Your PS5 controller connects to a Windows PC in several ways, but the wrong setup leaves games ignoring inputs or dropping controller features. Start with USB-C for the simplest connection, then use Bluetooth, Steam, Remote Play, PlayStation Accessories, or DS4Windows when your setup calls for it.
1. Start with a USB-C cable
Plug a USB cable with a Type-C connector into the controller's USB Type-C port, then connect the other end to a compatible USB port on your Windows PC.
Windows and compatible games or apps use the controller after detection, and PlayStation Accessories shows it under Connected controllers.
Use USB for PC haptic feedback in supported games and for the controller headset jack on PC.
To confirm the controller is visible in Windows 11, check Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
2. Pair over Bluetooth in Windows 11
- 1.Disconnect the USB cable from the controller.
- 2.Make sure the player indicator is off. If it is on, press and hold the PS button until it turns off.
- 3.Press and hold the create button, then press and hold the PS button until the light bar blinks.
- 4.On your PC, select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices, then turn Bluetooth on.
- 5.For Quick Settings, select the Network, Sound, or Battery icon, open the Bluetooth tile, then choose the Manage Bluetooth devices chevron.
- 6.Select the controller under New devices, then select Done if Windows prompts you.
3. Make Steam recognize it
This fixes games that detect the controller in Windows but need Steam Input or a controller layout.
Connect the controller to the PC by USB or Bluetooth.
Open the Steam desktop client.
Next, select Steam > Settings > Controller.
Confirm the detected compatible controller appears on the Controller screen.
Change controller support or configuration on that screen, including PlayStation Controller Support when it appears.
For one game, right-click it in Library and select Edit Steam Controller Configuration when shown.
In Big Picture mode, select the game, then choose Manage Game > Controller Configuration.
Choose or edit the controller layout, then start the game.
4. Update firmware with PlayStation Accessories
Open the official PlayStation Accessories page and select Download for Windows.
Install the app, then connect the DualSense or DualSense Edge controller by USB cable or Bluetooth.
In the app, look at Firmware for your controller on the controller screen.
It shows your current firmware version, and Update appears there when a new version is available.
Keep the PC on and keep the controller connected until the update finishes.
5. Set up DualSense Edge profiles
For wired play, connect the DualSense Edge wireless controller to the Windows PC with a USB Type-C cable.
For Bluetooth, disconnect USB and make sure the light bar and player indicator are off.
Then hold the create button and the PS button until the light bar blinks.
Enable Bluetooth on the PC, select the option to add Bluetooth devices, then choose the controller.
To customize profiles, connect the controller to your PC and open PlayStation Accessories.
Select Create Profile or a profile marked Not Assigned.
Enter a name, select Next, select a shortcut, then select Create Profile.
Customize settings and select Apply after each item.
Select Done.
During gameplay, press and hold Fn, then press triangle, circle, cross, or square to switch profiles.
6. Play through Remote Play with USB
This fixes the setup where you want to play your PS5 from a Windows PC.
Install PS Remote Play.
On the PS5 home screen, select Settings > System > Remote Play, then turn on Enable Remote Play.
For rest mode, select Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode.
Turn on Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning on PS5 from Network.
Turn on the console or put it in Rest Mode.
Use a USB cable to connect the controller to the PC.
Launch PS Remote Play and select Sign In.
Sign in with the same account, then select PS5 or PS4.
When automatic discovery fails, keep the PC and console on the same network, then on PS5 select Settings > System > Remote Play > Pair Device.
Enter the number shown on the console in the Remote Play app.
7. Switch between PC and PS5
To save the controller to a multi-device slot, disconnect USB and make sure the player indicator and light bar are off.
Press and hold one action button and the PS button for over 5 seconds.
Use PS + triangle for Slot 1, PS + circle for Slot 2, PS + cross for Slot 3, or PS + square for Slot 4.
Turn on Bluetooth on the PC, choose the option to add Bluetooth devices, then select the controller.
To switch back to that PC later, turn on the PC.
Press and hold the assigned action button and PS button for about 3 seconds until the light bar and player indicator blink, then release.
To reconnect the controller to your PS5, connect it to the console with a compatible USB cable and press the PS button.
After a DualSense reconnects, remove the USB cable and use it wirelessly. On DualSense Edge, remove USB after the PS5 account selection screen appears.
8. Repair Bluetooth pairing in Windows
When the controller does not appear in Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices, then under Device settings > Bluetooth devices discovery, choose Advanced.
Run Microsoft's Bluetooth troubleshooter from Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Bluetooth > Run.
If the controller was paired before and will not reconnect, open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices, select More options for the controller, then choose Remove device > Yes and pair it again.
For driver repair, open Device Manager > Bluetooth, right-click the Bluetooth adapter, then select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
9. Run DS4Windows for Xbox style input
This fixes games that expect XInput or an Xbox-style controller instead of native PlayStation controller support.
Download DS4Windows from its official download page.
Install the required prerequisites.
Extract the package to a user-writable folder and run DS4Windows.exe.
Choose where to save user data.
Open Settings > Device Options and enable DualSense Controller Support.
Install prompted drivers such as ViGEmBUS.
Connect the controller by USB or Bluetooth.
Confirm it appears on the Controllers tab with the Default profile selected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PlayStation Plus on PC support a DualSense controller directly?
Sony's current PlayStation Plus on PC documentation lists DUALSHOCK 4 and some third-party PC-compatible XInput controllers. It does not list DualSense as a compatible controller.
What Bluetooth PIN should I use if Windows asks for one?
DS4Windows documentation says to try 0000. If the controller was already paired and refuses to reconnect, remove it from Windows Bluetooth devices and pair it again.
Can the old DUALSHOCK 4 USB Wireless Adaptor connect a PS5 controller to PC?
No. Sony's current DualSense PC instructions document USB Type-C and Bluetooth, and DS4Windows documents that adapter for DUALSHOCK 4 rather than DualSense.
How do I remove DS4Windows later?
Delete the portable DS4Windows folder, remove the DS4Windows folder from %appdata% if present, uninstall HidHide and FakerInput from Windows Apps & Features, and check ViGEmBus removal guidance because other apps can use it.
