How to Use DualShock 4 Controller on PC – Guide
Using the DualShock 4 PS4 controller on PC is not for everyone. We commend him for choosing to live the analogue life rather than succumbing to the complicated handling of a keyboard player. Of all the options available, the PS4 controller has become one of the team’s favorite PC gaming controllers, in large part because it feels great in your hands. The design retains the classic DualShock controller shape, but includes joysticks and triggers that are better suited to modern shooters and action games than its predecessor – though not as sensationally exciting as the PS5’s DualSense controller. Unfortunately, the use of generic DirectInput drivers on the DualShock 4 – as opposed to the XInput that Xbox controllers use – means that using a PS4 controller on PC isn’t as easy as plugging in an Xbox gamepad. It takes a little more work to get the DualShock 4 working on PC, but thanks to Steam, the PC gaming community, and an official (optional) Bluetooth dongle, things just get easier. If Steam is your first choice, Steam’s native support makes it as plug-and-play as an Xbox gamepad.
How to use PS4 DualShock controller on Steam
Steam, the popular game launcher and showcase, has released an update that will allow you to use the PS4 DualShock controller on your PC when running the app. You can easily connect Dualshock 4 controller and control your PC games. You can control Steam TV-compatible Big Picture mode with DualShock 4, and your games will now show PS4 button in-game prompts. To use the PS4 DualShock controller on your PC on Steam, load Steam and check for updates. Once the latest update is installed, connect your DualShock 4 (or connect via Bluetooth) and you’re done! Unfortunately, this solution doesn’t work very well for everyone. Discover how to use a PS4 DualShock controller on your PC without Steam, read below.
How to use PS4 controller on PC
Download DS4Windows
While using the PS4 DualShock 4 controller on your PC is quite easy, it is not fully plug and play as you need to install additional software to make it work on your PC. The software is called DS4Windows and it makes connecting the PS4 controller to your PC incredibly easy. Basically tricks your PC to think the DualShock 4 connected is a Windows supported Xbox 360 controller. To get it from the DS4Windows website, just download the latest version from the GitHub page.
Install DS4Windows
Locate the downloaded zip file, right-click on it and select “Extract All…”. A window will appear asking where you want to extract the files. You can extract it to the folder where you downloaded the ZIP file or choose a different folder. After the files are extracted, the destination folder will open and you will see two files. One of them, DS4Updater.exe, is a program that updates the DS4Windows program with the latest drivers, so it’s worth running this file if you run into problems later on. Double click on the second file, DS4Windows.exe, to start the setup process that will get the PS4 Dualshock Controller up and running on your PC.
To define up DS4 Windows
When starting DS4Windows for the first time, you will be asked where you want your settings and profiles to be saved – we recommend using the default selection of ‘Appdata’. A new window will be open. Click “Install DS4 Driver” to use PS4 DualShock controller in Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. If you have Windows 7 or earlier, you will also need to click Install 360 driver.
Connect PS4 controller to your PC via USB
You can now connect your PS4 DualShock 4 controller to your PC. You can do this in two ways – via a USB cable or via Bluetooth. To connect the PS4 DualShock controller to your PC using a USB cable, all you need is a regular micro USB cable – the same one that comes with many modern smartphones. After connecting the cable to the DualShock controller and your PC, Windows should recognize it and you will be able to play PC games with the PS4 controller.
Connect PS4 controller to your PC via Bluetooth
One of the best things about using the PS4 DualShock 4 controller on your PC is that you can use it wirelessly, giving you much more flexibility when playing games. The PS4 DualShock 4 controller uses Bluetooth, so you need to make sure your PC or laptop has a built-in Bluetooth receiver. If it doesn’t, you can buy a USB Bluetooth dongle like the Mini Wireless Bluetooth USB 2.0 Tiny Adapter; Not only is it small enough to discreetly plug into your PC, but it’s also quite cheap at just £2.99 (about $4.55, AU$6.40). To connect the PS4 controller via Bluetooth, press and hold the center PS button button and the Share button for three seconds until the light bar on top of the controller starts flashing. Then open Bluetooth settings on your PC. In Windows 10, click the speech bubble icon on the taskbar in the lower right corner of the screen. This will open the Action Center – click on “Bluetooth” and select “Wireless Controller”. You may be prompted to enter a pairing code – in this case enter 0000. The PS4 DualShock controller will now wirelessly connect to your PC.
Final note
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