PS5 Controller Features: Pairing & Troubleshooting

The PlayStation 5 (PS5) has revolutionized the gaming experience with its ultra-responsive DualSense controller. It’s not just a tool for gaming, but a versatile device that can be connected to various systems, used for chat in multiplayer games, and even customized to your personal preference. Whether you are a seasoned gamer or a newcomer, knowing how to maximize your PS5 controller’s potential can drastically improve your experience. In this guide, we’ll cover a wide range of PS5 controller features, including pairing, troubleshooting, and personalization options.

Table of Contents

How to Turn Off PS5 Controller?

One of the most common questions PS5 owners ask is how to turn off their DualSense controller when it’s not in use. Unlike older PlayStation controllers, the PS5 controller does not have a dedicated power button. However, there are several methods to turn it off:

Automatic Power-Off: If your controller is idle for a few minutes, it will automatically turn off to conserve battery. The default time is 10 minutes, but this can be adjusted in the system settings.
Manual Turn-Off via PS5 Settings:
- Press and hold the PS button in the center of the controller.
- Navigate to the “Power” menu.
- Select “Turn Off PS5” to power down the console, which will also turn off the controller.
Manually Disconnect: If you don’t want to turn off the entire PS5 but want to power down the controller, you can manually disconnect it:
- Go to Settings > Accessories > General and select Turn Off Device.

This will completely disconnect the controller without turning off the PS5 console.

How to Connect PS5 Controller to PC?

If you’re a PC gamer and want to use your PS5 DualSense controller on your computer, there are two main ways to connect: wired and wireless.

Wired Connection:

Use a USB-C to USB-A cable to connect the controller to your PC.
Windows will automatically detect the device, and you should be able to use it with compatible games right away.

Wireless Connection:

Press and hold the PS button and the Create button (next to the D-pad) at the same time until the light bar starts blinking.
Open the Bluetooth settings on your PC and select Wireless Controller from the list of available devices.
Once connected, the light bar on the controller will stop blinking, indicating a successful pairing.

How to Connect PS5 Controller to iPhone?

The PS5 DualSense controller can be paired with an iPhone to play mobile games that support controller input. Here’s how you do it:

Open Settings on your iPhone and go to Bluetooth.
Press and hold the PS button and Create button simultaneously on your controller until the light bar starts flashing rapidly.
In the Bluetooth menu on your iPhone, select the DualSense Wireless Controller when it appears.
Once paired, you can use your PS5 controller to play games that support controller input on your iPhone.

How to Use Discord on PS5 Controller?

The PS5 controller itself doesn’t have Discord built-in, but you can still use Discord for voice communication while playing games on your PS5. Here’s how:

Download the Discord App on your smartphone or PC.
Pair your PS5 controller to your smartphone or PC via Bluetooth.
Open the Discord app and join your server or chat.
Use your controller for navigating Discord and chatting with friends while gaming.

How to Fix Stick Drift on PS5 Controller?

Stick drift occurs when the analog sticks of your controller move without being touched. This can affect your gameplay significantly, but it can be fixed with the following steps:

Clean the Analog Stick: Dust and grime can cause issues with stick movement. Use a microfiber cloth and gently clean around the analog stick.
Calibrate the Controller:
- Go to Settings > Accessories > Controllers.
- Select Adjust Dead Zones and follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate the sticks.
Update the Controller Firmware: Sony periodically releases firmware updates to improve the controller’s performance. Ensure your PS5 and controller have the latest firmware installed.
Reset the Controller: If none of the above steps work, consider performing a hard reset on your controller.

How to Game Share on PS5 Controller?

Game sharing on the PS5 lets you share your digital games with a friend or family member. To use this feature, follow these steps:

On the PS5, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play.
Enable Console Sharing and Offline Play for the primary PS5 console.
Log into the other PS5 using the account you want to share games from, and follow similar steps to set it as the secondary console.
Your friend or family member can now access your games and play them without having to log into your account.

How to Join Discord on PS5 Controller?

Joining Discord on your PS5 directly isn’t natively supported, but you can join voice channels through a smartphone or PC while using your PS5 controller to navigate in the background. You can also use Discord on PlayStation via third-party apps like PS Remote Play to stream your PS5 gameplay while interacting with friends on Discord.

How to Pair PS5 Controller?

Pairing your PS5 controller with your console is simple:

Press and hold the PS button on the controller to turn it on.
If it doesn’t automatically pair, connect it to the PS5 via USB-C cable.
After the initial pairing, the controller will sync wirelessly the next time you turn it on.

How to Connect PS4 Controller to PS5?

If you want to use a PS4 DualShock 4 controller on your PS5, it is only compatible with PS4 games. Here’s how to connect it:

Plug the PS4 controller into the PS5 using a USB cable.
Press the PS button on the controller.
The controller should now be connected and ready to use for PS4 games.

Note that the PS4 controller won’t work with PS5 games.

Why Does My PS5 Keep Turning Off?

If your PS5 keeps turning off, it could be due to one of several issues:

Power Supply Issues: Check the power cable and ensure it’s properly connected.
System Software Glitch: Make sure your PS5 is running the latest firmware.
Overheating: Ensure your PS5 is well-ventilated, and clean any dust or debris from the air vents.

If the problem persists, you may need to contact Sony support for further troubleshooting.

How to Reset PS5 Controller?

To reset your PS5 controller (in case it’s malfunctioning), do the following:

Use a small pin or paperclip to press the reset button located on the back of the controller near the L2 trigger.
Hold the button for about 5 seconds.
After resetting, reconnect the controller to the PS5 by pressing the PS button.

How to Transfer Data from PS4 to PS5?

You can transfer data from your PS4 to PS5 via two methods:

Wired Transfer: Connect both consoles with a LAN cable and follow the on-screen instructions to transfer data.
Wi-Fi Transfer: Ensure both consoles are on the same Wi-Fi network and follow the prompts on the PS5 to migrate data from your PS4.

How to Fix PS5 Controller Drift?

If your PS5 controller is drifting, try the following:

Recalibrate the analog sticks (as mentioned earlier).
Reset the controller.
Update firmware if an update is available.
Clean the controller around the thumbsticks to remove dirt and grime.

How to Charge PS5 Controller Without Console?

You can charge your PS5 controller even without turning on the console by using:

USB-C to USB-A Cable plugged into a PC or wall charger.
A dedicated charging station that supports DualSense controllers.

How to Connect PS5 Headset?

To connect a PS5 headset, follow these steps:

Wired Headsets: Plug the headset’s audio jack into the controller’s 3.5mm port.
Wireless Headsets: Pair the headset via Bluetooth by going to Settings > Sound > Audio Output and selecting the connected headset.

How to Turn Off Voice on PS5?

To turn off voice commands or voice chat:

Go to Settings > Sound > Microphone.
Select Mute to turn off voice input.

How to Turn Off Adaptive Triggers on PS5?

The PS5 DualSense controller features adaptive triggers, which provide resistance based on in-game actions (like drawing a bowstring or pulling a trigger). While this feature is immersive for many players, you may wish to turn it off for a more traditional experience. Here’s how to disable it:

Go to Settings > Accessories > Controllers.
Select Trigger Effect Intensity.
Choose Off to disable adaptive triggers, or adjust the intensity to your preference.

Turning this off can improve the feel of traditional gaming if you find the resistance too intense or disruptive.

How to Turn Off Mic on PS5 Controller?

If you want to mute the microphone on your PS5 controller to avoid transmitting background noise during online games or chats, follow these steps:

Manual Mute: Press the Mute button located on the left side of the controller (below the PS button). This will disable the microphone instantly.
Mute in Settings:
- Go to Settings > Sound > Microphone.
- Select the Microphone Status option and choose Mute.

You can also adjust microphone sensitivity in this menu if you want to fine-tune the microphone’s responsiveness.

How to Turn Off Screen Reader on PS5?

The screen reader feature on the PS5 is designed to read on-screen text aloud for players with visual impairments. If you don’t need this feature and find it disruptive, you can turn it off:

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Screen Reader.
Toggle the switch to Off to disable the screen reader.

This will stop the system from reading aloud text and menu options.

How to Turn Off Text-to-Speech on PS5?

If you’re using the text-to-speech feature and find it unnecessary, you can disable it from the accessibility settings:

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-Speech.
Toggle the option to Off.

Turning off this feature will prevent text from being converted to speech, providing a quieter, more focused experience.

How to Connect PS5 DualSense Controller on Windows?

To connect your PS5 DualSense controller to a Windows PC, follow these steps:

Wired Connection:
- Connect the controller to the PC via a USB-C to USB-A cable.
- Windows should automatically detect and configure the controller, making it ready for play.
Wireless Connection via Bluetooth:
- Press and hold the PS button and the Create button at the same time on the controller until the light bar flashes rapidly.
- Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & Other Devices on your Windows PC and select Wireless Controller from the available devices list.

How to Play with PS5 Controller on Computer?

Once you’ve connected your PS5 controller to your computer via wired or wireless Bluetooth, you can start playing supported games. Many PC games natively support the DualSense controller, and with Steam integration, it’s easy to set up. Here’s how:

For Steam Users:
- Open Steam and go to Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings.
- Enable PlayStation Configuration Support.
- Your PS5 controller should be automatically detected, and you can now play games with full button mapping.
For Non-Steam Games:
- You may need additional software like DS4Windows to map the buttons and provide full functionality for non-Steam games.

How to Turn Off PlayStation 5?

If you want to turn off your PS5 console entirely, follow these steps:

Press and hold the PS button on your controller to bring up the Control Center.
In the Control Center, scroll over to the Power icon at the bottom right.
Select Turn Off PS5 to completely power off the console.

Alternatively, you can also go to Settings > System > Power Saving > Set Time Until PS5 Turns Off to schedule automatic power-off after a set time of inactivity.

How to Connect PlayStation Controller to PC?

To connect your PlayStation controller (either PS4 DualShock 4 or PS5 DualSense) to a Windows PC, follow these steps:

Wired Connection:
- Plug your PlayStation controller into your PC using a USB-C (for PS5 controller) or Micro-USB (for PS4 controller) cable.
- Your computer should automatically recognize the controller.
Wireless Bluetooth Connection:
- For PS4 Controller (DualShock 4):
  - Press and hold the PS button and Share button until the light bar flashes.
  - Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & Other Devices on your PC and select Wireless Controller from the list.
- For PS5 Controller (DualSense):
  - Press and hold the PS button and Create button to enable pairing mode.
  - Select Wireless Controller from the Bluetooth menu on your PC.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with PS5 Controller?

While the DualSense controller is a highly advanced piece of hardware, like all electronics, it can occasionally have issues. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

1. Controller Not Pairing:

Ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on your device.
Try resetting the controller by holding the small reset button located on the back of the controller near the L2 trigger.

2. Controller Not Charging:

Check the charging cable for any damage and ensure it’s securely plugged into both the controller and the power source.
If using a third-party charger, ensure it’s compatible with the PS5 controller.

3. Unresponsive Buttons or Sticks:

If buttons or sticks are unresponsive, try resetting the controller or updating its firmware.
If the problem persists, you may need to contact Sony support for a possible repair or replacement.

Conclusion

The PS5 DualSense controller is a powerful and innovative gaming accessory designed to enhance your gaming experience. Whether you’re connecting it to your PC, iPhone, or PS4, or personalizing it to fit your gameplay style, knowing how to properly set up and troubleshoot your controller is key to maximizing its full potential. From turning off adaptive triggers to fixing stick drift, this guide should help you get the most out of your DualSense controller and address common issues you might face.

Make sure to regularly check for firmware updates, explore your settings for customizations, and keep your controller in good condition to ensure a smooth, enjoyable gaming experience.