How to connect a PS5 controller to your PC
The DualSense controller on the PlayStation 5 is one of the greatest developments in console design ever, adding advanced haptic feedback to Sony’s new console.
For games that you take full advantage of, such as Astro’s Game Room, its impact on the gaming experience can be a real game-changer. Like most other consoles, DualSense can also be used to play PC games, but without taking full advantage of features like rheostat triggers. For those who want to get more mileage with DualSense, here’s how to connect your PS5 controller to a computer.
While the good news is that DualSense works like any other controller on a PC, the bad news is that DualSense works like any other controller. It may lack the features of the PS5 that make it a great device when connected to a computer, but it’s also easy to set up and use, whether you want to connect using a USB cable or Bluetooth.
How to connect a PS5 controller to PC with USB
Connecting your PS5 controller to a PC with a USB cable is probably the ideal choice for most people, as it’s very easy to do and it won’t risk draining your DualSense battery during a gaming session. DualSense to USB-C to USB -cable (like the one supplied with the PS5) and connect the other end to your computer. If your computer has a USB-C port, you can also use a regular USB-C cable. If you’re buying a new DualSense on its own, then instead of using the device that came with the controller, just be aware that it won’t come with its cable.
How to connect a PS5 controller to PC with Bluetooth
If your computer has a built-in Bluetooth function or if you have a separate Bluetooth adapter, you can also connect DualSense wirelessly. The process is the same for connecting any wireless controller. Simply hold down the PS button and the “Create” button on DualSense to start pairing. On your computer, go to the Bluetooth & other devices menu and click on Add Bluetooth or another device, then select the Bluetooth option. Once the connection is established, the PS5 console will appear as a wireless controller in the list.
How to use a PS5 controller on PC with Steam
The main caveat to using a PS5 console on a PC is that not all games will recognize it locally. Thankfully, Valve added DualSense limited support to Steam once the PS5 was released and kept adding features. Every game can now be played on Steam with controller support using DualSense, and features like motion controls, rumble, and light bar should work as they did with the PS4 controller, although newer features such as adaptive players still don’t.
An update released shortly after the PS5 launched made full support for DualSense (which was initially available only in beta) available to all Steam users. However, if Steam doesn’t automatically recognize your console, or you just want to change its settings manually, you can always configure the console yourself. To configure your DualSense with Steam, just open Steam with the controller plugged in and go to the Controller menu under Settings. Open General Console Settings and find your PS5 console (which may be listed as Sony Interactive Entertainment Wireless Controller), and you can configure each individual button just like you would with any other console.
If you find that your PS5 controller does not sync with a game outside of Steam, there is a workaround for that. In Steam, just click “Games” in the top toolbar, then add a game other than Steam to My Library. You can add any game installed on Steam from this list and enjoy all the benefits of Steam’s DualSense Support.
Originally published at https://www.globebusinesscenter.com on March 9, 2021.
