How to Connect PS4 Controller to PC

If you enjoy using a PS4 controller for PC gaming, you’ll be happy to know that there are a few ways to connect your PS4 controller to your Windows 10 PC. In order for your PS4 controller to work with your PC, you need to decide how you want to connect. You can pair it via Bluetooth if your PC supports it, or you can use a USB cable to keep controller latency as low as possible and always make sure the controller is fully charged. The downside to going the USB route is that the DualShock 4 controller uses micro USB. While long and affordable micro USB cables are easy to find, the connector is far from being as robust as a USB-C connection like the DualSense controller.

How to Connect PS4 Controller to PC?

Connecting a PS4 controller to a PC is a straightforward process. You can choose between a wired or wireless connection method. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to connect a PS4 controller to a PC:

Wired Connection Method:

Obtain a micro-USB cable: You’ll need a micro-USB cable to connect the PS4 controller to your PC. If your controller came with the PS4 console, you should already have this cable. Otherwise, you can purchase one separately.
Connect the micro-USB cable: Plug one end of the micro-USB cable into the USB port on your PC. Then, take the other end of the cable and connect it to the micro-USB port on the top of your PS4 controller.
Wait for the PC to recognize the controller: In most cases, Windows will automatically detect and install the necessary drivers for the PS4 controller. If the controller is not recognized, you may need to download and install the drivers manually.
Test the connection: Once the controller is successfully connected, you can verify its functionality by opening a game or using a program that supports gamepad input. The controller should respond to your commands, and you can start playing games using the controller.

Wireless Connection Method:

Enable Bluetooth on your PC: Make sure your PC has built-in Bluetooth functionality or a Bluetooth adapter connected to it. Go to the system settings on your PC and ensure that Bluetooth is turned on.
Activate pairing mode on the controller: Press and hold the “Share” button and the PlayStation button simultaneously on your PS4 controller until the light bar on the controller starts flashing. This indicates that the controller is in pairing mode.
Pair the controller with your PC: On your PC, go to the Bluetooth settings and search for available devices. You should see “Wireless Controller” or a similar entry in the list. Select it and click on the “Pair” or “Connect” button to initiate the pairing process.
Verify the connection: Once the pairing is successful, the light bar on the controller should turn a solid color, indicating a stable connection. You can now test the controller by launching a game or using software that supports gamepad input. The controller should function correctly, allowing you to play games wirelessly on your PC.

That’s it! By following these steps, you should be able to connect your PS4 controller to your PC either via a wired or wireless connection. Enjoy gaming with your PS4 controller on your PC.

How to connect PS4 controller to PC without Bluetooth?

To connect a PS4 controller to a PC without Bluetooth, you can use a wired connection. Here’s how you can do it:

Ensure that your PS4 controller has enough battery or connect it to a power source using a USB cable.
Connect the USB cable to your PC. Most modern PCs have USB ports, so you can use any available USB port.
On your PC, open a web browser and visit the official DS4Windows website (ds4windows.com).
Download the DS4Windows software. It’s a free and open-source program that enables PS4 controller compatibility on Windows.
Install DS4Windows by running the downloaded setup file. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Once DS4Windows is installed, connect your PS4 controller to your PC using the USB cable. The software should automatically detect the controller.
If DS4Windows doesn’t automatically recognize your controller, you can manually add it. Open DS4Windows and click on the “Add a new device” button. Then, follow the instructions to put your controller into pairing mode. DS4Windows should detect and pair your controller.
After the controller is connected, DS4Windows may prompt you to install or update additional drivers. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver installation process.
Once the controller is connected and the drivers are installed, you should be able to use your PS4 controller on your PC. DS4Windows will map the controller inputs to emulate an Xbox 360 controller, which is widely supported by PC games.

Remember to keep the USB cable connected between the controller and your PC while using it. This method allows you to enjoy gaming on your PC using a PS4 controller even if your PC doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth capability.

Step-by-step guide to connect PS4 controller to PC

Here’s a step-by-step guide to connect a PS4 controller to a PC using Bluetooth:

Make sure your PC has built-in Bluetooth capability or a Bluetooth dongle connected to it.
On your PS4 controller, press and hold the PlayStation button and the Share button simultaneously. The light bar on the controller will start flashing.
On your PC, open the Settings menu. You can usually access it by clicking on the Start button and selecting the gear icon.
In the Settings menu, select “Devices” or “Bluetooth & other devices,” depending on your Windows version.
Enable Bluetooth on your PC if it’s not already turned on.
Click on the “Add Bluetooth or other device” button. Your PC will start scanning for available devices.
On your PC, select the “Wireless Controller” option from the list of available devices. If it doesn’t appear, try pressing the PlayStation button and the Share button again to put the controller into pairing mode.
Wait for your PC to complete the pairing process. Once connected, the light bar on the controller should change from flashing to a solid color.
Once the PS4 controller is connected, you can test it by opening a game or using the game controller settings on your PC. The controller inputs should be recognized and function properly.

If you encounter any issues during the pairing process, make sure your PC’s Bluetooth is functioning correctly and that the PS4 controller is charged. You may also try restarting your PC or resetting the PS4 controller by inserting a small pin into the reset hole on the back of the controller. That’s it! You should now be able to use your PS4 controller wirelessly with your PC via Bluetooth.

Using DS4Windows to connect PS4 controller to PC

To connect a PS4 controller to your PC using DS4Windows, you can follow the steps below:

First, make sure your PS4 controller is charged or connected to a power source via USB cable.
Download DS4Windows from the official website. You can find it by searching for “DS4Windows” in your preferred search engine.
Once you’ve downloaded DS4Windows, launch the application. You may need to extract the downloaded files before running the program.
Connect your PS4 controller to your PC using a USB cable. The DS4Windows program should detect the controller automatically.
If your computer asks for permission to install drivers, allow it to do so. DS4Windows needs to install specific drivers to enable the PS4 controller to work on your PC.
After the installation process is complete, you can configure your controller settings in DS4Windows. You can customize the controller mappings, adjust sensitivity settings, and configure other options according to your preferences.
Once you’ve finished configuring the settings, you can disconnect the PS4 controller from your PC if you prefer to use it wirelessly. To connect it wirelessly, press and hold the PS button and the Share button on the controller simultaneously until the light on the controller starts flashing. This puts the controller in pairing mode.
On your PC, go to the Bluetooth settings and make sure Bluetooth is enabled. Look for the PS4 controller in the list of available devices and click on it to pair.
After pairing, your PS4 controller should be connected to your PC via Bluetooth. DS4Windows should recognize the wireless connection, and you can now use your PS4 controller to play games or navigate your PC.

Remember that DS4Windows may require periodic updates to ensure compatibility with the latest Windows updates or to add new features.

How to connect multiple PS4 controllers to PC?

To connect multiple PS4 controllers to your PC, you can use DS4Windows, as mentioned in the previous response. Here’s how you can connect multiple controllers:

Install DS4Windows on your PC by downloading it from the official website and launching the application.
Connect the first PS4 controller to your PC using a USB cable. DS4Windows should detect the controller automatically and install the necessary drivers.
Once the first controller is connected, you can configure its settings in DS4Windows according to your preferences.
To connect additional PS4 controllers, simply repeat the steps for each controller. Connect each controller to your PC using separate USB cables.
DS4Windows should recognize each connected controller and install the required drivers for them.
After connecting all the controllers, you can configure the settings for each controller individually within DS4Windows.
If you want to use the controllers wirelessly, you can disconnect the USB cables once they are connected and configured. To connect the controllers wirelessly, press and hold the PS button and the Share button on each controller simultaneously until the lights on the controllers start flashing. This puts each controller in pairing mode.
On your PC, go to the Bluetooth settings and ensure that Bluetooth is enabled. Look for each PS4 controller in the list of available devices and pair them one by one.
After pairing, each PS4 controller should be connected to your PC via Bluetooth, and DS4Windows should recognize the wireless connections. You can now use multiple PS4 controllers to play games or navigate your PC.

Connecting PS4 controller to Steam on PC: setup guide

To connect your PS4 controller to Steam on your PC, you can follow the steps below:

Connect your PS4 controller to your PC using a USB cable. Ensure that the controller is charged or connected to a power source.
Open Steam on your PC. If you don’t have Steam installed, you can download it from the official website (https://store.steampowered.com/about/).
In Steam, go to the “Steam” menu located in the top-left corner of the window and select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
In the Settings window, click on the “Controller” tab on the left side of the screen.
Within the Controller settings, click on the “General Controller Settings” button.
A window will open, displaying various controller options. Make sure the “PlayStation Configuration Support” checkbox is checked.
Click on the “Back” button to return to the Controller settings window.
Now, click on the “Desktop Configuration” button.
After configuring the desktop settings, close the Desktop Configuration window.
Disconnect the USB cable from your PS4 controller.
To ensure the wireless connection, you need to connect your PS4 controller to your PC via Bluetooth.
On your PC, go to the Bluetooth settings and ensure that Bluetooth is enabled. Look for the PS4 controller in the list of available devices and click on it to pair.
After pairing, your PS4 controller should be connected to your PC via Bluetooth. Steam should recognize the controller, and you can now use it to play Steam games.

Please note that not all games on Steam may be fully compatible with the PS4 controller. Some games might require additional configuration or have limited controller support. It’s recommended to check the game’s Steam community page or the game’s official support documentation for specific controller requirements or instructions.

Using USB cable to connect PS4 controller to PC

Yes, you can use a USB cable to connect a PlayStation 4 (PS4) controller to a PC. Here are the steps to do so:

Make sure your PS4 controller is charged or connect it to your PC using a USB cable.
Connect the USB end of the cable to an available USB port on your PC.
Take the other end of the USB cable and connect it to the charging port of the PS4 controller. The charging port is located at the top of the controller between the shoulder buttons.
Windows should automatically recognize the controller and install the necessary drivers. If prompted, allow Windows to search and install the drivers automatically. Alternatively, you can download and install the official DS4Windows software from the official website (ds4windows.com) to ensure proper functionality.
Once the controller is connected and the drivers are installed, it should be ready to use. You can check if it’s working by opening a game or a program that supports game controllers and see if the controller is recognized and responsive.

Remember that while most games will work with a PS4 controller on PC, some games may not fully support it or may require additional configuration. In such cases, you may need to map the controller buttons manually within the game settings or use third-party software to emulate an Xbox controller, which is more widely supported by PC games.

How to Connect a PS4 DualShock 4 Controller to a PC?

To connect a PS4 DualShock 4 controller to a PC, you can follow these steps:

Via USB Cable

Make sure your PS4 controller is charged or connect it to your PC using a USB cable.
Connect the USB end of the cable to an available USB port on your PC.
Take the other end of the USB cable and connect it to the charging port of the DualShock 4 controller. The charging port is located at the top of the controller between the shoulder buttons.
Windows should automatically recognize the controller and install the necessary drivers. If prompted, allow Windows to search and install the drivers automatically. Alternatively, you can download and install the official DS4Windows software from the official website (ds4windows.com) to ensure proper functionality.
Once the controller is connected and the drivers are installed, it should be ready to use. You can check if it’s working by opening a game or a program that supports game controllers and see if the controller is recognized and responsive.

Via Wireless

If you prefer to connect the DualShock 4 controller wirelessly, you will need to use Bluetooth. Here’s how you can do it:

Make sure your PC has built-in Bluetooth capabilities or use a compatible Bluetooth adapter.
On the DualShock 4 controller, press and hold the PlayStation button (located in the center) and the Share button (located to the left of the touchpad) simultaneously. The light bar on the back of the controller will start flashing, indicating it’s in pairing mode.
On your PC, go to the Bluetooth settings and enable Bluetooth if it’s not already enabled.
In the Bluetooth settings, search for available devices. You should see “Wireless Controller” or “DualShock 4” in the list.
Select the DualShock 4 controller in the list and click “Pair” or “Connect.”
Windows will install the necessary drivers for the controller.
Once the pairing is successful, the light bar on the DualShock 4 controller should stop flashing and remain a solid color.

Now your DualShock 4 controller is wirelessly connected to your PC via Bluetooth, and you can use it to play games or control applications that support game controllers.

PS4 controller not connecting to PC: troubleshooting tips

If you’re experiencing issues with your PS4 controller not connecting to your PC, here are some troubleshooting tips you can try:

Check the USB cable: Ensure that the USB cable you’re using is in good condition and capable of transmitting both data and power. Try using a different USB cable to see if the issue is with the cable itself.
Connect directly to the PC: Avoid using USB hubs, extension cables, or USB ports on keyboards or monitors. Instead, connect the USB cable directly to a USB port on your PC.
Restart your PC: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connection issues. Restart your computer and try connecting the PS4 controller again.
Update drivers: Make sure that you have the latest drivers for your PS4 controller. You can manually update the drivers by going to the manufacturer’s website or use the DS4Windows software to install the necessary drivers.
Try a different USB port: Test the PS4 controller on different USB ports on your PC. Sometimes, certain USB ports may not provide enough power or have compatibility issues.
Use a different USB port on the controller: If you have another USB port on the PS4 controller, try connecting the USB cable to that port instead. It can help rule out any issues with a specific USB port on the controller.
Reset the controller: On the back of the PS4 controller, you’ll find a small hole near the L2 button. Use a paperclip or a similar object to press and hold the reset button for a few seconds. Release the button and try connecting the controller again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I connect a PS4 controller to my PC using Bluetooth?

A: Yes, you can connect a PS4 controller to a PC using Bluetooth. Ensure that your PC has built-in Bluetooth capabilities or use a compatible Bluetooth adapter.

Q: Do I need to install additional software to connect a PS4 controller to my PC?

A: In most cases, Windows will automatically recognize and install the necessary drivers for the PS4 controller. However, you can also download and install the official DS4Windows software for better compatibility and customization options.

Q: Can I connect multiple PS4 controllers to my PC?

A: Yes, you can connect multiple PS4 controllers to your PC. Each controller will need to be connected either via USB or through a separate Bluetooth connection.

Q: Do I need to charge the PS4 controller before connecting it to my PC?

A: It is recommended to ensure that your PS4 controller is charged or connected to a power source before connecting it to your PC, especially if you plan to use it wirelessly.

Q: Can I use a PS4 controller wirelessly on my PC without Bluetooth?

A: No, you need Bluetooth capability on your PC or a compatible Bluetooth adapter to connect a PS4 controller wirelessly. Without Bluetooth, you can only connect the controller using a USB cable.

Q: What should I do if my PS4 controller is not working on my PC?

A: If your PS4 controller is not working on your PC, you can try troubleshooting steps such as checking the USB cable, updating drivers, restarting your PC, trying a different USB port or controller port, resetting the controller, disabling conflicting software, or connecting the controller to a different PC to identify the source of the issue.

Q: Can I use a PS4 controller to play all PC games?

A: While most PC games support game controllers, some games may not fully support the PS4 controller or may require additional configuration. In such cases, you may need to manually map the controller buttons within the game settings or use third-party software to emulate an Xbox controller, which is more widely supported by PC games.

Q: Is there any input lag when using a PS4 controller on a PC?

A: Input lag can vary depending on your PC’s configuration, the game you’re playing, and the connection type (wired or wireless). Generally, using a wired connection or a reliable Bluetooth connection can minimize input lag and provide a smoother gaming experience.

Q: Can I use a PS4 controller on a Mac computer?

A: Yes, you can connect a PS4 controller to a Mac computer using Bluetooth or a USB cable. The process is similar to connecting it to a PC, but you may need to adjust the settings in macOS to ensure proper functionality.