The official PS5 update path is straightforward: connect the DualSense with a USB cable, accept the on-screen device-software prompt, or open Settings > Accessories > Controller (General) > DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software. If the controller will not connect, turn off the PS5, hold the recessed reset button on the controller’s back for at least five seconds, then reconnect it by USB and press the PS button.
This guide explains the update process on PS5 and PC, first-time pairing, Bluetooth support, reset and recovery steps, and the point at which PlayStation Repairs is the appropriate next step.
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What a DualSense update changes and where it comes from
DualSense controller updates are called device software in the PS5 menus. Sony delivers those updates with PS5 system-software updates, so keeping the console current is part of keeping the controller current. The console can present an update prompt when the controller is connected and an update is available; you can also check manually from the Accessories settings.
A controller update is separate from pairing. Pairing tells the PS5 or another supported device which controller to use. Device-software updating changes the controller’s internal software. A successful update does not automatically pair the controller with every console or Bluetooth device; each new PS5 or supported device still needs its own pairing procedure.
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- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
Prepare before updating or troubleshooting
- Have the PS5 turned on and the DualSense available.
- Use a USB cable that supports data, not only charging. The official pairing and recovery procedures require a USB connection. If the supplied cable is missing or damaged, choose a compatible replacement USB data cable and verify both connector compatibility and data support before buying.
- Charge the controller sufficiently for the process. After a wired pairing, you can disconnect it for wireless play once it has enough battery power.
- If you are resetting the controller, have a pin or similar small tool ready for the recessed button on the rear.
- For a PC update, install the official PlayStation Accessories application using PlayStation’s own download instructions rather than an unverified mirror.
Check the console before blaming the controller
If the PS5 can be operated with another controller or another input method, check whether the PS5 system software is current. Controller device-software updates are delivered alongside PS5 system-software updates, so an outdated console can leave you looking for a controller update that is not yet available in the expected way. Updating the console first also gives the controller update process the current system environment it expects.
Use a direct USB connection during setup and recovery. A cable that charges the controller may not carry the data needed for pairing or updating. If the PS5 shows no response, substitute a known-good, compatible USB data cable before repeating the reset procedure.
Update the DualSense on a PS5 console
Use the update prompt
- Turn on the PS5.
- Connect the DualSense to the console with the USB cable.
- Press the controller’s PS button so the console recognizes it.
- If the PS5 displays a controller device-software update prompt, follow the on-screen instructions and leave the controller connected until the process finishes.
The prompt is tied to the PS5’s system-software environment. If the console itself is behind on system software, update the PS5 first when the console can be operated normally, then check the controller again.
Do not disconnect the USB cable while the update is running. An interrupted connection can leave you unsure whether the process completed, so wait for the console’s completion message before testing wireless play or moving the controller to another device.
Check manually from Settings
- From the PS5 home screen, open Settings.
- Select Accessories.
- Open Controller (General).
- Choose DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software.
- Follow any update instructions shown on screen.
This menu is the direct manual route when you want to check rather than wait for a notification. The wording may indicate that the controller is already current; if no update is offered, there is no newer package available through that console at that moment.
If the menu cannot be reached because the controller is not recognized, return to the wired pairing sequence. Turn the PS5 on, connect the controller directly by USB, press PS, and then revisit the Accessories menu after the console recognizes it.
Update a DualSense from a Windows PC
PlayStation supports updating DualSense device software from a PC with the PlayStation Accessories application. Use PlayStation’s official download instructions to obtain the application. Do not rely on an unofficial download mirror, because the update utility is handling controller firmware.
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- Install and open PlayStation Accessories on the PC.
- Connect the DualSense with a USB data cable.
- Wait for the application to detect the controller.
- Use the update control shown by the application and keep the cable connected until it reports completion.
- Disconnect only after the application has finished, then test the controller on the intended device.
The PC route is an alternative to updating through a PS5. It does not remove the need to pair the controller with a PS5 or Bluetooth host afterward. If the application does not detect the controller, check the cable’s data capability and reconnect directly rather than assuming the controller is already updated.
Pair or reconnect the controller with a PS5
First pairing with a PS5
- Turn on the PS5.
- Connect the DualSense to the PS5 with a USB cable.
- Press the PS button.
- Wait for the console to register the controller. Once the controller has enough battery charge, disconnect the cable if you want to use it wirelessly.
USB is the official first-pairing method and is also the recovery method after a reset. A DualSense can be paired with only one PS5 console at a time. To use it with another PS5, repeat the USB pairing process on that console; the controller does not remain simultaneously paired to both.
Reconnect after the controller has been unused
Switch on the PS5, connect the controller by USB, and press PS. This gives the console a direct path to recognize the controller and can restore the connection when wireless pairing is not being accepted. Once the controller is recognized and charged, remove the cable for wireless use.
Move the controller between two PS5 consoles
There is no supported simultaneous pairing with two PS5 consoles. If the controller worked on one console and now needs to work on another, connect it to the second PS5 with USB and press PS. Repeat that wired pairing step whenever you change the console you want to use. This is normal behavior, not evidence that the controller update failed.
Pair a DualSense with a supported Bluetooth device
Bluetooth pairing is intended for supported computers, phones, tablets, streaming devices and other compatible hosts. Feature availability depends on the device and the game. In particular, supported PC games may require a USB connection for haptics; Bluetooth availability alone does not guarantee that every DualSense feature will work.
Minimum operating-system versions listed by PlayStation
| Platform | Minimum version listed | Connection note |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 10, 64-bit | Feature support varies by game and connection. |
| Windows | Windows 11 | Feature support varies by game and connection. |
| macOS | Big Sur 11.3 | Use the host’s Bluetooth settings for pairing. |
| iPhone | iOS 14.5 | Only features supported by the operating system and game are available. |
| iPad | iPadOS 14.5 | Only features supported by the operating system and game are available. |
| Apple TV | tvOS 14.5 | Only features supported by the operating system and game are available. |
| Android | Android 12 | Only features supported by the operating system and game are available. |
These versions are compatibility baselines, not a promise that every game or feature will behave identically. A host below the listed version is outside the baseline PlayStation specifies. On a supported host, the operating system and the game still determine which inputs, haptics and other functions are available.
Enter Bluetooth pairing mode
- Make sure the controller’s player indicator is off.
- Disconnect any USB cable from the controller.
- Press and hold the Create button and the PS button together until the light bar begins blinking.
- On the target device, open Bluetooth settings and turn Bluetooth on.
- Select the controller from the list of available Bluetooth devices.
If the controller is still connected to USB, or its player indicator is already showing an active connection, it may not enter the intended pairing mode. Repeat the sequence with the cable removed and the indicator off.
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- Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
Bluetooth pairing is different from PS5 pairing. For a PS5, use USB and press PS. For a supported non-PS5 device, remove the cable, put the controller into blinking pairing mode with Create plus PS, and choose it in the host’s Bluetooth list.
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Resetting is the official recovery step when normal USB reconnection and pairing do not work. It clears the controller’s active connection state; it does not replace the need to pair the controller again.
- Turn off the PS5.
- Disconnect the DualSense from USB.
- Turn the controller over and locate the recessed reset button on the back.
- Use a pin or similar tool to press and hold the button for at least five seconds.
- Connect the controller to the PS5 with its USB cable.
- Press the PS button.
The five-second hold matters: a brief touch may not complete the reset. After the reset, use the wired PS5 pairing procedure rather than trying to jump directly to wireless pairing.
Turn the PS5 off before pressing the reset button, and disconnect the controller from USB during the reset. Reconnect only after the hold is complete. This keeps the sequence in the order specified for recovery and makes it easier to tell whether the subsequent USB pairing succeeds.
Connection troubleshooting by symptom
The PS5 does not react when you press PS
- Connect the controller directly to the PS5 with the USB cable and press PS again.
- If the controller had been paired to another PS5, repeat pairing on the current console; one DualSense is paired with only one PS5 at a time.
- If the wired attempt still fails, turn off the PS5 and perform the five-second rear-button reset, then reconnect by USB and press PS.
If there is still no response after the reset, verify the cable is a data cable and try the connection once more. If the PS5 can be controlled another way, update its system software before attempting another controller update.
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A cable can provide power without providing the data connection required for pairing. Try a known-good USB data cable that is compatible with the controller and verify its data capability. The official procedure depends on data communication between the console and controller, not charging alone.
The controller works on one PS5 but not another
This is expected when the controller has an existing PS5 pairing. Connect it by USB to the other PS5 and press PS to establish that console’s pairing. There is no supported simultaneous pairing with two PS5 consoles.
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Bluetooth pairing mode never appears
- Remove the USB cable.
- Make sure the player indicator is off.
- Hold Create and PS together until the light bar blinks.
- Start the scan from the target device’s Bluetooth settings and select the controller when it appears.
If the host is below the minimum operating-system version listed for its platform, it is outside the compatibility baseline PlayStation specifies. Even on a supported version, some controller functions may be unavailable.
Bluetooth connects, but haptics or another feature does not work
Connection and feature support are separate. PlayStation notes that features vary by device; on PC, haptics may require USB when the game supports them. Connect by USB for a supported PC game that needs that feature, and check the game and operating-system support rather than treating the missing feature as a failed pairing.
An update is unavailable or fails to complete
- Reconnect the controller to the PS5 by USB and revisit Settings > Accessories > Controller (General) > DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software.
- If the PS5 itself can be operated, update PS5 system software, because controller updates are delivered alongside system updates.
- If you are using a PC, retry through the official PlayStation Accessories application with a USB data connection.
- Do not disconnect the cable while an update is in progress.
If the console cannot operate the controller well enough to update, complete the reset procedure and try the wired connection once more.
The update completes but the connection problem remains
An update and a pairing are separate operations. After a successful update, reconnect to the PS5 by USB and press PS, or repeat Bluetooth pairing on the supported non-PS5 device. If the controller still cannot complete the wired recovery sequence after resetting and updating, the problem may require service rather than another wireless pairing attempt.
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| Goal | Method | What it requires | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| First pairing with PS5 | USB, then press PS | PS5, compatible USB data cable, controller | Pairing is tied to one PS5 at a time. |
| Reconnect after a reset | USB, then press PS | PS5, compatible USB data cable | Reset must be held for at least five seconds first. |
| Check or install update on PS5 | Console prompt or manual Accessories menu | Paired controller and current PS5 software environment | Updates arrive with PS5 system-software updates. |
| Update from a PC | PlayStation Accessories application over USB | Compatible PC, official application, USB data cable | Still requires separate pairing with the final host. |
| Use with a supported non-PS5 device | Bluetooth pairing mode | Supported operating-system version and Bluetooth | Features such as haptics may be limited or require USB. |
Use USB whenever the task is updating, first pairing with a PS5, or recovering after a reset. Use Bluetooth when the target device is supported and you want wireless use away from the console. If a particular feature matters more than a cable-free connection, USB may be the better choice on PC because supported games can require it for haptics.
When PlayStation Repairs is the next step
Use PlayStation Repairs when the controller still will not connect after a five-second reset, a direct USB reconnection, and the available system-software or controller-software updates. Repairs is the official escalation route identified for unresolved DualSense problems. Before submitting a repair request, record which steps you tried, whether the controller shows any light response, and whether it is detected by USB or Bluetooth; that information helps distinguish a pairing problem from a hardware fault.
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- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
A concise recovery checklist
- Confirm the PS5 is on and, if possible, current on system software.
- Use a compatible USB data cable, not a cable confirmed only for charging.
- Connect the DualSense and press PS.
- Check the manual device-software menu for an update.
- If connection still fails, turn off the PS5, disconnect USB, hold the rear reset button for at least five seconds, then reconnect by USB and press PS.
- For a supported phone, tablet, computer or Apple TV, remove USB and pair with Create plus PS while the light bar blinks.
- Escalate to PlayStation Repairs if reset, wired reconnection and available updates do not solve the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I update a DualSense controller on PS5?
Connect the controller to the PS5 by USB and follow the update prompt. To check manually, open Settings > Accessories > Controller (General) > DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software.
Can I update a DualSense without a PS5?
Yes. PlayStation supports updating the controller from a PC with the official PlayStation Accessories application and a USB data connection.
Why does my DualSense charge but not connect?
The cable may provide power without carrying data. Try a compatible USB data cable, reconnect it directly to the PS5, and press PS.
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How long should I hold the DualSense reset button?
Hold the recessed button on the controller’s back for at least five seconds, then connect the controller to the PS5 by USB and press PS.
Can one DualSense pair with two PS5 consoles?
No. It can pair with only one PS5 at a time. Connect it by USB and press PS to pair it with a different console.
How do I put a DualSense into Bluetooth pairing mode?
Disconnect USB, make sure the player indicator is off, then hold Create and PS together until the light bar blinks. Select the controller in the target device’s Bluetooth list.
Why do DualSense haptics not work over Bluetooth on PC?
Feature support depends on the device and game. PlayStation notes that haptics on PC may require USB when the game supports them.
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What should I do if the controller still will not connect after resetting it?
Update PS5 system software if the console can be operated, retry the wired connection and available controller update, then contact PlayStation Repairs if the problem remains.
The Bottom Line
For a PS5, the reliable path is USB connection, press PS, then use the update prompt or Settings > Accessories > Controller (General) > DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software. If that fails, turn off the console, hold the rear reset button for at least five seconds, reconnect by USB and press PS. Use Bluetooth pairing only for supported non-PS5 devices, and contact PlayStation Repairs when reset, wired reconnection and updates do not resolve the fault.
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