The light bar tells you the battery status

The easiest way to check your PS4 controller's charge is to look at the light bar — the colored strip across the top of the controller. When you press the PS button (the center button with the PlayStation logo), the light bar will glow. The color and brightness tell you how much battery is left.

A bright, solid color means the controller has a good charge. A dim light means the battery is running low. If the light bar does not glow at all when you press the PS button, the controller is completely dead and needs to charge.

Key Takeaways

  • Press the PS button and watch the light bar — a bright glow means the controller has battery, a dim glow means it is running low.
  • The PS4 console itself will show you the controller's battery percentage on the home screen if you look at the top right corner.
  • A controller that will not turn on at all needs at least 15 to 30 minutes of charging before it will respond.
  • The charging cable must be plugged into a USB port on the PS4 or a standard USB power adapter; the controller charges while the console is on or in rest mode.

Check the battery percentage on your PS4 home screen

Your PS4 console displays the controller's battery level right on the home screen. Look at the top right corner of the screen — you will see a small battery icon next to the controller number. This icon shows the current percentage of charge remaining.

This is the most accurate way to know exactly how much battery you have. If the percentage is below 20 percent, you should charge the controller soon to avoid it dying mid-game.

Plug in the controller to charge it

Use the USB cable that came with your PS4 to charge the controller. Plug one end into the micro-USB port on the back of the controller (the port is centered at the bottom) and the other end into a USB port on the front of your PS4 console.

The controller will charge while the console is powered on or in rest mode. You can also use a standard USB power adapter plugged into a wall outlet — any adapter that outputs 5 volts will work. A completely dead controller usually takes 2 to 3 hours to fully charge.

The light bar changes color while charging

When you first plug in a dead controller, the light bar will glow orange or amber. This tells you the controller is charging. Once the battery reaches full capacity, the light bar will turn off.

If the light bar stays off even after 30 minutes of charging, check that the USB cable is firmly seated in both the controller and the power source. Try a different USB cable or a different USB port on your PS4 — sometimes a port stops working or a cable becomes damaged.

What to do if the controller will not charge

If your controller is completely unresponsive and the light bar does not glow at all after 30 minutes of charging, the battery may have drained so far that it needs a longer charge time. Leave it plugged in for at least an hour before trying again.

If the light bar still does not appear, the problem is likely the USB cable or the port itself. Try charging a different controller with the same cable — if that controller charges, your original controller's port may be damaged. If the second controller does not charge either, try a different USB cable. Micro-USB cables wear out and stop making good contact inside the port.

Avoid letting the battery drain completely

Lithium batteries (the type in PS4 controllers) last longer when you do not let them drop to zero regularly. Try to charge your controller when the battery hits 20 percent rather than waiting until it dies completely.

If you play for long sessions, keep the controller plugged in while you play. The PS4 will not overcharge the battery — once it reaches 100 percent, it stops charging automatically. You can safely leave the controller plugged in overnight or between gaming sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any USB cable to charge my PS4 controller?

Any micro-USB cable will work, but the cable must be in good condition. Damaged cables may not make a solid connection inside the port. If your controller is not charging, try a different cable before assuming the controller itself is broken.

How long does a PS4 controller battery last during play?

A fully charged PS4 controller typically lasts 4 to 8 hours of continuous play, depending on how much you use the vibration and light bar features. Turning off vibration in your game settings can extend battery life.

Is it bad to leave the controller plugged in all the time?

No, it is safe to leave your PS4 controller plugged in. The console stops charging once the battery reaches 100 percent, so the battery will not be damaged by being left on the charger.

Why does my controller light bar stay orange even after hours of charging?

An orange light bar means the controller is still charging. If it stays orange for more than 3 hours, the battery may be faulty or the charging port may have a poor connection. Try unplugging it for 10 minutes, then plugging it back in to reset the charging process.