Why is my PS5 controller not working on my PC?
Why is my PS5 controller not working on my PC?
3 Answers

Alright, having trouble with your PS5 controller on the PC? It can be a bit of a pain, but no worries, here are some things you can try:
- Check if Things Play Nice Together:
First things first, make sure your PC can actually deal with the PS5 DualSense controller. If you’re on Windows 10 or later, you’re generally good, but sometimes extra software like Steam helps with those fancy features.
- Keep It Simple with a Cable:
Try hooking up the controller using a USB-C cable. Sometimes Bluetooth or driver quirks can mess things up, so a direct connection might just do the trick.
- Updates Are Your Friend:
- Make sure your PC’s Bluetooth and USB drivers are up to date. I usually head to the manufacturer’s site for the latest scoop.
- Don’t forget to update Steam or whatever gaming setup you’re using. New gadgets like the DualSense controller need all those fresh updates.
- Do the Steam Jig:
Using Steam? Head over to Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings and tick the PlayStation Configuration Support box. Then just restart Steam and reconnect the controller. Easy peasy!
- Tackle the Bluetooth Beast:
- If you’re going wireless, make sure your controller’s in pairing mode (hold the PS and Create buttons till the lights start dancing).
- Sometimes you need to remove it from Bluetooth settings and pair it again.
- And hey, check for any interference or close the gap between the controller and PC.
- Third-Party Lifelines:
If all else fails, there’s always software like DS4Windows to help out with those pesky configurations on Windows.
That should cover most of your PS5 controller hang-ups on PC. If you’re still hitting walls, maybe it’s time to dive into PlayStation support or forum wisdom for some expert advice. Good luck!

So your PS5 controller isn\’t playing nice with your PC. Been there, done that. Let\’s break it down and see how to get things back on track.
First off, we need to chat about how you\’re connecting the controller. The DualSense can go both wired with a USB-C or wireless through Bluetooth. Sometimes these connections just don’t behave the way they should.
For wired setup, make sure you’re using a decent cable. Dodgy cables can mess things up because not all of them handle data properly, just power. Try switching USB ports too; sometimes, it’s the port that\’s the problem, not the cable.
If you’re going the wireless route, Bluetooth can be picky. Make sure it’s on and active on your PC. You’ve got to hold the PS and Share buttons on the controller until the lightbar starts blinking crazily to get into pairing mode. If things still aren’t working, clearing out older pairings in your Bluetooth settings might help.
Moving on, let’s talk software. Windows doesn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for DualSense controllers. If you’re using Steam, you can try their Big Picture Mode. There’s an option there under Controller Settings to enable PlayStation support. That can sort things out for lots of games.
For games outside of Steam, something like DS4Windows might do the trick. It makes your DualSense look like an Xbox controller to most games, bypassing a whole mess of compatibility hurdles.
Some games just don’t natively play well with the DualSense, which can get pretty frustrating. Try forcing Steam Input on. You can tweak the game’s controller settings in Steam by enabling controller support specifically for the game. If you’re not gaming on Steam, use their “Add a non-Steam game” option and work some magic with manual mappings.
You might run into trouble if your gear is out of date. That includes both your controller’s firmware and your PC’s drivers. Plug that controller into a PS5 every now and then to get the latest updates. On your PC, a quick hop into Device Manager to update your drivers might do wonders.
And if none of this is helping, we might be looking at some hardware issues. Try your controller on a PS5; if it’s a no-go there as well, something mechanical might be out of whack. Maybe a new USB cable or a different Bluetooth adapter can save the day for wireless setups.
Now, you might be wondering, why all this hassle? Well, the DualSense uses DirectInput, whereas, let’s face it, most PC games are more into XInput, which is why the Xbox controllers tend to have an easier time. And, while we’re at it, fancy features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback are mostly exclusive to select games.
Most of these fixes should get your game back on track, but when in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask for professional help. Sometimes, a quick repair is better than banging your head against the wall.

Let\’s dive into fixing your PS5 controller issues on your PC. It\’s totally frustrating when things don\’t work as they should, but we can figure this out.
First up, check how you’re connecting the controller. If you\’re going for USB, make sure that cable isn’t just for charging — it needs to handle data too. Plug it right into your computer, and see if Windows picks it up correctly. It\’s a simple method that usually skips the headaches of wireless problems.
But if Bluetooth is your thing, double-check that it\’s on. The process is pretty straightforward: hold down the PS button and Create button until the light starts flashing. Then, hop over to your PC\’s Bluetooth settings and look for the controller to pair it.
Next, driver conflicts can be a real drag. After hooking up your controller, peek into your Device Manager to see if it’s showing up under “Human Interface Devices” or “Game Controllers.” If Windows grumbles about driver troubles, try updating your system, reinstalling drivers, or swapping the USB port you’re using. Oh, and if you’re using gaming utilities like Steam Input, they might be causing some tension too. Lately, Steam’s settings tweaks have occasionally confused PS5 controllers for something they’re not, leading to all kinds of fun quirks.
Speaking of Steam, if you’re using it, head to the “Controller” settings (under “Settings”) and see if there’s something funky going on. Some users have mentioned that opting into certain preview channels can throw things off with weird mappings or blocked devices. Sometimes, just turning off Steam Input for specific games helps, especially if the game already knows how to play nice with a PS5 controller.
Stubborn issues? There’s always the old-school approach of resetting. On the back of your controller, there’s a tiny button hiding in a hole. Find something pointy (hello, paperclip), press it for a few seconds, and let it do its thing. It won’t erase any pairings but might clear up some rogue behavior.
One last thing to consider: software quirks and what your games can handle. While Windows does support the DualSense, those fancy triggers and vibrations won’t jive unless the game has built-in support. Check your game’s support pages just to be sure. And if the controller acts up only when particular apps, like Steam, are running, close them down as an experiment to see if the situation improves.
Hopefully, these tips put you back in the game. Keeping everything updated usually goes a long way in dodging these hiccups. You can always refer to official instructions or gaming forums if you’re still stumped.