How To Set Up A Ps4 Controller On Pcsx2

How to use a DualShock 4 PS4 controller on PC

How to apply a DualShock 4 PS4 controller on PC (Paradigm credit: Sony)

Using the DualShock iv PS4 controller on PC isn't to everyone's taste. We commend you for choosing to alive the analogue life, rather than submit to the convoluted paw placement of a keyboard gamer.

Of all the options out there, the PS4 controller has go one of the team's favourite PC gaming controllers (opens in new tab), not least because it feels great in your hands. The design retains the archetype shape of the DualShock controller, simply includes joysticks and triggers ameliorate suited to modern shooters and activity games than its predecessor—though not as sensationally exciting as the PS5'southward DualSense controller (opens in new tab).

Unfortunately, the DualShock 4'south utilize of generic DirectInput drivers—as opposed to XInput that the Xbox controllers utilise—means using a PS4 controller on PC isn't quite as easy as plugging in an Xbox gamepad. It takes a lilliputian flake more than work to go the DualShock four working on PC, but things are made easier thanks to Steam, the PC gaming community, and an official (optional) Bluetooth dongle. In fact, if Steam is your go-to, native Steam support makes it but as plug-and-play as an Xbox gamepad.

To start we'll walk you through getting your PS4 controller working with Steam. If you want to play games that aren't on Steam with your DualShock four, DS4Windows is the tool for you lot.

Setup

What yous need

Hardware

Dualshock 4 PS4 controller
A micro-USB cable
(Optional) Dualshock four USB wireless Bluetooth adapter

Software

Steam
Or Microsoft .NET Framework 4.v (opens in new tab)
Xbox 360 controller driver (opens in new tab) (just for Windows vii users)
and DS4Windows (opens in new tab)

Working with Steam

PlayStation controller configuration ticked on in Steam controller settings menu

Using a PS4 controller in Steam

Open Steam
Become to Settings in top left dropdown
Open Controller tab
Click General Controller Settings
Register device to your account
Alter preferences
Calibrate joysticks
Tick PlayStation Configuration Support
Remap from Settings Controller tab/in game

Thanks to official Steam support, there's virtually no setup involved in getting your PS4 controller working in Steam. Just be certain to pair or plug in your controller earlier opening Steam or any Steam games, otherwise your controller may not exist recognized.

If you run into any connectedness issues, closing and reopening Steam should do the trick. Otherwise, try using a USB two.0 port instead of a USB iii.0 port. DualShock 4s are weird like that.

Once connected, navigate to Steam's settings menu—under the acme left dropdown—to get everything running smoothly. Nether the Controller tab, open General Controller Settings; you lot should see your controller listed nether Detected Controllers. From here yous can register it to your account, and then information technology will remember the settings on any PC you log into.

Personalize your controller menu in Steam — (Epitome credit: Valve)

Click Preferences to rename, or change rumble and lighting settings. You can also click Calibrate to fine-tune the joysticks and gyro if yous experience the need. One important tip: click the check box next to PlayStation Configuration Support if y'all desire to be able to do extra configuration of the controller on a per-game basis.

Dorsum in the Controller tab of the Settings menu, yous can configure your controller for Big Picture and Desktop usage, as well, and even ready up Guide Push Chord Configuration.

Installing DS4Windows

How to install DS4Windows for non-steam gaming

Download Microsoft .Net Framework (opens in new tab)
For Windows vii, get Xbox 360 controller driver (opens in new tab)
Plug controller or Bluetooth dongle in
Download DS4Windows (opens in new tab) and excerpt
Open DS4Windows
Check connection in the Controllers tab
In Settings tab Hide DS4 Controller
Ready Use Xinput Ports to 1
Edit/Create a profile and remap

If you're simply playing Steam games , you don't need to install annihilation else.

Starting time, Download the newest Microsoft .Internet Framework. If you lot're nonetheless stuck running Windows 7, install the Xbox 360 controller driver side by side. This driver is included with Windows 8 and 10.

Earlier you practise anything else, plug in your PS4 controller with a micro-USB directly to your PC, or pair it (opens in new tab) through the Bluetooth carte, or with a USB wireless adapter.

Download and excerpt newest DS4Windows .nix file next, and open information technology upward. You tin can ignore the DS4Updater if you lot already accept the newest version.

Whatever controllers you've connected will exist displayed under the Controllers tab. If non, close DS4Windows, reconnect your controller, then re-open the software. Don't worry well-nigh your controller's ID number, nosotros won't be needing it.

Next, open up the Settings tab in DS4Windows to configure a few things. Brand sure the Hide DS4 Controller box is checked. This will prevent DS4Windows from conflicting with whatsoever game's default controller settings. For the same reason, make certain Use Xinput Ports is set to 1.

DS4 Windows configuration menu screenshot

From the Settings tab, you lot can also set up DS4Windows to run at startup, or remain agile in the background. You can also update DS4Windows directly from this tab by clicking Check for Update Now at the bottom left. Above that, you'll run across Controller/Driver Setup. If you run into any issues, open this setup and follow the prompts to install any missing drivers.

DS4Windows works by reading your DualShock 4 equally though it were an Xbox 360 controller. That means y'all won't get the correct Foursquare/X/Triangle/Circle button icons by default in virtually games. Some games will give yous the selection to change, but either manner, it'll now piece of work with any game that has Xinput back up—i.east. most every modern PC game that supports gamepads.

Y'all don't accept to remap anything, but if you want to change some buttons or adjust sensitivity exterior of in-game menus, just open the Profiles tab in DS4Windows. If you're feeling confident, click New to outset a new profile, though this is easier said than washed. Otherwise, select the DualShock 4 profile and click Edit.

Permit'southward say you desire to swap your bumpers and triggers. Showtime, find L1/R1 and L2/R2 in the coil wheel in the Controls section, or but click them on the virtual controller. You want to swap L1 with L2 and R1 with R2, so start by clicking L2.

And so, but click the button you want L2 to act as—in this case, L1. Voila, your left trigger will at present act as your left bumper. Repeat this process with the other triggers and bumpers to consummate the change and prevent redundancy. You can save this push setup every bit a separate profile and swap between profiles in the Controllers tab.

Connect via Bluetooth

PlayStation official bluetooth dongle, front and side angle, on a grey background — (Paradigm credit: Sony)

How to connect your PS4 controller via Bluetooth

Hold controller's Share and PS push until information technology flashes
Button dongle push button until it starts flashing
Or, add your controller in your PC'due south Bluetooth menu
Pairing should happen automatically
Don't unplug the adapter, it'll salve the last connexion

To connect your PS4 controller via Bluetooth, merely concur the small Share button and the central circular button simultaneously until the controller's backlight starts flashing, then push on the end of the adapter until information technology starts flashing. In one case both are flashing, they will automatically pair later on a few seconds.

For a PC with Bluetooth built-in, just navigate to the Bluetooth menu and select your controller from the Add Bluetooth devices list once it's started flashing.

Luckily, you don't have to pair your controller every time you lot want to utilise it. Equally long equally y'all don't unplug the adapter, information technology will salve its last connection, and so you tin can but tap your controller'south key PlayStation button to reconnect it.

The official Sony DualShock 4 USB wireless adapter is the simplest Bluetooth option. You may take to hunt for it or spend a little more than you would on a standard Bluetooth dongle, simply information technology'due south worth information technology for its out-of-the-box functionality.

Spiral sports, Katie would rather watch Intel, AMD and Nvidia go at it. She can often exist found admiring AI advancements, sighing over semiconductors, or gawping at the latest GPU upgrades. She'south been obsessed with computers and graphics since she was small, and took Game Art and Design up to Masters level at uni. Her thirst for absurd Raspberry Pi projects will never be sated, and she volition stop at naught to spread internet safety awareness—downwards with the hackers.