How to Sync a PS4 Controller | Digital Trends
Although the ps4 has developed a fairly reliable reputation, you can expect problems to arise as your console continues to age and reach “latest generation” status. in fact, new problems are discovered every day.
New fun issues aside, we can’t overstate the convenience of having playstation 4 wireless controllers, but you do need to sync them with your system to use them. For PS4 or PS4 Pro owners, syncing PS4 Dualshock controllers shouldn’t be a problem, but we’re here to clear up any confusion. We’ll go over all the common ps4 controller issues, so you can focus on choosing which games to play.
We can’t overstate the convenience of having playstation 4 wireless controllers, but you do need to sync them with your system to use them. For PS4 or PS4 Pro owners, syncing your controllers shouldn’t be a problem, but we’re here to clear up any confusion.
if you want to get rid of your console, we have also prepared a guide to connect your ps4 controller to your pc.
see more
- ps4 games with the best graphics
- best ps4 controllers
- 5 tips to save battery on your playstation 4 controller
how to sync a ps4 controller
Syncing a PlayStation 4 Dualshock controller to a PS4 is extremely easy, but it does require one piece of hardware: a USB to Micro-B cable. There is no wireless solution for pairing controllers via Bluetooth, so to sync new controllers to your PS4, you’ll need a cable (although you can connect a PS4 or Xbox controller to your smartphone or tablet). your dualshock 4 controller comes with a cable, but any usb 2.0 to micro-b cable will work.
step 1: connect the usb cable to the controller and then to the playstation 4 usb port.
Step 2: When you turn on your PS4, your controller should automatically connect with your PlayStation, thanks to the USB cable. You’ll need to push the PlayStation button in the center of the controller to activate the controller. When you do that, the PS4 should take you to the login screen to choose a player account to go with that controller.
You’ll know the controller is working because the led light bar on top of the controller will turn blue (or another color, if it’s not the first controller connected: red for player 2, green for player 3 and pink for player 4). that cable will also recharge your controller, with the yellow light when the controller is charging but not powered on.
Troubleshooting: Re-pairing your controller
Step 1: When you’re having trouble with a controller not working wirelessly with your ps4, the usual problem with pairing is that the controller’s battery is dead. if it sounds like the solution to the “unplug it, then plug it back in” problem, it is.
make sure the controller is charging when you plug it in; when not in use, you will see the light bar at the top turn yellow. If it doesn’t load, you might have another problem, such as a bad controller port or a bad cable.
Step 2: If your pairing issues are not related to power or cable, you may need to reset your playstation controller and reset your playstation 4 to pair again. If you have a controller that still works, you can do this in the settings menu on the ps4. it’s on the home screen on the far right, represented by a suitcase icon.
Step 3: Navigate down to the Devices menu, and then choose Bluetooth Devices. In the Bluetooth settings, you’ll see all your controllers there, as well as any other Bluetooth devices that are compatible with your PlayStation, such as PS4 headsets and the greatly-improved PDP PS4 Bluetooth Remote. Choose the one you’re trying to reset (it can be difficult to tell, and you might need to turn on all your controllers if you have more than one), select it, and hit the X button.
now press the options button on your controller to bring up a context menu and select forget device. if you do, your controller will be unlinked from your playstation 4.
once this is done, you should be able to plug the controller in with your usb adapter to pair it with the console again, as mentioned at the beginning of this guide.
How to hard reset your controller
If re-pairing the controller doesn’t work, the problem could be with the controller itself and not the ps4. in that case, you will need to reset the controller. you will need an unfolded paper clip (or something similarly thin and sturdy) with which to press a hidden button on your ps4 controller to reset it.
step 1: turn off your ps4 and unplug it along with your internet router or modem so that your controller will not receive any network signal when you restart it.
Step 2: When you’re done, flip the controller over and look for a small hole on the right side. push the clip into the hole and press the button within three to five seconds. it’s best to hold it down to a count of 10 to be safe.
alternative: how to use usb only
It is also possible to bypass the Bluetooth wireless connection and play with your Dualshock 4 as a wired controller, with a USB-enabled connection. That’s obviously not ideal when you might be able to play wirelessly, but it’s a possible solution when connectivity and signal issues persist. You can set a controller to only communicate with the PS4 via USB when it’s plugged in by changing the controller settings in the Devices menu, as above. under devices, navigate to controllers, and then set the controllers to only communicate via usb when plugged in. that way signal or bluetooth issues shouldn’t affect the controller, as long as you have a wired connection.
thinking about upgrading to the new ps5? Check out our guide to see how the PS4 and PS5 compare.
editors recommendations
- save $300 on this asus gaming pc at walmart today; now $599
- sony has shipped over 117 million playstation 4 systems, by final count
- ps5 game boost guide: what is game boost and how does it work?
- this $99 usb driver made my gaming phone so much cooler
- dell’s most popular gaming laptop just got a massive price cut
