The fastest way to connect your DualShock 4

The DualShock 4 is the standard controller for PlayStation 4. Most of the time, you connect it by plugging a USB cable into the controller and the PS4 console, then pressing the PlayStation button in the center of the controller. The PS4 recognizes it when ready and you can start playing within seconds.

If you want to use the controller wirelessly instead, you can pair it to the PS4 once using that USB cable, and then the controller will connect on its own every time you turn it on — as long as the controller is charged and within about 30 feet of the console.

This guide covers both methods, what to do when the connection fails, and how to pair a second or third controller to the same PS4.

Key Takeaways

  • Plug a USB cable into the controller's charging port and into any USB port on the PS4 to connect with a wire, then press the PlayStation button.
  • To use the controller wirelessly after the first USB connection, hold the Share and PlayStation buttons together for three seconds until the light bar flashes, then select the controller from the PS4 settings.
  • A DualShock 4 controller will only pair with one PS4 at a time, so if you move it to a different console you must pair it again.
  • If the controller does not respond after connecting, restart the PS4 and try a different USB cable, because the cable itself is often the problem.
  • You can connect up to four controllers to a single PS4 for multiplayer games.

Connecting with a USB cable (wired)

This is the most reliable way to connect and the method you must use the first time. Find a USB cable with a micro-USB connector on one end — this is the small rectangular plug, not the larger USB-A connector. Most phone chargers use this type. Plug the micro-USB end into the charging port on the bottom of the DualShock 4 controller.

Plug the other end of the cable into any of the USB ports on the front or back of the PS4 console. The PS4 has two USB ports on the front and two on the back. It does not matter which one you use. You should see the light bar on the back of the controller turn on.

Press the PlayStation button — the large circular button in the center of the controller with the PlayStation logo. The PS4 will recognize the controller and you can begin using it right away. You do not need to do anything else in the settings.

The controller will charge while it is plugged in. You can leave it connected and play with the cable attached, or unplug it once it is charged and switch to wireless mode.

Pairing wirelessly after the first connection

Once you have connected the DualShock 4 to your PS4 with a USB cable at least once, you can use it wirelessly. The controller remembers the PS4 it was paired to and will connect automatically when you turn it on, as long as the PS4 is powered on or in rest mode.

To pair a controller wirelessly for the first time, keep the USB cable plugged in. Hold down the Share button (on the left side of the controller, below the light bar) and the PlayStation button at the same time for about three seconds. Do not let go. The light bar will begin flashing white, which means the controller is in pairing mode.

On your PS4, go to Settings from the home screen. Select Devices, then Bluetooth Devices. You should see your DualShock 4 listed. Select it. The PS4 will complete the pairing and the light bar will stop flashing and stay on. You can now unplug the USB cable and use the controller wirelessly.

From this point forward, straightforward press the PlayStation button on the controller to wake it up and connect to the PS4. You do not need to repeat the pairing steps unless you pair the controller to a different PS4.

Connecting a second or third controller

You can connect up to four DualShock 4 controllers to a single PS4 for multiplayer games. Each additional controller follows the same process as the first one.

Plug the second controller into the PS4 with a USB cable and press its PlayStation button. It will connect when ready. If you want to use it wirelessly, hold Share and PlayStation together for three seconds until the light bar flashes, then go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices and select it from the list.

The PS4 will assign each controller a player number — Player 1, Player 2, and so on. You can see which number is assigned to each controller by looking at the light bar color: Player 1 is blue, Player 2 is red, Player 3 is green, and Player 4 is pink. This number is only for display and does not affect how the controller works.

What to do if the controller does not connect

If you plug in the controller and nothing happens, or if it connects but does not respond to button presses, the problem is usually the USB cable. Try a different USB cable first — many cables work for charging phones but do not carry data properly, which the PS4 needs to recognize the controller.

If you have tried a different cable and the controller still does not respond, restart the PS4 completely. Hold the power button on the front of the console for about ten seconds until it shuts down, wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Once it has fully restarted, plug in the controller and try again.

If the controller connects with the USB cable but will not pair wirelessly, make sure the PS4 is fully updated. Go to Settings > System Software Update and check for updates. Some older PS4 systems have trouble pairing controllers until they are updated.

If the controller was previously paired to a different PS4, it may still be trying to connect to that console instead. Hold the Share and PlayStation buttons together for ten seconds (longer than the normal three seconds) until the light bar flashes rapidly. This resets the wireless pairing. Then repeat the pairing steps with your current PS4.

Charging your DualShock 4 controller

The DualShock 4 has a built-in rechargeable battery. Plug the USB cable into the charging port on the bottom of the controller and into any USB port on the PS4 or into a wall charger. The light bar will turn orange while charging and turn off when the battery is full, which usually takes two to three hours.

You can play while the controller is charging. The battery lasts about four to eight hours of active play, depending on which games you are playing and how bright you have set the light bar. You can dim the light bar in Settings > Devices > Controllers to extend battery life.

If the controller will not charge, try a different USB cable. If it still will not charge after trying multiple cables, the charging port on the controller may be damaged. In that case, you can still use the controller with the USB cable plugged in at all times, or you may need to replace the controller.

Moving a controller to a different PS4

A DualShock 4 controller can only be paired to one PS4 at a time. If you want to use the same controller on a different PS4, you must unpair it from the first console and pair it to the second one.

On the original PS4, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices. Find your controller in the list, select it, and choose Forget. This removes the pairing. Now take the controller to the second PS4, plug it in with a USB cable, press the PlayStation button, and follow the wireless pairing steps above.

You can switch a controller between PS4 consoles as many times as you want, but you must repeat this forget-and-pair process each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a DualShock 4 controller on a PlayStation 5?

No. The PlayStation 5 uses the DualSense controller, which is a different model. DualShock 4 controllers do not work with PS5 games. However, you can use a DualShock 4 on a PS5 to play PlayStation 4 games that you own digitally or on disc, but not for PS5 games.

Why does my controller keep disconnecting?

If the controller disconnects during play, move closer to the PS4 — wireless controllers work best within 15 to 20 feet. If you are already close, the battery may be low. Plug it in to charge. If it disconnects even when plugged in with a USB cable, try a different cable. Interference from other wireless devices like routers or microwaves can also cause disconnections; try moving the PS4 away from those devices.

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

No. Once you have paired a DualShock 4 wirelessly, it will connect automatically every time you turn on the PS4 or wake it from rest mode. You only need to press the PlayStation button on the controller to wake it up. You only need to pair again if you pair the controller to a different PS4.

Can I use a wired connection permanently instead of wireless?

Yes. You can leave the USB cable plugged into the controller and PS4 at all times and use it as a wired controller. This is actually more reliable than wireless for competitive games because there is no possibility of disconnection or lag from wireless interference.

What if I lost the USB cable that came with my controller?

Any USB cable with a micro-USB connector will work. These are very common — most Android phones use them, and you can buy replacement cables at any electronics store for a few dollars. Make sure the cable carries data, not just power, by testing it with the PS4 first.