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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteYou can connect a PS5 DualSense controller to a Windows PC with a USB-C cable or Bluetooth. USB is the simpler option and is required for PC games that support the controller’s haptic feedback. Bluetooth is convenient for ordinary controller input, but a desktop without built-in Bluetooth will need a USB Bluetooth adapter.
Sony officially supports the DualSense on 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows 10 support from Microsoft ended on October 14, 2025, but the controller remains compatible with 64-bit Windows 10.
Before you start
Have the following ready:
- A PS5 DualSense controller.
- A USB cable with a USB Type-C connector for the controller. For wired use, the cable must support data, not charging only.
- Bluetooth built into the PC, or a USB Bluetooth adapter for wireless use.
- Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11.
You do not need a special Sony PC adapter or DS4Windows just to connect the controller. Windows supports the DualSense over USB and Bluetooth, and Steam has built-in PlayStation-controller support.
Method 1: Connect the PS5 controller with a USB cable
- Plug the USB-C end of the cable into the port on the top of the DualSense.
- Plug the other end into a USB port on the PC.
- Press the PS button on the controller.
Windows should detect the controller and install the necessary device support automatically. No separate driver is normally required for a standard USB connection.
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- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
If the wired connection does not work
- Try another USB port, preferably one directly on the PC rather than through an unpowered hub.
- Try another USB-C cable. A charge-only cable can charge the controller but cannot send button and stick input.
- Disconnect the controller, restart Windows, and connect it again.
- Test the controller in Windows using the
joy.cplprocedure below.
What USB enables
A wired connection is required for DualSense haptic feedback on PC when a supported game offers the feature. Adaptive triggers also depend on game support and may require USB. The controller’s headset jack requires a wired PC connection. The built-in microphone and speaker work only in games and applications that support them.
Method 2: Connect the PS5 controller over Bluetooth
Put the DualSense into pairing mode
- Make sure the controller’s player indicator is off. If it is on, hold the PS button until the controller turns off.
- Disconnect the USB cable.
- Hold the Create button and the PS button at the same time.
- Keep holding them until the light bar starts flashing.
The Create button is the small button to the left of the touchpad. It is not the Options button.
Pair in Windows 11
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select Bluetooth & devices.
- Turn on Bluetooth.
- Select Devices, then Add device.
- Choose Bluetooth.
- Select the DualSense when it appears in the list.
When pairing finishes, the light bar flashes and the player indicator lights up.
Pair in Windows 10
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select Devices.
- Open Bluetooth & other devices.
- Select Add Bluetooth or other device.
- Choose Bluetooth.
- Select the DualSense controller from the list.
If your desktop does not show a Bluetooth setting, it probably does not have Bluetooth hardware. Use a USB Bluetooth adapter or connect the controller by cable.
Connect the controller to multiple devices
Current DualSense controllers can store up to four Bluetooth pairings. Each pairing can be assigned to a controller slot:
| Slot | Pairing shortcut |
|---|---|
| 1 | PS + Triangle |
| 2 | PS + Circle |
| 3 | PS + Cross |
| 4 | PS + Square |
To assign the PC to a slot:
- Disconnect the USB cable and turn off the controller.
- Hold the relevant action button and the PS button for more than five seconds.
- When the light bar and player indicators flash twice, pair the controller from Windows Bluetooth settings.
To switch to an already paired device, hold its slot button and the PS button for about three seconds. If all four slots are occupied, a new pairing replaces the least recently used one.
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- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
Check whether Windows recognizes the controller
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
joy.cpl. - Press Enter.
- Select the controller and choose Properties.
- Open the Test tab.
- Press buttons and move the sticks to confirm that Windows receives the input.
If the buttons and sticks respond in joy.cpl but not in a particular game, the USB or Bluetooth connection is working. The remaining issue is probably the game’s controller support or its input mode.
Use the DualSense with Steam
Steam supports PlayStation controllers, including the DualSense. Its current behavior generally gives a game’s native PlayStation-controller support priority when available and uses Steam Input when the game needs input translation.
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Confirm Steam detects it
- Open Steam.
- Select Steam in the upper-left corner.
- Choose Settings.
- Select Controller.
- Check that Steam lists or responds to the connected DualSense.
Steam’s labels and controller settings have changed over time. Older guides may tell you to enable a universal “PlayStation Configuration Support” checkbox, but that option may not appear in the current client.
Change Steam Input for one game
- Open your Steam Library.
- Right-click the game.
- Select Properties.
- Open Controller.
- Use the controller-setting drop-down to select the desired Steam Input behavior.
Try the game’s default setting first. Forcing Steam Input in a game with native DualSense support can replace PlayStation button prompts or interfere with haptics and adaptive triggers. If a game does not recognize the controller, enabling Steam Input for that game may make it appear as a compatible device.
Use the DualSense with a non-Steam game
Windows may recognize the controller even when a particular game does not. Many PC games support only Microsoft’s XInput interface, which is commonly associated with Xbox controllers.
- Connect the controller by USB or Bluetooth.
- Verify it in
joy.cpl. - Check the game’s controller settings.
- Determine whether the game supports DualSense directly, PlayStation controllers through Steam Input, or only XInput.
If the game requires XInput, you can add it to Steam and launch it through Steam Input. Another option is an XInput mapper such as the maintained DS4Windows project, which supports DualSense controllers and can emulate an Xbox 360 controller. Do not run Steam Input and DS4Windows at the same time. Doing so can expose both the physical and virtual controller, resulting in duplicate button presses, menus that move twice, or the game selecting the wrong device.
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Rank #3
- Feel you in-game actions and environement simulated through haptic feedback
- Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
- Chat online through the built-in microphone
- Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
Update DualSense firmware from a PC
Sony’s PlayStation Accessories application for Windows can update the controller without a PS5 console.
- Connect the DualSense to the PC with a USB cable.
- Open PlayStation Accessories.
- Select the connected controller.
- Choose the firmware-update option if the application offers one.
- Leave the controller connected and do not turn off the PC during the update.
Use USB for this process rather than Bluetooth. The exact wording of the update controls can vary between versions of the application.
Fix common PS5 controller connection problems
The controller keeps reconnecting to the PS5
Turn off the PS5 or disconnect the controller from it. Make sure the DualSense’s player indicator is off, disconnect USB, and hold Create + PS until the light bar flashes. Then pair it from Windows.
The controller does not appear in Bluetooth settings
- Confirm Bluetooth is enabled under Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices in Windows 11, or Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices in Windows 10.
- Make sure the light bar is flashing. A steady light does not mean pairing mode is active.
- Disconnect the USB cable before starting Bluetooth pairing.
- Charge the controller.
- Move it close to the PC.
- Turn off Airplane mode.
- Restart Bluetooth or restart Windows.
The controller appears but will not connect
- Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices in Windows 11.
- Find the DualSense and select More options (…) > Remove device.
- Select Add device and pair it again.
In Windows 10, remove it from Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, then use Add Bluetooth or other device to pair again.
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Keep the controller within a short range of the PC. Also move it away from unshielded USB 3.0 devices, which can interfere with Bluetooth signals. If reliability matters more than avoiding a cable, use USB.
The controller works in Windows but not in the game
Run the joy.cpl test. If it passes, check the game’s supported controller type. Steam games may need a per-game setting under Library > right-click game > Properties > Controller. Non-Steam games may need Steam Input or an XInput mapper.
Rank #4
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
There are no haptics or adaptive triggers
Basic button input can work while DualSense-specific effects do not. Haptic feedback requires game support and USB on PC. Adaptive triggers also require game support and may require USB. Bluetooth does not provide every DualSense feature in every game.
The game detects two controllers or inputs happen twice
Close either Steam Input or the third-party mapper. A physical controller plus a virtual controller can produce duplicate input. If you use DS4Windows, follow its instructions for disabling conflicting Steam controller configuration options.
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Reset the controller if it still will not pair after removing and re-adding it:
- Turn off the PS5.
- Disconnect the controller from USB.
- Find the small reset hole next to the Sony logo on the back of the controller.
- Press and hold the reset button with a pin or similar tool for at least five seconds.
- Reconnect the controller by USB and press the PS button.
A reset does not reconfigure the controller or change its pairing settings.
What you do not need
- DS4Windows for every game: Windows and Steam can use the DualSense without it. A mapper is mainly useful for games that require XInput.
- A special Sony wireless adapter: standard Bluetooth works when the PC has Bluetooth hardware.
- Steam Input forced on globally: current Steam behavior can use native game support where available, with per-game overrides when necessary.
- Options + PS for Bluetooth pairing: DualSense pairing uses Create + PS.
- A single-device-only pairing: the controller can store up to four Bluetooth pairings.
FAQ
Can I connect a PS5 controller to a PC without Bluetooth?
Yes. Use a USB cable with a USB-C connector on the controller. The cable must support data; a charge-only cable will not transmit controller input.
Why does my DualSense work in Windows but not in my game?
Test it with joy.cpl. If it responds there, the connection is working. The game may require Steam Input, native PlayStation support, or an XInput mapper such as DS4Windows.
Best Value
- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
Does the PS5 controller need DS4Windows on PC?
No. Windows and Steam support the DualSense directly. DS4Windows is mainly useful for games that support only XInput or otherwise fail to recognize the controller.
Do DualSense haptics work over Bluetooth on PC?
Sony requires a USB connection for DualSense haptic feedback on PC when the game supports it. Adaptive triggers are also game-dependent and may require USB.
How do I put a DualSense into Bluetooth pairing mode?
Turn the controller off, disconnect USB, then hold the Create button and PS button together until the light bar flashes.
How many devices can a DualSense remember?
A current DualSense can store up to four Bluetooth pairings. You can assign pairings to slots using PS with Triangle, Circle, Cross, or Square.
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Use USB if you want the most reliable connection or supported haptic feedback. Use Bluetooth for cable-free basic input, then test the controller with joy.cpl before troubleshooting a game. Steam usually handles supported PlayStation controllers automatically; use a per-game Steam Input setting or an XInput mapper only when the game requires it.
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