The fastest way: use Bluetooth
Your PS5 controller connects to a laptop the same way it connects to a phone — through Bluetooth, the wireless standard that lets devices talk to each other over short distances. The controller itself has Bluetooth built in. Your laptop almost certainly does too, even if you've never used it.
Put the controller in pairing mode by holding the PlayStation button and the Create button together for about three seconds until the light on the back starts flashing white. Then go to your laptop's Bluetooth settings, find the controller in the list of available devices, and select it. The light will stop flashing and turn solid white when it's connected.
This works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The whole process takes about a minute. Once it's paired once, your laptop will remember it and reconnect automatically the next time you turn the controller on nearby.
Key Takeaways
- Hold the PlayStation button and Create button together for three seconds to put the controller in pairing mode, which shows as a flashing white light.
- Open your laptop's Bluetooth settings, find the controller in the device list, and select it to complete the connection.
- Once paired, the controller will reconnect automatically whenever you turn it on near your laptop.
- If Bluetooth doesn't work, you can buy a USB adapter that plugs into your laptop and connects the controller by cable instead.
- Some games and programs recognize the controller when ready; others need you to map the buttons yourself in the game's settings.
Where to find Bluetooth settings on your laptop
On Windows, click the Start menu, type "Bluetooth settings," and open the result. You'll see a toggle to turn Bluetooth on and a list of devices below it. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on, then look for your PS5 controller in the list once you've put it in pairing mode.
On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left, select System Settings, then click Bluetooth in the sidebar. The controller will appear in the list of available devices. Click it to connect.
If your laptop doesn't have Bluetooth, or if Bluetooth isn't working, you can use a USB adapter instead. These are small dongles that plug into a USB port on your laptop and create a wireless connection to the controller. They cost between $15 and $30 and work on any laptop with a USB port.
What to do if the connection doesn't work
If the controller doesn't appear in your Bluetooth list, make sure you're holding the buttons long enough — three full seconds, not a quick tap. The light needs to flash white, not just turn on. Try again from the beginning.
If the controller appears but won't connect, try "forgetting" it from your laptop's Bluetooth settings and pairing it again. On Windows, right-click the controller in the Bluetooth list and select Remove. On Mac, click the X next to it. Then put the controller back in pairing mode and select it again.
If Bluetooth still won't work, restart both your laptop and controller. Turn off the controller completely by holding the PlayStation button for ten seconds until the light goes dark, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on and try pairing again.
Using the controller with games and programs
Once the controller is connected, most modern games will recognize it automatically. Steam, Epic Games, and other gaming platforms have built-in support for the PS5 controller and will let you use it right away without any setup.
Some older games or programs may not recognize the controller, or they may recognize it but map the buttons differently than you expect. If that happens, look for a controller settings or input settings menu inside the game. Most games let you reassign buttons so the controller works the way you want.
If a program doesn't recognize the controller at all, you can use third-party software like DS4Windows or Rewasd to make the controller appear as a standard game controller that older programs understand. These are free or low-cost tools that sit between your controller and the program and translate the button presses.
Wired connection with a USB cable
You can also connect the PS5 controller to your laptop with a USB-C cable — the same cable that charges the controller. Plug one end into the controller and the other into a USB port on your laptop. The connection is when ready and doesn't require any pairing.
A wired connection is useful if you want to charge the controller while you play, or if Bluetooth isn't working. The downside is you're tethered to the laptop by a cable, which limits how far away you can sit. Most people use Bluetooth for gaming and save the cable for charging.
Checking battery level and disconnecting
When the controller is connected, you can see its battery level in your laptop's Bluetooth settings. On Windows, click the three dots next to the controller name. On Mac, click the Info icon next to it. The battery percentage will appear.
To disconnect the controller, you can either turn it off by holding the PlayStation button for ten seconds, or straightforward move far enough away that Bluetooth loses the signal. The controller will stay paired to your laptop even after you disconnect, so it will reconnect the next time you turn it on nearby.
If you want to unpair the controller completely so it doesn't automatically reconnect, go back to your Bluetooth settings and remove it from the device list. You'll need to pair it again the next time you want to use it.
Connecting multiple controllers to one laptop
You can pair more than one PS5 controller to the same laptop. Put the first controller in pairing mode, connect it, then repeat the process with the second controller. Your laptop will remember both of them.
When both controllers are turned on and in range, they'll both connect automatically. Games that support multiple players will recognize both controllers and let you play together. If a game doesn't support multiple controllers, only one will work at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a PS5 controller on a Mac?
Yes. The pairing process is the same — hold the PlayStation button and Create button together, then select the controller in Mac's Bluetooth settings. All games and programs that support the PS5 controller on Windows will also support it on Mac.
Why does my controller keep disconnecting?
If the controller disconnects randomly, move your laptop and controller closer together — Bluetooth works best within 30 feet but can be blocked by walls or other wireless devices. If it still disconnects, try forgetting and re-pairing the controller. If the problem continues, the controller's Bluetooth hardware may be failing.
Do I need to install drivers for the PS5 controller?
On Mac and Linux, no. On Windows, most games and programs recognize the controller without drivers. If a program doesn't recognize it, you may need to install a driver or use third-party software like DS4Windows, but this is rare with modern games.
Can I connect a PS5 controller to my laptop and my PS5 at the same time?
No. The controller can only be paired to one device at a time. To switch it back to your PS5, hold the PlayStation button for ten seconds to disconnect from your laptop, then press the PlayStation button once to turn it on near your PS5.
What's the difference between pairing and connecting?
Pairing is the first-time setup where your laptop and controller learn about each other — you only do this once. Connecting is what happens every time you turn the controller on near your laptop after that. Once paired, they connect automatically.