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You can connect a DUALSHOCK 4 to a Windows PC over Bluetooth or with a micro-USB data cable; Sony’s USB Wireless Adaptor is not required for Bluetooth. Pairing gets the controller connected to Windows, but a game may need PlayStation-controller support or an input layer such as Steam Input to use it.
What you need
- Bluetooth: A Windows PC with Bluetooth, or a USB Bluetooth adapter if the PC has no built-in Bluetooth. Microsoft explains how to pair Bluetooth devices in Windows.
- USB: A micro-USB cable that supports data, not just charging. Sony lists a compatible micro-USB cable as a connection option for DUALSHOCK 4 on PC; see Sony’s PC and Mac connection instructions.
Windows may identify the controller as Wireless Controller. That is normal; it may not appear under the name “PS4 Controller.”
Connect by Bluetooth in Windows 11
Put the controller into pairing mode
- Turn the controller off. If its light bar is on, hold the PS button until it switches off.
- Unplug any USB cable from the controller.
- Hold SHARE, then hold PS. Keep both pressed until the light bar flashes. Sony describes this pairing procedure in its DUALSHOCK 4 PC and Mac support guide.
Pair it in Settings
- Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices and turn Bluetooth on.
- Select Devices > Add device > Bluetooth.
- Choose Wireless Controller, complete any prompt, and select Done. Microsoft’s Windows device-add instructions cover this Settings route.
Alternatively, open Quick Settings by selecting the Network, Sound, or Battery icon beside the clock, select the Manage Bluetooth devices chevron, and choose Wireless Controller under New devices. Microsoft outlines this route in its Bluetooth pairing guide.
Once paired, pressing PS should reconnect the controller when Bluetooth is enabled and it is in range. Windows says paired Bluetooth devices reconnect automatically under those conditions.
#1 Best Overall
- Precision Control: The feel, shape, and sensitivity of the DualShock 4’s analog sticks and trigger buttons have been enhanced to offer players absolute control for all games on PlayStation 4.
- Sharing at your Fingertips: The addition of the Share button makes sharing your greatest gaming moments as easy as a push of a button. Upload gameplay videos and screenshots directly from your system or live-stream your gameplay, all without disturbing the game in progress.
- New ways to Play: Revolutionary features like the touch pad, integrated light bar, and built-in speaker offer exciting new ways to experience and interact with your games and its 3.5mm audio jack offers a practical personal audio solution for gamers who want to listen to their games in private.
- Charge Efficiently: The DualShock 4 Wireless Controller can easily be recharged by plugging it into your PlayStation 4 system, even when on standby, or with any standard charger with a micro-USB port.
Connect by Bluetooth in Windows 10
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, but the Bluetooth pairing procedure remains available on existing installations. With the controller flashing in pairing mode, follow these steps:
- Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and turn Bluetooth on.
- Select Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth.
- Choose Wireless Controller and select Done.
These are the Windows 10 steps in Microsoft’s Bluetooth pairing guide.
Rank #2
- 🎮【Kind Remind】- Fully compatible with PS4/PS4 pro/Slim. USB wired connection supports PC(Windows 7/8/10/11). With this controller, you can enjoy games in multiple platforms. (Note: you need to activate device with the USB cable in the package for the first connection.)
- 🎮【Support for Built-in Vibration Function】 The game controller has two built-in motion motors, which give you different intensity feedback and a more realistic game experience.
- 🎮【New Way to Play】- The clickable touch pad and integrated light bar offer you a new way to play games. Additionally, 3.5mm audio jack supports compatible headphone.You can enjoy volume controls located directly on the controller and don’t need to worry about disturbing others.is optimized with excellent dual analog gamepad design.
- 🎮【Upgraded Version】- The buttons are with high sensitivity and provide an accurate gaming experience. The layout of controller buttons is optimized with excellent dual analog gamepad design.
- 🎮【Customer Service】- We have a reliable after-sale service team. If you have any problems with the product once it arrives or if you have any questions about the product, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service team via Amazon e-mail.
Connect with a USB cable
- Turn on the PC.
- Connect the controller to the PC using a compatible micro-USB data cable.
- Wait for Windows to detect it, then open your game or controller software.
USB play does not require Bluetooth pairing. If the controller charges but Windows does not detect it, the cable may be power-only, damaged, or making a poor connection. Try a different data-capable micro-USB cable and another USB port. Sony also lists its DUALSHOCK 4 USB Wireless Adaptor as a Windows connection option, but a Bluetooth adapter or built-in Bluetooth can connect the controller wirelessly without it.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesCheck whether Windows receives controller input
Use the Windows controller panel to distinguish a connection problem from a game-compatibility problem:
Rank #3
- 🎮【2 Packing】Two controllers are packaged in one box, which is less costly than buying two controllers separately. You can get two different custom designed controllers at the same time, which is very cost-effective.This will bring you a better game experience when you play with your friends, lover, family.
- 🎮【Wide Compatibility】AceGamer wireless controller compatible with PS4/Pro/Slim/Windows PC. ❗*Attention*❗: Only when connecting for the first time, you must activate the device with the USB cable for the first pairing and connection. After that, the normal wireless connection of Bluetooth can be made, and USB data cable is no longer needed. ❗*Note*❗: Connecting to PC(without Bluetooth) needs to install receiver, not included.
- 🎮【Function Highlights】360° Refined analog sticks, the new touch pad on the face of the game controller offer players precise control. Controller which built-in 6-axis gyro sensor has dual motor vibration, excellent dual shock effect design makes the tactile sense more sensitive. The optimized buttons and triggers, ergonomic design non-slip grips, which offer you fantastic gaming experience.
- 🎮【Turbo Setting】You can customize any key as a turbo key. First, hold down the 'share' key, then click the turbo key you want to set up successfully. Secondly, you can adjust the turbo frequency. First, hold down the 'share' key, then touch the joystick on the right up and down. There are three gears to adjust in total.
- 🎮【To Be AceGamer】You can get: 2x AceGamer for ps4 controllers wireless; 1x Charging Cable; 1x User Manual; Professional after-sales service. We focus on the design, production and sales of custom controllers. If you have any questions, please contact us in any time!
- Press Windows + R.
- Type
joy.cpland press Enter. - Select Wireless Controller > Properties > Test, then press buttons and move the sticks.
If the controls respond there, Windows is receiving input. That test does not guarantee that a particular game supports the controller.
Get the controller working in a game
Steam games
Steam has built-in PlayStation-controller handling through Steam Input. Valve’s 2023 Steam client update says PlayStation controllers can use a game’s own PlayStation support when available, with Steam Input used when needed; it is not simply an always-on Xbox-controller emulation mode. See the Steam client update.
Rank #4
- The feel, shape, and sensitivity of the dual analog sticks and trigger buttons have been improved to provide a greater sense of control, no matter what you play.Motion sensors - Rock and roll as a highly sensitive built-in accelerometer and gyroscope detect the motion, tilt and rotation of your DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controllerDualShock 4 Wireless Controller PS4 and PC compatible. Item PS5 compatible only when playing PS4 games.
- The new multi touch and clickable touch pad on the face of the DualShock 4 Wireless Controller opens up worlds of new gameplay possibilities for both newcomers and veteran gamers
- The DualShock 4 Wireless Controller features a built in speaker and stereo headset jack, putting several new audio options in the player's hands
- The Dualshock 4 wireless controller can be easily recharged by plugging it into your PlayStation 4 system, even when in rest mode, or with any standard charger using a USB cable (type A to micro B sold separately)
- Open Library and right-click the game.
- Select Properties > Controller.
- Choose the controller-support behavior offered for that game. Options can vary with the game and Steam client; Steam also provides per-game controller configuration.
If Windows detects the controller but the game does not, check this setting and restart the game after changing it.
Non-Steam games
Some Windows games expect XInput, the input system commonly used by Xbox controllers, and may ignore a DUALSHOCK 4 even when Windows detects it. For those games, a mapper may be necessary. The DS4Windows project describes software that can map the controller to an emulated Xbox 360 controller. Its listed requirements include Windows 10 or newer, .NET 8 Desktop Runtime, Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable, and ViGEmBus.
Best Value
- 🎮【Attention】It's compatible with PS4/Pro/Slim/Windows PC. When you are connecting it to game console for the first time, you need to use the charge cable in the package. When you are connecting it to PC, you need to hold down 'share + home' for 3 seconds. The controller's white light would flash, and you'll see the controller on your PC, which has the BT name 'wireless controller'.
- 🎮【Unique Design】The Galaxy design is inspired by the designer's love for the vast universe, different colors of nebulae accompanied by meteorites, if you use it at night, with a little light, then, you are not only holding the controller, but the whole universe.
- 🎮【Custom Process】The galaxy design are printed on the controller shell by water transfer process. They are not cheap stickers. We apply a smooth hand feel oil to the surface to ensure that hand sweat will not erode it.
- 🎮【Turbo Function】You can customize any key as a turbo key. First, hold down the 'share' key, then click the turbo key you want to set up successfully. Secondly, you can adjust the turbo frequency. First, hold down the 'share' key, then touch the joystick on the right up and down. There are three gears to adjust in total.
- 🎮【To Be AceGamer】You Can Get：1x Controller for PS4;1x USB-C Charge Cable;1x User Manual. AceGamer specializes in providing customized controllers for game lovers. No matter what problem you encounter, please leave us a message, we will reply to you within 24 hours.
Use one input-mapping layer for a game unless you know how the layers are configured. Combining Steam Input and DS4Windows can create conflicts or make inputs register twice.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Bluetooth feature limitations
Sony notes that on devices other than compatible Xperia devices, some DUALSHOCK 4 features may be unavailable over Bluetooth: touchpad support, light-bar color control, rumble, motion sensors, and headset-jack audio. The exact features exposed can also depend on the game or utility. Sony’s connection guide lists the Bluetooth limitations.
Troubleshoot connection and game issues
“Wireless Controller” does not appear in the pairing list
- Make sure the controller is off before holding SHARE + PS, and disconnect its USB cable while pairing.
- Confirm the light bar is flashing. A steady light can indicate that the controller is already connected.
- Turn on PC Bluetooth, keep the controller near the computer, and use a USB Bluetooth adapter if the PC has no Bluetooth hardware.
- On Windows 11, set discovery to Advanced: Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices > Device settings > Bluetooth devices discovery > Advanced. Microsoft includes this and other checks in its Bluetooth troubleshooting guide.
The controller appears but will not connect
- Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
- Find the controller, select More options, then Remove device > Yes.
- Put the controller back into pairing mode and pair it again.
Microsoft also identifies nearby USB 3.0 devices as a possible source of Bluetooth interference. If an adapter is close to an unshielded USB 3.0 device, moving it away may help. See Microsoft’s Bluetooth troubleshooting steps.
It connects, but a game ignores it
- Test input with
joy.cplto check whether Windows sees the controller. - For Steam, review the game’s Library > right-click game > Properties > Controller setting.
- For a non-Steam game that does not support PlayStation controllers, use a single mapper such as DS4Windows rather than stacking it with Steam Input.
The game registers each button press twice
This can happen when a game receives both the physical DUALSHOCK 4 and a virtual controller created by Steam Input or DS4Windows. DS4Windows documentation recommends hiding the physical controller when the game should use only its virtual controller, and disabling overlapping PlayStation or Xbox remapping in Steam. See the DS4Windows troubleshooting documentation.
The controller reconnects to the PS4 instead
To use the controller with a PS4 again, connect it to the console with a compatible USB cable and press PS. Sony says the controller must be paired again when used with another console; see its DUALSHOCK 4 troubleshooting guide.
Quick Recap
Bluetooth pairing remains stuck
- Turn off and unplug the PS4 console, and disconnect the controller from its USB cable.
- Find the small reset hole on the back of the controller and press the button inside with an unfolded paper clip for at least five seconds.
- Try pairing it with the PC again. Sony gives these reset steps in its DUALSHOCK 4 troubleshooting guide.
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