How to Connect a PS5 Controller to Windows (USB And Bluetooth)

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You can connect a PlayStation 5 DualSense controller to a Windows PC using a USB cable or Bluetooth. Once connected, you can check whether Windows detects the controller before opening a game or setting up controller software.

This guide covers both connection methods, how to check controller input, and what to try if Windows cannot find the controller or the connection keeps dropping.

If you want to configure controller profiles, button mapping, or DSX settings after connecting, see our guide to using DS5Windows/DualSenseX on PC.

Connect a PS5 Controller to Windows Using USB

A wired connection is usually the easiest way to get started. You do not need to pair the controller through Bluetooth.

  1. Get a USB cable that supports data transfer. The DualSense uses USB-C at the controller end.
  2. Plug the USB-C end into the controller.
  3. Connect the other end to a USB port on your PC.
  4. Wait a few seconds for Windows to detect the controller.
  5. Check whether the controller responds in Windows or in a compatible game.

If the controller charges but Windows does not detect it, the cable may support charging but not data transfer. Try another USB-C data cable and a different USB port.

For the first test, connect the controller directly to the PC instead of using a USB hub. USB 2.0 and USB 3.x ports can both handle basic controller input. You do not need a USB 3.x port simply to make the controller work.

Check Whether Windows Detects the Controller

You can use the built-in Windows Game Controllers panel to check basic input.

  1. Press Windows + R on your keyboard.
  2. Type joy.cpl.
  3. Press Enter.
  4. If the controller appears in the list, select it and open Properties, if that option is available.
  5. Press buttons or move the sticks to see whether the input registers.

The exact name displayed may vary. If the controller does not appear, try another data-capable USB cable and port before changing drivers or installing additional software.

Connect a PS5 Controller to Windows Using Bluetooth

Before pairing, make sure your PC supports Bluetooth. If it does not have built-in Bluetooth, you will need a compatible Bluetooth adapter.

Follow these steps to pair the DualSense controller:

  1. Disconnect the USB cable from the controller.
  2. Make sure the controller is turned off. If it is on, hold the PS button until the light turns off.
  3. Press and hold the Create button and the PS button together.
  4. Keep holding them until the light bar flashes rapidly. This indicates that the controller is in pairing mode.
  5. On your PC, open Settings.
  6. Go to Bluetooth & devices in Windows 11, or Devices in Windows 10.
  7. Turn Bluetooth on, then choose Add device and select Bluetooth.
  8. Select Wireless Controller when it appears in the available devices.
  9. Wait for Windows to finish pairing.

Once paired, the controller should appear in your Bluetooth device list. Use joy.cpl to check basic input if you want to confirm that Windows can see it.

For additional information about DualSense compatibility and supported features, consult PlayStation’s PC accessories information.

What to Do If the Controller Does Not Appear

If Wireless Controller does not show up in the Bluetooth device list, check these things first:

  • Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in Windows.
  • Confirm that the controller’s light bar is flashing rapidly, which indicates pairing mode.
  • Move the controller closer to the PC while pairing.
  • Turn Bluetooth off and on again, then reopen the Add device screen.
  • If the controller is still connected to another device, disconnect it there and try pairing again.

If the controller still does not appear, restart the PC and try once more. If you are using a USB Bluetooth adapter, check that Windows recognizes the adapter correctly.

What If Bluetooth Pairing Fails?

Sometimes Windows finds the controller but cannot complete pairing, or the controller appears connected without responding as expected.

Try the following steps in order:

  1. Open Windows Bluetooth settings.
  2. Find Wireless Controller in the saved device list.
  3. Choose Remove device if the option is available.
  4. Turn Bluetooth off, wait a few seconds, and turn it on again.
  5. Put the DualSense back into pairing mode.
  6. Add it as a new Bluetooth device.

If pairing still fails, restart Windows and check whether other Bluetooth devices can connect to the PC. That helps narrow down whether the problem is specific to the controller or affects Bluetooth more generally.

Fix a Bluetooth Connection That Keeps Dropping

A controller that disconnects repeatedly may be affected by weak signal, interference, adapter problems, or power-management settings.

Try these checks:

  • Keep the controller closer to the PC or Bluetooth adapter.
  • If your PC has external Wi-Fi or Bluetooth antennas, make sure they are attached properly.
  • If you use a USB Bluetooth adapter, try another USB port. USB 3.x devices and cables can sometimes interfere with nearby 2.4 GHz wireless devices.
  • Check Device Manager for errors affecting your Bluetooth adapter.
  • Install Windows updates and any appropriate Bluetooth adapter drivers from your PC or adapter manufacturer’s official support page.

These are troubleshooting steps, not guaranteed fixes. If other Bluetooth devices also disconnect, investigate the PC’s Bluetooth connection before changing DualSense software settings.

The Controller Is Connected, but Games Do Not Detect It

A successful USB connection or Bluetooth pairing does not guarantee that every game will recognize the controller in the same way.

Some PC games support the DualSense directly. Others work through Steam Input or another controller-mapping tool. The required setup depends on the game and its controller support.

Try these steps:

  1. Confirm that the controller responds in joy.cpl, where applicable.
  2. If you use Steam, check the game’s controller settings and Steam Input configuration.
  3. If the game supports the DualSense directly, try its native controller support before adding another mapping layer.
  4. If the game does not recognize the controller correctly, consider a compatible controller tool such as DSX.
  5. If you use controller emulation, check that the game is not receiving input from both the physical controller and a virtual controller.

For configuration instructions, see our DS5Windows/DualSenseX setup guide.

Do You Need DS5Windows or DualSenseX to Connect the Controller?

No. You do not need DSX just to connect a DualSense controller to Windows.

The controller can connect over USB or Bluetooth without DSX. Whether additional software is useful depends on the game and the features you want to configure.

DSX can provide options such as virtual controller output and controller customization. The current Steam version and the older GitHub release are different versions of the software, so check the requirements for the version you intend to use.

You can find the current Steam release on the official DSX Steam page. The developer also explains the status of the older GitHub version in the DualSenseX GitHub repository.

Switching Between USB and Bluetooth

You can use the same DualSense controller with either connection method. If you switch regularly, check that Windows and your game or controller software are using the expected connection.

If the controller stops responding after switching, reconnect it using your chosen method and test the input again. You may also need to check the game’s controller settings.

You do not need to reinstall DSX or other controller software every time you change between wired and wireless play.

Quick Connection Checklist

Before launching a game, check the following:

  • The USB cable supports data transfer, or Bluetooth pairing has completed.
  • Windows detects the controller.
  • The controller responds in the Windows Game Controllers panel, where supported.
  • The game supports the DualSense directly or has the correct controller settings.
  • You are not running multiple controller-mapping tools that conflict with one another.

If the controller connects but still has problems, visit our troubleshooting guide for help with detection, disconnections, and double input.

About this website: DS5Windows.dev is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sony Interactive Entertainment or the developers of DSX/DualSenseX.

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