PS4 Dualshock Controller Constantly Disconnecting (Fixed)

[Life Alchemist]

So I recently got a steam deck in the summer sale (2023). I also have a PS4 controller model CUH-ZCT2U wireless dualshock. I initially had quite a bit of a struggle getting it to work. Just figured I would post here to let others know the fix I did to the best of my memory. For the record, since I just got this, I was also doing various things such as updating the software right beforehand for the steam deck and also trying to get my steam controller to work (to which it was very much not working at the start and I eventually got it working perfectly).

1. Establish a wired usb connection to my dock. The main thing I did after having it plugged in was restarting my steam deck. The bluetooth however, was absolutely still not working and would immediately disconnect after being operational for about 0.5 to 1 second it felt like after opening up the steam bluetooth settings and putting the controller in pairing mode (pressing and hold the PS4 button + Share button at the same time until it started flickering).

2. Upon getting it to work wired, I disconnected the controller from the dock. From there, I switched the steam deck into desktop mode. I then put the PS4 controller into pairing mode, and then in the bottom right hand corner of desktop mode, I clicked the bluetooth icon and added a new bluetooth device (to which my "wireless controller" was there), the PS4 controller. Once I confirmed it worked in desktop steam big picture mode, I exited that, and switched to gaming mode with the controller still connected to the steam deck. It continued to be operational and work.

[asulserv]

Hey! Did you have to do this just one time? Or everytime you want to use your controller?

[viictor_loca]

thank you for this easy guide. I too was struggling with my PS4 controller on steam deck. This solved my problem.

[Life Alchemist]

Originally posted by asulserv:

Hey! Did you have to do this just one time? Or everytime you want to use your controller?

I'm not 100% on this, but I think the core part is activating bluetooth in desktop mode. So likely you may only have to do that to get it to work or it might work every time without set up once you bind the controller.