Connect a new or forgotten controller in three steps

To connect a DualShock 4 controller (the standard PS4 controller) to your PlayStation 4, you need to put the controller into pairing mode, then tell the PS4 to find it. The whole process takes about two minutes. If you are connecting a controller you have used before, the PS4 usually remembers it and connects automatically when you press the PlayStation button — you only need to go through these steps if the controller is new, you switched to a different PS4, or the connection dropped and won't come back.

The controller pairs over Bluetooth, which means it communicates wirelessly with your console. Unlike some other devices, you do not need a USB cable or a separate adapter — the PS4 has Bluetooth built in.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold the Share button and PlayStation button together for three seconds to put a DualShock 4 controller into pairing mode; the light bar will blink white when it is ready.
  • Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices on your PS4 and select the controller from the list that appears.
  • Once paired, the controller will connect automatically whenever you press the PlayStation button, as long as the PS4 is on or in rest mode.
  • If a controller will not pair, restart both the PS4 and the controller by holding the power button on the back for ten seconds.

Put the controller into pairing mode

A DualShock 4 controller only broadcasts its presence for a short time. To make it visible to your PS4, you must put it into pairing mode first. Hold down the Share button (on the left side of the controller, below the touchpad) and the PlayStation button (the large button in the center) at the same time. Keep both pressed for about three seconds.

When the controller enters pairing mode, the light bar on the back of the controller will start blinking white. This is your signal that the controller is ready to be found. If the light does not blink, release both buttons and try again — you may have released too early.

The controller will stay in pairing mode for about five minutes, so you have time to move to your PS4 and start the next step. If the light stops blinking before you finish, the controller has timed out and you will need to hold the buttons again.

Find and select the controller on your PS4

On your PS4, go to the home screen and scroll up to open the function area. Select Settings, then Devices, then Bluetooth Devices. Your PS4 will begin searching for controllers in pairing mode.

Within a few seconds, you should see your controller appear in the list. It will show as "Wireless Controller" or sometimes with a number after it if you have multiple controllers. Select it from the list. The PS4 will pair with the controller and confirm the connection — the light bar will stop blinking and stay solid, usually white or blue.

If you do not see the controller in the list after ten seconds, go back and check that the light bar is still blinking white. If it is not, put the controller back into pairing mode and try again.

What to do if the controller will not pair

If the controller appears in the Bluetooth list but the pairing fails, or if it does not appear at all, restart both devices. On the PS4, hold the power button on the front for ten seconds until the console shuts down completely, then turn it back on. On the controller, hold the small power button on the back (near the bottom) for ten seconds until the light bar goes dark, then release and wait five seconds before trying to pair again.

After both devices have restarted, put the controller back into pairing mode by holding Share and the PlayStation button together, and repeat the steps above. Restarting clears temporary connection problems that prevent pairing from working.

If the controller still will not pair after a restart, the controller's Bluetooth radio may be damaged. Try the controller on a different PS4 if you have access to one. If it pairs with another console, the problem is with your PS4's Bluetooth receiver, and you may need to contact Sony support. If it will not pair with any PS4, the controller itself needs replacement.

Connect the controller with a USB cable if Bluetooth fails

If Bluetooth pairing is not working and you need to use the controller right away, you can connect it with a USB cable temporarily. Use a standard USB-A to Micro-USB cable (the same type that charges many phones and tablets). Plug the Micro-USB end into the port on the back of the controller, and the USB-A end into any USB port on the front of your PS4.

The PS4 will recognize the controller immediately over the cable connection. You can use it wired, or once it is connected, you can unplug the cable and it should stay paired over Bluetooth. This is a useful workaround if your PS4's Bluetooth is having trouble but you need to set up the controller now.

Automatic connection after the first pairing

Once a controller has been paired to your PS4, it will connect automatically every time you press the PlayStation button, as long as the PS4 is turned on or in rest mode. You do not need to go through the pairing steps again. The PS4 remembers the controller and looks for it by Bluetooth whenever the console starts up.

If you take the controller to a different PS4, it will not connect automatically to that console — you will need to pair it again using the steps above. Each controller can be paired to multiple PS4 consoles, but it can only connect to one at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a PS5 controller on my PS4?

The PS5 DualSense controller is not compatible with PS4 consoles. You must use a DualShock 4 controller, which is the official PS4 controller. Some third-party controllers made for PS4 will also work, but Sony's own PS5 controller will not pair with a PS4.

Why does my controller keep disconnecting?

If a controller connects but then drops the connection, move closer to the PS4 — Bluetooth has a range limit and walls or distance can weaken the signal. Also check that the controller battery is not low; a controller with very little charge may disconnect unexpectedly. Charge it for at least 30 minutes and try again.

Can I pair more than one controller to the same PS4?

Yes. Repeat the pairing steps for each controller you want to add. Put each one into pairing mode separately and add it through Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices. You can pair up to seven controllers to one PS4, though you can only use four at the same time in most games.

Do I need to pair the controller every time I turn on my PS4?

No. Once paired, the controller connects automatically when you press the PlayStation button. Pairing is a one-time setup. If the controller does not connect when you press the button, check that the PS4 is on or in rest mode and that the controller battery is charged.

What if I forgot which PS4 I paired my controller to?

Press the PlayStation button on the controller. It will connect to whichever PS4 it was last paired with, as long as that console is on or in rest mode. If you want to use it on a different PS4, go to that console's Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices and pair the controller there as if it were new.