Soon after Sony launched the PS4 gaming console, it spread like wildfire among the gaming society. This fourth-generation console gave users a fantastic gaming experience which was possible because of its eight-core AMD processor. While no other console has been able to replace this masterpiece, there are a few issues users have recently faced with PS4 Controller not working.
Recently, many PS4 users have complained that their console was not working correctly, and they didn’t know why. Thus we are here to disclose all the significant reasons behind the PS4 controller not working and will also suggest the solutions you can adopt to resolve these issues.
PS4 Controller Not Working | Instant Fix
What is PS4 Gaming Console?
The PS4 gaming console is an incredible device that you can use to play online games, compete and spend quality time with your loved ones. The controller also allows you to play streaming websites like Netflix, YouTube, and many others. Having released the fourth edition of play station, the PS4 controller is among the most popular.
Giving tough competition to Microsoft’s Xbox, PS4 developers gave the market something that gaming lovers were in search of for a long time. Even though the PS5 has been released, the love for the fourth edition has not fallen among the public. This makes the PS4 controller unique in itself and a prime choice for people.
Now that we know about its history, let’s discuss the problems users are facing with the controller and negatively impacting the audience.
PS4 Controller Not Connecting or Pairing
The first major issue users face with the controller is that their PS4 controller needs to be paired with their system or device. To connect the PS4 controller, you often just have to press the PS4 button, and it will automatically pair up with your system. Although when the controller is unable to find a device, it shows a light on the controller that flashes for a moment. This often happens if you have recently paired any other controller to your system or paired your PS4 controller to a new device recently. In this case, you will need to repair the console by fixing its DualShock 4 feature, which we will discuss ahead in the blog.
Faulty Micro USB Cable
If you are trying to connect your PS4 console manually using the micro USB cable and the controller is not working, there might be a few reasons behind it. The prime one can be that your micro USB cable is faulty, which is why your controller won’t respond even after connecting it to your device.
In this case, you will have to use a fresh micro USB cable. Repairing your existing USB cable might be the wrong choice to make since these cables do not work perfectly once damaged. So, we recommend you replace your current micro USB cable with a new one and try connecting your console once again.
PS4 Controller Buttons Not Working
Another reason for your PS4 controller not working can be that its button might have gone defective due to overuse or some other reason. This often happens when the controller is put into excessive use or not handled properly. Although the buttons are made for extreme gaming purposes, they can affect the entire controller once defective.
If such is the case, you will have to get the controller fixed by an expert manually.
PlayStation’s Power Saving Mode Enabled
If you have been using PlayStation for a long time, you must have encountered its power save settings. It is often the case that the PlayStation automatically turns off your controller to save power when not in use. Most people do not check up on the controller and realize it is not working. If power saving mode is enabled on your PS4, you will simply have to turn it off, and your controllers will start working again. This is not a major problem but sometimes goes unnoticed by many.
Now that we know the primary cause and problems that might occur when using a PlayStation let us discuss all the possible solutions you can try to fix your controllers. These solutions will help you fix any internal issue, but if your control has gone defective from its hardware, like buttons, you will have to get it fixed manually.
Fixing The PS4 Controller | PS4 Controller Not Working
These solutions are bound to fix most controller problems unless there is a significant hardware issue.
Fix 1: Check the Batteries of the Controller
The simplest error that might have happened with your controller is that its batteries might have died out. Therefore, before trying any other solution, consider charging your controller and see if it works. Generally, it takes two hours to charge a PS4 controller, and you must ensure that you charge it completely rather than unplugging it in the middle.
If the issue gets resolved, you are back in the game and do not have to try any other solution. However, if this is not the case, you can try other solutions to get your controller fixed.
Fix 2: Re-Pairing the Controller
Firstly, check whether the DualShock 4 feature is turned on or not. If it is on and still the controller is not working, you can try to re-pair the controller with the device. This is a relatively easy task and can be done in a few minutes only.
Follow the steps below to re-pair your PS4 controller.
- Open your PlayStation dashboard and go to the settings menu
- Now go to Device>Bluetooth Devices
- Your DualShock 4 controller will be listed there already, but it must be showing disconnected initially, and there should be no green light next to it
- Now, if your second controller is working, press the Options button and choose the “Forget Device” option
- Now, your controller is removed from your PlayStation, and we will establish an utterly new connection with it
- On your working controller, press the PS button
- Go to Power and then choose “Turn off PS4”
- Now you can connect your controller with a USB cable and press the PS button once again to turn on your PlayStation
That’s it. Your controller should be in working condition now. If your control is already connected to the device but is still not working, you can try the solutions mentioned below.
Fix 3: Try Updating the Software
If your controller is connected but is still not working, you can try to update the software of your PS4. This is because outdated software often has some glitches, and a new software update rolled out by the developers might have already fixed the issue. Therefore, updating the software will ultimately solve the problem.
Follow the below steps to update the software of your PS4 successfully.
- Open the Settings menu and go to the “System Software Update Section”
- Choose the “Update Now” option, and the system will process any available updates
- On the following dialogue box that appears, click on the “Next” button
- The system will prompt you to accept the terms before starting the update, then click on the “Accept” option
That’s it. Your update will start immediately, and your system should be updated within a few minutes. After the update is complete, check your controller once again; it should be working fine now.
Fix 4: Connect Your Controller with a USB Cable
Often the PS4 controller might not work when connected through Bluetooth. This is because of the regular interruptions in the network or any other unknown glitch. Therefore, you can try to connect your PS4 controller through a wired connection which means using a USB cable.
However, you must ensure that you use a new USB cable that is not damaged at all. If your USB cable is defective, it will not connect to the controller again.
Fix 5: Hard Reset Your PS4 Controllers Manually
If the issue is not yet resolved, you can try to hard reset your PS4 controller. This is a complete reset mode for DualShock 4. For this, you will need a pin, as you have to poke it into your controller. Follow the below steps to reset your PS4 controllers successfully hard.
- Turn off your PS4
- Now turn over your controller
- Now, poke the pin inside the hole near the left button
- Hole the pin for around 5 or 10 seconds
Once done, try to reconnect your controllers again; this time, they should work fine.
Fix 6: Try Cleaning Your TouchPad
If your PS4 controller is still not working even after adopting all the above solutions, you can try cleaning its touchpad. Often if the touchpad has gone dirty, this can be a leading cause for the PS4 controller not working.
To successfully clean the touchpad, follow the steps below.
- Before cleaning the touchpad, turn off the controller by pressing the PS button for around 5 seconds
- Now clean the controller’s touchpad using cotton or a suitable clean cloth (You can use alcohol or any other liquid to clean it)
- Once you clean it, wait for the controller to dry up and then restart it
If the cleaning was an issue, your controller should work smoothly now without any errors.
Fix 7: Check if the Controller Works Fine on Other Devices
Although it is seldom that someone known to you might also have a PlayStation, you can test your controllers and see if they connect to any other device. This will help you immediately decide whether your controller is not connecting with only your device or with all others.
If the controller does not connect with any other device, the defect is with the controller. But if it gets connected, it can be the case that there is a temporary connectivity issue, and it can be fixed with ease.
FAQs | PS4 Controller Not Working
Why did my PS4 controller stop working all of a sudden?
There can be several reasons behind this problem. But initially, you can check if the batteries of your controller have not run and replace them if that is the case.
How do I resync my PS4 controller?
Resyncing your PS4 controller is an easy task. Hold the PS button for around 3 seconds and then press and hold the “Share” button simultaneously. A light should blink, and your controller should get resynced again.
Why is the light on my PS4 controller constantly blinking?
There can be several reasons behind this issue, but often the light of your controller blinks when the batteries of your controller are about to die. Another case can be that your controller is trying to connect but is unable to establish a connection.
Conclusion
These are all the possible reasons behind your PS4 controller not working. A lot of users face this issue daily; if you are among them, you can also adopt these solutions to fix the problem. Only in the case of hardware damage, like the buttons popping out, you will have to visit a technician who can fix it. Otherwise, the above solutions often fix the PS4 not working issues.
Also, if your controller is new and under warranty, you can claim your warranty and get the controller fixed free of cost. But before that, you must try the solutions above as claiming a warranty and getting it fixed might take a long time.
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