The fastest way: use the USB cable that came with your controller

Plug the USB cable into the controller's charging port on the bottom, then plug the other end into any USB port on the front or back of your PS4. The controller will light up and start charging. Within a few seconds, the PS4 will recognize it as a new device. You do not need to do anything else — the connection happens automatically.

This method works even if your PS4 is off. Once the controller is connected via USB, you can unplug the cable and use it wirelessly. The PS4 remembers the controller and will connect to it automatically the next time you turn on the console.

If you do not have the original USB cable, any standard micro-USB cable works — the same type that charges most phones and tablets. This is the most reliable way to pair a new controller because there is no wireless setup to troubleshoot.

Key Takeaways

  • Connecting via USB cable is the simplest method and works whether your PS4 is on or off.
  • Once paired with a USB cable, the controller switches to wireless automatically and the PS4 remembers it.
  • If you want to pair wirelessly without a cable, hold the Share and PS buttons together for three seconds until the light bar flashes.
  • A controller that will not connect usually needs a firmware update, which you do through the PS4 settings menu.
  • You can connect up to four controllers to one PS4 at the same time.

Pairing wirelessly if you do not have a cable

If you do not have a USB cable available, you can pair the controller wirelessly. First, make sure your PS4 is turned on and you are on the home screen. Hold down the Share button and the PS button at the same time — the large button in the center of the controller. Keep holding both buttons for about three seconds.

The light bar on the back of the controller will start flashing white. This means the controller is searching for your PS4. The PS4 will detect it within a few seconds and ask you to press the PS button to complete the pairing. Press it once, and the light bar will turn solid blue. The controller is now connected.

Wireless pairing takes longer than USB and occasionally fails if there is interference from other wireless devices nearby. If the light bar stops flashing and nothing happens, try the USB method instead — it is more reliable.

What to do if the controller will not connect

If your controller does not light up when you plug in the USB cable, the battery may be completely dead. Leave it plugged in for at least 30 minutes before trying again. The light bar should turn on even if the PS4 does not recognize it yet.

If the controller lights up but the PS4 does not recognize it, restart your PS4 completely. Hold the power button on the front of the console for 10 seconds until it shuts down, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. Plug the controller in again via USB.

If the PS4 still does not recognize the controller after a restart, the controller firmware may be out of date. Go to Settings on your PS4 home screen, select Devices, then Controllers, then Update Controller Firmware. Keep the controller plugged in during this process. The update usually takes a few minutes.

Connecting multiple controllers to the same PS4

Your PS4 can connect to up to four controllers at once. Each one pairs the same way — either via USB cable or wireless pairing. If you are adding a second or third controller, just plug it in or hold Share and PS together. The PS4 will recognize each new controller as a separate device.

Each controller will be assigned a player number when it connects. You can see which controllers are active by looking at the light bar color — Player 1 is blue, Player 2 is red, Player 3 is green, and Player 4 is pink. If you need to know which physical controller is which player, press the PS button on any controller and the PS4 will highlight its player number on screen.

Switching a controller between PS4 consoles

A single controller can pair with multiple PS4 consoles, but it can only connect to one at a time. To move a controller from one PS4 to another, just plug it into the new console via USB or hold Share and PS together while on that console's home screen. The new console will recognize it when ready.

The old console will forget the controller after a few minutes of inactivity. If you want to remove a controller from a specific PS4 without waiting, go to Settings, Devices, Controllers, and select the controller you want to remove, then choose Forget Device.

Charging your controller while it is connected

You can charge a controller while using it. Just plug the USB cable into the controller and into your PS4 — the controller will charge while you play. The light bar will show a dim orange or amber color while charging and turn solid blue once it is fully charged.

Charging takes about two hours from completely dead to full. If you want to charge faster, you can use a wall charger with a USB port instead of plugging into the PS4, though the PS4 method works fine for regular use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a third-party controller with my PS4?

Yes, but only controllers made for PS4 will work. Third-party controllers designed for PS4 pair the same way as official Sony controllers — via USB cable or wireless pairing. Controllers made for other systems like Xbox will not work with a PS4.

Why does my controller keep disconnecting?

If a controller disconnects during use, the battery may be low — charge it fully and try again. If it disconnects even when fully charged, move closer to the PS4 to rule out wireless interference. If the problem continues, try unpairing the controller completely and pairing it again from scratch using the USB method.

Do I need a PlayStation Network account to use a controller?

No. A controller pairs with the PS4 console itself, not with an account. You can use a paired controller to navigate the PS4 menu and play games without signing into any account. You only need an account if you want to play online multiplayer or access PlayStation Store features.

What if I lose the USB cable?

Any standard micro-USB cable will work as a replacement — the same type used for most phones and Android tablets. You can buy one at any electronics store or online for a few dollars. Once you have paired the controller via USB, you can use it wirelessly without the cable.

Can I pair a PS5 controller with my PS4?

No. PS5 controllers are not compatible with PS4 consoles. You need a PS4 controller to use with a PS4. The reverse is also true — PS4 controllers will not work with a PS5.