How To Charge A Ps4 Controller Without A Ps4? Top 36 Best Answers

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The PlayStation 4 was all the rage a few years ago. Now that the PS5 is out, it can’t be long before you start thinking about retiring your PS4.

Difficulty Easy Duration 15 minutes What you need DualShock 4 controller

Micro USB cable

personal computer

However, before you decide to get rid of it, you might want to keep it in your game rotation by using it in conjunction with your PC. Connecting your PS4 controller to your PC just takes a little time, a mini USB cable and these few simple steps.

How to connect the DualShock 4 to Steam

Steam, the most popular PC gaming portal, offers native controller support for the DualShock 4. It’s incredibly easy to use your DualShock 4 to play games on Steam.

Step 1: Make sure your Steam client is updated.

Step 2: Connect your controller to your PC.

Step 3: Done! Almost. Even if Steam is up to date, you may encounter some hiccups setting up your controller. Steam supports the DS4 as a platform, but that doesn’t mean every PC game will automatically work with the controller. When you launch Dark Souls III you’ll see what we mean. Steam recognizes the controller, but Dark Souls III does not. If you find yourself in that boat, or just want to use your controller wirelessly without Steam, you’re out of luck. DS4Windows could be the solution for you.

How to connect a DualShock 4 to DS4Windows

This solution requires a bit of setup, but is still the best way to get your PC and DualShock 4 controllers talking without a major headache. You can connect your DualShock 4 controller to your PC using DS4Windows, a third-party application, in either wired or wireless mode (if your PC has Bluetooth). Unless you buy the adapter, this is the best option if you want to play games through Origin, Ubisoft Connect, GoG or other PC gaming portals.

DS4Windows essentially fools your system into using an Xbox 360 controller, but you still have access to motion controls and even the touchpad for many games.

Step 1: Download the latest version of DS4Windows, which you can find on the application’s official website.

Step 2: Extract it using an archive manager like WinRAR or 7Zip. You will then have two files: DS4Windows and DS4Update.

Step 3: Double click on DS4Windows to run the installer which will show the following dialog box:

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions starting with the driver installation. Installation is quick so you don’t have to wait long. Click Install 360 Driver if you are using Windows 7 or earlier – the driver is pre-installed on Windows 8 and 10 computers.

Step 5: Once you have completed both installations, your controller can be connected. Simply connect the DualShock 4 to your PC using a micro USB cable (the same cable used for most Android phones). This will also charge the DualShock 4 battery, but to use the DualShock 4 wirelessly you will need to pair the controller with your PC via Bluetooth.

Step 6: Press and hold the PS button and the Share button on your DualShock 4 simultaneously for three seconds or until the light bar starts flashing.

Step 7: Open Bluetooth settings on your PC.

Step 8: Connect to the wireless controller.

Step 9: When prompted for a pairing code, enter “0000”.

Step 10: Click Finish on the DS4Windows installer.

How to customize your setup

The primary DS4Windows interface allows players to customize almost every facet of the controller, right down to the color of the LED light bar. The default controller profile should work for the latest PC games, especially if they are already designed to work with the Xbox controller.

For games that can’t be easily adapted to controllers, users can select specific pre-built profiles or create their own by mapping more or less every keypress to one of the DualShock’s buttons. Touchpad sensitivity, macros, and game-specific profiles are all supported – just browse around to see what works best for you.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter problems while using your DualShock 4 controller, you have several options.

Step 1: Firstly, under the Settings tab, there is an option to hide the DS4 controller. This comes in handy when your DualShock 4 takes precedence over other connected controllers – e.g. an Xbox 360 controller – or if you want to make sure your DS4Windows settings take precedence over Steam’s DualShock 4 configuration.

Step 2: If the DualShock 4 is not working properly while other input devices are connected, there is a button at the bottom of DS4Windows that allows you to choose to connect the DualShock 4 exclusively and make it the primary input source for gaming.

Step 3: The other file involved in DS4Windows installation, DS4Update, searches for the most advanced version of DS4Windows and automatically installs it. You should run this update check regularly to ensure that the latest version of DualShock 4 is working at the highest level on your PC.

How to connect with a Sony wireless adapter

While we’re not big fans of this particular method, we do know that Sony has discontinued production of the Sony Wireless Adapter. GameStop has even gone so far as to list the telltale price tag of 97 cents for the finished item. We stumbled across these deals still floating around online (though not at the $25 price point). If you want to go that route when trying to connect your PS4 controller, let’s say go for it. Below are some simple steps that may help you when you’re ready to connect using a wireless adapter.

Step 1: Connect the Sony wireless adapter to your PC.

Step 2: Plug the other end of the cable into your DualShock 4 controller. The two will be paired automatically.

Due to the canceled adapter, this process isn’t the best overall. However, it is still the simplest means of establishing a connection between your PS4 controller and PC. Be sure to free up some space for that 2-inch adapter, which is an additional expense for hassle-free connectivity. That being said, if you can’t seem to find that obsolete adapter, there are plenty of other ways to connect your controller.

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Using the wireless controller

Press the PS button on the controller and then select a user.

When you use a controller for the first time, you must pair it with your PS4™ system.

Up to four controllers can be used simultaneously. When you press the PS button, the light bar glows in a uniquely assigned color. The color assigned depends on the order in which each user presses the PS button. The first controller to connect is blue, the second is red, the third is green, and the fourth is pink.

pairing a device

If you are using a controller for the first time or if you want to use the controller on another PS4™ system, you must pair it with the system. Connect the controller to your system with a USB cable while the system is powered on.

If you want to use two or more controllers, you must pair each controller separately.

Load

The controller battery charges when you connect the controller to your PS4™ system with a USB cable. The system must be on or in sleep mode. The battery level is displayed on the screen when you press and hold the PS button.

While the system is in sleep mode, the light bar slowly blinks orange. When charging is complete, the light bar will turn off.

It takes about 2 hours to charge the controller when the battery has no remaining charge.

Charge the controller when the temperature is between 10°C and 30°C (50°F and 86°F). At other temperatures, you may not be able to charge the controller efficiently.

You must fully charge the controller at least once a year for it to function properly.

Battery life depends on how you use the controller and the environment in which the controller is used and stored.

To charge while the system is in sleep mode, select an option other than [Off] under (Settings) > [Power Saving Settings] > [Set Features Available in Sleep Mode] > [Supply Power to USB Ports].

Basic button operation

PS button Turn on your PS4™ system (when the PS4™ system is either off or in sleep mode).

Display the home screen (when the PS4™ system is on). PS button (press twice) Switch between the applications in use. PS button (long press) Displays the quick menu with the currently available commands and settings. Directional buttons/left stick Select an item. button Confirm the selected item. Cancel a command button. SHARE button Displays the share function menu.

See “About Sharing” for details. OPTIONS button Displays the options menu with currently available commands.

Basic touchpad gestures

You can use the touchpad and touchpad button for various system functions. Available functions depend on the content used.

Tap Briefly touch the touchpad. Double tap Tap twice in quick succession. Drag Drag your finger while touching the touchpad, and then lift your finger. Swipe Touch the touchpad and then quickly and quickly move your finger off the touchpad. Touch and hold Touch and don’t lift your finger. Pinch and spread Place two fingers on the touchpad and move them closer together or further apart. Click Press the touchpad button. Double-click Press the touchpad button twice quickly.

Change settings

To change the speaker volume and other controller settings, select (Settings) on the function screen and then [Devices] > [Controller].

Depending on the game or application, you may hear audio sound effects coming from the controller speaker.

You can also adjust speaker volume and related settings by selecting [Sound/Devices] from the quick menu.

Related topics

A flashing orange PS4 controller means your console is asleep or charging. See, the device uses its light bar to display information, and an orange light doesn’t always mean it’s a bad thing.

However, if the light stays orange or is solid orange while playing, you may need troubleshooting. Other cases are commonly referred to as random errors, power issues, and lag issues.

Why is the PS4 controller blinking orange?

The orange light can be normal or indicate a problem. You will know there is a problem when you notice other symptoms or malfunctions.

Here is the summary:

A blinking amber or orange light means the controller is charging on the PS4 while the PS4 is in sleep mode.

A solid amber or orange light means the controller is connected to the console but not charging. It happens because the PS4 is off or in sleep mode. You can enable the controller charging in sleep mode, which would make the orange light blink.

In addition, the color of the light bars represents different users during co-op play. However, the orange color is not part of the list:

Player 1: blue light

Player 2: red lights

Player 3: Green light

Player 4: Pink Lights

So far, it’s normal for the PS4 controller to flash orange or amber. You need to keep an eye out for more issues and clues about the operations.

Common malfunctions that can occur alongside a blinking orange light include:

The controller lags (timing issue)

The battery cannot be charged properly. Specifically, the controller will start blinking orange while charging, but will stop blinking before it’s fully charged.

The controller has a power problem, causing it to lose charge too quickly or shut down randomly.

Your controller cannot connect to the console. It often refers to an error on the peripheral device or the system.

There is internal damage that shows itself in many ways. These include erratic behavior, non-functioning buttons, or a failed sync with the console.

How to fix PS4 controller blinking orange?

Overall, a blinking orange light can be associated with connection and charging issues. You would realize that you have fixed the controller status lights issue:

It flashes orange when you connect it to the PS4 when it needs to be charged

The light will be solid white or blue when you use it.

Here are some simple troubleshooting steps:

Turn the console off and on again

The first logical step is to power cycle the console. It wipes out random power bugs that are preventing your controller from charging:

Turn off the console by pressing and holding the power button for five seconds. Disconnect all cables for 5 minutes. Plug all cables back in.

Reset the controller

After turning the console off and on again, you need to reset the controller. It resets the firmware to the default, which fixes bugs that cause timing issues, erratic behavior, and sync errors.

Here are the steps:

A solution that users share on forums automatically resyncs the controller. However, you need another controller for the process:

Connect another working controller to the console. Rotate the console. Go to settings. Go to Devices. Select Bluetooth devices. Take your broken controller and press and hold the Share and PS buttons at the same time for about 5 seconds. Verify that the peripheral device appears in the Bluetooth devices menu. It should have a green dot showing that the console has identified the device.

Hard reset the controller

If the above solution didn’t work, let’s try to reset the controller’s firmware to default. It will fix the problem 99% of the time.

Turn the console off and on again. Disconnect the controller from the console. Press the reset button on the back of the controller. Use a needle to press and hold the button for 5 to 7 seconds. Reconnect your controller to the console. Press the PS button to turn on the PS4. You can now unplug the controller and test if it works normally.

If your controller is working at this point, it will show a blue or white light. It would mean that you are dealing with an error.

Otherwise we try the next step.

Enable charging in sleep mode

Let’s try to charge the battery for a while. When fully discharged, it can take about 2 hours to come back to life. So you need to let it charge for at least 3 hours.

We recommend charging the controller on the console while it is in sleep mode. Make it so that the console can charge controllers in standby mode:

On your PS4, go to Settings Go to Power Saving Settings Select Set features available in Rest mode Select Power USB ports and select e.g. “Three hours”.

After charging your peripheral for three hours, test it and see if the light turns white.

Change the USB cable and USB port

The problem may be the power supply circuit. It shows up with an orange flashing light bar when it’s charging, but stops before a full charge.

You can check this by charging the controller with another USB Type-C cable. Cables break easily.

Also, you could try a different USB port from the PS4. These are prone to failure.

Perform a soft reset of the console

A soft reset is simply a restart of a device. It allows the electronics to clear and cycle through problems, settings, apps, processes, caches, RAM and logs. It’s like taking a CD out of your console, putting it back in, or taking out the older Nintendo cartridge to blow air into the pins.

That’s how it’s done:

Press the Eject and Power buttons on the console and simultaneously for about 30 seconds. The PS4 will emit two beeps before shutting down. Press and hold the power button to turn it back on. Reconnect your controller and test it

Hard reset the console

If an error on the console prevents communication with the controller, let’s try to factory reset it via Safe Mode.

Your data and apps will not be erased, but your settings will be erased. It may also take some time, but it can potentially save you the cost of a repair or a new controller.

Here are the steps:

Turn off the console by pressing and holding the power button for three seconds. Press and hold the power button again for about seven seconds until you hear a second beep. Connect the controller to the console with a USB cable and press the PS button. If your faulty controller isn’t responding, try another one. Otherwise, try using a different cable or USB port. Select Option 4: Restore Default Settings.

After the process is complete, the console will restart normally. Now check if the controller works normally. You also need to verify that it charges properly:

Enable power to the USB ports as I have shown below. Press and hold the PS button on the controller. From the pop-up menu, choose Enable Quiet Mode. Check the lights on the controller. When they flash orange, it’s charging; if solid orange, not charging; It’s okay if the light is solid white or blue.

Send in your controller for repair

If the problem persists, you are dealing with internal damage. The typical symptom is that your controller cannot be charged fully or at all.

Usually the fault is the USB-C charging port itself. Only a professional can fix that.

However, other internal electronic components can fail and cause additional problems with your controller. For example, a problematic part is the conductive foil, the circuit board of the controller.

Another possible culprit is the internal ribbon cable. It registers key commands and is error-prone. A damaged flex cable in particular also causes lag problems.

You can check if your problem is either the flex ribbon or the conductive foil by pressing and holding the share button. If the light flashes, it means there is internal damage. If it doesn’t, you can use one of the solutions above to fix the problem.

If you’ve noticed strange behaviors and the solutions below didn’t work, you are facing some kind of internal damage. Again, the answer is to send your controller in for repair.

Can you change the components yourself?

If you’re a hands-on, tech-savvy guy, you can try swapping out the internal components yourself.

Here are the tools you will need:

A plastic lever A Phillips screwdriver or a very small Phillips screwdriver A small clip Rubber gloves to avoid static electricity

Then you would have to open the controller completely. Use your plastic tool to pry open the case very carefully.

After opening, you should check the ribbon cable. It should sit correctly between the top of the case (the buttons) and the circuit board. If you see damage, you need to change it.

Also make sure the USB connector makes a proper connection to the board.

Have you ever been playing on your PlayStation® 4 when a blue light flashed on your console? It is known as the “blue light of death” and is accompanied by either a message on your screen stating “Weak or no signal” or your screen goes black. But don’t panic – we’ll help you fix it.

Here at Asurion, we help people fix their tech every day. From a PS4 controller that won’t stay on to an iPad® that won’t connect to Wi-Fi, we’ll get the devices you love up and running again, fast. How to fix the blue death light on a PS4™.

What Causes the Blue Light of Death?

The blue light of death is a common problem that PS4 users can experience. This usually means you have a software issue or a faulty power or HDMI cable.

Here are a few different ways to fix the problem.

Unload and restart your PS4

Try this reboot method that drains power from PS4 power supply and can reverse the blue screen of death.

Press and hold the power button until you hear two beeps, then unplug all cables from your PS4. Press and hold the power button for 7 seconds, then reconnect the PS4 cables and turn it back on. If you see a brief white light at startup, your issue is resolved.

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Restart in safe mode

If a software issue is the problem, restarting your PS4 in Safe Mode may fix it.

Turn off the PS4 by pressing the power button. Press and hold the power button until you hear two beeps – one when you press the power button and the other about 7 seconds later – to enter Safe Mode. Press the PS button on your controller. Choose Change Resolution, Rebuild Database, or Restore Defaults, and then choose Restart.

Check the cables

The blue light of death could mean your power or HDMI cables are damaged or faulty. Here’s how to find out if that’s the problem.

Press and hold the power button until your PS4 beeps twice and turns off. Disconnect all your PS4 cables. Check the power cord for damage such as cracks or tears. If the power cord doesn’t look damaged, try a different HDMI cable to see if that’s the problem.

Factory reset your PS4

If you have tried everything else to fix your PlayStation to no avail, your last resort should be to factory reset your PS4. This will erase all saved data on your console, so make sure you back up your information first. For detailed steps to backup your PS4 and factory reset, check out our guide.

What does the blue light on a PS4 controller mean?

If you see a blinking blue light on the PS4 controller, don’t worry. This means the controller is trying to pair with the console and has nothing to do with the dreaded blue light of death.

If you’ve tried these steps and still need a little help, we’re right around the corner. Schedule a repair appointment at your nearest uBreakiFix® by Asurion or Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions™ store and our certified experts can get your device back up and running the same day.

The PlayStation 4 is a brilliant system with an absolutely stunning selection of exclusive games. That means we spent a lot of time with its wireless controller, the DualShock 4. While we appreciate its large front buttons, great d-pad, and responsive quick triggers, the DualShock doesn’t have fantastic battery life. Typically, the DualShock 4 lasts four to eight hours of playtime per charge (usually on the lower end of that range), far less than the Xbox One controller or Nintendo Switch Pro controller.

Why does the battery of the DualShock 4 run out so quickly? Simple – it’s equipped with a 1000mAh battery, which is significantly smaller than the standard AA batteries used in the Xbox One gamepad. If you don’t want to settle for a wired connection, there are a few steps you should take to bring more life to your PlayStation 4 controller. Luckily, we have some tricks to help ensure you never have to wait to play again.

Change your controller’s shutdown time

Occasionally we all use our PlayStation 4 for something other than gaming. If you’re watching movies on Netflix or streaming on Twitch, you don’t necessarily need to keep your DualShock 4 on all the time. To extend the controller’s battery life, make sure the controller is set to turn off as soon as possible when not in use.

To set the time delay before your DualShock 4 turns off automatically, go to the PlayStation 4’s Settings menu and select Power Saving Settings. From there you will see options to automatically turn off the console itself, as well as sleep mode, and under that look: Set the time before turning off the controllers. Change this to the lowest setting, 10 minutes, to minimize drain on your battery when taking breaks and during passive activities.

You can also find these settings in the system’s quick menu, accessed by holding down the PlayStation button in the center of your controller, allowing you to easily adjust the delay without having to exit your current game or application.

Dim the light bar on your controller

One of the innovative and unique features of the DualShock 4 is the front-facing “light bar” that changes color in certain games and allows the PlayStation Camera to track the controller for player registration and PlayStation VR games. While it’s impossible to completely turn off the light, you can dim the light significantly from the quick menu. Select Sound/Devices and Brightness of DualShock 4 Light Bar and you will see three different settings – light, medium and dark. By default, the light is set to bright, but you can change it to dim.

We’ve had no issues with the camera detecting the low light, so there’s no reason not to save a little more juice and let your controller run longer.

Reduce the speaker volume on your controller, turn off the vibration

In addition to the sounds coming from your TV or audio system, the DualShock 4 itself comes with a speaker that certain games use for gameplay cues, novelty sound effects, and other diegetic twists. In Destiny 2, for example, your controller will periodically make noises while you are in combat, alerting you faster than the game’s default audio.

The speaker, while fun, is a lot louder than it needs to be. Just go to the quick menu and select devices like you did when customizing the light bar, and you’ll see an option labeled Volume Control (Speaker for Controller). Select this and you can turn the volume down so it’s much quieter – and more energy efficient.

If you want to remove all controller feedback, go to the Devices menu in your PlayStation 4 settings, followed by the Controllers option. Here you can disable all vibrations. It’s an extreme move – most games use some sort of vibration as a gameplay cue – but if your controller’s battery is struggling to hold a charge, it can keep you going.

Keep a spare controller in your bullpen

At some point, you’ll find yourself immersed in an online shooter or role-playing game, and your controller’s battery life will begin to drain. You could pause and let it charge before continuing your gaming session, or connect it to your console with a micro-USB cable, but neither solution is ideal. Keep an extra controller on standby instead!

If you bought a second controller for your PlayStation 4, simply connect it to your console with the included cable and let it charge while you’re still using your other controller. If you choose to put your console to sleep instead of turning it off completely, go back to the previously mentioned “Power Saving Settings” menu and select “Set features available in sleep mode”. There you will find an option to power the USB ports, allowing the controller to continue charging.

If constantly leaving your PS4 on standby doesn’t work for you, there are also a number of third-party charging cradles that offer a convenient place to stash additional controllers. The PowerA charging cradle, for example, costs between $25 and $30 and allows you to charge two controllers at the same time without being tethered to your PS4.

When the controller is charging, the indicator light on top of the controller will blink orange. When the light goes out completely, you will know that charging is complete. It’s a good idea to always have a charger at the charging station. So you always have a DualShock 4 controller ready to use.

If in doubt, top up

Even if your DualShock controller still has a few bars on the gauge, it’s a good idea to fully charge it when not in use. You’ve probably heard that “battery storage” is a device overcharging issue. Fortunately, battery storage is a thing of the past.

The lithium-ion batteries you can find today typically do not come with battery storage limitations. You don’t have to worry about discharging or overcharging a battery. Controllers like the DualShock 4 use this special type of battery, so you can charge it whenever you want, for as long as you want, without fear of sacrificing battery life.

With today’s gaming technology, you have a good reason to test your full battery capacity every now and then. However, you can really test its length by calibrating the battery life indicator. It is best to discharge the battery once every 30 or so charges for an accurate indication of battery life. This may seem counterintuitive, but completely draining the battery from time to time helps combat issues like “digital storage” in the long run.

Digital storage specifically forces your device to send false battery capacity reports. If this occurs, you can recalibrate your controller to fix the problem. If it’s not enabled, it can be difficult to tell exactly when or if you’ll need to charge your controller after a while.

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You can control your PS4 remotely with Sony’s official PlayStation app, available for both Android phones and iPhones. Use it as a playback remote or as a keyboard for fast typing without relying on the PS4 controller and TV keyboard.

While Nintendo has opted to bundle a full controller with a touchscreen gamepad, both Sony and Microsoft have added a “second screen” environment with a smartphone app. It’s not built directly into as many games, but it’s still a useful feature.

Step One: Get the app

These features require the official Sony PlayStation app, available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. While the app was originally developed for iPhones and Android smartphones, it now works on iPads and Android tablets as well.

Install the app on your preferred device and launch it. Sign in with the same PlayStation Network account you used to sign in to your PS4.

Step Two: Connect to your PS4

To use the second screen features, tap the Connect to PS4 icon in the app, then tap Second Screen. Assuming your smartphone and PlayStation 4 are on the same network, your phone should find your PS4 automatically. Tap on it to connect. If you don’t see the PS4, make sure both devices are on the same network.

After that, you will be prompted to go to Settings > PlayStation App Connection Settings > Add Device menu on your PS4. A code will appear here. Enter the code in the app to register your smartphone with your PS4. The Settings > PlayStation App Connection Settings screen on your PS4 shows you a list of connected devices and allows you to remove them in the future if you wish.

When you’re done, you’ll see your PS4 is now connected when you tap Connect to PS4 > Second Screen. This screen also offers you a power button to quickly put your PS4 to sleep mode.

Step three: Use your smartphone as a remote control

To use your smartphone as a remote control for your PS4, tap Connect to PS4 > Second Screen and then tap the Second Screen button under the PS4 name. You will see a remote screen with four icons at the top of the screen.

RELATED: How to Connect a Mouse and Keyboard to Your PlayStation 4

The first icon allows you to use the app as a “second screen” in a game if the game supports it. The second icon lets you swipe and tap on your phone to navigate the console’s menus. The third icon gives you a keyboard on your smartphone that allows you to quickly type text fields. The fourth icon allows you to view viewer comments while broadcasting gameplay.

If you want a more comfortable keyboard for typing on your PS4 without having to unlock your smartphone first, remember that you can wirelessly connect a physical Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to your console.

Some games allow you to view a map or inventory screen using the “second screen” feature of this app, but most games haven’t bothered to implement this feature. If a game doesn’t support this feature, the message “This screen is currently not in use” will appear when you tap the first icon from the left.

Use other PlayStation features, even over the web

The rest of the app offers a variety of other useful features. These features rely on a connection to Sony’s PlayStation Network servers, so they work from anywhere – even when your PlayStation 4 isn’t turned on.

The main screen shows you your “What’s New” feed, live game streams, friends list, notifications, and other social features that are normally only accessible through the console.

Tap on ‘Messages’ and you will be directed to download the separate PlayStation Messages app from Apple’s App Store or Google Play, which allows you to send and receive messages using the same PlayStation messaging service that you use on your PS4 would.

Tap the Store button and you will be taken to the PlayStation Store on your phone where you can browse and purchase games, demos, movies and TV shows on your phone. With the default sleep mode settings, your PlayStation 4 will automatically wake up and download the games you have purchased, then return to sleep mode. You should be ready to play when you return to your console.

Tap the menu button next to your profile icon and you’ll see a menu of more links to quickly view your profile, trophies, or redeem promotional codes. This feature allows you to quickly scan codes with your phone’s camera or enter them with a keyboard on your phone, saving you the trouble of entering them with your PS4’s controller.

Sony’s app offers a variety of useful features, although it’s certainly not essential. Only a handful of games have bothered to implement their own second-screen features using this app, and developers have occasionally chosen to create their own game-specific companion apps running on the platforms PS4, Xbox One and PC work instead of relying on Sony’s.

When your PlayStation or peripherals are doing things you’ve never seen before, it’s understandable to be concerned. For example, the DualShock controller light doesn’t usually blink white. There are two main reasons you might see the flashing white light on your DualShock controller: either the battery is dead or the controller was unable to connect to your PlayStation console. Fortunately, both things are fixable.

Before you decide to get a brand new controller, here are some things you can do to fix the problems yourself so you can enjoy your games again with the best PS4 controllers available. Here’s how to get started.

How to fix a blinking white PS4 controller

You can use a few different methods to fix this problem, which results from swapping out the USB cable you use to reset the console itself. It’s all a fairly simple process, but we’ll walk you through all the steps you can take to try and get your DualShock 4 working properly again.

Check your USB cable

USB cables can be fragile. One of the simplest solutions is to replace your old USB charging cable with shiny new ones. Just a few simple USB charging cables work well with the DualShock controller, and it’s worth getting your hands on to make sure your cable isn’t stopping your controller from charging.

Once the replacement parts have arrived, plug the USB into the PlayStation 4. Plug your USB into the DualShock controller. If the light changes to blue or orange, the problem was the cable.

Reset your console

The old “turn it off and on” trick works more often than you think! Sometimes a simple restart on the PlayStation 4 is enough.

1. Turn off your PlayStation by pressing and holding the power button for 10 seconds.

2. Disconnect the power cord from the back of the PlayStation 4.

3. Wait about three minutes.

4. Reconnect your power cord.

(Image credit: Jennifer Locke/Android Central)

5. Turn on the PlayStation 4.

6. Connect your USB charging cable to the PlayStation 4.

7. Connect your USB charging cable to the DualShock controller.

(Image credit: Jennifer Locke/Android Central)

8. Press the PlayStation button on the DualShock controller to turn it on.

Reset the controller

Your controller has its own software, and updating that software can damage things. Luckily, you can factory reset your DualShock controller.

1. Turn your controller over to find the reset button on the back next to the top right screw.

(Image credit: Source: PlayStation)

2. Using an unfolded paperclip or a SIM card opener from your phone, press the button in the opening.

3. Press and hold the button for five seconds.

4. Use steps 6, 7 and 8 in the previous guide above to reconnect your DualShock controller to the PS4.

Boot into Safe Mode

It may be that your PS4 is to blame and not the controller. You can do more troubleshooting in Safe Mode, including rebuilding your database. Sometimes entering Safe Mode to plug in your DualShock controller will circumvent any issue.

Note: Do not attempt to start your PS4 in safe mode if your USB ports are not working. After booting your console into safe mode, you’ll need to sync your controller using a USB port. If your USB ports aren’t working, you need to fix them before attempting this step.

1. Turn off your PS4.

2. Press and hold the power button until you hear two beeps: one on the first press and another seven seconds later.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

3. Connect your DualShock 4 controller with the USB cable.

(Image credit: Jennifer Locke/Android Central)

4. Press the PS button in the center of the controller.

Using a DualShock 4 on PS5

(Image credit: Jennifer Locke/Android Central)

DualShock 4 controllers are compatible with PS5. The easiest way to connect your controller is to simply plug it in using the USB charging cable. Keep in mind that while the DualShock 4 works on PS5, it is only compatible with PS4 games through backwards compatibility. You cannot play PS5 games with a DualShock 4 controller.

It doesn’t need more

If none of the above steps work, you may have a faulty controller. It happens especially when your controllers are not treated with care. Kids sometimes like to use controllers as hammers and I’m sure it’s not good for them. If this is the case, you may have to return it to the store you bought it from or pick up a new one.

DualShock 4 Get a replacement

If you can’t fix the flashing white light issues, you may need to get a new DualShock 4 controller. $52.99 (opens in a new tab) at GameStop (opens in a new tab) $59.99 (opens in a new tab) at Best Buy (opens in a new tab) $71.09 ( opens in a new tab) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Micro-USB was once the connector of choice for applications where USB-A was too big, but now USB-C dominates everything. It’s becoming the standard for many peripherals and [Ian] recently decided he wanted to update his PS4 controller to the newer standard. Hacking followed.

The hack consists of a small breakout board that allows a USB-C port to be fitted into the PS4 controller instead of the original micro-USB port. [Ian] explains what needs to be done to complete the mod, which first involves carefully disassembling the controller to avoid damage. The original microUSB breakout board can then be removed and fitted with one of the replacement boards available on Github for different versions of the PS4 controller. It then takes a bit of filing to get the new connector to fit the controller case, and [Ian] notes that using a 0.8mm thick PCB is key to getting the new breakout board to fit the case.

It’s a neat hack that makes charging PS4 controllers a lot easier in the modern environment without the hassle of legacy micro-USB cables lying around. We’ve actually seen similar hacks being performed on iPhones, among others. video after the break.

[Thanks to Chandler L for the tip!]

Yes. The PS4 controller uses a regular USB cable, and any USB cable can be used to connect the controller to either a PC or PS4.

If your PC supports Bluetooth, you can also connect your PS4 controller this way.

Unfortunately, not many games support the PS4 controller, so you’ll need a wrapper for that.