How to Connect a PS4 DualShock 4 Controller to a PC

The DualShock 4 is a great controller, but it's designed specifically for the Sony PlayStation 4. That means, at least on paper, that it's not meant to be used with PC games. Fear not, since PCs are such powerful and flexible systems, you can get nearly any peripheral to work on them with a little effort. Here's how to connect a DualShock 4 controller to your PC.

If you want to use the most advanced PlayStation controller, we have a guide on how to connect your DualSense to your PC. The good news is that the process is almost the same as it is with the DualShock 4. The bad news is that the particularly special features of the DualSense, like adaptive triggers and subtle haptic feedback, are very hit-or-miss on PC.

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The Connection Itself

There are two ways to connect a DualShock 4 to your gaming rig. You can go the wired or wireless routes, but setting up those connections is a bit different than how you would do it on a PlayStation 4 console.

The Wired Method

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

The Bluetooth Method

1. 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.
2. Access the Bluetooth menu on your PC via the system tray.
3. Click "Add Bluetooth or other device."
4. Click "Bluetooth."
5. Select the DualShock 4 controller from the list that pops up.

Getting the Gamepad to Work

Connecting the controller is only the start of the process, due to how the DualShock 4 communicates with your PC. Most current Windows games use 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 can deal with easier. There are two good options: DS4Windows and Steam's controller compatibility settings.

The Comprehensive Way: DS4Windows

DS4Windows is a freeware program that tricks your PC into thinking an Xbox 360 controller is connected, instead of a DualShock 4. Follow these steps to get it to work.

1. Download DS4Windows and unzip it to a directory.
2. Open DS4Windows.exe in the directory you just unzipped.
3. If you're prompted to install .NET runtime, click "Yes" and follow the instructions for DS4Windows to properly function.
4. Click "Install ViGEmBus Driver."
5. Follow the steps in the driver installer. This installs a multipurpose gamepad driver to your system that DS4Windows uses to get the DualShock 4 to work.
6. Click "Install HidHide Driver."
7. Follow the steps in that driver installer. This installs an optional driver that hides the DualShock 4's DirectInput gamepad connection from Windows, so it only accepts the converted XInput inputs through DS4Windows. This prevents a common "double gamepad" error.
8. Click "Finished."
9. Connect your DualShock 4 to your PC.
10. The controller should show up under the Controllers tab. Wait a minute to make sure all of the necessary drivers show up. Once Windows pops up a message saying it has connected a new Xbox 360 controller, you're ready to play!

What Else Can You Do With DS4Windows?

By default, the DualShock 4 acts like an Xbox 360 controller, with the touchpad functioning as 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 profile). This causes an outline of the DualShock 4 to appear surrounded by various settings. Here, you can remap the physical controls, program the touchpad and motion controls to act in different ways, adjust rumble settings, and tweak the analog sticks' dead zones and movement curves. You can even change the light bar's color.

DS4Windows offers many more options for getting your DualShock 4 to feel good on your PC. You shouldn't have to open these settings, because most games will behave properly after you set the software up the first time.

The (Potentially) Easier Way: Steam

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

1. Go to the Settings menu in Steam (under Steam on the taskbar).
2. Select the Controller menu.
3. Click "General Controller Settings."
4. Check the box marked "PlayStation Configuration Support."
5. Connect the DualShock 4 to your PC.

Steam's DualShock 4 compatibility is inconsistent, and this technique obviously won't work with non-Steam games. As a result, you may have better luck simply using DS4Windows.

On the other hand, if you have a Steam Deck, the compatibility mode there might be your only option without extensive software tweaks (and installing Windows on the system). And, if you can dock the Steam Deck, connecting a DualShock 4 could be the ideal way to play Spider-Man Remastered on it.

Start With the Right Controller

For more, head over to our guide on how to choose 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.