Although the PS4 has formed a reliable reputation but, issues can appear since your console remains to age into “last-gen” status. In fact, new difficulties are being found every day.

PS4 or PS4 Pro buyers, connecting your PS4 DualShock controllers should not be a problem, but we are here to remove any ambiguity. We will run down all the frequent PS4 controller problems, so you can focus on deciding what games to play.

This article will explain how to connect ps4 controller to ps4, identified as the DualShock 4, to the console wirelessly through Bluetooth. 

Note: You can only connect controllers explicitly made for the PS4; you cannot connect a PS3 or PS2 controller with a PS4 console. You can, however, use a PS4 controller with the PS3.

Related Article: How to Factory Reset MacBook Pro in Easy Steps

Preparation

Before you begin, you will require certain things:

• A PlayStation 4 Slim/Pro/Standard
• The controller(s) you want to connect
• The included USB cable (or a micro-USB cable with power and data support).

Method 1: Connect your new PS4 controller to PS4 with a USB cable

There are two parts to using this method. 

• Using a wired PS4 controller
• Using a wireless PS4 controller.

Connect your new PS4 controller to PS4 with Micro-B USB cable – Using a wired PS4 controller

If you are using a wired PS4 controller, follow these steps:

Step 1: Start the power button on your PS4 console to turn it on. 

Step 2: Plug the other point of your PS4 controller wire into the USB port of your console.

Step 3: Start the PS button of your controller and press it down for around 3 seconds.

Step 4: Your wired PS4 controller should be connected to the console.

Connect your new PS4 controller to PS4 with Micro-B USB cable – Using a wireless PS4 controller

If you are using wireless PS4 controllers, follow these steps:

Step 1: Touch the power button on your PS4 console to turn it on. 

Step 2: Connect the micro connector of your USB cable to your PS4 controller. You can see the mini USB port on the back of your controller.

Step 3: Plug the other point of your USB cable into the console.

Step 4: Start the PS button of your controller and press it down for about 3 seconds.

Step 5: Your wired PS4 controller should then be connected to the console. You can unplug the USB cable and enjoy your games wirelessly now.

Step 6: If you want to add a second or more wireless controller, just use the same USB cable, follow these same steps, and set it to be the New User on your dashboard.

Note: 

If you can’t connect it with the cable then, there are a few other things you can attempt:

• Connect the cable to another USB port on your PS4. The PS4 Pro has an additional USB port on the back.
• Try another USB to micro USB cable, like one from an Android smartphone, then replicate the process.

Tip: From now on, touching the PS button on the controller will automatically turn on the console so long as it has a charge.

Method 2: Connect your wireless controllers to PS4 without a USB cable

If you want to add second or more wireless controllers to your PS4 console, but you do not have the USB cable, you still can connect them without the USB cable. Here is how to do it:

Step 1: On your PS4 dashboard, go to Settings, then, Devices then, Bluetooth Devices, through a media remote for your PS4 or a connected PS4 controller.

Step 2: On your PS4 controller, the one you want to connect, press down the SHARE button and the PS button for around 5 seconds.

Step 3: Your PS4 controller should then show up on the Bluetooth Devices screen. Choose it.

Step 4: Your PS4 controller should then be connected to your console now. Enjoy your games.

Note

If the controller has been connected to another console before, in that case, we will switch on pairing mode. Turn on the controller using the PlayStation button, then keep Share + PlayStation held simultaneously until the light on the light bar starts to blink.

Additional Tips for Connectivity Issues

If you have Connectivity Problems, then make sure you follow the following actions.

Make sure the controller is charged:

When you have difficulty with a controller not operating wirelessly with your PS4, the common problem with pairing is that the controller’s battery is undercharged. If it seems like the “unplug it and then plug it back in” solution to the problem, it is.

Make sure the controller is charging when you plug it in. When it is not in use, you will see the light bar on the top turn yellow. You might have another problem if it is not charging, like a broken controller port or a bad cable.

• How to Charge Your PS4 Controller

In order to charge a PlayStation 4 controller, simply link it to the PS4 console using the USB cable given with the system.

As long as the PS4 is switched on the controller will commence charging.

The completion of charging will take almost two hours. You should make sure to allow the battery run out, and then completely charge your PS4 controllers many times a year, to ensure their battery life does not shorten.

To inquire the current charge level on your controller, press and hold the controller’s PS button, and the controller’s charging progress will display on your screen.

When charged, the light bar on the top of the controller will shine different colors depending on which player the controller is attached to; player 1 is blue, player 2 is red, player 3 is green, and player 4 is pink.

• If Having Connectivity Problems

If your controller does not turn on when you click the PS button, plug it into the PS4 to make sure it has a charge. If the light bar does not glow, it could be a problem with your USB cable, or the controller’s internal battery could be ruined. If you have an extra cable handy, try using that rather than eliminate the first possibility.

If the controller can’t connect to the console wirelessly even though it is charged, the problem lies with your console or your controller’s Bluetooth connectivity. If your other PS4 controllers are controlling wirelessly, the faulty controller is to criticize. Nonetheless, you can resume playing with the controller connected to the console through a USB.

Reset your controller

If your pairing problems are not linked to power or your cable, you might require to reset your PlayStation controller and your factory reset your PlayStation 4 to pair it again. If you have got a controller that still works, you can do that in the PS4’s Settings menu. It is on the home screen on the far-right side, drawn by a Suitcase icon.

Navigate down to the Devices menu, and then pick Bluetooth Devices. In the Bluetooth settings, you will notice all your controllers there, as well as any other Bluetooth devices that are compatible with your PlayStation, such as PS4 headsets and the greatly improved PDP PS4 Bluetooth Remote. Select the one you are trying to reset, it can be difficult to explain, and you might require to turn on all your controllers if you have more than one, pick it, and click the X button.

Now click the Options button on your controller to show a contextual menu, and pick Forget Device. Doing so will cause your controller to unpair with your PlayStation 4.

Once that’s achieved, you should be able to plug the controller in with your USB adapter to connect it to the console again, as discussed toward the start of this guide.

Perform a hard reset on your controller:

If re-pairing the controller does not work, the problem might be with the controller itself and not the PS4. In that case, you will require to reset the controller. You will need an opened paper clip (or something likewise thin and firm) with which to push a secret button on your PS4 to reset it.

Turn off your PS4 and unplug both it and your internet router or modem so that your controller will not get any network signals when you reset it. When the process is achieved, turn the controller over and look for a bit of hole on the right side. Push the paperclip in the hole and press the button inside for three to five seconds. It is best to press it down for a count of 10, to be specific.

When you have completed that, plugin both your router and your PS4 again, turn on the PS4, then plug your controller into the USB cable. That should re-pair the controller from scratch. If it does not work, you may have a cracked controller on your hands.

Alternative: Go USB-only

It is also possible to skip the Bluetooth wireless connection and play with your DualShock 4 as an option of wired controller with a USB-enabled connection. That’s not perfect when you could possibly play wirelessly, but it’s a possible workaround when connectivity and signal issues continue. You can set a controller to only connect with the PS4 via USB when it’s plugged in by changing the controller settings in the Devices menu, as noted above. Under Devices, navigate to Controllers, and then set any controllers to only communicate via USB when they are plugged in. That way, signal problems or Bluetooth problems should not change the controller, so long as you have a wired connection.

How to Unpair a PS4 Controller

• Make sure the controller you want to unpair is turned off.
• Using another PS4 controller, turn on your console. From the PS4 home menu, go to Setting then, Devices then, Bluetooth Devices.
• You should notice a list of controllers. Select the one you want to unpair and select delete.

We have explained the simplest ways to let you know how to connect ps4 controller to ps4 with the potential problems you could face and how to resolve them. We hope this simplest guide will be helpful for you.