The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Update a standard PS5 DualSense controller through the PS5’s system-software update process, or use Sony’s PlayStation Accessories app on a Windows PC. To troubleshoot a controller, switch off the PS5, hold the small rear reset button for at least five seconds, then reconnect the controller by USB and press the PS button.
That procedure is not a complete factory reset. Sony says the standard DualSense reset “will not reconfigure the controller or affect pairing settings.” It is a connection and troubleshooting reset, not an operation that erases every controller setting. The full factory-settings procedure described by Sony applies to the separate DualSense Edge model, not the standard DualSense.
What you can update—and what the reset actually does
DualSense controller device-software updates are distributed primarily with PS5 system-software updates. When the controller is paired with the console, the PS5 can display an update prompt. You can also check the controller-update entry manually in Settings.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Sony provides a second route for people using a computer: connect the controller as directed by the PlayStation Accessories application and use that app’s update function. The cited support instructions do not state an app version or detailed PC requirements, so there is no reliable version number or hardware specification to add here.
#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.
The rear-button procedure is often described online as a factory reset. For the standard DualSense, that description is misleading. It resets the controller’s connection state for troubleshooting, while Sony specifically says it does not reconfigure the controller or affect pairing settings. If your aim is to erase all settings, do not assume the standard model offers the same operation documented for DualSense Edge.
Choose the update route that matches your device
| Where you are using the controller | Sony-supported route | What the source establishes |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 console | Update PS5 system software, pair the controller, and follow the on-screen prompt. You can also open the controller device-software menu manually. | Controller updates are added with PS5 system-software updates; the manual menu path is documented. |
| Windows PC | Use the PlayStation Accessories application to update the controller. | Sony documents the app as the PC update route but does not state an app version or detailed PC requirements in the cited instructions. |
| Standard DualSense reset | Turn off the PS5, hold the rear reset button for at least five seconds, reconnect by USB, and press PS. | This is a troubleshooting reset. It does not reconfigure the controller or affect pairing settings. |
| DualSense Edge | Follow the model-specific PlayStation 5 support instructions. | Do not apply Edge factory-settings instructions to a standard DualSense. |
The table separates three actions that are easy to conflate. An update installs controller device software; a reset is a physical-button troubleshooting step; and a model-specific factory-settings operation is not documented for the standard DualSense in the same way it is for DualSense Edge. Choosing the correct row prevents you from expecting a reset to erase information that Sony says it leaves untouched.
Prepare before updating or resetting
- Identify the model. This guide covers the standard DualSense wireless controller. DualSense Edge is a different product with separate support instructions.
- Have the PS5 available if you plan to use the console method or reconnect after a reset.
- Keep a USB cable that can connect the controller to the PS5. Sony’s reset procedure requires a USB connection after the button press.
- For a reset, shut the PS5 down before touching the rear button; the documented sequence starts with the console turned off.
- For an update, make sure the controller is paired with the PS5 before following an on-screen prompt or opening the controller software menu.
- If you are using a computer, have the PlayStation Accessories application ready and connect the controller as the application instructs.
- Do not look for a firmware number in this guide. The cited support pages do not publish a current DualSense device-software version or release date. Check the console’s controller-software screen or PlayStation Accessories for whatever update is offered to your device.
These preparations are deliberately simple because Sony’s instructions do not establish a special tool kit, a separate firmware file, or a particular cable specification for updating. The one tool specifically mentioned for the reset is a pin or similar narrow object that can reach the button inside the rear opening. It is not included with the controller.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesUpdate a DualSense on PS5
1. Install any available PS5 system-software update
Sony’s normal delivery method ties DualSense device-software updates to PS5 system-software updates. Start by updating the console itself. The exact console prompts can vary with the installed PS5 software, so accept the update flow shown on your screen rather than relying on an old menu screenshot.
This relationship matters when troubleshooting. If the console is behind on system software, the controller’s normal update channel may not be current either. Updating the PS5 first is therefore the logical first check before treating the controller as defective.
2. Pair the controller and follow the prompt
After the console update, pair the DualSense with the PS5. If a controller device-software update is available, the PS5 presents an on-screen instruction. Follow that instruction to complete the update. Keep the controller connected and available to the console while the process runs; do not deliberately interrupt a displayed update.
The prompt is the console’s indication that an update is available for that paired controller. Sony does not publish a universal release number in the cited support material, so the presence or absence of a prompt—not a number copied from another console—is the useful status signal for your setup.
3. Check manually from Settings
If no prompt appeared, use the documented manual path:
- From the PS5 home screen, open Settings.
- Select Accessories.
- Open Controller (General).
- Select DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software.
- Read the status shown and follow any update instruction offered by the console.
This menu is the authoritative place on the PS5 to see whether the console has an available controller update. Sony’s support material does not provide a universal current version number, so a version label seen on one console should not be treated as a dated requirement for every reader.
Rank #2
- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
If the menu does not offer an update
No update prompt does not necessarily indicate a fault. The controller may already be current, or Sony may not be offering a newer device-software package to that console at that time. Confirm that the PS5 itself is updated, that the intended controller is paired, and that you are in the exact Accessories path above. If the controller is still malfunctioning, use the reset procedure below rather than repeatedly searching for a firmware number that Sony has not published in the cited instructions.
Do not substitute a third-party firmware download for the console’s menu or Sony’s own PC application. The supported procedures described here are designed to present whatever package Sony makes available for the controller; there is no need to invent a manual version-selection process.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Update a DualSense on a Windows PC
Use PlayStation Accessories
Sony’s PC route is its PlayStation Accessories application. Install or open the application on the Windows computer, connect the DualSense as the application directs, and select the controller update option when one is offered.
The official support page used for this procedure does not state the application’s version, a supported Windows release, a minimum computer specification, or a required cable specification. Those details can change independently of the controller instructions, so use the requirements and prompts shown by Sony when you obtain the app instead of relying on an invented fixed list.
When a PC update is useful
A PC update path is useful when you do not have immediate access to a PS5, when the controller is used with a computer, or when you want Sony’s dedicated desktop utility to report update availability. It does not change the meaning of the rear-button reset: updating software and resetting connection state are separate actions.
The PC route also gives you a second official place to check for an offered update. If the application does not offer one, that is not proof that a particular numbered release is missing; Sony’s documented material simply does not establish a public version number to compare. Follow the application’s current on-screen instructions and avoid interrupting an update it has begun.
Reset a standard DualSense for connection troubleshooting
Use this sequence when the controller has connection symptoms and ordinary pairing or console updates have not solved them. The five-second hold instruction comes from Sony’s Canada troubleshooting page; Sony’s US controller-support page documents the reset but does not specify a hold duration.
- Turn off the PS5. Do not begin with the console running.
- Find the reset opening. On the rear of the controller, look for the small hole next to the Sony logo. The reset button is inside it.
- Press and hold the button. Insert a pin or similar narrow tool and hold the button for at least five seconds. The tool is not supplied with the controller; use something that fits the opening without forcing or damaging it.
- Reconnect by USB. After the hold, connect the controller to the PS5 with the USB cable.
- Press the PS button. This reconnects the reset controller to the console so you can test it.
Sony’s Canada instructions describe the button location, the minimum five-second hold, the USB reconnection, and the PS-button step in that order. The US support page is the broader controller reference; the Canadian page supplies the explicit duration.
Following the order matters. Turning the console off first removes the active console session, the rear button provides the documented reset input, and the USB-and-PS-button sequence gives the controller a direct way to reconnect. A quick tap, a shorter hold, or stopping after the button press omits part of Sony’s stated procedure.
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
What this reset changes—and what it does not
It is a troubleshooting reset
The rear button is intended to clear a controller state that may be preventing a reliable connection. It is appropriate before escalating a persistent connection problem to Sony’s diagnostic service.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchIt is not a full factory reset
Sony’s wording is explicit: the standard DualSense reset “will not reconfigure the controller or affect pairing settings.” Therefore, do not promise that the procedure erases paired-device information, restores every option to an original value, or removes evidence of previous configuration. If you need model-specific factory-settings instructions for a DualSense Edge, use Sony’s PlayStation 5 Support information for that product; Edge guidance should not be transferred to the standard controller.
In practical terms, “reset” here describes the troubleshooting action, not a wipe of the controller’s identity or saved pairing state. That distinction answers the common question, “Will I have to configure every device again?” Sony’s support statement says the standard procedure does not affect pairing settings, so do not tell readers to expect a complete re-pairing process.
It does not repair physical damage
A reset cannot be expected to correct a failed button, damaged USB port, battery problem, liquid exposure, or another hardware fault. It is a diagnostic step, not a guarantee of recovery.
If the controller still will not connect
Update the PS5 when the console is usable
Sony’s troubleshooting guidance directs you to make sure the PS5 system software is current when you can operate the console. Because controller device-software updates are delivered with PS5 system-software updates, this check addresses both a possible console update gap and the controller’s normal update channel.
Repeat the documented connection sequence carefully
- Confirm the PS5 was actually turned off before the rear-button hold.
- Hold the reset button for the full minimum of five seconds rather than tapping it.
- Use the USB reconnection step immediately afterward and press PS.
- Return to Settings > Accessories > Controller (General) > DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software to check for an available update.
- If you started on a PC, check the same controller in PlayStation Accessories for an offered update.
Use PlayStation Repairs for persistent faults
If connection problems remain after the console is current and the reset sequence has been completed, Sony points readers to PlayStation Repairs for further diagnostics. A continuing failure is a reason to obtain hardware or service guidance, not evidence that a longer button hold will produce a deeper reset.
Do not infer that buying a replacement is required merely because an update or reset did not solve the symptom. Sony’s support path is diagnostic first. A replacement or spare controller becomes a practical consideration only if service guidance determines that the original hardware remains faulty; neither updating nor resetting requires a new controller.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Calling the procedure a factory reset: for the standard DualSense, that overstates what Sony says it does and can lead you to expect pairing data or all settings to be erased.
- Using DualSense Edge instructions on the standard model: the products have different support documentation and should be treated separately.
- Searching for an unofficial firmware number: Sony’s cited pages do not state a current version or release date. Check the console menu or PlayStation Accessories instead.
- Skipping the PS5 system update: the console is Sony’s normal delivery route for controller device-software updates.
- Pressing the rear button with the console still on: Sony’s documented sequence begins with the PS5 turned off.
- Holding for less than five seconds: Sony’s Canada troubleshooting instructions specify at least five seconds; a brief tap does not follow that instruction.
- Forgetting the USB-and-PS step: the button press is followed by USB reconnection and pressing PS, not treated as a stand-alone cure.
- Assuming a reset proves the hardware is healthy: persistent symptoms still require Sony’s diagnostic path.
- Inventing computer requirements: the cited Sony instructions do not establish an app version, Windows release, minimum specifications, or cable specification. Use the current application’s own requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Does updating the PS5 update the DualSense too?
Sony says DualSense controller device-software updates are added with PS5 system-software updates. Update the console, pair the controller, and follow any prompt. You can also check the controller menu manually.
Where is the manual update option?
On the PS5, open Settings > Accessories > Controller (General) > DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software. The status and any available instruction appear there.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
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.
Can I update a DualSense without a PS5?
Sony documents a PC route through the PlayStation Accessories application. Connect the controller as the application directs and use its update function when offered. The cited instructions do not establish fixed PC requirements.
How long should I hold the reset button?
Sony’s Canada troubleshooting page specifies at least five seconds. The US controller-support page documents the reset but does not give a duration, so five seconds is the supported minimum to follow.
Will resetting remove pairing settings?
No. Sony says the standard DualSense reset “will not reconfigure the controller or affect pairing settings.” It is not a complete wipe.
Where is the reset button?
It is inside the small hole on the rear of the standard DualSense, next to the Sony logo. Use a pin or similar tool, then hold it for at least five seconds.
Recommended Free Tools
Do I reconnect by USB before or after pressing the button?
Turn off the PS5, press and hold the rear button, then connect the controller to the PS5 with the USB cable and press the PS button. That is Sony’s documented order.
Is the DualSense Edge reset procedure the same?
No assumption is safe. DualSense Edge is a separate model with separate PlayStation 5 support instructions. Do not apply Edge factory-settings guidance to the standard DualSense.
What if the reset does not solve the problem?
Make sure the PS5 system software is current, check the controller-software menu, and repeat the documented sequence carefully. If the controller still will not connect, Sony directs users to PlayStation Repairs for further diagnostics.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Official instructions and model boundaries
For the complete US controller update, reset, pairing, and troubleshooting reference, see PlayStation Controllers Support. For the rear-button location, five-second hold, USB reconnection, and post-reset troubleshooting sequence, see Sony’s DualSense wireless controller troubleshooting page for Canada. Sony’s DualSense Wireless Controller Instruction Manual is the model’s hardware reference. The PlayStation 5 Support page is relevant when you need the separate DualSense Edge factory-settings guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a PS5 system update include DualSense updates?
Yes. Sony says DualSense controller device-software updates are added with PS5 system-software updates. Pair the controller and follow the prompt, or check the controller-software menu manually.
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
Can I update the controller from a computer?
Yes. Sony documents PlayStation Accessories as the PC update route. Connect the controller as the application directs and use its update option when available.
Is the rear-button procedure a true factory reset?
No. Sony says the standard DualSense reset will not reconfigure the controller or affect pairing settings. It is a troubleshooting reset.
How long do I press the reset button?
Sony’s Canada troubleshooting instructions say to hold it for at least five seconds. The button is inside the small rear hole next to the Sony logo.
What cable do I need after resetting?
Sony’s procedure requires reconnecting the controller to the PS5 with a USB cable and then pressing the PS button. The cited instructions do not specify a particular cable model.
Should I use DualSense Edge factory-reset instructions?
No. DualSense Edge is a separate product with model-specific support instructions. Do not transfer those instructions to the standard DualSense.
What if no update appears?
The controller may already be current, or no newer package may be offered to that console. Confirm the PS5 is updated, pair the intended controller, and check Settings > Accessories > Controller (General) > DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software.
What should I do if connection problems continue?
Make sure the PS5 system software is current, repeat the documented reset and USB reconnection sequence, and use PlayStation Repairs if the problem remains.
The Bottom Line
For a PS5 update, install the latest console system software, pair the DualSense, and check Settings > Accessories > Controller (General) > DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software. On Windows, use Sony’s PlayStation Accessories app. To troubleshoot the standard controller, turn off the PS5, hold the rear reset button for at least five seconds, reconnect by USB, and press PS. Sony says this reset does not reconfigure the controller or affect pairing settings, so it is not a complete factory reset. Persistent faults belong with PlayStation Repairs.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
