How to Sync (or Reset) a PlayStation Controller
Finally spent money on the long-awaited PlayStation 5? Now you just need to sync your DualSense PS5 controller and you’re ready to start playing.
How to Sync a PS5 Controller
To sync the new DualSense PS5 controller with your PS5 console, you’ll need the console, the DualSense controller , and a USB-C cable (the cable should have been included with your PS5 controller). Turn on your PS5 and connect your DualSense controller using a USB-C cable to one of the USB ports on the front of the console. Then, if your controller is turned off, press the PS button in the center of the controller and you will see the light bar on the controller begin to flash.
You may see a pop-up window indicating that your DualSense controller requires a firmware update. Select “update”; this should take less than 30 seconds. Once the update is complete, you can disconnect your PS5 controller from your console and use it wirelessly.
Once one DualSense controller is paired, you can sync a total of four controllers at once. To connect additional PS5 controllers to your console, turn on your PS5 and go to Settings > Accessories , select General, and select Bluetooth Accessories . Next, go to the second DualSense controller and simultaneously press and hold the PS button and the Create button (the button with three lines on the left side of the touchpad). If you have a controller already paired, you should see a list of accessories found and an additional DualSense wireless controller appear; select it to connect to your console. Once complete, you may need to update the new controller’s firmware by connecting it to your console via a USB-C cable.
How to Sync a PS4 Controller
Even though we’re currently in the midst of the latest generation of consoles with the PS5 and Xbox Series X&S, the PS4 is still a viable option for many. If you still have a PS4 or are planning to buy one on the cheap, there are hundreds of games to play, including PlayStation exclusives like Marvel’s Spider-Man , God of War (2018) and Bloodborne . And to play some of these PS4 games, you’ll need a working PS4/DualShock 4 controller .
Before you begin the syncing process, you will need your PS4 console and controller , as well as a MicroUSB to USB cable. (One of these cables should come with your DualShock 4 controller , since you can also use it to charge the controller.)
Once you’ve gathered everything you need, plug the USB cable into your controller and the other end of the cable into the USB port on your PlayStation 4. Then turn on your PS4 and your controller should automatically connect to your console. Pressing the PlayStation button in the center of the controller should activate the controller. You’ll then be taken to a screen that allows you to decide which gamer account you want to link to that specific PS4 controller. That’s it: you can disconnect the USB cable and your PS4 controller will sync with your console and can be used wirelessly.
The light bar at the top of the PS4 controller should turn blue, indicating that it is working. If you have multiple PS4 controllers connected and turned on to your PS4, the light bar will turn red for player 2, green for player 3, and pink for player 4. The light bar will turn yellow when the PS4 controller is charging.
How to reconnect a PS5 or PS4 controller
If you’re having problems with your PS5 or PS4 controller, such as it not connecting wirelessly to your console, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take.
First, make sure your controller is charging. To test, connect the controller to the PlayStation USB port using a MicroUSB to USB cable. When your controller is charging, the light bar will be yellow. If the light is off, it’s not charging and you may have another problem, such as a bad cable or a damaged microUSB port on your controller.
Another thing to try is to reboot your controller and pair it again. To do this, turn on the PlayStation with the controller working and go to Settings . Then go to Devices and select Bluetooth Devices . You should see a list of products that you have connected to your PlayStation, such as controllers, headsets, and media remotes. Select the controller you are having problems with.
If you have multiple controllers and you’re not sure which controller is having the problem, you may need to enable all paired controllers. Use the X button to select the controller that isn’t working, then press the Options button (the small button on the right side of the touchpad) on the controller to open the menu. Select Forget device . This will disconnect your controller from the console; Once done, follow the steps above to sync your controller with your PlayStation again.
How to Hard Reset a PS5 or PS4 Controller
If the troubleshooting steps in the previous section do not help, you may need to perform a hard reset of the controller. To do this, turn off the PlayStation and disconnect the console from the Internet router and model. This ensures that your controller does not receive any network signals when it is reset.
Then turn the controller over and look for a small hole on the right side. To press the reset button you will need an unfolded paperclip or something similar. Insert the paperclip into the hole for three to five seconds. Take it out and your controller should reboot. Now you can try the synchronization process again.
Use a PS5 or PS4 controller for USB only.
Alternatively, you can use the controller with your console using a USB cable. Of course, this is not as convenient as using a controller over a wireless network, but it will get the job done. To set up your PlayStation controller to communicate with your console only over USB when it’s connected, go to your console’s Settings , then Devices > Controllers . From there, you should see the ability to communicate with the controllers via USB when you connect them to the console: You can now start using the controller with just the USB cable connected.