How to Connect Your PS4 Controller to Your PC: A Comprehensive Guide

Want to take your PC gaming experience to the next level? Using a PlayStation 4 (PS4) DualShock 4 controller on your computer is a fantastic way to do just that. Whether you prefer the feel of a console controller or simply want to avoid the limitations of a keyboard and mouse for certain games, connecting your PS4 controller to your PC is easier than you might think. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods, ensuring you can get gaming in no time.

Why Use a PS4 Controller on PC?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s briefly touch on why using a PS4 controller on your PC is beneficial:

• Comfort and Ergonomics: Many gamers find the DualShock 4 controller more comfortable for extended play sessions compared to a keyboard and mouse.
• Analog Precision: The analog sticks and triggers offer superior control in games designed for gamepad input, especially racing, action, and platforming titles.
• Native Support: A growing number of PC games offer native DualShock 4 support, meaning you don’t always need extra software or remapping.
• Variety of Games: Some genres are simply better suited to a gamepad, and using your PS4 controller gives you the best experience.
• Familiarity: If you’re primarily a console gamer, the PS4 controller will feel instantly familiar.

Methods for Connecting Your PS4 Controller to Your PC

There are two primary methods for connecting your PS4 controller to your PC: using a wired connection (USB) or a wireless connection (Bluetooth). Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, which we will explore below.

Method 1: Wired Connection (USB)

The simplest and most reliable way to connect your PS4 controller to your PC is through a USB cable. This method is plug-and-play for most games, and it provides a stable, low-latency connection.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Gather Your Materials: You’ll need a standard micro-USB cable (the same type used to charge the controller) and your PS4 controller.
2. Connect the Controller: Plug the micro-USB end of the cable into the port on the top of your PS4 controller.
3. Connect to Your PC: Plug the USB end of the cable into any available USB port on your computer.
4. Wait for Driver Installation (If Needed): Windows should automatically detect the controller and install the necessary drivers. You may see a notification in your system tray confirming this. If not, Windows Update should find it, and you might have to wait a few minutes, or use a specialized software to manually download drivers
5. Test the Connection: Open a game that supports controllers and test if your controller is working. You can also open the “Set up USB Game Controllers” menu from windows search and check if your device is shown here.

Advantages of Wired Connection:

• Simplicity: The easiest method to set up with minimal hassle.
• Reliability: Stable connection with no risk of disconnects.
• Low Latency: Minimal input lag, crucial for competitive gaming.
• No Battery Drain: Controller charges while it’s plugged in.

Disadvantages of Wired Connection:

• Limited Range: You are tethered to your PC with a cable, limiting your movement.
• Cable Clutter: Can add extra wires to your setup.

Method 2: Wireless Connection (Bluetooth)

Connecting your PS4 controller wirelessly via Bluetooth offers freedom of movement without the clutter of cables. However, it may require a few more steps and can be more prone to interference.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Ensure Your PC Has Bluetooth: Most modern laptops and desktops have built-in Bluetooth. If your PC doesn’t, you’ll need a USB Bluetooth adapter.
2. Put Your Controller in Pairing Mode: Press and hold both the PlayStation button (the round button in the center of the controller) and the Share button (the button to the left of the touchpad) simultaneously until the light bar on the back of the controller starts to flash rapidly.
3. Open Bluetooth Settings on Your PC:
   • Windows 10/11: Click the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
   • Windows 7/8: Press Windows+R, type `control printers` and press enter, then at the top choose “Add a Device”
4. Add a Bluetooth Device:
   • Windows 10/11: Click “Add Bluetooth or other device,” then select “Bluetooth.”
   • Windows 7/8: your pc will scan for discoverable bluetooth devices
5. Select Your Controller: In the list of available devices, you should see “Wireless Controller” (or similar). Select it, then your PC will connect to the gamepad automatically.
6. Enter Passcode if Asked: If you are asked for a passcode, try using 0000 or 1234. If that doesn’t work, the controller should connect by itself anyway. If the controller is still trying to connect, restart the Bluetooth service by disabling and enabling your Bluetooth.
7. Wait for Connection: Your PC should pair with the controller automatically. The light bar on your controller will turn to a solid color when connected (usually blue).
8. Test the Connection: Open a game that supports controllers and test if your controller is working. You can also open the “Set up USB Game Controllers” menu from windows search and check if your device is shown here.

Advantages of Wireless Connection:

• Freedom of Movement: Play from anywhere in the room without being tethered to your PC.
• Clean Setup: Eliminates cable clutter, making your gaming area tidier.

Disadvantages of Wireless Connection:

• Setup Complexity: Can be slightly more complex to set up than a wired connection.
• Potential Interference: Can be prone to interference, resulting in lag or disconnects.
• Battery Drain: Requires controller charging, and the battery life can be limited.
• Input lag: Bluetooth has a little bit more input lag than wired connections.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

1. Controller Not Recognized

• Wired Connection:
• Check the USB Cable: Ensure the USB cable is not damaged and is securely connected to both the controller and your PC. Try using a different cable.
• Try a Different USB Port: Sometimes a USB port on your PC might be faulty. Try connecting to a different USB port.
• Restart Your PC: A simple reboot can sometimes solve connection issues.
• Update Drivers: If Windows is not installing drivers automatically, you may need to manually download and install them. Visit the device manager to verify if the drivers are up to date. You can find the drivers for the dualshock 4 on the official website of Sony.
• Wireless Connection:
• Ensure Bluetooth is Enabled: Verify that Bluetooth is turned on in your PC settings.
• Controller is in Pairing Mode: Make sure the light bar on the controller is flashing rapidly to indicate it’s in pairing mode.
• Re-Pair the Controller: Try removing the controller from your Bluetooth devices list and pair it again.
• Update Bluetooth Drivers: Outdated or corrupt Bluetooth drivers can cause problems. Update them via Device Manager or the manufacturer’s website for your Bluetooth adapter.
• Check Interference: Other wireless devices can interfere with the Bluetooth signal. Try moving them further away from your PC and controller.

2. Controller Input Lag

• Wired Connection:
• Try Different USB Port: Even with wired connections a faulty USB port might cause input lag. Try different usb ports.
• Wireless Connection:
• Minimize Interference: Bluetooth signal interference can cause input lag. Remove or move any device causing interference such as WIFI routers or any devices broadcasting on the 2.4 ghz frequency range.
• Move Closer to PC: Being too far away from the computer might increase lag. Move closer to the computer and verify if this solves the problem.
• Check Battery Level: A low battery can sometimes cause lag. Charge your controller and try again.

3. Controller Disconnects Frequently

• Wired Connection:
• Check Connections: Make sure that the USB cable is correctly and firmly attached on the controller and on the pc.
• Try Different USB Port: Sometimes a faulty USB port is the source of the issue. Try plugging the cable into a different usb port.
• Wireless Connection:
• Check Battery Level: A low battery can cause random disconnections. Charge your controller fully and verify if this solves the problem.
• Ensure Good Connection: Ensure there is a good and stable connection between your pc and your controller. Check for interferences or move the controller closer to your computer.
• Re-Pair Controller: Remove the controller from the list of bluetooth devices on your pc and try to reconnect it.

4. Controller Buttons Not Mapped Correctly

Some games might not recognize the DualShock 4 layout natively. If your controller buttons are not working correctly, you can:

• Check Game Settings: Most modern games let you rebind controls in the game’s option menu. You can configure your controller buttons in there.
• Use DS4Windows or Steam Input: Software like DS4Windows and Steam Input can help you emulate an Xbox controller for games that don’t support PS4 controllers directly. This method usually fixes most problems. Read the following section for detailed instructions.

Using DS4Windows for Enhanced Compatibility

DS4Windows is a free, third-party application that allows Windows to recognize the DualShock 4 controller as an Xbox 360 controller, which is widely supported by most PC games. It also lets you customize several aspects of your controller, such as light bar color, button mapping and dead zones for the analog sticks.

Step-by-Step Instructions for DS4Windows:

1. Download DS4Windows: Visit the official DS4Windows website or a reputable source like GitHub and download the latest version.
2. Extract the Files: Extract the downloaded ZIP file to a location on your PC where you’ll remember it, like a folder in “Documents” or a new folder on your desktop.
3. Run DS4Windows.exe: Launch the DS4Windows application. If you’re running the program for the first time, you may be prompted to install some driver components. Make sure to install everything.
4. Configure DS4Windows: Once running, you’ll see a main window with tabs for Controllers, Profiles, and Settings.
• Controllers Tab: Your connected controller should be listed here. The controller will also show the Xbox 360 image next to its name, meaning that it’s being recognized as an xbox gamepad.
• Profiles Tab: You can create different profiles for games that require different mappings or specific features.
• Settings Tab: Here you can configure options like: Hide DS4 Controller, Run at Startup, Notifications and others.
5. Connect Your Controller: If you’re connecting wirelessly, you’ll need to pair your controller using the standard Bluetooth method. DS4Windows will detect it automatically once it’s connected.
6. Start Playing: Now, many games should recognize your DualShock 4 controller as an Xbox 360 gamepad, providing compatibility and correct button mapping.

Using Steam Input for Enhanced Compatibility

Steam Input is a built-in feature of the Steam client that allows you to configure your controller for any game on your Steam library. It can also be used with non-steam games, adding them as an exception to use Steam Input. It offers a lot of customizable options for your DualShock 4 controller, similar to DS4Windows.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Steam Input:

1. Open Steam and Launch Big Picture Mode: Open Steam and click on “Big Picture Mode” located at the top right of the window.
2. Open Settings: Inside Big Picture mode, click on the “Settings” icon.
3. Go to Controller Settings: Find the “Controller Settings” option and click it.
4. Select “PlayStation Configuration Support”: On the new window, tick the “PlayStation Configuration Support” option. Steam will then try to recognize your connected DualShock 4.
5. Plug in your controller: If your controller isn’t plugged in yet, Steam will try to recognize it once you plug it in via USB cable or connect using bluetooth.
6. Configure Controller: After steam detects your controller, click on it from the list of recognized devices, a new window will appear where you can remap your buttons and configure the controller the way you want.
7. Start Playing: Once finished, exit the settings and start playing any Steam game, Steam Input will emulate an Xbox gamepad and the controller should work correctly.
8. Add Non-Steam Games: To use Steam Input on Non-Steam Games you will need to add them to your Steam Library using the “Add a Game” option, in the bottom left corner of the normal Steam window. Once added the game will be recognized by steam and you can use it normally using the Steam Input.

Tips for a Better Gaming Experience

• Keep Your Controller Charged: Always keep your controller charged to avoid sudden disconnections during intense gaming sessions.
• Update Firmware: Periodically check for firmware updates for your PS4 controller via your PS4 console, or using a windows application from the Sony official website. This can help improve performance.
• Experiment with Settings: Play around with controller sensitivity settings in-game or using software like DS4Windows to find what feels best for you.
• Protect Your Controller: Using a protective case or storing your controller properly can increase its life span.

Conclusion

Connecting your PS4 controller to your PC is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your gaming experience. Whether you choose a wired or wireless connection, understanding the steps involved and troubleshooting potential issues will ensure you enjoy your favorite PC games with the familiar comfort of a DualShock 4 controller. With the added compatibility of DS4Windows and Steam Input, you have even more options for customizing and enjoying your gaming sessions.

So go ahead, grab your controller, connect it to your PC, and get ready for some fantastic gaming!