Essential Tips for Troubleshooting PS4 Controller

Many people have had problems with their PS4 controller recently, and it can be frustrating to know how to fix it. There are a lot of different issues that could cause your controller to malfunction, and most of them share the same methods of troubleshooting. We have gathered in this article 5 of the most common troubleshooting tips that can help you resolve most of your PS4 controller issues.

Methods To Fixing Most Common PS4 Controller Issues

Here’re the fundamental troubleshooting for any PS4 controller issue that you must try before anything else.

1. Restart Your PS4 Console

The first thing you should do when your PS4 controller is acting up is restart the console. This will make sure that it’s not an issue with just a single game and this could fix problems like input lag or button unresponsiveness.

Restarting the PS4 system can be simply done by pressing the PS button in your PS4 controller for a few seconds until the Quick Menu shows up. Now go to Power and select Restart PS4. You can read more on restarting the PS4 and how to do it in different ways here.

Restarting the PS4 console has proven to resolve many issues, not just in the controller, but almost in all connected devices. So, don’t underestimate this tip and you have to make it a priority.

If you can’t use your PS4 controller to restart your console, you may want to learn how to restart PS4 without a controller.

2. Restore Default PS4 Settings

If your PS4 controller is functioning enough to do these steps, then use it, otherwise use another controller for this task.

Restoring PS4 default settings can be done by going to Settings -> System Software Update -> Restore Default Settings, which will soft-reset the PS4 console and clear any corrupted data which could be causing your controller to not work as intended.

3. Forget and Re-Pair Your PS4 Controller

If there exists another PS4 controller (or a PS Move controller) with you, press the home button to access an on-screen menu that will give you the option to remove the individual malfunctioning controller.

Now, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices and select the DualShock 4 entry—it’s the one that does not have a green light next to it.

On the menu that appears, press the PS Options button on your controller and select Forget Device. This will force your PS4 to remove it from memory so you have to re-pair it again.

It may be useful to try a different pairing method: having it re-pair at startup. In order for this to be done, turn off your PS4. Once it’s turned off, connect the problematic controller to your PS4 console with a USB cable. Hit the PS Button to hopefully turn on and pair your PS4 controller in one process.

If this doesn’t work, turn your PS4 back on and try pairing it the normal way, as above.

You may want to learn how to turn off PS4 manually without a controller and how to properly turn on the PS4.

4. Hard Reset Your PS4 Controller

If you already have tried removing and re-pairing the controller and it didn’t work to resolve your PS4 controller’s issue, you need then to try the full reset procedure for the DualShock 4 controller. This requires from you to have a small pointed object, like a bent paper clip or a SIM card ejection tool, to do this.

When everything is ready with you, go and turn off your PS4, then flip your controller over. You’re supposed to see a small hole next to the screw by the L2 button (on the right side of the controller when flipped over). Use your pointed tool to press and hold the button inside this hole for roughly five seconds.

Once you’ve successfully done this, connect your controller to your PS4 again via USB cable and see if it pairs successfully.

5. Connect the PS4 Controller to Another System

At this point, if you haven’t already, you should try using the malfunctioning controller with another system. If the controller is having a similar problem on your friend’s PS4 or PC, it might be faulty.

If it’s possible, try another controller with your PS4 console to better figure out where the problem is. If you have used a PS4 controller that you’re sure it’s fully functional and working properly and find that it has similar issues with your system, there might be something wrong going on with your PS4’s wireless connectivity.

6. Use the PS4 Controller in Wired Mode

If nothing works for you to fix your malfunctioning PS4 controller, don’t yet give up. If it’s a Bluetooth connection issue, you can still use your PS4 controller wirily via USB connection. However, be aware that this only works for the revised model of PS4 controllers. You’ll know you have this model if there’s a light bar inside the touchpad on the front of your controller. If not, you can’t force wired communication.

So, in order to let your PS4 connect controllers over USB, head to Settings > Devices > Controllers > Communication Method and choose Use USB Cable. This will prevent the DualShock 4 from using Bluetooth when connected via USB.

Fixing PS4 Controller Hardware Issues

DualShock 4 controllers are known for their long-lasting durability, but they do have a one year warranty. If you’ve had your PS4 controller for more than 12 months and can’t fix it with the tips above, be sure to visit PlayStation’s Fix & Replace page because there is always room for repair on these top quality devices.

Otherwise if this is something that doesn’t seem like too much of an undertaking in terms of difficulty level or cost (depending on how expensive repairs may become), try opening up your DualShock 4 console yourself! There might not be any instructions specific to what issue you’re having so we recommend taking caution when doing this solo unless you work as a technician professionally