Why Your PS5 Controller Won't Connect to Your PC — and How to Fix It

The most common reason your PS5 controller won't connect to your PC is that the controller is still paired to your PlayStation 5

A PS5 controller (DualSense) can only maintain one active Bluetooth connection at a time. If it's paired to your console, it won't connect to your PC until you either unpair it from the PS5 or put the controller into pairing mode. The second most common issue is that your PC's Bluetooth is off, or the controller isn't actually in pairing mode — it looks like nothing is happening, but the controller is waiting for a signal your PC isn't sending.

The good news: this is fixable in under five minutes. The steps depend on whether you want to use the controller on both devices or just your PC.

Key Takeaways

PS5 controllers can only connect to one device at a time, so you must unpair it from your PlayStation 5 before it will connect to your PC.
Your PC's Bluetooth must be turned on and the controller must be in pairing mode — hold the PlayStation button and Create button together for three seconds until the light bar flashes white.
If you want to use the controller on both your PS5 and PC without unpairing, you can use a USB cable to connect directly to your PC instead of Bluetooth.
Some games and software require you to install the controller drivers or remap the buttons in the game settings before the PC recognizes the input.

Check that your PC's Bluetooth is actually on

Before you do anything with the controller, confirm your PC can see Bluetooth devices. On Windows, click the Start menu, type "Bluetooth settings," and open it. You should see a toggle that says "Bluetooth" — make sure it's switched to On. If it's already on, toggle it off and back on again to refresh the connection.

On a Mac, click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then Bluetooth, and confirm it's on. If your PC doesn't have built-in Bluetooth, you'll need a USB Bluetooth adapter — these are inexpensive and plug into any USB port.

Put your PS5 controller into pairing mode

Hold down the PlayStation button (the one with the PlayStation logo) and the Create button (to the left of the touchpad) at the same time. Hold them for about three seconds. The light bar on the back of the controller will start flashing white — this means it's in pairing mode and searching for a device to connect to.

If the light bar doesn't flash, the controller's battery may be dead. Plug it into a USB-C cable connected to your PC or a power adapter and wait 30 seconds, then try again. The light bar should flash white within a few seconds of entering pairing mode. If it flashes blue instead, the controller is trying to reconnect to your PS5 — go back to the PS5 step below.

Unpair the controller from your PlayStation 5 if it's still connected there

If your controller keeps connecting back to your PS5 instead of your PC, it's still paired to the console. On your PS5, go to Settings, then Accessories, then Controllers, then Bluetooth Accessories. Find your controller in the list, press the Options button (three horizontal lines), and select Forget. This erases the pairing without affecting anything else on your console.

After you forget it, the controller will no longer automatically connect to your PS5. You can re-pair it later by plugging it in with a USB cable or by holding the PlayStation and Create buttons again. Once you've forgotten it on the PS5, go back to your PC, make sure Bluetooth is on, put the controller in pairing mode again, and your PC should find it within a few seconds.

Add the controller to your PC's Bluetooth devices

With the controller in pairing mode (white flashing light), go back to your PC's Bluetooth settings. On Windows, click "Add device" or "Add Bluetooth or other device," then select Bluetooth. Your PC will scan for nearby devices — you should see "Wireless Controller" or "DualSense" in the list within 10 seconds. Click it to pair.

On a Mac, the controller should appear in the Bluetooth settings window automatically. Click the "Connect" button next to it. Once paired, the light bar will stop flashing and turn solid blue or white, depending on which player slot the PC assigned to it.

Use a USB cable if Bluetooth isn't working

If your PC's Bluetooth is broken or you don't have it, you can plug the PS5 controller directly into your PC with a USB-C cable. This works when ready — no pairing needed. The controller will stay connected to your PS5 as well, so you don't have to unpair anything. This is also the most reliable option if you're having trouble with Bluetooth range or interference.

The downside is you're tethered to a cable, so it only works if your PC is close enough. For gaming at a desk, this is usually fine. For playing from a couch, Bluetooth is better once you get it working.

Reinstall or update your controller drivers if the PC sees it but won't use it

Sometimes your PC will pair with the controller successfully, but games won't recognize the input. This usually means the controller drivers need to be updated or reinstalled. On Windows, right-click the Start menu, select Device Manager, and look for "HID-compliant game controller" or "Wireless Controller" in the list. Right-click it and select "Update driver," then choose "Search automatically for updated driver software."

If that doesn't work, right-click it again and select "Uninstall device," then unplug the controller and plug it back in. Windows will reinstall the drivers automatically. On a Mac, drivers usually install without any action from you — if a game still won't see the controller, check the game's settings menu for controller configuration or remap options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my PS5 controller on my PC and PS5 at the same time?

No — a PS5 controller can only connect to one device via Bluetooth at a time. If you want to use it on both, plug it into your PC with a USB cable while it's paired to your PS5. The USB connection takes priority, so the controller will work on your PC while still paired to the console.

Why does my controller keep disconnecting from my PC?

This usually means your PC's Bluetooth range is too far or something is interfering with the signal. Move closer to your PC, turn off other Bluetooth devices nearby, and make sure nothing metal or electronic is between the controller and your PC. If it still disconnects, try the USB cable method instead.

Do I need to install special software to use my PS5 controller on PC?

Most games recognize the PS5 controller automatically once it's paired. Some older games or software may need you to remap the buttons in the game settings. If a game doesn't see the controller at all, check the game's support page — a few titles require third-party software like DS4Windows, though this is less common now.

What if my controller won't enter pairing mode?

The battery is probably dead. Plug the controller into a USB-C cable connected to your PC or a power adapter and wait at least one minute. Then try holding the PlayStation and Create buttons again. The light bar should flash white within a few seconds.

Can I use multiple PS5 controllers on my PC at the same time?

Yes. Each controller pairs separately, so you can connect two, three, or more controllers to your PC via Bluetooth or USB. Your PC will assign each one a different player number. Most games will recognize all of them automatically.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.