Are you trying to connect your PlayStation 5 controller to your PC with little success? If you’re having this issue, you’re not alone — and you’re in the right place. There are many solutions to this problem. Using the PS5 controller on your PC is possible and simple to do, you’ve just got to get the setup down.
You can connect a PS5 DualSense controller to your PC using a USB cable or Bluetooth. The controller will also work with Steam games. If the controller isn’t working for some reason, try restarting the computer and controller, then re-connecting from scratch.
To connect the controller to your PC, you’ve got to familiarize yourself with how the systems work. Luckily, we’ve got a handy step-by-step guide to avoid any connectivity issues while using the PS5 DualSense controller on your PC. So, let’s get started!
Does a PS5 Controller Work on a PC?
PS5 controllers aren’t only designed to work on your PlayStation5. Perhaps you’d like to play certain games on your PC and are wondering if you can use your innovative DualSense controller (on Amazon) to do so.
You most certainly can. All you have to do is simply connect the controller and you’re good to go…or at least in most cases it’s just that simple! You can establish a wired or a wireless connection between the controller and your PC. If your PC allows for a Bluetooth connection, that’ll do fine.
Using a PS5 controller will get you a smooth, fun, and interesting PC gaming experience unlike any that you had before. Even though some games are better to play with a mouse and a keyboard, there are lots of games that will be enhanced through this unique setup.
Why Isn’t Your PS5 Controller Working on Your PC?
Sometimes, the PS5 controller might not connect to your PC. There are a few reasons why this might be happening, so don’t jump to any conclusions. Let’s go through some common reasons why the PS5 controller might not be working on your PC:
Bluetooth Interruption
If the Bluetooth connection to your PC is not working for some reason, the PS5 controller won’t connect to it. The Bluetooth interruption could be on the controller end or the PC end. This sort of issue can arise from time to time without any reason and is often fixed on its own without you noticing. Ideally!
Sometimes, if several Bluetooth devices are located in the same place, they can interfere with each other’s signals. Signal interference can be a big issue, so try to avoid it if you want a stable connection.
Moreover, if the controller was connected to another device before the PC, it might be connected to it. So, check if other connections, such as to your PlayStation, are turned off properly.
Damaged USB Cables and Ports
Forming a wired connection between your PC and the PS5 controller requires fully functional USB cables and ports. If any of these are damaged, the connection will be disturbed or it won’t connect at all.
You can get the Talk Works USB C Cable for DualSense Controller (on Amazon) and form a wired connection with the PC.
To check if your USB cable is working, use another USB cable and connect the controller with your PC. If the controller is working now, the issue is with the previous USB cable.
If your controller is working on another device such as a laptop but not on your PC, then the issue might be with the USB port of your PC.
Controller Settings
If you want your PS5 controller to work on your PC, you have to set the correct controller settings. Incorrect controller settings will lead to the PC recognizing the device as a USB and not as a controller. For this reason, the controller won’t work in any game.
Low Controller Battery
Make sure that your controller has sufficient battery, otherwise it won’t allow any connections from your PC! In case of a low battery, you can connect the controller through a USB cable and charge the controller while using it on your PC. Typically a dead controller isn’t going to signal any connection issues to you, it’s just going to not work at all.
Does the PS5 Controller Work With Steam Games?
Steam is the most famous game launcher for PC gaming, and Steam is compatible with the DualSense controller.
In order to use your controller with Steam, you have to let Steam know that you want to play through a controller. It’s a simple process. All you have to do is connect your controller with your PC and follow the steps below:
- Open Steam and click on ‘Steam‘ located at the upper left corner of your screen.
- Go to ‘Settings‘ and select ‘Controller.‘
- Enter ‘General Controller Settings‘ in the controller category.
- Go to ‘Define Layout‘ to adjust buttons according to your preference.
- Save the preferences.
- Go back to the ‘Controller‘ tab and check ‘PS Configuration Support‘ and ‘Generic Gamepad Configuration Support.‘
Steam will recognize that you’re using a controller instead of a mouse and a keyboard. You’re good to go and can play games on Steam.
Why Isn’t Your PS5 Controller Working on Steam?
The PS5 controller might not work on Steam due to the reasons mentioned above or due to a glitch. If you’re looking for a quick fix to this problem, you’re in the right place.
Check the Settings
Your Steam must recognize that you are using a controller. For this reason, go to Steam settings and enter controller settings. Adjust your settings according to your preference.
Entering the controller settings will help Steam to recognize your controller.
Enter “Big Picture Mode”
The big picture mode in Steam was designed to play games on a TV using a controller. If your controller isn’t working on Steam, you can enter the big picture mode.
To do this, open Steam and click on “Big Picture Mode” in the top corner on the right side. Voila! You have entered big picture mode.
You can exit the big picture mode by clicking on “Exit” at the top right corner of the TV screen in the Steam app and pressing the “A” button on your controller.
Update Steam, and the Games Your Playing
Check for Steam client updates in the menu bar in the software section of your PC. Usually, Steam updates itself automatically, but the update might have failed due to an interruption in the internet connection. To establish a proper connection, it’s important to update the Steam app.
If the controller isn’t working in a certain game, that game might need an update. Check if all your games are up-to-date before using your PS5 controller for gaming on Steam.
How to Fix the PS5 Controller to PC Connection
Sometimes the PS5 controller doesn’t work on a PC, and it can be a real headache. Here are some possible fixes to try out:
Reconnect the Controller
If you’ve used Bluetooth to connect the controller with your PS5, try to reconnect it. For this purpose:
- Open the Bluetooth section on your PC and select the DualSense option.
- Click on ‘Forget Device‘ to disconnect the controller from your PC.
- Turn off the Bluetooth of your PC and wait for a few seconds.
- Turn it back on and reconnect the PC Bluetooth with the PS5 controller’s Bluetooth.
Reset the Controller
Resetting the controller can fix a lot of issues. It will erase all the devices from the controller’s memory and form a fresh connection with your PC.
Follow the simple steps given below to reset the controller:
- Disconnect the controller from your PC.
- Turn off the DualSense controller.
- Flip the controller and find the reset button located next to the L2 button.
- Press and hold the reset button for 5 seconds using a needle or any other tipped tool.
- Turn on the controller and check if the problem is still there.
Form a Wired Connection
Skip the Bluetooth connection and use a USB cable to connect the controller with your PC. Make sure that the USB cable is in good shape and works properly before trying to connect the controller with your PC. You can switch to another USB cable or USB port if there is any connectivity issue.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how you can connect your PS5 controller to your PC and all the possible fixes for an improper connection, you can finally enjoy a next-level gaming experience.
By using the PS5 controller on your PC, you can get the most out of your controller and your games. It will be an experience like no other. So… What are you waiting for?