To turn off only a DUALSHOCK 4 controller, select Settings > Devices > Turn Off Device, then choose the controller. This shuts down the controller—not the PS4. The “10 seconds” wording is an approximate navigation time, not an official Sony timer.
Quick path: From the PS4 home screen, open Settings > Devices > Turn Off Device, select the DUALSHOCK 4, and confirm. The controller should stop communicating wirelessly and its light bar should turn off.
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Turn off a PS4 controller manually
- Open Settings from the PS4 home screen.
- Select Devices.
- Select Turn Off Device.
- Choose the DUALSHOCK 4 you want to shut down.
This is the official menu method in Sony’s PS4 User’s Guide. Menu wording can vary slightly by region or system software version; Sony’s current online guide covers PS4 system software version 13.50 or later.
Turn off one controller when several are connected
The PS4 supports up to four connected controllers. In the Turn Off Device list, select the intended controller rather than switching off every controller.
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- 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.
If you cannot identify them, briefly press the PS button on each controller and match its player indicator or light-bar response to the device shown in the list. This is a practical identification method, not a guaranteed Sony labeling system.
Make the controller turn off automatically
For a controller that is often left unused, go to Settings > Power Save Settings > Set Time Until Controllers Turn Off. Choose an inactivity period. This helps reduce unnecessary battery use, but it does not shut the controller down immediately.
Sony notes that this automatic setting is disabled while the controller and PS4 are connected by USB. A wired controller may therefore remain powered or charging even after wireless use stops.
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If the light bar stays on
- Check the USB cable first: the controller may still be receiving power or charging.
- Check for another Bluetooth connection: it may be paired with a PC, phone, tablet, Mac, or another console.
- Try the shutdown menu again: use Settings > Devices > Turn Off Device after disconnecting USB.
- Check Rest Mode: the PS4 can continue charging a controller if USB power is enabled.
In the documented Rest Mode charging scenario, Sony says the light bar slowly blinks orange while charging and turns off when charging is complete. Light colors can also vary with player assignment, games, and connection state, so a lit bar is not by itself proof that the shutdown command failed.
Controller will not turn off or keeps reconnecting
- Disconnect the USB cable.
- Try Settings > Devices > Turn Off Device again.
- If the PS4 is frozen, shut down the console normally if possible.
- Locate the small reset button on the controller’s back, near the L2 button.
- Press it with a small tool for about five seconds.
- Reconnect the controller to the PS4 with a compatible USB cable.
- Press the PS button to pair it again.
Sony’s support pages describe the reset interval slightly differently—roughly three to five seconds or at least five seconds—so “about five seconds” is a practical interpretation. See Sony’s DUALSHOCK 4 troubleshooting guide for the reset procedure.
What if the controller is connected to a PC or phone?
The PS4’s Turn Off Device menu only controls devices connected to that PS4. If the DUALSHOCK 4 is paired with a PC, Mac, Android device, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or another compatible host, disconnect or forget it in that device’s Bluetooth settings first. Also remove any USB cable.
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Where supported, hold the PS button until the light bar turns off. Sony documents this behavior in its DUALSHOCK 4 pairing instructions, but it is not the PS4’s primary documented shutdown path. To restore the PS4 connection, connect the controller with a compatible USB cable and press the PS button.
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Controller shutdown versus PS4 power options
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Turn Off Device | Turns off the selected controller while leaving the PS4 running. |
| Rest Mode | Places the PS4 in a low-power state; USB ports may continue supplying power. |
| Turn Off PS4 | Shuts down the console separately from the controller. |
Do not unplug the PS4 while its indicator is lit or blinking as a normal way to turn off the controller. Use the controller menu or reset procedure instead.
Battery-saving tips
Use the automatic controller timeout if you regularly walk away from the console. Turning off an unused controller can reduce unnecessary battery drain, but Sony does not promise a fixed number of extra hours from the setting. Lowering the light-bar brightness may reduce distraction and may help battery life, but it does not turn off the controller.
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- 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)
Sony lists approximately two hours as the charging time for a DUALSHOCK 4 with no remaining charge. Charging details and Rest Mode USB controls are covered in Sony’s Rest Mode charging guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do you need a replacement?
Do not buy a new controller solely because the light remains on while it is charging. If the controller still will not power down after disconnecting USB, resetting it, and pairing it again, the problem may involve the battery, PS button, USB port, or Bluetooth hardware. A compatible micro-USB cable is useful for pairing and charging, but it will not repair failed controller hardware. Sony’s official DUALSHOCK 4 product page lists the original controller.
Frequently asked questions
Does holding the PS button always turn off a PS4 controller?
Sony’s official PS4 shutdown path is Settings > Devices > Turn Off Device. Holding the PS button is relevant to some pairing and device-use situations, but should not be treated as a universal Sony-documented 10-second PS4 shutdown command.
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Can the controller charge while the PS4 is in Rest Mode?
Yes, if USB power is enabled under Settings > Power Save Settings > Set Features Available in Rest Mode > Supply Power to USB Ports. Available choices may include Always or 3 Hours.
How do I turn off the light bar without turning off the controller?
Use the PS4’s light-bar brightness setting if available in your system settings. This changes the light’s brightness only; it does not disconnect or power down the controller.
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