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You can connect a PS5 DualSense controller to a Windows PC with either Bluetooth or a USB-C cable. Bluetooth is convenient for wireless gaming, while USB is the better choice when you need the controller’s headset jack or supported haptic feedback.
The steps differ slightly between Windows 11 and Windows 10. Before pairing, charge the controller and make sure your PC has Bluetooth. A desktop without built-in Bluetooth will need a USB Bluetooth adapter.
Connect a PS5 controller to a PC with Bluetooth
Bluetooth pairing works with the DualSense controller on 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11. Keep the controller close to the PC during setup and turn off the PS5 if it is nearby; otherwise, the controller may reconnect to the console instead.
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Pair the DualSense with Windows 11
- Disconnect the USB cable from the controller.
- If the player indicator is lit, hold the PS button until the controller turns off.
- Press and hold the Create button and the PS button together.
- Release both buttons when the light bar starts flashing. The controller is now in Bluetooth pairing mode.
- On the PC, select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Turn on Bluetooth.
- Select the Network, Sound, or Battery icon beside the Windows clock.
- Select the arrow beside the Bluetooth tile, sometimes labeled Manage Bluetooth devices.
- Under New devices, select the DualSense controller.
- Follow the prompt and select Done when Windows finishes pairing.
The light bar should stop searching and the player indicator should illuminate when the connection succeeds.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Another Windows 11 pairing method
If the controller does not appear in Quick Settings, use the full Bluetooth settings page:
- Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Select Devices > Add device.
- Choose Bluetooth.
- Select the DualSense controller from the list.
Pair the DualSense with Windows 10
- Disconnect the controller’s USB cable.
- Hold the PS button until the player indicator turns off, if the controller is currently on.
- Hold Create + PS until the light bar flashes.
- On the PC, open Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Turn on Bluetooth.
- Select Add Bluetooth or other device.
- Choose Bluetooth.
- Select the DualSense controller.
- Select Done after pairing completes.
Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. The controller can still pair with Windows 10, but the operating system no longer receives Microsoft’s free security updates or technical support.
Connect the PS5 controller with a USB cable
For a wired connection, plug the controller into the PC with a compatible USB Type-C cable. Windows should recognize it without Bluetooth pairing. If nothing happens, try another USB port or a cable that supports data transfer; some USB cables are made only for charging.
USB is the required connection method for DualSense haptic feedback on PC when a game supports it. The controller’s headset jack also requires a wired PC connection. Adaptive triggers work only in games that specifically support them.
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- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
Use the DualSense controller with Steam
Pairing proves that Windows can communicate with the controller, but it does not guarantee that every game will use it. The game itself must support controllers.
- Open Steam.
- Connect or pair the DualSense controller.
- Open Steam > Settings > Controller to review controller settings.
- Start the game and check its controller options.
Steam supports official Sony DualSense controllers. Depending on the game, Steam may let the game use its native PlayStation controller support or may translate the controller through Steam Input. Steam Input can be enabled or disabled globally in Steam’s controller settings, and the behavior can also be adjusted for an individual game through its controller configuration.
If a game shows Xbox button prompts, that usually means Steam Input or the game is presenting the controller as an XInput device. The controller can still work normally; the on-screen button labels may simply show A, B, X, and Y instead of the PlayStation symbols.
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A DualSense can store up to four device pairings. This is useful if you regularly switch between a PS5, PC, phone, or another compatible device.
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- 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
| Pairing slot | Buttons to hold |
|---|---|
| Slot 1 | PS + Triangle |
| Slot 2 | PS + Circle |
| Slot 3 | PS + Cross |
| Slot 4 | PS + Square |
Hold the button combination for more than five seconds, then select the controller from the PC’s Bluetooth settings. The light bar and player indicator should flash twice when the slot is assigned.
To use the next available slot automatically, hold Create + PS for at least three seconds, then add the controller from Windows Bluetooth settings.
Reconnect the controller to a PS5
The DualSense connects to only one device at a time. Pairing it with a PC does not permanently delete its PS5 pairing, but you may need to reconnect it manually.
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- Press the PS button.
- Wait for the controller to connect.
- Disconnect the cable if you want to continue playing wirelessly.
Fix common PS5 controller pairing problems
The controller does not appear in Bluetooth settings
- Make sure the USB cable is disconnected. A connected cable can prevent the controller from entering wireless pairing mode.
- Hold Create + PS until the light bar flashes. A solid light or no light usually means it is not in pairing mode.
- Confirm that Bluetooth is enabled in Windows.
- If you use a desktop PC, check whether it has built-in Bluetooth. If it does not, install a USB Bluetooth adapter.
- Charge the controller and move it closer to the PC.
- In Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices and set Bluetooth devices discovery to Advanced.
- Restart Bluetooth by turning it off, waiting a few seconds, and turning it back on.
Windows says it is paired, but it will not reconnect
Remove the old Bluetooth entry and pair the controller again.
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.
- Windows 11: Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices, select the three-dot menu beside the controller, and choose Remove device. Then select Add device.
- Windows 10: Open Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, select the controller, choose Remove device, and then use Add Bluetooth or other device.
The controller connects to the PS5 instead
Turn off the PS5 or move the controller out of the console’s Bluetooth range temporarily. Then hold Create + PS until the light bar flashes and select it from the PC. The player indicator should be off before you start pairing mode.
The game does not detect the controller
Windows pairing and game support are separate issues. First, test the controller in another controller-compatible game. For Steam games, open the game’s controller configuration and review its Steam Input setting. Some games support the DualSense natively, while others need Steam Input. Some PC games do not support controllers at all.
Haptics, audio, or the headset jack do not work
- Use a USB connection for supported DualSense haptic feedback.
- Use USB if you want to use the controller’s headset jack with the PC.
- Check whether the game supports adaptive triggers, haptics, the built-in microphone, and the controller speaker. These features are not available in every PC game.
- In Windows, check Settings > System > Sound and select the intended controller or PC audio device if audio is being sent elsewhere.
Reset the controller if pairing continues to fail
- Disconnect the controller from USB.
- Find the small reset hole beside the Sony logo on the back of the DualSense.
- Insert a pin and hold the reset button for at least five seconds.
- Reconnect the controller to the PS5 with the official USB cable.
- Press the PS button.
- Try pairing it with the PC again.
Update DualSense firmware on a PC
Use Sony’s PlayStation Accessories application for Windows to check for and install DualSense controller firmware updates. Connect the controller by USB when the application requests it. Updating firmware can improve compatibility and resolve some connection issues, but it does not make unsupported games support haptics or adaptive triggers.
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Can I connect a PS5 controller to a PC without Bluetooth?
Yes. Connect the DualSense to the PC with a compatible USB Type-C data cable. Windows supports the controller over USB without Bluetooth pairing.
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
Why is my PS5 controller connected but not working in a PC game?
Windows may be connected successfully while the game lacks controller support or needs Steam Input. In Steam, review the game’s controller configuration and try enabling or disabling Steam Input for that game.
Do PS5 controller haptics work wirelessly on PC?
Supported DualSense haptic feedback requires a wired USB connection on PC. The game must also support the feature. Adaptive triggers similarly work only in compatible games.
How do I switch my DualSense back from PC to PS5?
Connect the controller to the PS5 with a compatible USB cable, press the PS button, and wait for it to reconnect. You can then disconnect the cable for wireless play.
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The Bottom Line
To pair a PS5 DualSense with Windows, hold Create + PS until the light bar flashes, then add the controller from Settings > Bluetooth & devices in Windows 11 or Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices in Windows 10. For the most reliable connection—and for supported haptics or the headset jack—use a USB-C data cable.
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