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How to Use a PS5 Controller on Steam
Hooking up your Dualsense is just as easy as connecting other controllers
By Ruben Circelli Ruben Circelli Editor University of Massachusetts, Boston Ruben Circelli has been a freelance technology writer and editor since 2014. His work has appeared on dozens of sites, including Komando.com, Twinfinite, and TheGamer. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 26, 2021 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Consoles & PCs Xbox Buyer's Guide What to Know
Connect your controller to your PC. A cable isn't included with PS5, and you will need Bluetooth on your PC to connect wirelessly. Open Steam's Big Picture mode at the top-right of the Steam client. Click the Settings cog; then click Controller Settings. What your controller appears as isn't important. Click your controller and then Define Layout to check and set up controls. The good news for PC gamers is that Sony's new Dualsense controller for PS5 works out of the box with Steam. This article explains how to use your PS5 controller with your PC. How to Connect a PS5 Controller to your PC
If you have a USB-A to USB-C cable lying around, or if your computer supports USB-C directly, you can simply plug in your PS5 controller and be ready to use it on Steam. If you don't want to use a cable or don't have one, you can connect your controller to your PC via bluetooth. On a Windows 10 PC that's Bluetooth enabled, this process is easy. Turn off your PS5 and disconnect your controller. On your PC, open Start Menu > Settings > Devices > Add Bluetooth or other device. On your PS5 controller, hold down the PlayStation and Create buttons to enter pairing mode. In the Add a device window on your PC, select Bluetooth, and then select the controller that pops up. Windows will likely recognize your controller as some kind of generic gamepad, which isn't an issue. Note
Not all computers come packaged with Bluetooth. If you want to use your controller wirelessly but don't have Bluetooth, adding Bluetooth to your computer is surprisingly easy. How to Use a PS5 Controller on Steam
Once connected, your controller is ready for Steam. Open Steam's Big Picture mode, located at the top-right of the Steam client. Select the Settings cog; then select Controller Settings. Your controller will appear under Detected Controllers; however, it may be recognized as an Xbox controller, a generic gamepad, or a DualShock 4 controller. Select your controller, and click Define Layout to make sure all your button bindings are correct. If you're having trouble getting Steam to detect your PS5 controller, try enrolling in Steam's latest beta, which adds initial PS5 controller support. From your Steam client, open Steam > Settings > Account and enroll in the latest beta. Then return to Controller Settings. Note
It's likely more functionality will come to the PS5 controller when Steam's latest update comes out of beta, but Steam itself can't support all the features of the controller. Advanced haptic feedback and adaptive triggers require individualized support, as they are implemented on a per-game basis. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use a PS5 Controller on Your PC or Mac How to Connect a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to a PC How to Fix It When a PS5 Controller Won't Sync How to Connect PS5 Controllers to Switch How to Sync a PS5 Controller How to Connect AirPods to PS5 How to Use External Controllers on Steam Deck How to Connect a PS3 Controller to a PC How to Use a PS4 Controller on Steam How to Gift Money on Steam How to Connect a Mouse and Keyboard to Steam Deck How to Use a PS5 Controller on Xbox Series X or S How to Connect a PS5 Controller to iPhone How to Fix the Steam Disk Write Error How to Take a Screenshot on PS5 How to Play PS4 Games on a PC Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies