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How to connect a DualSense wireless controller

Find out how to charge and pair your DualSense™ wireless controller with your PlayStation®5 console, change the controller settings, and update the device software. 

How to pair a DualSense wireless controller with PS5 consoles

To use your controller, you need to pair it with your console.

  1. Make sure that your PS5® console is switched on.
  2. Connect the controller to your console using the included USB cable.
  3. If your controller is turned off, press the PS button.
    After the light bar blinks, the player indicator lights up.
  • If you want to use your controller on another console, you need to pair it with that console.
  • You can use up to four controllers at the same time. When you press the PS button, a color is assigned to each player.

After you pair a controller (controller 1) with your PS5 console, you can pair an additional controller (controller 2) wirelessly. If a USB cable is connected to your controller, disconnect it.

  1. Make sure that controller 2's player indicator is off before you start pairing. If the player indicator is on, press and hold the PS button until the light turns off.
  2. Using controller 1, go to the home screen and select Settings > Accessories > General > Bluetooth Accessories.
  3. Using controller 2, press and hold the create button and the PS button at the same time. The light bar blinks, and controller 2 is listed on the screen.
  4. Using controller 1, select controller 2 listed on the screen. Controller 2's light bar blinks, and then the player indicator lights up when properly paired.

Pair your DualSense wireless controller with multiple PS5 consoles

You can pair your DualSense wireless controller with up to four PS5 consoles at a time. The first pairing on your controller is assigned to slot one, the second is assigned to slot two, the third is assigned to slot three, and the fourth is assigned to slot four.

Follow the steps in Pair a controller using a USB cable or Pair a controller wirelessly, and your controller automatically assigns the paired PS5 console to the next open slot.

Use the PS button and one of the action buttons (triangle button/ circle button/ cross button/ square button) to choose which slot the console is assigned to when pairing. To do this, you need an already-paired controller (controller 1) to pair the additional controller (controller 2). If a USB cable is connected to your controller, disconnect it.

  1. Make sure that controller 2's player indicator is off before you start pairing. If the player indicator is on, press and hold the PS button until the light turns off. 
  2. Using controller 1, go to the home screen and select Settings > Accessories > General > Bluetooth Accessories. 
  3. Using controller 2, press and hold one of the action buttons, and then press the PS button for over 5 seconds until the light bar and player indicator blink to set the destination slot.
    The slot depends on which button you press.

Slot number

Buttons used

Player indicator lights

Slot 1

PS button and triangle button

One light

Slot 2

PS button and circle button

Two lights

Slot 3

PS button and cross button

Three lights

Slot 4

PS button and square button

Four lights

  1. Using controller 1, select controller 2 listed on screen. Controller 2’s light bar blinks, and then the player indicator lights up when properly paired.

To switch control over to another console you’ve paired to:

  1. Press and hold the action button that links to the slot you wish to change. 
  2. While holding the action button, press and hold the PS button for at least three seconds until the player indicator on the controller blinks. The light bar blinks and the player indicator lights up after switching successfully.
  • If all slots are in use, the slot you haven’t connected to for the longest time gets replaced.
  • You can’t pair wirelessly or switch slots to another PS5 console if the controller is already connected using a USB cable.

How to connect a DualSense wireless controller with other devices

You can use your controller away from your console. Find out more about compatible devices, applications, and feature support by visiting the guide below.

Connect DualSense wireless controllers to other devices

How to charge a DualSense wireless controller

When it's time to charge, connect your DualSense wireless controller to your PS5 console using the included USB cable. The controller's battery can be charged while your console is either on or in rest mode.

Press the PS button to display the Control Center and select Accessories to check the battery level of the controller.

While the controller is charging, an animated battery icon with a lightning bolt symbol will appear on the screen.

When the DualSense wireless controller is fully charged, the battery icon will stop animating and display three bars.

You can charge your controller while your PS5 console is in rest mode. 

Charge in rest mode

If you experience any issues while trying to charge your controller, please try the following steps:

  • Try connecting the USB cable that came with your PS5 console to a different USB port on the PS5 console.
  • Try using another USB cable, which is “charge and sync” or “charging and data”. Cables indicated as “charge only” cannot be used.
  • You may also use a charger that is compliant with the USB standard if you have one available.

Please note, not all USB chargers will be capable of charging the DualSense wireless controller.

PS5 console USB ports guide
PlayStation Repairs

How to adjust DualSense wireless controller and audio settings

You can adjust the output device, volume levels and voice chat balance via the control center.

  • Press the PS button to display the control center, select Sound and choose a setting to adjust.
  • Press the mute button on your controller to mute and unmute your mic.
  • Press and hold the mute button on your controller to mute your mic and speakers. When the button turns orange, your mic is muted, and sound output to all speakers is turned off. Press the button again to return to the original state.

For general controller settings:

  1. Go to Settings > Accessories.
  2. Select Controller (General).
Adjust general controller settings

How to update the device software for DualSense wireless controllers 

Updates for your DualSense wireless controller are added once you update your PS5 console system software. Pair your controller and follow the on-screen instructions to update.

To start an update manually:

  1. Go to Settings > Accessories > Controller (General).
  2. Select DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software.

You can also use a PC to update your DualSense controller software. Please visit the guide below for more information.

Update controller device software

Having issues with your DualSense wireless controller?

If you've followed the instructions above and your controller is still not connecting, try resetting it.

Reset controller

If you still have issues after resetting, please visit the PlayStation Repairs diagnostic tool.

PlayStation Repairs

Need help? 

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