How Do I Connect My Ps4 Controller To My Laptop

The DualShock iv is a not bad controller, but it's designed specifically for the Sony PlayStation 4. That means, at least on newspaper, that it's not meant to be used with PC games. Fearfulness non, since PCs are such powerful and flexible systems, yous tin can get nearly any peripheral to work on them with a fiddling effort. Hither's how to connect a DualShock 4 controller to your PC.

The Connection Itself

In that location are two means to connect a DualShock 4 to your gaming rig. Yous tin can go the wired or wireless routes, but setting up those connections is a scrap different than how yous would do it on a PlayStation 4 console.

The Wired Method

Plug your controller into a USB port with a USB-to-micro-USB cablevision.
That's it, as far every bit connecting the controller goes. More on getting it to work in a bit.

The Bluetooth Method

With the DualShock 4 turned off (You'll know by the deactivated light bar), press and hold the PlayStation and Share buttons for three seconds until the light bar starts double flashing.
Access the Bluetooth carte on your PC via the system tray.
Click "Add together Bluetooth or other device."
Click "Bluetooth."
Select the DualShock four controller from the list that pops up.

Getting the Gamepad to Work

Connecting the controller is only the commencement of the process, due to how the DualShock 4 communicates with your PC. Near current Windows games apply Microsoft's XInput, an interface that processes Xbox 360 and Xbox One controller inputs. The DualShock 4 doesn't send XInput commands, so a wrapper is needed to translate its inputs into something your PC tin deal with easier. In that location are two skillful options: DS4Windows and Steam's controller compatibility settings.

The Comprehensive Mode: DS4Windows

DS4Windows(Opens in a new window) is a freeware program that tricks your PC into thinking an Xbox 360 controller is connected, instead of a DualShock iv. Follow these steps to become it to piece of work.

Download DS4Windows(Opens in a new window) and unzip it to a directory.
Open up DS4Windows.exe in the directory you but unzipped.
Click "Install ViGEmBus Driver."
Follow the steps in the driver installer. This installs a multipurpose gamepad commuter to your system that DS4Windows uses to get the DualShock four to work.
Click "Finished."
Connect your DualShock four to your PC.
The controller should testify upwards nether the Controllers tab. Wait a infinitesimal to make sure all of the necessary drivers prove up. One time Windows pops up a message saying information technology has connected a new Xbox 360 controller, you lot're ready to play!

What Else Tin You Do With DS4Windows?

By default, the DualShock 4 acts like an Xbox 360 controller, with the touchpad operation every bit a mouse. That said, DS4Windows offers more options. To start, click the Profiles tab and double-click the Default profile (or create your own new contour). This causes an outline of the DualShock 4 to appear surrounded by various settings. Here, you lot can remap the physical controls, program the touchpad and motility controls to act in dissimilar means, suit rumble settings, and tweak the analog sticks' expressionless zones and movement curves. Yous can even change the light bar'southward color.

DS4Windows

DS4Windows offers many more options for getting your DualShock 4 to feel proficient on your PC. You shouldn't have to open these settings, because virtually games volition acquit properly after you set the software upwards the first time.

The (Potentially) Easier Manner: Steam

If your favorite games are on Steam, they'll piece of work with the DualShock 4 with a quick tweak.

Go to the Settings carte du jour in Steam (under Steam on the taskbar).
Select the Controller menu.
Click "General Controller Settings."
Check the box marked "PlayStation Configuration Back up."
Connect the DualShock 4 to your PC.

Steam's DualShock 4 compatibility is pretty hit-or-miss, and this technique evidently won't work with non-Steam games. As a result, y'all may have better luck simply using DS4Windows.

Start With the Right Controller

For more, head over to our guide on how to cull the right controller for your PC. If you're a multi-console gamer, check out our guides for connecting your Nintendo Switch and Xbox controllers to your PC.

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