How do you connect a ps4 dualshock controller to steam?

[Person]

I've been configuring this for a while, but it hasn't worked, and I dunno if I'm just being dumb here. I've plugged in USB cables, trying to get it to work, but windows isn't detecting it, nor is steam. None of the guides I looked up have helped. Am I just not following the instructions or what?

P.S. it has to be with a USB cable for this, otherwise I won't be able to play what I've been trying to play.

[tintingaroo]

It should be plug-and-play. My first thought is that you've got power/charge-only cables not data cables.

The quotes are from https://ds4-windows.com/troubleshoot/not-detecting-controller under heading "Controller is not properly connected / does not appear on Windows' Devices and Printers":

You have connected your controller to the PC but it does not appear on Windows’ Devices and Printers? No, that should not be possible under normal circumstances. Your controller MUST appear there in some shape or form, even if it does not looks like a controller.

This is while in Devices and Printers

When connected via USB a new entry should appear, so keep an eye for it. Test on other USB ports to be sure. If literally nothing happens then maybe:

• You have a faulty cable
  
• Your cable can only be used for charging and does not support data transfer
  
• Your controller’s or PC port is broken

If you have Bluetooth a possible alternative is to set up DS4Windows (or similar functioning software) and connect your DS4 via BT. DS4Windows can emulate a wired DS4.