other end into the controller.
3. Wait 30 to 60 minutes to allow the controller to charge.
4. Press the PS button on the controller. You’ll hear a beep and the controller should pair with the console.
5. If the controller and PS4 don’t pair, the cable might be faulty use a different microUSB cable and try again, waiting for the controller to charge before you attempt to pair the controller.
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Connect Your Wireless Controllers To Ps4 Without A Usb Cable
If you want to add second or more wireless controllers to your PS4 console, but you do not have the USB cable, you still can connect them without the USB cable. Here is how to do it:
Step 1: On your PS4 dashboard, go to Settings, then, Devices then, Bluetooth Devices, through a media remote for your PS4 or a connected PS4 controller.
Step 2: On your PS4 controller, the one you want to connect, press down the SHARE button and the PS button for around 5 seconds.
Step 3: Your PS4 controller should then show up on the Bluetooth Devices screen. Choose it.
Step 4: Your PS4 controller should then be connected to your console now. Enjoy your games.
Troubleshooting: Ps4 Wireless Connectivity Problems
If your controller wont turn on when you hit the PS button, plug it into the PS4 to make sure it has a charge. If the light bar doesn’t glow, it could be a problem with your USB cable, or the controller’s internal battery could be damaged. If you have an extra cable handy, try using that instead to eliminate the first possibility.
If the controller can’t connect to the console wirelessly even though it is charged, then the problem lies with either your console or your controller’s Bluetooth connectivity. If your other PS4 controllers are working wirelessly, the faulty controller is to blame. Nonetheless, you can continue playing with the controller connected to the console via a USB.
If you’re unable to pair a PS4 controller with your console, try resetting it.
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How To Use A Ps4 Controller With Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons are clever little devices with impressive haptic feedback and sweet motion controls. However, their small size means they can quickly become uncomfortable while playing the best Nintendo Switch games. Sure, you could purchase the Pro Controller, but that’s pretty expensive. If you already happen to have a PS4 controller lying around, here’s how to use your DualShock PS4 Controller with your Nintendo Switch.
If you’ve upgraded to the PS5, check out our guide for connecting your DualShock PS5 Controller to your Switch. If you’re more of an Xbox fan, we also have a guide for connecting your Xbox One S/X controller with Nintendo Switch consoles.
The Comprehensive Way: Ds4windows
DS4Windows is a freeware program that tricks your PC into thinking an Xbox 360 controller is connected, instead of a DualShock 4. Follow these steps to get it to work.
Download DS4Windows and unzip it to a directory.
Open DS4Windows.exe in the directory you just unzipped.
Follow the steps in the driver installer. This installs a multipurpose gamepad driver to your system that DS4Windows uses to get the DualShock 4 to work.
Connect your DualShock 4 to your PC.
The controller should show up under the Controllers tab. Wait a minute to make sure all of the necessary drivers show up. Once Windows pops up a message saying it has connected a new Xbox 360 controller, you’re ready to play!
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Unpair The Controller From Your Playstation 4
Before you connect your PS4 controller to your Mac, you’ll need to unpair it from your PlayStation.
Your controller is now ready to be used with your Mac.
When my Mac gets overloaded with apps and their by-products I run CleanMyMac X. This is a tool developed by MacPaw that has recently been notarized by Apple. It shaves off extra baggage from your Mac so you can game faster.
All you need to do is run the Optimization tool in CleanMyMac X.
The Optimization module allows you to quickly and easily remove Login Items and Heavy Memory Consumers to give your Mac a speed boost.
Make Sure The Controller Is Charged:
When you have difficulty with a controller not operating wirelessly with your PS4, the common problem with pairing is that the controllers battery is undercharged. If it seems like the unplug it and then plug it back in solution to the problem, it is.
Make sure the controller is charging when you plug it in. When it is not in use, you will see the light bar on the top turn yellow. You might have another problem if it is not charging, like a broken controller port or a bad cable.
- How to Charge Your PS4 Controller
In order to charge a PlayStation 4 controller, simply link it to the PS4 console using the USB cable given with the system.
As long as the PS4 is switched on the controller will commence charging.
The completion of charging will take almost two hours. You should make sure to allow the battery run out, and then completely charge your PS4 controllers many times a year, to ensure their battery life does not shorten.
To inquire the current charge level on your controller, press and hold the controllers PS button, and the controllers charging progress will display on your screen.
When charged, the light bar on the top of the controller will shine different colors depending on which player the controller is attached to player 1 is blue, player 2 is red, player 3 is green, and player 4 is pink.
- If Having Connectivity Problems
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Ps: Pair Dualshock 4 Wireless Controller
Turn on your PS4, connect the controller using a micro USB cable, and then press the PS button on the controller.
Once the controller light turns on, you can remove the cable and use the controller wirelessly.
You can use up to 4 controllers at the same time. When you press the PS button, a color is assigned to the user.
Connect Your New Ps4 Controller To Ps4 With Micro
If you are using a wired PS4 controller, follow these steps:
Step 1: Start the power button on your PS4 console to turn it on.
Step 2: Plug the other point of your PS4 controller wire into the USB port of your console.
Step 3: Start the PS button of your controller and press it down for around 3 seconds.
Step 4: Your wired PS4 controller should be connected to the console.
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Cannot Start The Ps4 Connect The Dualshock 4 Reddit
In order to fix error message connect the dualshock 4 using the usb cable and then press the ps button, try the methods illustrated below: Plug the other point of your usb cable into the console.
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The Easy Way To Connect Your Ps4 Or Xbox Controller To Your Iphone
Using a controller from your PlayStation or Xbox makes playing Apple Arcade games so much better. Here’s how to pair it with your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and AppleTV.
Apple added support for both Xbox and PlayStation 4 wireless controllers to iOS 13, iPadOS 13 and tvOS 13.
Apple Arcade brings nearly 200 games that you can play on your iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. But tapping and dragging on a glass display isn’t always the most satisfying way to play titles like Shinsekai: Into the Depths or Sneaky Sasquatch — using a wireless controller is a million times better. Luckily, iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and TVOS 14 added support for DualShock 4 and Xbox One S wireless controllers, which means you’ll be able to use them to play scores of games on your Apple device.
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Apple made the process of connecting your controller to an iPhone, iPad or Apple TV simple and easy. PS4 and Xbox One controllers should work with most games. There’s no word whether Apple will bring support for the Nintendo Switch Pro wireless controller.
Read more: Apple TV: 11 essential tips to master Apple’s streaming box
One interesting detail is that you can connect multiple wireless controllers to a single device. I was able to connect both an Xbox One S controller and a DualShock 4 with my iPhone at the same time. However, games with local multiplayer are sparse.
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Customize Your Ps4 Controller For Steam
Your PS4 pad is now ready to use in Steam, but to really supercharge it, return to the previous menu and play around with both Big Picture Configuration and Desktop Configuration. This will let you customize your controller in some really interesting ways both in game and generally when using Steam.
In addition to remapping every button and adjusting the sensitivity of the thumbsticks, you can also take advantage of the controller’s unique touchpad and gyroscope in a myriad of ways.Want the DualShock 4’s touchpad to behave like a mouse? Go for it. How about controlling the in-game camera by simply moving the controller? You can make that happen. If you like tweaking every possible parameter when setting up your controls for games, Steam’s DualShock 4 features could keep you busy for hours.
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Alternative: How To Go Usb
Its also possible to skip over the Bluetooth wireless connection and play with your DualShock 4 as a wired controller, with a USB-enabled connection. Thats obviously not ideal when you could potentially play wirelessly, but its a potential workaround when connectivity and signal issues persist. You can set a controller to only communicate with the PS4 via USB when its plugged in by changing the controller settings in the Devices menu, as noted above. Under Devices, navigate to Controllers, and then set any controllers to only communicate via USB when theyre plugged in. That way, signal issues or Bluetooth problems shouldnt affect the controller, so long as youve got a wired connection.
Thinking about upgrading to the new PS5? Take a look at our guide to see how the PS4 and PS5 compare.
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Dualshock 4 Wireless Controller Audio Settings
If you have headphones plugged into the 3.5mm headphone jack on the DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controller and you hear no audio, or the audio from the headphones is very faint, make sure the headphone plug is pushed all the way in. Unplug and then firmly reinsert the headphones.
To route all audio output to headphones:
Go to Settings > Devices > Audio Devices.
Select Output to Headphones > All Audio.
Highlight the Volume Control option and press Right on the D-pad to make sure the controller’s volume is turned up.
If Output to Headphones is greyed out, that means the headphones are not detected by the controller.
Wait For The Next Update
According to some of our savvy readers who have tried every possible way to fix that issue, it is most probably that the new firmware update is not fully compatible with the PS4 model they use. It has been reported for instance that PS4 model has a problem with firmware update 9.0 and users would get the Connect the Dualshock 4 using the USB cable and then press the PS button error message after a successful update process to version 9.0.
Unfortunately, you cant do anything about that but to wait for the next update that might fix this problem.
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