Connect your PS4 controller to a PC through Bluetooth in four steps
A PS4 controller connects to a PC the same way it pairs with any Bluetooth device: you put the controller in pairing mode, then tell your PC to find and remember it. The whole process takes about two minutes. After that, the controller works with any game or program that accepts a gamepad — you don't need to pair it again unless you want to use it with a different device.
The controller will work on Windows 10, Windows 11, and most Linux systems. Mac support is less reliable and depends on which games you want to play. If your PC doesn't have Bluetooth built in, you can buy a USB Bluetooth adapter for $10 to $20 and plug it into any USB port.
Key Takeaways
- Put the PS4 controller in pairing mode by holding the PlayStation button and Share button together for three seconds until the light bar flashes white.
- Open your PC's Bluetooth settings, search for new devices, and select the controller when it appears in the list.
- Once paired, the controller connects automatically whenever Bluetooth is on and the controller is powered on.
- If pairing fails, restart the controller by holding the power button for 30 seconds, then try again.
- Some games require you to map controller buttons in the game's settings before the controller will work.
Put the controller into pairing mode
Hold down the PlayStation button (the one with the PlayStation symbol in the center) and the Share button (to the left of the touchpad) at the same time. Keep both pressed 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 ready to connect.
The controller will stay in pairing mode for about three minutes. If the light stops flashing or turns off, the controller went to sleep. Press the PlayStation button once to wake it up, then repeat the pairing steps.
Open Bluetooth settings on your PC
On Windows 10: Click the Windows icon in the bottom left, type "Bluetooth settings" into the search box, and open the Bluetooth settings page. Make sure the toggle at the top is switched to "On".
On Windows 11: Click the Windows icon, type "Bluetooth settings", and open it the same way. The toggle should be on.
On Linux: The steps vary by which version you're running, but most have a Bluetooth icon in the system tray (top right or bottom right of the screen). Click it and look for "Add Device" or "Pair New Device".
Search for and select the controller
In your Bluetooth settings, look for a button that says "Add device", "Pair a device", or "Search for devices". Click it. Your PC will scan for Bluetooth devices nearby. The PS4 controller will show up in the list as "Wireless Controller" — click on it to pair.
Windows may ask you to confirm the pairing or enter a PIN. If it does, just click "Yes" or "Pair" — you don't need to type anything. The pairing should complete in a few seconds.
Test the connection and configure if needed
Once paired, the light bar on the controller will stop flashing and stay on. Open a game or program that uses a gamepad and test the buttons. Most modern games recognize the controller automatically and map the buttons correctly.
If buttons don't work in a specific game, the game may need you to manually set up the controller. Open the game's settings or controls menu and look for "Controller" or "Gamepad" options. You'll usually see a prompt to press each button on the controller so the game learns what you're using. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Reconnect the controller after the first time
After the first pairing, you don't need to go through Bluetooth settings again. Just turn on your PC's Bluetooth and press the PlayStation button on the controller. It will connect automatically within a few seconds. The light bar will turn on solid when it's connected.
If the controller doesn't connect after 10 seconds, make sure Bluetooth is actually on. Check your system tray (bottom right on Windows, top right on Mac) for the Bluetooth icon. If it's off, click it to turn it on.
Troubleshoot if pairing fails
If the controller won't pair, the most common fix is to restart it. Hold the power button on the back of the controller for 30 seconds — the light bar will turn off. Release the button, wait a few seconds, then press the PlayStation button to turn it back on. Try pairing again from the beginning.
If that doesn't work, unpair the controller from your PC's Bluetooth settings and try again. On Windows, go to Bluetooth settings, find "Wireless Controller" in the list of paired devices, click it, and select "Remove device". Then repeat the pairing steps from the start.
If your PC has no Bluetooth at all, you'll see "No Bluetooth adapter found" in the settings. In that case, buy a USB Bluetooth adapter and plug it into any USB port on your PC. Windows will install drivers automatically, and then you can pair the controller the same way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a PS4 controller on a PC without Bluetooth?
Yes. You can plug the controller directly into a USB port with a USB-C cable (the same cable that charges the PS4 controller). The PC will recognize it as a wired gamepad. This works on Windows, Mac, and Linux without any setup.
Will the PS4 controller work with all games on my PC?
Most games made in the last five years recognize the PS4 controller automatically. Older games or games designed only for Xbox controllers may not. Check the game's store page or manual to see what controllers it supports. Some games let you remap buttons in the settings to make it work anyway.
Can I use the PS4 controller on my PC and PS4 at the same time?
No. A controller can only be paired to one device at a time. To switch it back to your PS4, hold the PlayStation button and Share button again to put it in pairing mode, then pair it with your PS4 the same way you paired it with your PC.
Why does my controller keep disconnecting from my PC?
The most common cause is that your PC's Bluetooth is turning off or the controller is going to sleep. Check your power settings to make sure Bluetooth doesn't turn off automatically. If the controller keeps sleeping, press the PlayStation button to wake it up. Some games also disconnect the controller if they don't recognize it — try restarting the game.
Do I need to install drivers for the PS4 controller on Windows?
No. Windows 10 and Windows 11 have built-in support for PS4 controllers over Bluetooth. Once paired, they work without any extra software. Some games may ask you to install their own controller drivers, but that's rare.