To connect your PS5 to Steam, connect the PS5’s DualSense controller to the Windows PC or Mac that runs Steam. The PS5 console itself does not have a documented direct connection to a Steam account or the Steam client. You can use the DualSense with Steam either through a USB-C data cable or Bluetooth.
To connect your PS5 to Steam, connect the PS5’s DualSense controller to the Windows PC or Mac that runs Steam. The PS5 console itself does not have a documented direct connection to a Steam account or the Steam client. You can use the DualSense with Steam either through a USB-C data cable or Bluetooth.
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What you need
- A DualSense wireless controller, such as the PS5 DualSense wireless controller.
- A compatible Windows or macOS computer running Steam.
- Either a compatible USB-C data cable or a computer with Bluetooth.
- A Steam game with controller support. Some games have full support, while others support only certain gameplay functions.
Sony documents DualSense connections on supported versions of Windows and macOS, including Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 11, and macOS Big Sur 11.3 or later. Compatibility and available features vary by computer and operating system.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Method 1: Connect the DualSense to Steam with USB
- Turn on your computer and open Steam.
- Connect the DualSense controller to the computer using a compatible USB-C data cable.
- Wait for Windows or macOS to detect the controller.
- In Steam, open Settings and select Controller. Depending on your Steam client layout, you may also reach controller settings through Big Picture mode.
- Confirm that Steam lists the DualSense as an available controller.
- Launch your game and test the controls.
If you need one, a USB-C data cable for DualSense is the right type to look for. A cable that only charges devices may not carry controller input to the computer. Sony also notes that some DualSense features on PC, including haptic feedback in supported circumstances, may require a USB connection.
#1 Best Overall
- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
Method 2: Connect the DualSense to Steam with Bluetooth
- Disconnect the controller from the PS5 or another device if it is currently connected. If it keeps reconnecting to the PS5, temporarily turn off the console or move away from it while pairing.
- On the computer, open Bluetooth settings and choose Add device or the equivalent option.
- Put the DualSense into pairing mode. Hold the Create button and the PS button together until the light bar begins flashing.
- Select the DualSense in the computer’s list of Bluetooth devices.
- Open Steam, go to Settings and Controller, and check that Steam detects it.
- Start the game and test its controller settings.
Bluetooth availability depends on the computer’s hardware, operating system, and drivers. If the controller appears in the computer’s Bluetooth list but not in Steam, remove the pairing, restart Steam, and pair the controller again.
Set up the controller in Steam
Steam supports Sony DualSense controllers, including in Big Picture mode. Open Steam’s controller settings before launching a game so you can determine whether the problem is the connection or the game’s configuration.
Steam may use a game’s native PlayStation-controller support when it is available. When a game does not support the DualSense directly, Steam Input can translate the controller’s inputs so the game can use it. If a particular game does not respond, open that game’s page in your Steam library, select the Controller settings or properties option, and review its Steam Input setting. The exact choices can vary with Steam’s current interface and the game.
Rank #2
- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
Full versus partial controller support
Steam’s controller-support labels matter:
- Full controller support: The game should be playable with a controller, although a launcher or unusual configuration screen may still behave differently.
- Partial controller support: A controller may work during gameplay but you may need a mouse and keyboard for menus, setup, launchers, text entry, or other tasks.
A game’s store-page support label is not a guarantee that every DualSense feature will work. It also does not guarantee PlayStation button prompts. Some PC games show Xbox-style A, B, X, and Y prompts even when a DualSense is connected.
Which DualSense features work on Steam?
Basic buttons, sticks, triggers, and vibration are the most broadly useful features, but support varies by game and computer. Do not assume that every Steam title supports adaptive triggers, advanced haptics, the built-in speaker, headset features, motion controls, or PlayStation-specific button prompts.
For supported PC games, advanced haptics may require a USB connection. Sony also states that feature availability varies by device. A game must implement the relevant DualSense functions; Steam cannot make unsupported game features appear automatically.
Rank #3
- Feel you in-game actions and environement simulated through haptic feedback
- Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
- Chat online through the built-in microphone
- Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
How to reconnect the controller to your PS5
After using the DualSense with a computer, connect it to the PS5 with a USB cable and press the PS button. The console should pair the controller again. If you normally use Bluetooth with the computer, the controller may remain associated with the computer until you pair it back to the PS5.
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DualSense not detected by Steam? Try these fixes
- Test the cable. Use a known-good USB-C data cable, not an unverified charging-only cable, and try a different USB port on the computer.
- Check the computer first. If the operating system does not see the controller, Steam cannot use it. For Bluetooth, verify that Bluetooth is enabled and that the DualSense appears in the system device list.
- Remove and recreate the Bluetooth pairing. Delete the old DualSense entry from the computer’s Bluetooth settings, restart Bluetooth, and pair the controller again.
- Restart everything. Close and reopen Steam, restart the computer, and reset or restart the controller before trying again.
- Check Steam’s controller page. Confirm that the controller appears in Steam Settings > Controller before opening the game.
- Review the game’s Controller setting. If Steam sees the DualSense but one game does not, inspect that game’s Steam Input setting rather than assuming the controller is incompatible.
- Update official software. Check Sony’s official controller-support and firmware-update guidance, and install available operating-system, Bluetooth, chipset, or computer-manufacturer updates.
Optional Windows driver troubleshooting
If Windows still fails to detect the controller after the official Sony, Windows, and Steam checks, an optional third-party utility such as Outbyte Driver Updater may help identify missing or outdated Windows drivers. It is not required to connect a DualSense, is not an official Sony or Valve tool, and should not replace drivers or firmware obtained from the computer, Bluetooth, chipset, or controller manufacturer. Review any suggested driver carefully before installing it.
Outbyte PC Repair is broader Windows maintenance software. Disk cleanup, privacy, and general optimization functions are not part of the normal DualSense-to-Steam setup, so they are not necessary just because Steam does not detect the controller.
Can I connect the PS5 console itself to Steam?
Not through the standard DualSense setup described here. This workflow connects the controller to a computer running Steam. It does not connect the PS5 console to Steam, import your PS5 games into your Steam library, or make the PS5 function as a Steam gaming PC.
If your goal is to play a Steam game with a PS5 controller, pair the DualSense with the computer. If your goal is to play PS5 games on a computer, that is a different question involving Sony’s supported PC streaming or remote-play options, where available, rather than Steam controller pairing.
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Rank #4
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
Quick decision guide
| Situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
| You want the simplest setup | Use a USB-C data cable. |
| You want to play without a cable | Pair the DualSense through the computer’s Bluetooth settings. |
| Steam detects the controller but the game does not | Check the game’s Controller properties and Steam Input setting. |
| Windows does not detect the controller at all | Test another data cable and USB port, recreate Bluetooth pairing, restart, and then check official drivers and firmware. |
| You need adaptive triggers or advanced haptics | Check the individual game’s support and try USB, since some features may require a wired connection. |
In most cases, the reliable answer is: connect the DualSense to the computer by USB or Bluetooth, verify it in Steam’s controller settings, and adjust Steam Input for games that do not recognize it natively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect my PS5 console directly to Steam?
No. The normal Steam setup connects the PS5’s DualSense controller to the computer running Steam. It does not connect the PS5 console itself to Steam or add PS5 games to your Steam library.
Can I use a PS5 controller with Steam?
Yes. Sony supports DualSense connections to supported Windows and macOS computers through USB-C and Bluetooth. Steam also supports the controller, although compatibility and features vary by game.
Best Value
- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
Do I need a special cable to connect a DualSense to Steam?
Use a USB-C cable that supports data, not just charging. A data connection allows the computer and Steam to receive controller input, and some DualSense features on PC may require USB.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
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 glitchesWhat should I do if Steam detects my DualSense but my game does not?
Open the game’s Controller settings or properties in Steam and review Steam Input. Steam can use native PlayStation-controller support when available or translate inputs through Steam Input when a game lacks native support.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: You do not connect the PS5 console directly to Steam. Connect the PS5 DualSense controller to the computer running Steam with a USB-C data cable or Bluetooth, then check Steam’s controller settings and the individual game’s Steam Input configuration.
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