How to connect pc 5 controller on pc

How to Connect and Use PS5 Controller on PC with DS5 Windows

You can connect a PlayStation 5 DualSense controller to a Windows PC with a USB cable or Bluetooth.

Windows can recognize the controller without DSX. DSX is useful when you need controller settings, profiles, testing, or virtual controller emulation for a game that does not work properly with the DualSense.

This guide shows how to connect the DualSense, check the connection, and use DSX when it is needed.

What You Need

Before you start, make sure you have:

  • A PlayStation 5 DualSense controller
  • A Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11 PC
  • A USB-C data cable for a wired connection, or Bluetooth for wireless use
  • DSX if you need its configuration or controller emulation features

The DualSense supports both USB and Bluetooth connections on compatible Windows versions.

If you have not installed DSX yet, start with our Getting Started with DS5Windows/DualSenseX guide.

Connect the PS5 Controller With USB

USB is usually the easiest way to start because there is no Bluetooth pairing involved.

Step 1: Connect the USB Cable

Connect the USB-C end of the cable to the DualSense.

Connect the other end to your Windows PC.

Make sure the cable supports data transfer. Some USB cables are made mainly for charging and may not allow Windows to communicate with the controller.

Step 2: Wait for Windows to Detect It

After connecting the controller, Windows should detect the DualSense.

If nothing happens, try:

  • Another USB port
  • Another USB-C cable
  • A different USB port directly on the PC instead of a hub

If Windows still does not see the controller, the problem may be with the cable, USB port, Windows, or the controller itself rather than DSX.

Step 3: Open DS5Windows/DualSenseX

If you are using DSX, open the application after connecting the controller.

Check whether the DualSense appears.

If Windows detects the controller but DSX does not, continue with the detection checks later in this guide.

Connect the PS5 Controller With Bluetooth

Bluetooth lets you use the DualSense without a cable.

Step 1: Open Bluetooth Settings

On Windows, open:

Settings → Bluetooth & devices

Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.

Step 2: Put the DualSense Into Pairing Mode

Make sure the controller is not connected to another device.

Press and hold the PS button and Create button at the same time.

Keep holding them until the light around the touchpad starts flashing.

The Create button is the small button next to the touchpad.

Step 3: Add the Controller in Windows

In Windows Bluetooth settings, select:

Add device → Bluetooth

Wait for the list of available Bluetooth devices to appear.

The DualSense may appear as Wireless Controller.

Select it to complete the pairing.

Step 4: Check DSX

Once Windows finishes pairing the controller, open DSX if you are using it.

The controller should appear in DSX when the connection is working correctly.

If Windows cannot find the controller, see the Bluetooth troubleshooting section below.

USB vs Bluetooth

Both methods can be used with a DualSense on Windows.

USB

  • Wired connection
  • No Bluetooth pairing required
  • Useful for first-time setup
  • Useful when troubleshooting wireless problems

Bluetooth

  • Wireless connection
  • No USB cable needed while playing
  • Requires Bluetooth pairing
  • Some DualSense features can depend on the game and connection method

PlayStation notes that features such as adaptive triggers and haptic feedback depend on game support, and some PC haptic functionality can require USB.

Current DSX also supports Bluetooth audio and haptic feedback through the DSX+ add-on, so older guides that describe Bluetooth as always lacking these features may no longer apply.

Check the DualSense in Windows

Before changing DSX settings, first make sure Windows can see the controller.

If Windows detects the DualSense, the basic connection is working.

If Windows does not detect it:

  • Disconnect the controller.
  • Try another USB port if you are using USB.
  • Try another data-capable USB cable.
  • Check Bluetooth if you are using wireless mode.
  • Remove the Bluetooth pairing and pair the controller again.
  • Restart Windows and try again.

This helps separate a Windows connection problem from a DSX problem.

Check the Controller in DS5Windows/DSX

Once Windows recognizes the controller, open DSX.

Depending on the version and connected controller, DSX can provide tools for checking controller input, battery information, lighting, profiles, triggers, vibration, and other settings.

You do not need to change every setting.

For a basic setup, first make sure:

  • The controller is detected.
  • Buttons respond correctly.
  • Sticks respond correctly.
  • Triggers respond correctly.
  • The controller stays connected.

If these work, you can move on to your game.

Do You Need DSX to Connect a DualSense?

No. Windows can connect and use a DualSense without DSX.

DSX becomes useful when you need features such as controller configuration, profiles, testing, or virtual controller emulation.

This is important because not every game needs DSX.

If a game already supports the DualSense properly, you can try using the controller directly before adding a virtual controller layer.

Using Controller Emulation

Some PC games do not recognize the DualSense correctly.

In those cases, DSX can provide virtual controller options such as:

  • Xbox 360
  • DualShock 4
  • No emulation

The exact options can depend on the DSX version and installed components.

If the game already recognizes the DualSense, do not turn on emulation just because the option is available.

Try direct DualSense input first.

If the game does not recognize it, then test the appropriate virtual controller mode.

Avoid Double Input

Double input can happen when a game sees both the real DualSense and a virtual controller.

For example, you may press a button once but the game reacts as if it was pressed twice.

You may also notice:

  • Menus moving too quickly
  • Characters receiving duplicate commands
  • Two controller icons appearing
  • Buttons behaving strangely

This usually means more than one controller input is reaching the game.

How HidHide Helps

HidHide can hide the physical DualSense from selected applications while leaving the virtual controller available.

This can be useful when you are using controller emulation and the game is receiving input from both controllers.

You do not need HidHide just to connect a DualSense.

If you are using the controller directly and do not have a double-input problem, there is usually no reason to add HidHide to the setup.

For more information about HidHide and other supporting components, see our DS5Windows Drivers guide.

Using the DS5Windows/DualSense With a Game

Once the DualSense is connected, start your game and test the controller.

If the game supports DualSense

Start with:

  • Connect the DualSense.
  • Open the game.
  • Check whether it detects the controller.
  • Test the buttons, sticks, and triggers.
  • Leave virtual emulation off unless you need it.

If the game does not recognize the DualSense

You can test DSX with a virtual controller.

Start by:

  • Open DSX.
  • Select the controller mode required by the game.
  • Make sure the required components for that mode are available.
  • Start the game.
  • Test the controller.

If the game then receives duplicate input, check whether it can see both the physical and virtual controllers.

Steam Games

Steam has its own controller handling, so the way a game sees the DualSense can vary.

If a Steam game already detects your DualSense correctly, avoid adding another controller-mapping layer unless you actually need it.

If the game behaves differently after enabling DSX, check whether Steam and DSX are both trying to handle the same controller.

The goal is simple: avoid unnecessary controller layers. Use the setup that gives the game one clear controller input.

If Windows Does Not Detect Your DualSense

If Windows does not detect the controller, try these checks first.

USB Connection

  • Try another USB port.
  • Try another USB-C data cable.
  • Avoid testing through a USB hub if possible.
  • Disconnect and reconnect the controller.
  • Restart Windows.

Bluetooth Connection

  • Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
  • Put the DualSense back into pairing mode.
  • Remove the old Wireless Controller entry and pair it again.
  • Make sure the controller is not still connected to another device.
  • Restart Bluetooth or Windows if pairing continues to fail.

If Windows itself cannot detect the controller, reinstalling DSX is usually not the first thing to try.

If Windows Detects It but DSX Does Not

If Windows sees the DualSense but DSX does not, check:

  •  Whether another controller program is using the device
  • Whether the USB or Bluetooth connection is stable
  • Whether DSX is running correctly
  • Whether the controller disappears when another program starts
  • Whether reconnecting the controller fixes detection

Close other controller-mapping programs before testing DSX again.

Then disconnect the DualSense, close DSX, reconnect the controller, and open DSX again. If the problem continues, use the Troubleshooting Guide.

If the Controller Disconnects

If the DualSense keeps disconnecting:

For USB:

  • Try another cable.
  • Try another USB port.
  • Avoid a loose connection.
  • Test the controller without a USB hub.

For Bluetooth:

  • Move closer to the PC.
  • Remove and pair the controller again.
  • Check whether other Bluetooth devices are causing problems.
  • Test the controller through USB to see whether the problem is limited to Bluetooth.

Testing with USB is useful because it can tell you whether the problem is with the controller itself or the wireless connection.

Final Connection Checklist

Before starting your game, check:

  • Windows detects the DualSense.
  • DSX detects it when you are using DSX.
  • Your USB or Bluetooth connection is stable.
  • The game is not receiving input from two controllers.
  • Virtual emulation is enabled only when needed.
  • HidHide is configured if you actually need it for double input.

If these checks pass, your DualSense should be ready to use.

Need More Help?

If the controller still does not work, use the guide that matches the problem:

Getting Started
For a complete DS5Windows/DualSenseX installation and first-time setup.

Drivers
For ViGEmBus, HidHide, and other Windows components used by DSX.

Supported Controllers
To check DualSense and other supported controller options.

Troubleshooting
For controller detection, Bluetooth problems, USB issues, double input, game compatibility, and other problems.