Connect a controller using the USB cable first time

The simplest way to connect a PS4 controller to your PS4 is to plug it in with a USB cable. When you plug the controller into the console with a micro-USB cable, the PS4 recognizes it when ready — you do not need to do anything else. The controller will work as soon as it is plugged in, whether the console is on or off.

Use any standard micro-USB cable, the same type that charges many phones and tablets. Plug the micro-USB end into the port on the back of the controller (between the two grip handles) and the other end into any USB port on the front of the PS4. The light bar on the controller will turn on, showing that power is flowing to it.

Once the controller is plugged in and the PS4 is turned on, you can use it right away. You do not need to pair it or register it — the wired connection works when ready. If you want to use the controller wirelessly later, you can unplug it and follow the pairing steps below.

Key Takeaways

  • A micro-USB cable plugged into the PS4 controller and console works when ready without any pairing steps.
  • To use a controller wirelessly, hold the Share and PS buttons together for three seconds until the light bar flashes, then select it from the PS4 settings menu.
  • The PS4 can connect up to four controllers at once, whether wired or wireless.
  • If a wireless controller stops responding, plug it in with a USB cable to reconnect it, then unplug it to use it wirelessly again.
  • A controller that will not pair wirelessly may have a low battery — charge it for at least 30 minutes before trying again.

Pair a controller wirelessly using the pairing button

To connect a PS4 controller wirelessly, you need to put the controller into pairing mode. Hold down the Share button and the PS button (the large button in the center) at the same time for about three seconds. The light bar on the back of the controller will start flashing white, which means it is searching for the PS4.

While the light is flashing, go to the PS4 settings menu. Press the PS button on a controller that is already connected, or use a wired controller. Navigate to Settings, then Devices, then Bluetooth Devices. The PS4 will search for controllers in pairing mode. When your controller appears in the list, select it and the pairing will complete. The light bar will stop flashing and turn solid, showing the controller is now connected wirelessly.

Once paired, you can unplug the USB cable and use the controller wirelessly. The PS4 will remember this controller and reconnect to it automatically the next time you turn on the console, as long as the controller is charged and within range.

What to do if the controller will not pair

If the light bar does not flash when you hold Share and PS, the controller battery may be too low. Plug the controller into the PS4 with a USB cable and let it charge for at least 30 minutes. The light bar should turn on while charging. Once it has charged, unplug it and try the pairing steps again.

If the light bar flashes but the controller does not appear in the Bluetooth menu, try restarting the PS4. Turn off the console completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then put the controller into pairing mode again and check the Bluetooth menu. Sometimes the PS4 needs to restart to see a new controller.

If the controller still will not pair after charging and restarting, try forgetting any old pairing. On the PS4, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices, find the controller in the list, and select Forget. Then put the controller back into pairing mode and pair it again from scratch. This clears any stuck connection and usually solves the problem.

Connect multiple controllers to one PS4

The PS4 can connect up to four controllers at the same time. Each controller pairs the same way — hold Share and PS until the light flashes, then select it from the Bluetooth menu. You can mix wired and wireless controllers; for example, you could have two controllers plugged in with USB cables and two more connected wirelessly.

When multiple controllers are connected, each one is assigned a player number. The first controller to connect is Player 1, the second is Player 2, and so on. The PS4 shows the player number on the light bar — Player 1 has a blue light, Player 2 has red, Player 3 has green, and Player 4 has pink. This makes it straightforward to see which controller is which during multiplayer games.

If you want to disconnect a specific controller, you can unplug it if it is wired, or go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices and select Forget next to the controller name. The PS4 will no longer try to connect to that controller.

Charge your controller while using it

You can charge a PS4 controller while playing by plugging it in with a USB cable. The controller will work while plugged in, and the battery will charge at the same time. This is useful if the battery is running low during a gaming session and you want to keep playing without waiting for a full charge.

The PS4 has two USB ports on the front of the console. If both ports are in use, you can also plug the controller into a USB power adapter (the kind used to charge phones) or a computer. Any standard USB power source will charge the controller, not just the PS4 itself.

A fully drained controller takes about two hours to charge completely. You can check the battery level by pressing the PS button and looking at the battery icon in the top-left corner of the screen. The icon shows how much charge is left as a percentage.

Reconnect a controller that stopped working

If a wireless controller stops responding during use, the connection has dropped. The fastest fix is to plug it into the PS4 with a USB cable. As soon as it is plugged in, it will work again. Once you have plugged it in, you can unplug it and it should reconnect wirelessly on its own within a few seconds.

If unplugging and replugging does not restore the wireless connection, restart the PS4. Turn off the console, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. The controller should reconnect automatically when the console boots up. If it still does not work, forget the controller from the Bluetooth menu and pair it again from scratch.

A controller that keeps dropping connection may have a low battery. Plug it in and charge it fully, then try using it again. If the problem continues even after a full charge, the controller's wireless hardware may be damaged, and you may need to use it wired or replace it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a PS4 controller on a different PlayStation console?

PS4 controllers work only with PS4 and PS5 consoles. They will not work with a PS3, and older PlayStation controllers will not work with a PS4. If you have a PS5, you can pair a PS4 controller the same way — hold Share and PS until the light flashes, then select it from the Bluetooth menu.

What if I lose the USB cable for my controller?

You can buy a replacement micro-USB cable online or at any electronics store for a few dollars. Any standard micro-USB cable works — you do not need an official PlayStation cable. Once you have a cable, you can plug the controller in to charge it or use it wired.

Does the PS4 controller work with a computer?

Yes, PS4 controllers work with Windows and Mac computers. Plug it in with a USB cable or pair it wirelessly using Bluetooth. On Windows, the controller usually works right away. On Mac, you may need to read a driver or use third-party software to make it work with games.

Why does my controller light bar keep changing colors?

The light bar changes color to show the player number when multiple controllers are connected. It also flashes white during pairing mode and may pulse slowly when the battery is low. If the light bar is behaving strangely, try unplugging the controller and plugging it back in.

Can I use a PS4 controller without pairing it wirelessly?

Yes. You can always plug a PS4 controller into the console with a USB cable and use it wired. This works when ready without any pairing steps and is a good option if you prefer a wired connection or if wireless pairing is not working.