How Can I Connect My PS5 Controller to a Steam Deck?
How Can I Connect My PS5 Controller to a Steam Deck?
3 Answers

Hey there! If you’re itching to get your PS5 controller working with your Steam Deck, you’re in the right place. Hooking up that DualSense controller is pretty easy, and it can really amp up your gaming, especially when you’re relaxing with it in docked mode. So, what do you say we jump right into it?
Get Your Steam Deck Ready
First things first, make sure your Steam Deck is switched on and ready to roll. Hit the “Steam” button at the bottom left of the screen to dive into the menu.
Turn on That Bluetooth
Slide on over to “Settings” in the menu, and then find “Bluetooth” in the sidebar. You’ve got to make sure Bluetooth is on, and if it’s doing its thing, you should see a message like “Searching for devices.”
Get the PS5 Controller Ready to Roll
Now, grab that DualSense controller. To put it in pairing mode, press and hold the “Create” button (that’s the one with three lines) and the “PlayStation” button at the same time. See those blue lights flashing? That’s your controller saying it’s ready to connect.
Let’s Get Them Paired Up
Back on the Steam Deck, spy the “DualSense Wireless Controller” in the list of Bluetooth devices. A quick tap on that, and voila, you’re paired up!
Check Everything’s Cool
Once they’re linked, you should be able to surf through your Steam Deck with the controller. The DualSense button labels should line up perfectly with what you’re used to.
A Bit Extra Info for You
- If you ever need to swap out controllers or take a break, just turn off Bluetooth or go through the pairing process with a new device.
- And here’s the catch—while most stuff should run smoothly, some of the fancy features like haptic feedback might not work over Bluetooth.
And there you have it! With these steps, your PS5 controller should be paired with your Steam Deck, making your gaming experience a whole lot comfier. Time to enjoy some epic gaming sessions!

Hooking up a PS5 controller to your Steam Deck? Super easy! You’ve got options here – wireless through Bluetooth or good old-fashioned wired. Let’s dive in.
Wireless Connection (Bluetooth)
First up, let’s go wireless. You’ll need to get Bluetooth rolling on the Steam Deck. Head to “Settings,” click on “Bluetooth,” and flip that switch on.
Next, getting the controller into pairing mode is crucial. If it’s off, hit and hold the “PS” and “Create” buttons at the same time until the light bar starts doing its flashy thing.
Now on the Steam Deck, snoop around in your Bluetooth settings for new devices. When you spot “Wireless Controller,” click it, and boom – paired! The light on your controller will go solid, which is your green light that everything’s good to go.
Wired Connection
Not feeling wireless? No problem – grab a USB Type-C cable. Connect one end to the Steam Deck and the other to your PS5 controller. It should just be recognized instantly – no fuss here!
If you run into hiccups, check if both gadgets are updated with the latest firmware. Sometimes, a quick restart can do wonders. And for Bluetooth, be sure you’re not drowning in interference – maybe move a bit closer.
There you have it! A wired or wireless wonderland awaits with your PS5 controller and Steam Deck teaming up. If you hit any bumps, don’t hesitate to dig into those support pages or manuals. Enjoy the game!

Let’s be real—playing games with a PS5 DualSense controller on a Steam Deck is a game-changer, especially for those titles that thrive on slick analog controls or that sweet haptic feedback. So, here’s the lowdown on how you can get your controller hooked up, along with a couple of tips to dodge any hiccups along the way.
Different Ways to Connect
1. Wired Connection
This one’s no fuss:
- Step 1: Grab yourself a USB-C to USB-C cable (or USB-C to USB-A with an adapter) and plug the controller into the Steam Deck’s USB-C port.
- Step 2: The Steam Deck should spot the controller right away. Just give it a whirl via Settings > Controller > Test Device Inputs.
The Reason This Works: Using a USB cable skips over Bluetooth hang-ups and keeps everything running smoothly. Most games are pretty good about picking up on the controller through DirectInput drivers.
2. Bluetooth Pairing
If you want to cut loose from cables:
- Step 1: On the Steam Deck, pop into Gaming Mode > Settings > Bluetooth and hit up Add Device.
- Step 2: Hold down the PS button + Share button on the PS5 controller until it starts flashing blue.
- Step 3: Find Wireless Controller on the Steam Deck’s list and select it.
Getting Set Up After Pairing:
- Launch Steam in Big Picture Mode (Desktop Mode) and turn on Steam Input for PlayStation controllers under Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings. This smooths out any quirks with games set for Xbox-style input.
A Few Tricks Up Your Sleeve
Using Chiaki4Deck for PS5 Remote Play
Want to play your PS5 games on the Steam Deck? You can do that, and here’s how:
- Install Chiaki4Deck:
- Go into Desktop Mode, fire up a browser, and grab Chiaki4Deck from GitHub by running the terminal command it gives you.
- Follow the prompts to set up your PSN Account ID and PS5 PIN.
- Add it to your Steam Library:
- Stick Chiaki4Deck in as a non-Steam game, then use community controller layouts like chiaki4deck+ by gmoney23 to get those touchpad/button combos working like a charm.
What to Do When Things Go South
A. Controller Doesn’t Want to Play Ball
- Check Everything’s Hooked Up: Might be a problem with the cables, or you may need to do the Bluetooth dance again.
- Update the Firmware: Plug the PS5 controller into a PS5 or PC to grab the latest firmware updates from Sony.
- Reboot the Steam Deck: Honestly, turning it off and on again can work wonders for any driver issues.
B. Lag’s Got You Down or the Controller Disconnects
- Move It or Lose It: Keep the controller within a good range, say 10 feet, of the Steam Deck and stay clear of chaotic Wi-Fi/Bluetooth environments.
- Go Wired: Bluetooth lag? See ya! Not a problem when you go wired.
C. Buttons Feel All Wrong
- Tweak with Steam Input: Pop into Big Picture Mode, head over to Controller Settings > Define Layout to remap buttons or work those dead zones.
- Compatibility Check: Some oldies might need you to get into their settings menus and manually set things up.
Why Getting This Right Matters
So, here’s the kicker—the Steam Deck’s Linux OS can handle PlayStation controllers, but loads of PC games prefer Xbox-style XInput. Steam Input steps in as a middleman, converting those DualSense signals into XInput, making everything mesh better. If you’re playing PS5 games remotely, tools like Chiaki4Deck translate those signals while keeping haptic and adaptive trigger features intact.
Seriously, stick with these tips, and you’ll be squeezing every ounce of performance out of your DualSense on the Steam Deck, whether you’re playing local games or streaming from your PS5.