The PlayStation 5 controller sometimes flashes different color lights such as blue or orange, which can be somewhat concerning if you don’t know why it’s happening. But if this is happening to your controller, don’t panic just yet.
The PS5 DualSense controller flashes blue briefly while turning on and connecting to the console. If the light doesn’t fade, you may have an issue with the connection. Try restarting the controller, resetting it, and updating the console and controller software for a quick fix.
The first step towards fixing a malfunctioning controller is figuring out the root cause behind the problem. Only then you can determine whether the controller really needs a fix or if something else is the root of the issue. So, let’s get started and learn everything about flashing lights on the PS5 DualSense controller!
How To Fix The PS5 Controller Blue Light – Quick Reference
While we’re for sure going to dive deep into this problem, what technically causes it, and the details of how to fix it, we’ll start here with a list of the top 3 things you should try to do to clear the blue blinking light right now, before you read any further.
| Fix Method | Steps to Accomplish |
|---|---|
| Restart the PS5 and Controller | Turn off your PS5 by pressing the power button and wait for the power indicator to turn off. Do the same by holding the PS button on your controller down for about 10 seconds. Then, restart your PS5 and controller. |
| Re-pair the PS5 and Controller | On your PS5 console, go to Settings > Accessories > Controllers, and then select “Bluetooth Devices”. Disconnect your controller and then re-pair it from the same menu. |
| Fully Reset the PS5 Controller | Look for a small hole on the back of the controller, disconnect any USB cables, and then place a small pointed object into the hole and hold it for five seconds. The controller will vibrate and the light bar will flash, indicating that it has been reset. Then, try to re-pair it with the console again. |
If none of those worked for you, then it’s necessary to roll up your sleeves, get closer to the problem, and work through the details. You can also check out this great summary video on YouTube.
Be sure to skim our Ultimate PS5 Owner’s Guide to be prepared for any other issues you may have with the DualSense, but for now let’s get started with more advanced troubleshooting on the blue flashing light, starting with understanding the flashing light and why it happens at all. If it keeps disconnecting and flashing that light, check out our dedicated console-connection troubleshooting guide.
What Do Flashing Lights Mean on the PS5 Controller (Blue, Orange, Red, etc.)?
The latest PS5 DualSense controller (on Amazon) has incorporated some new and innovative technology, boasting a range features that weren’t available with the previous PS4 controller.
These are positive developments, but some people get pretty confused while using the controller due to various lights and flashes that can occur. The lights and flashes shown by the PS5 controller indicate different activities taking place.
| Problem/Light | Likely Cause | Quick Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Flashing Light | Connection Issue | Restart or re-pair the PS5 and controller |
| Unusual Orange Flash | Charging Issue | Check USB cable, port, or battery |
| Red or White Flash | Hardware or Software Malfunction | Troubleshoot problem or consider repair/replacement |
Normally, the PS5 controller flashes in two different colors: blue and orange/amber. Usually, they’re not associated with any problem regarding the controller or your PS5.
The issue comes if the controller keeps on flashing and doesn’t stop, or if the color of the flash isn’t orange or blue.
Before learning how you can fix a blinking PS5 controller, you must know why different flashes come up on the controller.
Most of the time, the flashes indicate an operative action. The action could be anything from a connection underway to charging. Once you’ve figured out why a certain color flash is coming up on your controller, you’ll feel much better about it. Let’s see what the colors mean.
What Does The PS5 Controller Blue Flashing Mean?
When you turn on your PS5 controller, it tries to connect with the console. At that time, the controller blinks blue. The flashing blue light indicates a connection with the console and powering on.
When the controller is connected to the console, the blue flashing should stop. It lasts for only a few seconds in normal cases.
If the controller can’t connect with the console, it will keep on flashing the blue light. That’s when you need a troubleshoot.
There can be various reasons for the poor connection between the console and the PS5 controller, including the following:
- Outdated software of the controller
- Incompatibility between the controller and the console
- Damaged USB cables
- Disruption in the Bluetooth connection due to interferences
- Outdated software of the console
What About Orange Flashing?
An orange flash is an indication of charging. When you plug in your controller to charge, it blinks orange light until you stop charging. The problem comes when the orange light blinks for a few seconds and disappears, or when the controller isn’t charging but the orange light is there.
When your controller’s battery has failed, it might not charge properly. The PS5 controller will show this issue by blinking an orange light for only a few seconds.
As the PS5 controller guide explains, when you connect your controller to the PS5 via USB: “While in rest mode, the light bar on the controller slowly blinks orange. When charging is complete, the light bar turns off.”
What Do Red and White Flashes Mean?
Any color other than orange or blue on the PS5 controller indicates either a software or a hardware malfunction such as corrupted data or software, bad wiring inside the controller, or a damaged controller.
In this case, you will have to troubleshoot the problem and find a proper solution. In some cases, you might need to send your controller for a repair or a replacement.
How Do You Fix a Blue-Blinking PS5 Controller?
If your PS5 controller is blinking blue light and it isn’t connecting to the console, here are some solutions to try out:
Try Resetting the Connection
Turn off both your controller and your console for one minute. Press the PS button on your controller for 10 seconds to shut it down. Wait for a minute before turning it back on.
Now, turn on your PS5 and try to connect the controller with the console. Check if the problem has been solved; if not, move on to the next solution.
Update the Console
Your console needs to be up-to-date in order to form a stable connection with your DualSense controller. If you’ve turned on auto-updates, the console should update automatically when it connects to the internet. However, you can still check if the console is updated.
Follow the steps given below to check updates for your console:
- Connect the PS5 to the internet.
- Go to settings and find ‘System.’
- Go to ‘System Software‘ and choose ‘System Software Update and Settings.’
- If an update is available, click on ‘Update System Software.’
- Wait for the update to finish and check if the issue has been resolved or not.
Another way to update the PS5 is through safe mode. You can find a tutorial for how to do that in this video.
Check for Console Issues
You need to make sure that the blue flash is indicating an issue with the controller and not the console. In order to do this, you can try to connect the controller with another device.
If the blue flashing light still appears, then the problem is due to the controller. If not, the issue is with the console.
Check the USB cable and the USB Port
A damaged USB cable or USB port can lead to a faulty connection between your controller and the console. Try to connect the cable of your controller with another device to see if the cable itself is damaged.
Likewise, connect another controller to the USB port of your PS5. By taking these steps, you should be able to figure out where the source of the problem lies.
If the cable is damaged, there’s a pretty easy fix: You can get a new one. A good option is the Surge PS5 Dual Charge and Play Cable (on Amazon).
For a damaged USB port, you’ll need to get a repair done.
Reset the Controller
Resetting the controller will delete any corrupted data and give it a fresh, smooth start. To reset the controller, follow the steps given below:
- Disconnect the controller from the PS5.
- Turn off the controller by holding down the PS button for a few seconds.
- Take a safety pin or a needle and locate the reset button at the back of the controller.
- Press the reset button using the selected tool for 5 seconds.
- Turn on the controller and see if the problem is still there.
This fix has the added benefit of being a great general-purpose health update for the remote. It can fix other issues like input lag, phantom vibrations, connection dropouts and even stick drift. That said, proper charging is the only thing that will keep the batteries fresh.
Check the Bluetooth Connection
A faulty Bluetooth connection can cause a poor connection between the controller and the console, thereby causing the flashing blue light. To check if the Bluetooth connection is at fault, connect the controller with the PS5 using a USB cable.
If the flashing blue light has disappeared after using a USB cable, the Bluetooth circuit is at fault.
Contact Customer Support
If none of the above solutions work, contact PlayStation customer support and explain your issue. They should be able to give you a solution according to your problem.
Be sure to tell them all of the solutions you’ve tried so that they don’t suggest a simple solution like resetting the controller or checking for damaged cables.
If your controller is having hardware issues, send it in for a repair.
If your warranty has run out, you can buy a nice new controller, like the Moddedzone Smart Rapid Fire Controller (on Amazon).
Getting Back In The Game
Now that you know why your controller is flashing blue, orange, red, or white, you can hopefully determine the cause and get it fixed as soon as possible. If none of our possible solutions work, you can contact customer support for further assistance. Before you know it, you’ll be right back in the game!