PC won't recognize PS4 controller

[Oak-Thorn]

For whatever reason, I can't seem to get my Dual Shock 4 controller to pair up with my PC when plugged in. I simply get a single yellow light that fades. I've restarted my PC a few times to see if that works, no luck there. I've tried to enable it in my devices but nothing seems to change.

I had an issue not long ago when I couldn't get Owlboy to read my controller despite other games being able to, and making a change that I for the life of me can't remember what I did. Up until my most recent Windows update it was functioning, now it's not, and I have no idea now how to fix it. Please help.

[Chronos Decay]

For those who still didn't buy the PS4 controller, just buy the CUH-ZCT2U (that is the second version - the one that shows the light in touch bar). I have 3 PS4 controllers, 2 of them are the second version and are working great. The other one (CUH-ZCT1H) works too, but it's problematic to make it work with Windows 10.

Also, if you gonna use Bluetooth, make sure to use Bluetooh 4.1 or higher. It seems to connect more easily.

[majd.mehjazi]

I had the same problem and tried un/re-installing the controller but nothing worked. Once I clicked exit on DS4windows (I use it for wireless) the controller flashed and started working!
Hope that helps

[Marsuuv]

for anyone still plagued by this, i believe it's a power management issue with your USB BUS. try removing all devices from whichever USB BUS you had the controller in. now plug only the controller into a USB 2.0 if you have it (less resistance than 3.0) and if it works, sweet. now progressively plug in all other devices you had connected to the BUS. it's likely one of them is drawing too much power away from the controller and befuddling windows' ability to read its signature. All i had to remove was a flash drive i had forgotten about and everything is working as before now.

[tootsie tickler]

I found a solution try downloading this version of DS4 Windows:https://github.com/Ryochan7/DS4Windows/releases

[Deronatron]

Ds4 windows is a great controller app works with every single game

[Supafly]

Początkowo opublikowane przez DeronatronTV:

Ds4 windows is a great controller app works with every single game

Yup, why I stuck using it even after Valve added DS4 support. DS4Windows doesn't screwup after Steam updates +my DS4 setup is the same regardless of platform.

[Supafly]

Początkowo opublikowane przez majd.mehjazi:

I had the same problem and tried un/re-installing the controller but nothing worked. Once I clicked exit on DS4windows (I use it for wireless) the controller flashed and started working!
Hope that helps

If you loaded DS4Windows after Steam the Hide DS4 option won't work and DS4Windows and Steam end up fighting for control of the DS4. Load DS4Windows before Steam and make sure the Hide DS4 is selected in the options.

You don't need a DS4 connected before loading Steam. You just need DS4Windows loaded first.

[EmilLB]

Here is how I fixed it:
Bear in mind this how I get to connect with DS4 Windows, when my controller is only flashing yellow
- Go to your control panel
- Click on "hardware and sound"
- Click on "devices and printers"
- Right-click on the wireless controller and it should have a yellow triangle next to it, and make sure your controller is connected
- Click on properties
- Click on hardware on the top
- Click on the "HID-gamepad"
- Click on properties bottom right
- Click on change settings bottom left
- Click on "activate unit" bottom right

Then it should show correctly and flash blue, and make sure to close "NVIDIA Local System Container" from the Task Manager as well.

If some of the places are not spelt right its because I don't have windows in English.

[JaxonH]

Początkowo opublikowane przez nieee:

Same problem here (on Win10) : For some obscure reason the controller driver was not detected anymore (when I plugged it in, I had the Windows sound telling me that it is detected, but neither DS4 Windows nor Steam Big Picture could be able to work with the controller). I solved it by going to "Bluetooth and other devices settings", then under the "Other devices" block, I could see "Wireless Controller - Driver error". I clicked on it -> "Remove device", and unplugged-plugged again the controller. That solved it !

This did the trick for me. Thank you. For the first time ever, not only does my PS4 controller connect without the official dongle, even my Switch controller connects, and I’ve NEVER gotten that thing to work on PC. Amazing.

[KusiNäätä]

Początkowo opublikowane przez EmilLB:

Here is how I fixed it:
Bear in mind this how I get to connect with DS4 Windows, when my controller is only flashing yellow
- Go to your control panel
- Click on "hardware and sound"
- Click on "devices and printers"
- Right-click on the wireless controller and it should have a yellow triangle next to it, and make sure your controller is connected
- Click on properties
- Click on hardware on the top
- Click on the "HID-gamepad"
- Click on properties bottom right
- Click on change settings bottom left
- Click on "activate unit" bottom right

Then it should show correctly and flash blue, and make sure to close "NVIDIA Local System Container" from the Task Manager as well.

If some of the places are not spelt right its because I don't have windows in English.

I cant even see that "wireless controller" at devices and printers. Still my remote is flashing once as a yellow. I have tried all usb ports and many usb wires.

[Supafly]

Początkowo opublikowane przez AA naalikaasu:

Początkowo opublikowane przez EmilLB:

Here is how I fixed it:
Bear in mind this how I get to connect with DS4 Windows, when my controller is only flashing yellow
- Go to your control panel
- Click on "hardware and sound"
- Click on "devices and printers"
- Right-click on the wireless controller and it should have a yellow triangle next to it, and make sure your controller is connected
- Click on properties
- Click on hardware on the top
- Click on the "HID-gamepad"
- Click on properties bottom right
- Click on change settings bottom left
- Click on "activate unit" bottom right

Then it should show correctly and flash blue, and make sure to close "NVIDIA Local System Container" from the Task Manager as well.

If some of the places are not spelt right its because I don't have windows in English.

I cant even see that "wireless controller" at devices and printers. Still my remote is flashing once as a yellow. I have tried all usb ports and many usb wires.

Does it ever work wired? If it's not working wired the the cables you're trying are power only. You need a charge and sync cable (power and data) If your phones port is the same as a DS4 it's cable will work. Before connecting it to the DS4 connect it between your phone and computer to ensure you can view your phones contents. Once you can view stuff you know it works. Try it in the DS4

If you can't view your phone contents the cable is charge only. Try other cables if you have them. Buy a new charge and sync/power and data cable.

[deadlyblaze]

Początkowo opublikowane przez dragondestroy372:

How do you need more detail the man already explained it.
Go to control panel
Go to Devices and Printers
Uninstall the controller(s)
Plug in your controller(s) again
Bam fixed as OakThorn said it.

This got it fixed, thank you!

[TheAnimeKing]

I have the same problem i have tried several sites and DS4Windows and i still can't fix it and this is with a new PS4 controller i bought four days ago

[SaltyGumby]

oh you can connect a controller that could make things easier

[Next-x]

I found solution what helped me, maybe it can help someone other! ^^

1. Connect Dualshock with data cable to pc.
2. Turn Off and Turn On bluetooth
3. Disconnect cable
4. Press PS Button and Share button for few seconds.. (as far won't light flash)
5. Find bluetooth device "Wireless Controller"

https://youtu.be/z5GQXJL4HgE?t=62

Description of my old problem: Bluetooth wasn't recognise my ds4