How to Connect PS5 DualSense Controller to PC

It is frustrating when you plug in your PS5 controller and your PC refuses to acknowledge it. Usually, this happens because Windows needs a specific setting toggled in Steam or your Bluetooth drivers have hit a snag. Let's get your controller talking to your games so you can start playing.

Why this happens

Windows often struggles to translate the DualSense input for non-PlayStation games without Steam's translation layer. If Bluetooth is the issue, it is almost always a corrupted driver preventing your PC from seeing the controller in pairing mode.

Steps

1. 01
   To use the controller wired, connect a USB-C cable directly to your PC. Windows should detect the device immediately.
2. 02
   Open Steam and go to 'Steam' > 'Settings' > 'Controller'.
3. 03
   Click 'Show Advanced Settings' and enable 'PlayStation Controller Support' to ensure your games recognize the controller inputs.
4. 04
   To pair via Bluetooth, unplug the USB cable and hold the 'Create' button and the 'PS' button simultaneously for 5 seconds until the light bar flashes.
5. 05
   On your PC, open 'Bluetooth & devices' settings, click 'Add device', select 'Bluetooth', and choose 'Wireless Controller' from the list.
6. 06
   If the controller fails to appear, open 'Device Manager', right-click your Bluetooth adapter, and select 'Uninstall device' with the 'Attempt to remove the driver' box checked.
7. 07
   Restart your PC. Windows will automatically reinstall a clean Bluetooth driver, allowing you to re-attempt the pairing process.

Still not working?

If the controller still refuses to pair via Bluetooth, check if your PC has a physical Bluetooth adapter or if it is using a built-in motherboard module. Sometimes, the antenna for the internal Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card is not connected properly on the back of your PC, causing weak signals that prevent pairing. If it works wired but never wireless, consider using a cheap USB Bluetooth dongle to bypass the faulty internal hardware.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to keep Steam open to use the DualSense?

Yes, Steam acts as a bridge that translates the PS5 controller signals into a format Windows and your other games understand.

Will this fix work for other games outside of Steam?

Yes. Once you enable the controller support in Steam and the controller is paired, Steam creates a virtual Xbox controller that almost every PC game will detect.