How To Fix PS4 Controller Not Connecting
It can be very frustrating when your PS4 controller won’t connect to the console. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try to get your controller working again.
Use a USB Cable Connection
The first thing to try is connecting the controller directly to the PS4 with a USB cable.
- Plug the micro USB end of the cable into the controller and the regular USB end into the front of the PS4 console.
- Let the controller charge for at least 30 minutes before trying to use it. This ensures the battery is not dead.
- Press the PS button on the controller. You should hear a beep indicating it is connected.
- If it still doesn’t connect, try using a different USB cable, as the original one may be faulty. The cable needs to transfer both power and data.
Reset the Controller
If the controller still won’t connect wirelessly, you may need to reset it completely:
- Turn off the PS4 and unplug it from power and internet connections. This prevents interference.
- Locate the small reset button on the back of the controller near the L2 shoulder button.
- Use a paperclip to press and hold the reset button for 5 seconds.
- With the controller connected via USB, turn on the PS4.
- Press the PS button again to sync the controller.
Resetting often resolves connectivity issues with the controllers.
Disconnect From Other Devices
One Redditor explains:
“Have you used your PS4 controller with a PC or Mac, connected it to your phone, or used it with any device other than your PS4 console? If it’s still connected to the original device, that may prevent it from connecting to your PS4, especially if the other device is nearby and still trying to connect.”
Make sure to disconnect or forget the controller from any other Bluetooth devices it has been paired with previously.
Eliminate Sources of Interference
Bluetooth signals can get interrupted by other wireless devices. Try turning off or moving other Bluetooth gadgets away from the PS4 to eliminate interference.
One Redditor said:
“I clean my PS4 monthly, keep my PS4 in a good temp area, yet PS4 has failed to function properly. My PS4 is only three years old and I run into problems, but many of my friends don’t (Their PS4 is older).”
This indicates an environmental issue may be causing wireless interference.
Restart the PS4
If you still can’t get the controller to connect, try restarting the PS4 completely:
- Hold the power button on the front of the console until you hear a second beep.
- Unplug the power, HDMI, and controller cables from the back of the PS4.
- Leave the console unplugged for 2-3 minutes.
- Reconnect everything and power on the PS4.
- Try syncing the controller again.
Restarting the system can resolve software bugs that may be preventing connectivity.
Contact Sony Support
If you have tried all troubleshooting steps and the controller still won’t connect, you may need to contact Sony’s PS4 support team for further assistance. Hardware issues with the console may require service or replacement.
Following these tips should help get your PS4 controller connecting properly again. Let us know in the comments if any of these steps worked for you!
Troubleshooting a PS4 controller that won’t sync or connect
Below are the potential solutions that you can try if your PS4 controller won’t connect to the console.
Charge the controller.
When troubleshooting a wireless PS4 controller, make sure that you charge to 100% first. This will make sure that you’re not dealing with a possible PS4 controller won’t-turn-on or weak battery issue.
Connect the controller and console with USB cable.
If you’re having trouble connecting a controller wirelessly, try using a USB cable instead to resync it. Here’s how:-Get a known good working USB cable.-Connect the controller to your PS4 with the USB cable.-Press and hold the PlayStation button in the middle of the controller. This will clear the old connection setting and resync this controller to the console again.
Re-sync controller at startup.
If the previous step hasn’t helped, you can try to check if re-syncing at startup will do the trick. Here’s what you need to do:-Shut down your PlayStation 4.-Connect your controller to the console using a USB cable.-Press and hold the PlayStation or PS button on the center of your controller. This will prompt the controller to re-sync at startup.
Perform a soft reset on the controller.
You’ll need another good working controller to do this. If you don’t have a second controller to use, just skip this solution and proceed to the next one below.-Using the second controller that’s working, go to your PS4’s Settings menu.-Select Devices from the drop-down menu.-Select Bluetooth Devices.-Find the wireless controller that’s not working in the list of devices and select it. An active controller should show a green dot while inactive ones will have a white or grey circle.-Press the Options button on your controller, found to the right of the touchpad. This will bring up a new menu.-Select Forget Device. This will disconnect the inactive controller from the console.-Turn off the PS4 console.-Re-sync the controller at startup like what we did in Step#3.
Do a hard reset on the controller.
If you can’t perform a soft reset on the controller, then you have no other option but to perform a hard reset. For this to work, you’ll need to use a paper clip or a similar object. You’ll have to use the unfurled paper clip to press the tiny reset button.-Turn off the PS4 console.-Find the small hole where the reset button is. It’s under and near the left trigger (LT) button.-Insert the paper clip in the hole and push the reset button for about 5 seconds.-Connect the controller to the PS4 again and see what happens.
