The fastest way to connect a controller

Plug a USB cable into the PS4's front port and into the controller's charging port, then press the PS button (the large center button) on the controller. The PS4 will recognize it within a few seconds. You can use the controller while it charges, and once it has power, you can unplug the cable and use it wirelessly.

If you are setting up a controller for the first time or reconnecting one that has not been used in a while, the wired connection is the most reliable method. The PS4 will update the controller's firmware automatically if needed, which only happens over a wired connection.

For controllers that are already paired to your PS4, you can reconnect wirelessly by pressing the PS button. The console will find the controller within seconds if it is within range (about 30 feet in most homes).

Key Takeaways

  • A wired USB connection is the fastest and most reliable way to pair a new controller to your PS4 for the first time.
  • Once a controller is paired, you can reconnect it wirelessly by pressing the PS button, as long as the PS4 is powered on or in rest mode.
  • The PS4 will update controller firmware automatically over a wired connection, which may take a few minutes the first time you connect.
  • If a controller will not connect wirelessly, try the wired method again to reset the pairing.

Connecting a brand-new controller for the first time

New PS4 controllers usually arrive with some battery charge, but not always enough to pair wirelessly. Plug the USB cable into the micro-USB port on the bottom of the controller and into one of the two USB ports on the front of the PS4 (the ports are on the lower left side of the console, below the disc drive). Press the PS button in the center of the controller.

The PS4 will display a message asking you to create a new user profile or sign in to an existing one. You do not have to complete this step to use the controller — you can press the X button to skip it and use the controller when ready. The controller will remain paired to the console even if you do not create a profile.

Leave the cable connected for at least 10 minutes the first time. The PS4 may read and install a firmware update for the controller in the background. You will not see a progress bar; the update happens silently. Once the 10 minutes have passed, you can unplug the cable.

Reconnecting a controller wirelessly after the first pairing

After a controller has been paired once, you can reconnect it without a cable. Press the PS button on the controller. If the PS4 is powered on or in rest mode (the white light on the front), the controller will connect within a few seconds. The light bar on the back of the controller will stop flashing once the connection is active.

Wireless range is typically 30 feet in an open room, but walls and other electronics can reduce this. If the controller does not connect after 10 seconds, move closer to the console and try again. If it still does not work, use the wired method to reconnect.

What to do if a controller will not connect

If a controller that previously worked stops connecting wirelessly, the pairing may have been lost. Plug it in with a USB cable and press the PS button. Let it stay connected for at least two minutes. This will re-establish the wireless pairing without erasing any of your settings.

If the controller still will not connect after re-pairing, check that the PS4 is actually powered on or in rest mode — not fully shut down. The console must be awake to accept wireless connections. You can tell the PS4 is in rest mode by the white light on the front; a fully powered-on console will have a brighter light and may be displaying the home screen.

If the controller charges over USB but the PS button does not light up the light bar, the controller's battery may be completely dead. Leave it plugged in for 30 minutes, then try again. A completely drained battery can take longer to begin charging than a partially charged one.

Connecting multiple controllers to the same PS4

You can pair up to four controllers to a single PS4. Each one pairs the same way: plug it in with a USB cable, press the PS button, and wait for the light bar to turn on. Once it is connected, unplug it and press the PS button again to reconnect wirelessly.

The PS4 will assign each controller a player number (1, 2, 3, or 4) based on the order you paired them. The first controller you pair becomes Player 1. This number appears as a light on the bottom of the controller — Player 1 has one light, Player 2 has two lights, and so on. You can see which controller is which by looking at these lights.

If you have more than four controllers, you can still own them, but only four can be connected at the same time. To switch which four are active, disconnect one wirelessly (by holding the PS button for 10 seconds until the light bar turns off) and then press the PS button on a different controller to connect it.

Charging your controller while you play

You can use a controller while it is plugged in and charging. The cable does not interfere with wireless play — the controller will use the wired connection for input while it charges. This is useful if your controller's battery is low and you want to keep playing without waiting for a full charge.

PS4 controllers take about two hours to charge fully from completely empty. You do not need to unplug the cable once it is fully charged — the PS4 will stop charging automatically and will not overcharge the battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a PS4 controller on my PC or phone?

Yes, but the process is different from pairing to a PS4. Most PCs and phones can connect to a PS4 controller over Bluetooth, though you may need to hold down the PS button and Share button together for several seconds to put the controller in pairing mode. Check your device's Bluetooth settings for the specific steps.

Why does my controller keep disconnecting?

Wireless interference from other devices (microwaves, routers, cordless phones) can cause disconnections. Move closer to the PS4 or move other electronics away from the console. If disconnections happen only in one room, try playing in a different location. If the problem persists, re-pair the controller using a USB cable.

Do I need to pair a controller every time I turn on my PS4?

No. Once a controller is paired, it will reconnect automatically the next time you press the PS button, as long as the PS4 is powered on or in rest mode. You only need to pair it once.

What if I lose the USB cable?

Any standard micro-USB cable will work with a PS4 controller. You can use a cable from a phone charger, an older Android device, or a camera. The PS4 does not require a special cable.

Can I use a PS3 controller on a PS4?

No. PS3 controllers are not compatible with PS4 consoles. You must use a PS4 controller or a third-party controller designed for PS4.