Are you having issues with your controller connecting? You’re ready to game, but without the use of your controller, it’s game over.
You’re not the only gamer to have this problem. Fortunately, solving this dilemma doesn’t require a difficult hack. This article will guide you through the steps to get your controller connected and get you back to gaming.
DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller in Windows 11
Many DS4Windows users have had issues getting Windows 11 to recognize their controllers. DS4Windows was designed for use with Windows 10. This problem is not uncommon if you’ve recently updated to Windows 11. There are two methods you can try to solve your problem so you can get back to gaming.
Sometimes the solution is to re-enable your controller. To do this, follow the steps below:
- Close DS4Windows and disconnect your controller.
- Right-click on the “Windows Start Menu” and select “Run” to open the prompt menu.
- Type “devmgmt.msc” in the box and click “Enter.”
- From the “Device Manager Menu,” select “Human Interface Devices.”
- Right-click on “HID-compliant game controller” and choose “Disable device.”
- Wait a moment, right-click on “HID-compliant game controller,” and select “Enable device.”
- Open DS4Windows and reconnect your controller. Check if your controller is detected.
If you still have issues with your controller being detected, you can try uninstalling and reconnecting your DS4Windows controller. To learn how to do this, follow these instructions:
- Ensure that DS4Windows is closed and your controller is disconnected.
- Open the prompt menu by right-clicking on the “Windows Start Menu.”
- Type “Control Panel” and hit “Enter.”
- Locate “Hardware and Sound” and tap “Devices and Printers.”
- Reconnect your DS4Windows controller.
- A gamepad icon will appear on the screen. Right-click on it, and from the drop-down menu, choose “Properties.”
- Select the “Hardware” tab and double-tap on “HID-compliant game controller.”
- Switch to the “Driver” tab and tap “Uninstall Device.”
- Open DS4Windows. Your controller should now be detected.
DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller in Windows 7
You’re not the only person with a problem with Windows 7 detecting your controller. Fortunately, this common problem has a few different quick fixes.
There are two solutions to this issue. The first one is to reinstall the DS4Windows driver, while the second fix is to disable and re-enable the DS4 controller. One of the two methods described below should be all you’ll need to do to get back to gaming.
To learn how to reinstall the DS4Windows driver, follow these steps:
- Disconnect your controller and close DS4Windows.
- Using the “Search” tool, type in “Control Panel” and hit “Enter.”
- Select the “Hardware and Sound” option.
- Reconnect your controller. A new pop-up will appear on the screen.
- Right-click on the icon and select “Properties.”
- Tap the “Hardware” tab and double-click on “HID-compliant game controller.”
- Choose the “Driver” tab and double-tap.
- From the “Driver” tab, select “Uninstall Device.”
- If the controller isn’t detected, reboot your PC.
If this method hasn’t solved your problem, you can disable and re-enable your DS4 controller. To do so, follow the steps below:
- Make sure that DS4Windows is closed and that your controller is disconnected.
- From the “Search Bar,” type in “Device Manager” and click to open.
- Locate “Human Interface Devices” and click it.
- Find either “HID-compliant game controller” or “Sound, Video, and Game Controllers.”
- Right-click on the one your system has. Select “Disable.”
- Wait a moment and then select “Enable.”
- Restart DS4Windows. Your controller should now be detected.
DS4Windows Not Detecting PS5 Controller
If you’re having issues with DS4Windows not detecting your PS5 controller, there are a few things you can do. First, you can re-enable your controller. If that doesn’t help, you can uninstall and reconnect your DS4Windows controller next. One of these methods should do the trick and get you back to gaming.
To re-enable your PS5 controller, do the following:
- Close DS4Windows and ensure that your controller isn’t connected.
- Open the prompt menu by right-clicking on the “Windows Start Menu” and select “Run”.
- Type “devmgmt.msc” in the window and click “Enter.”
- From the “Device Manager Menu,” select “Human Interface Devices.”
- Right-click on “HID-compliant game controller” and tap “Disable device.”
- Go to “HID-compliant game controller” again and select “Enable device.”
- Reconnect your controller and open DS4Windows. Check if your controller is detected.
If your PS5 controller is still giving you problems, you can also try to uninstall your controller and reconnect it. To do so, follow the steps below:
- Shut down DS4Windows and disconnect your controller.
- Open the prompt menu by right-clicking on the “Windows Start Menu.”
- Type “Control Panel” in the box and press “Enter.”
- Find “Hardware and Sound” and click “Devices and Printers.”
- Reconnect your DS4Windows controller.
- You’ll see a gamepad icon appear on the screen. Right-click on it, and from the drop-down menu, press “Properties.”
- Choose the “Hardware” tab and double-click on “HID-compliant game controller.”
- Switch to the “Driver” tab and press “Uninstall Device.”
- Launch DS4Windows. Your controller should now be detected.
- Shut down DS4Windows and disconnect your controller.
- Open the prompt menu by right-clicking on the “Windows Start Menu.”
- Type “Control Panel” in the box and press “Enter.”
- Find “Hardware and Sound” and click “Devices and Printers.”
- Reconnect your DS4Windows controller.
- You’ll see a gamepad icon appear on the screen. Right-click on it, and from the drop-down menu, press “Properties.”
- Choose the “Hardware” tab and double-click on “HID-compliant game controller.”
- Switch to the “Driver” tab and press “Uninstall Device.”
- Launch DS4Windows. Your controller should now be detected.
DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller via Bluetooth
If you’re having issues with DS4Windows not detecting your controller with Bluetooth, you’re not the only one. Fortunately, there are a few things you can try to solve this problem. You can ensure that your PC is Bluetooth enabled and toggle the switch, or you can remove the device and add it back.
To pair your controller with Bluetooth, do the following:
- Ensure that your PC has Bluetooth “on” by clicking on the “Start Menu” and clicking “Settings.”
- Select “Devices” and then “Bluetooth.”
- Ensure that the toggle switch for Bluetooth is in the “on” position. Toggle it off and back on if it’s already in the “on” position.
- Power on your controller.
- Press the “PlayStation+Share” buttons on the controller until its lights begin to flash.
- Your PC should now connect to the controller.
To remove and add your controller for Bluetooth, follow these steps:
- Reboot your PC and ensure that your controller has at least a 10% charge.
- Using the “Search” tool, type in “Control Panel” and select it.
- Locate and click on “View devices and printers.”
- Find “Bluetooth PS4 controller,” right-click and select “Remove device,” and then “Yes.”
- Launch DS4Windows and go to “Settings.”
- Tap “Hide DS4 Controller” and choose “Controller/Driver Setup.”
- Minimize this window and go to “Bluetooth Settings.”
- Press the “PlayStation+Share” buttons using your controller until the lights flash.
- Your controller should be detected now.
Get Your Controller Detected and Get Back to Gaming
It can be frustrating when DS4Windows won’t detect your controller. Sometimes all that’s needed is to uninstall and reconnect it. Maybe the fix was simply toggling off and on your Bluetooth settings or pairing your controller again.
Have you had issues with DS4Windows and your gaming controller? Did you use the methods outlined in this article? Let us know in the comments section below.
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