Connect a controller using the USB cable that came with your PS5

The fastest way to connect a controller is to plug it directly into your PS5 with a USB-C cable. Your PS5 came with a cable in the box. Plug one end into the controller and the other into any USB port on the front of the console — there are two of them, side by side, below the disc drive.

The controller will start charging immediately and the PS5 will recognize it within a few seconds. You do not need to do anything else. Once it is connected, you can unplug the cable and use the controller wirelessly, or leave it plugged in while you play.

This method works even if your PS5 is turned off, so it is the best choice if your controller battery is completely dead and you want to start playing right away.

Key Takeaways

  • Plug the USB-C cable into your controller and into the front USB port on your PS5 to connect it in seconds without any menu steps.
  • Wireless connection requires you to hold the Create button and Options button together for three seconds, then select your PS5 from the pairing list on the controller screen.
  • Your PS5 can connect up to four controllers at once, and each one pairs to the console permanently until you unpair it.
  • If a controller will not pair, restart your PS5 completely by holding the power button for ten seconds, then try again.
  • A controller that pairs but disconnects during play usually has a low battery — charge it for at least 30 minutes before playing again.

Connect a controller wirelessly using Bluetooth pairing

To connect a controller without a cable, you need to put it into pairing mode. Hold down the Create button and the Options button at the same time for about three seconds. The light on the back of the controller will start flashing white — this means it is ready to pair.

On your PS5, go to Settings, then Bluetooth Accessories. Your controller should appear in the list within a few seconds. Select it and the pairing will complete. The light on the controller will stop flashing and stay solid white, which means it is now connected.

Once a controller pairs to your PS5 this way, it will reconnect automatically every time you turn on the console. You only need to do the pairing steps once per controller.

Add a second, third, or fourth controller to your PS5

Your PS5 supports up to four controllers connected at the same time. Each one pairs the same way — either by USB cable or by holding Create and Options together. If you are adding a second controller, the first one stays connected while you pair the new one.

When you plug in a second controller by USB cable, it will connect immediately without any menu steps. If you are pairing wirelessly, put the new controller into pairing mode, go to Settings and Bluetooth Accessories, and select it from the list just like you did with the first one.

Each controller will have its own player number on the screen — Player 1, Player 2, and so on. This matters for split-screen games where each person controls a different character. The controller that was connected first is usually Player 1.

Troubleshoot a controller that will not connect

If you plug in a controller by USB cable and nothing happens, try a different USB port on the front of your PS5. Sometimes one port works better than the other. Also check that you are using the correct cable — it must be USB-C on both ends. A regular USB-A cable will not work.

If you are trying to pair wirelessly and the controller does not show up in the Bluetooth Accessories list, restart your PS5 completely. Hold the power button on the front of the console for ten seconds until it shuts down, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. After it boots up, try pairing the controller again.

If a controller connects but then disconnects during play, the battery is almost certainly too low. Plug it in by USB cable and charge it for at least 30 minutes before playing again. A controller with very low battery will not stay connected wirelessly, even if it seemed to pair fine.

Unpair a controller from your PS5

If you want to remove a controller so it no longer connects automatically, go to Settings, then Bluetooth Accessories. Find the controller in the list, select it, and choose Forget. The controller will no longer pair to your PS5 unless you go through the pairing steps again.

You might do this if you are selling a controller, giving it to someone else, or if a controller is connecting when you do not want it to. Forgetting a controller does not erase anything from the console — it just breaks the pairing link.

Charge your controller while playing

The USB-C cable that came with your PS5 is long enough to reach from the front USB port to your lap or to a chair next to the console. You can plug in your controller and play at the same time. The controller will charge while you use it, though it charges more slowly during play than when the console is off.

If you want to charge multiple controllers at once, you can buy a separate USB-C cable and plug it into the other front USB port. Both ports can charge at the same time, so you can have two controllers charging while you play with a third one.

Use a controller from a previous PlayStation console

The PS5 does not work with controllers from PS4, PS3, or earlier consoles. You must use a PS5 controller, which is called the DualSense. The PS5 controller has a different shape, different buttons, and a different wireless connection method than older controllers.

If you have an old PS4 controller, you can still use it to play PS4 games on your PS5 through backward compatibility. To do this, connect the PS4 controller by USB cable to your PS5, then start a PS4 game. The PS5 will let you use the PS4 controller for that game only. Once you exit the game and return to the PS5 home screen, the PS4 controller will disconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect a PS5 controller to my phone or computer?

Yes. Hold Create and Options together for three seconds to put the controller into pairing mode, then go to your phone or computer's Bluetooth settings and select it from the list. It will work with most games and apps that support controllers, though some features like the touchpad may not work on all devices.

Why does my controller keep disconnecting?

Low battery is the most common reason. Plug it in and charge for 30 minutes. If it still disconnects after charging, restart your PS5 completely by holding the power button for ten seconds, then try pairing again. If the problem continues, the controller may have a hardware issue.

What if I lost the USB cable that came with my PS5?

You can buy a replacement USB-C cable from any electronics store — it does not have to be made by Sony. Any USB-C to USB-C cable will work for charging and connecting your controller. Make sure both ends are USB-C, not USB-A.

Can I use a controller without pairing it first?

Yes, if you connect it by USB cable. Plug it in and it will work immediately without any pairing steps. You only need to pair wirelessly if you want to use the controller without a cable.

Do I need to pair my controller every time I turn on my PS5?

No. Once you pair a controller wirelessly, it remembers the PS5 and will reconnect automatically every time you turn on the console. You only pair once per controller, unless you forget it in the Bluetooth settings.