Start With The Right Controller
For more, head over to our guide on how to choose the right controller for your PC. If you’re a multi-console gamer, check out our guides for connecting your Nintendo Switch and Xbox controllers to your PC.
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How To Connect Ps4 Controller On Pc: Wired And Wirelessly
To all the PS4 gamers out there, do you want to enjoy a similar gaming experience on your PC as well? We will tell you how to use PS4 controller on PC that will simply not even remind you of sitting in front of the console for hours. So, lets just turn the angle into a different mode and pair PS4 controller to PC. Take a break from PC work and begin with your favorite games. All you need to do is get your controller and set it up.
We have compiled here both the methods: wired as well as a wireless connection.
Wired: Playing PC games through Steam is the easiest method. Simply connect your DualShock controller to the PC using USB cable and your Steam games will begin automatically.
Wireless: In case, you want to move aside Steam PS4, connect the controller using Bluetooth. You can also connect a USB cable here using a program that can work with Windows.
How To Connect The Ps4 Controller To Your Pc Wirelessly
Heres a quick guide to connecting the PS4 controller via Bluetooth.
Step 1. Press and hold the central PS4 button and button for 3 seconds until the light bar begins to flash.
Step 2. Then open up the Bluetooth settings on your PC. In Windows 10, click the Speech bubble icon in the Taskbar at the bottom right corner.
Step 3. In the pop-up Action Center window, click Bluetooth and then select Wireless Controller.
Step 4. After that, you may be asked to enter a pairing code. Type in 0000, the PS4 controller will be connected to your PC wirelessly.
Right now, the full guide about how to use PS4 controller on PC is told to you. Have a try now!
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How To Emulate A Steam Controller With A Ps4 Controller
Valve now offers official support for the PlayStation 4s DualShock 4 controller. It will function similarly to a Steam Controller, with support for the controllers touchpad and other features. Games that support the Steam Controller will work with the PS4 controller, and you can also create profiles to emulate keyboard and mouse events with the PS4 controller in various games that dont offer official support for the controller. In other words, it works just like the Steam Controller.
To enable this feature, open Big Picture Mode in Steam by clicking the controller-shaped Big Picture Mode icon at the top-right corner of the Steam window.
Head to Settings > Controller Settings in Big Picture Mode and enable the PS4 Configuration Support option.
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Reconnect any connected PS4 controllers and theyll appear here. You can select them and configure them in the same way youd configure a Steam Controller.
For example, you can select a game in Big Picture mode and select Manage Game > Controller Configuration to configure how your PS4 controller behaves in the game. This screen provides a lot of options for remapping what your controllers buttons do in a game.
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.
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Use A Usb Cable To Connect Your Ps4 Controller To Your Pc
The easiest way to pair your controller with your PC is with a USB cable. You can even use the one you use for charging your controller. Ideally, though, youll probably want a longer cord to add a bit more range. Any USB cable should work, as long as it is micro USB on one end and either USB-A or USB-C on the other.
Connect the controller to your PC with the cable, and your Windows 10 PC should recognize it automatically. Youre instantly ready to start battling blasters and brutes.
If you dont have a micro-USB cable handy, check out the PowerA USB 2.0 Charging Cable for PlayStation 4 which at 6.5 feet should give you plenty of reach between your PC and controller.
How To Connect Ps4 Controller To Pc
Follow the steps below after gathering these items:
- You then download the DS4Windows software as the next step. The work of DS4Windows is duping your computer to think that the controller inserted is one for the Xbox 360 gaming console when it is not. Given that the Windows operating system natively supports controllers for the Xbox 360, you are safe with this piece of software.
- When installing the DS4Windows program, make sure you install both the DS4Updater.exe and the DS4Windows.exe files.
- If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 and 10, you will need to install the DS4 driver provided in the DS4Windows zip file when you launch the program for the first time. If you are running Windows 7, you will need to, besides that driver, install the 360 driver for the program to work as needed.
The next stage is connecting the PC and the controller. You can do with the USB cable or via Bluetooth. The DualShock 4 controller uses the normal microUSB cable you have with most common smartphones hence easy to connect. If you need to skip the wires but your computer has no Bluetooth, you will need to get yourself an adaptor for this job. You will then be required to press and hold the central button on the controller written on the PS logo until a light begins flashing at the top of the console. Search for the Wireless Controller in the PC Bluetooth settings and connect it.
These are the simple steps to connect PS4 controller to PC or laptop computer.
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How To Connect An Xbox 360 Controller To A Pc
In case youre wondering how to connect an Xbox 360 controller to your PC, follow these steps:
Step 1: Plug the controller into the port labeled XBOX360 on the back of the console.
Step 2: Open Windows Explorer
Step 3: Navigate to C:\Users\ \AppData\Local\Microsoft\Xbox Live
Step 4: Look for a folder named xboxlive. It may look something like this:
Step 5: Copy all files inside the folder xboxlive to your desktop, leaving only one file, xboxlive.xml.
Step 7: At the command prompt, type:< path\filename> This will extract the contents of the xboxlive folder onto your desktop.
Step 8: Launch the exe file you copied and run through the instructions.
Step 9: Enjoy!
Best Ways To Connect A Ps4 Controller To Your Computer Via Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology used to connect various electronic devices. Unlike USB, Bluetooth doesnt require cables or wires to transfer data. This makes it very convenient because you no longer need to worry about where to plug the cables in.
Bluetooth has been around since 2001 and was initially designed as a tool for mobile phones. But over time, people started using it for other things, such as connecting mice, keyboards, headsets, speakers, etc.
But before you start messing with your Bluetooth settings, let us explain what exactly happens when you turn it on. Whenever you turn on your Bluetooth, it automatically searches for nearby devices. Once found, it establishes a connection between the two.
Now you can pair your controller with your PC using these steps:
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Use Steam To Customize Your Ps4 Controller With Your Pc
When you use your DS4 controller with Steam games like Dota 2 or Warframe, youve got some added options. Once your controller is connected, either wired or wirelessly, open Steam and go to the pulldown menus in the upper left. Select Steam, then Settings, then Controller.
In the General Controller Settings, you can enable PlayStation Configuration Support. Steam should already detect your connected PS4 controller and will show its options at the bottom of the screen. You can calibrate your controller, and even choose a color for its front LEDs. If you click Identify, the controller will rumble.
How To Connect Ps4 Controller To Steam
Before you start using your PS4 controller with Steam, there are some preliminary actions you should take, including making sure you have the latest version of the Steam client. Follow these steps:
Make sure any nearby PlayStation 4 consoles are unplugged. Otherwise, the controller might try to sync with the console instead of your computer.
Launch Steam on your PC.
Select Steam in the top-left corner of the window to open a dropdown menu, then select Check for Steam Client Updates.
When Steam relaunches, plug your PS4 controller into a USB port on your PC.
In the Steam client window, select View > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings.
You should see your controller under Detected Controllers. Select the box beside PS4 Configuration Support. From this screen, you can give your controller a name, change the light’s color atop the controller, and toggle the rumble feature on or off.
If Steam isn’t detecting your controller, double-check the USB cable connection. Unplugging the controller and plugging it back in sometimes fixes the problem.
Select Submit to save your changes.
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Connect The Ps4 Controller To Your Pc Via Usb
Now you’ll be able to connect your PS4 DualShock 4 controller to your PC. You can do this in two ways either via a USB cable or via Bluetooth.
To connect the PS4 DualShock controller to your PC via a USB cable you just need a regular micro USB cable the same one that comes with many modern smartphones.
Once you’ve plugged the cable into both the DualShock controller and your PC, Windows should detect it, and you’ll be ready to play PC games using the PS4 controller.
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.
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Use Ps4 Controller On Steam
So with your PS4 controller now registered for Windows, for Steam to acknowledge it, open Steam, which will automatically convert your PS4 controller to work with your games, even if theyre designed to work with Xbox controllers.
You can even use your PS4 controller with games that dont officially support gamepads. To do this, open Big Picture mode , go to Settings -> Controller Settings and switch on PS4 Configuration Support.
In Big Picture mode, select a game in your library that doesnt support controllers, go to Manage Game in the pane on the left, then Controller Configuration. Here youll be able to set up bespoke PS4 controls for your keyboard-and-mouse game. Roll on the big-screen gamepad sessions of Civilization or Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind!
And thats it! Youre now using the best gamepad in the world on the best gaming platform in the world. And what better way to celebrate by using it to play PS1 games on your PC or, if your PC can handle it, play PS3 games on your PC.
Install The Ds4 Driver
Click on Step 1: Install the DS4 Driver button to install the needed PS4 drivers on your Windows 8.1 OS and later computer.
Click on Step 2: If on Windows 7 or below, Install 360 Driver button only if you have a Windows 7 or older OS since this OS doesnt come with the 360 drivers needed to run the DS4 drivers correctly by default. Otherwise, skip it and proceed to the next step below.
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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.
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How To Connect Ps4 Controller To Pc Or Laptop Computer
You may need to connect PS4 controller to PC or laptop computer given that the controller offers better gameplay than a traditional keyboard and mouse combination. While there are arguments for and against the use of controllers for playing computer games, a controller is built primarily to take gaming to the next level. Even better, you should use gaming controllers as any wear and tear can be easily fixed compared to wrecking your computer keyboard or mouse shooting zombies. Read Also: Use Android phone as a gamepad to Play Computer games
Nothing holds you back when you want to connect PS4 controller to PC or laptop since the process is quite easy. Initially, you would require complex procedures and workarounds to make a simple controller work on a PC. With time, however, vendors such as Sony have made it possible to connect the controller to a PC using a simple USB cable and even wirelessly via Bluetooth. Read Also: How to connect Android phone to CRT TV with AV ports to view mobile content
For this case, we will use the Sony PlayStation 4 controller called the DualShock 4 as it is the latest and most popular. If you are going to use a wire, make sure the DualShock 4 controller has a USB cable. If you want to go the wireless way, you should either have a computer with Bluetooth or buy the Sony PlayStation 4 DualShock Wireless Adaptor.
Connecting To Steam Via Wired Connection
This is perhaps your easiest and most efficient method for connecting your PS4 controller to your PC.
Ensure your Steam App is up to date to the latest client. Once this is done, simply plug your PS4 controller to the PC via micro-USB and you’re good to go.
It’s as easy as that. Just ensure that the games you’re wanting to play are compatible with controller support. You can see if a game has controller support by going to the game’s Steam page and looking at the panel on the far-right side of the page, just to the right of the game’s pricing.
Playing with Steam’s Big Picture Mode is also advised, as it makes the application easier to use with a controller. It’s not necessary, but it helps for a smoother experience.
If you’re finding that the PS4 controller isn’t working with compatible games, then that’s because it can be a bit hit and miss. Unfortunately other game clients such as Epic Games and Origin aren’t quite as user-intuitive as Steam and will require the use of DS4Windows or require you add the game into Steam as a non-Steam game.
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