Does your PS4 controller refuse to turn on or charge the battery? These two problems are quite common and can be due to many causes, some of which are easy to fix. We explain how you can try to solve them without spending a euro.
THE CONTROLLER DOES NOT TURN ON OR DOES NOT CONNECT TO THE CONSOLE
A problem that may occur is that the DualShock 4 controller does not turn on or does so but cannot pair with the game console. If this is the case, you can follow some fairly simple steps to fix it.
- Completely turn off the console and the router and wait a few minutes.
- Next, turn on the console, but keep the router turned off.
Check if now the command works correctly. If it does, it is possible that the router’s WiFi signal was causing interference with the controller, preventing it from working correctly. Turn the router back on to see if the problem has been fixed or recurs.
When turning on the router, the remote works again. It is confirmed that it is due to an interference problem. In this case, you must access the router’s WiFi configuration and change the channel. Consult your model’s manual to see how to do it.
If, after following steps 1 and 2, the controller is still not working properly, try using the reset button located on the back of the controller near the L2 trigger. You can use a paper clip to help you press the little button. After that, connect the controller to the console with a USB cable to repair it. The problem should be fixed by doing this.
THE REMOTE CONTROL BATTERY DOES NOT CHARGE OR DRAINS VERY QUICKLY
Another common problem is that the DualShock 4 battery does not charge when connected to the console via a USB cable. If this happens to you, check the following steps first.
- Use the cable that came with the controller and console. It seems all USB cables are the same, but they are not. Using a different wire may cause it to not make good contact with the controller charging system.
- Check that the console is turned on. The PS4 only charges the controller when it’s on or in sleep mode. In the latter case, you must have activated the option to keep USB ports active at rest. You will find this option in “Settings”> “Power settings”> “Set functions available in Sleep Mode”> “Supply power to USB ports”> “Always.”
If you have checked these two steps and the controller still does not charge, consider the option that the battery has degraded. You must replace it with a new one or buy a new controller.
THE PC DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE PS4 CONTROLLER
Sony sells an official Bluetooth adapter to use the PS4 controller on a PC. The adapter has detailed instructions for use, which is very simple, so there should be no problems. If it doesn’t work, try another USB port and another PC to rule out adapter failure.
You can also use the PS4 controller on your PC without the official Sony adapter. In this case, you first need to activate the WiFi module of Windows 10 or macOS. Then, you can now synchronize the controller with the Bluetooth receiver. You must press and hold the PlayStation and Share buttons simultaneously until the light blinks. Your PC should detect the controller.
If it still doesn’t work, check that the adapter works correctly with another Bluetooth device and that you have installed the latest version of the drivers.
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