How you can join a PS5 controller to your laptop computer (and set it up proper)

The chasm between PC and console gaming has slimmed down in recent times to nothing greater than a fantastic line, and even that line is disappearing. Gaming laptops, for instance, are console-like in some ways.

And it’s not simply the video games which have been crossing over between platforms — many equipment have been interchangeable for years. Keyboards on consoles, controllers on PCs, headsets on every thing. It’s a good time to be a gamer, that’s for positive.

Associated: The perfect controllers for PC gaming

For those who’re a PC gamer who’s able to forego your trusty keyboard and mouse for a sport controller, it is best to think about getting the PlayStation 5 DualSense Wi-fi Controller.

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Sony did an ideal job with this controller, packing it with options like haptic suggestions and an ergonomic design. Whereas the tried-and-true Xbox Wi-fi Gaming Controller has been a staple for PC lovers, the PS5 controller is a powerful contender you shouldn’t overlook. (I exploit each!)

On this article, I’ll present you tips on how to pair your PS5 controller to your gaming laptop computer and tips on how to set it up correctly. I’ll additionally go over a number of the advantages and pitfalls you could face when utilizing this controller with PCs.

Connecting the controller to your laptop computer

Earlier than we start, I need to make it clear that the PlayStation 5 DualSense Wi-fi Controller doesn’t simply work with PCs, but additionally with Macs, iPhones, and Android gadgets. The pairing course of differs from machine to machine, however they’re all usually the identical.

I’m solely going to deal with pairing with Home windows PCs on this walkthrough. In the case of pairing a PS5 controller along with your PC, you could have two major choices for establishing the connection:

Technique #1: By way of USB cable

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With a USB-C cable connecting your PS5 controller to your laptop computer, you gained’t have to fret about battery life. If performed accurately, your laptop computer will acknowledge the controller as an enter each time it’s plugged in. (The USB cable should help knowledge, not simply energy!)

Professionals of a wired USB connection:

You’ve got decrease latency for sooner response instances. That is particularly noticeable in preventing video games and action-heavy video games.
You don’t want to fret about charging the battery.
It’s simpler to arrange than Bluetooth.

Cons of a wired USB connection:

You’re tethered to your machine and restricted by cable size.
You’re taking up a invaluable USB-C port in your laptop computer.

Technique #2: By way of Bluetooth wi-fi

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Most gaming laptops have built-in Bluetooth help, and yours ought to be appropriate with the PlayStation 5 DualSense Wi-fi Controller so long as your laptop computer isn’t overly outdated. (Alternatively, you should purchase a USB Bluetooth adapter that plugs into your laptop computer.)

Earlier than pairing, ensure your controller’s battery is absolutely charged and disconnected from any USB cables. Then, ensure Bluetooth is enabled in your laptop computer. Subsequent, put the controller into pairing mode:

Find the PlayStation button (in the course of the controller).
Find the Create button (on the prime left of the controller).
Maintain each PlayStation and Create buttons for a number of seconds, till the sunshine bar on the controller begins blinking.

After the controller is in pairing mode, open the Bluetooth settings in your laptop computer (which you are able to do by looking for “bluetooth” within the Begin menu and choosing Bluetooth and different machine settings).

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Within the Bluetooth settings, click on on the Add machine button, then click on on Bluetooth when prompted for a tool sort. Your PS5 controller ought to present up within the checklist of gadgets. When it does, choose it. If pairing succeeds, the sunshine bar will blink and the participant indicator will gentle up.

For those who run into points pairing your controller by way of Bluetooth, you possibly can attempt resetting the controller by discovering the small gap on the again and utilizing a small pin to press and maintain the button inside for five seconds.

Observe: You’ll be able to solely pair the PS5 controller with one machine at a time. If you wish to use it with one other machine, you’ll need to undergo the entire pairing course of once more with the opposite machine — together with your PlayStation 5 console.

The re-pair the controller along with your PlayStation 5, merely join it with a USB cable, then press the PlayStation button on the controller, then unplug as soon as paired.

Professionals of a wi-fi Bluetooth connection:

You’ve got the liberty to maneuver round wirelessly.
Bluetooth is extensively supported and simple sufficient to pair.

Cons of a wi-fi Bluetooth connection:

You’ve got a better enter latency when wi-fi.
It’s a must to control battery life and recharge because it drains or else the controller can die mid-session.
You’ll be able to solely pair with one machine and should undergo the pairing course of once more when switching to a different machine.
Some controller options could not work on PC.

Some options of the PlayStation 5 DualSense Wi-fi Controller could not work when linked to your laptop computer by way of Bluetooth connection:

The built-in speaker.
The sunshine bar.
Haptic suggestions.
The touchpad.
The movement sensor.

The supply of those options can differ from sport to sport, and you could discover higher success with video games that use Bluetooth 5.0. For instance, Ratchet and Clank: Drift Aside helps haptic suggestions and adaptive triggers by way of Bluetooth.

Configuring your PS5 controller

When you’ve linked your PlayStation 5 DualSense Wi-fi Controller to your laptop computer, you would possibly must set it up correctly to play sure video games. (Xbox controllers usually have higher compatibility with Home windows PCs throughout totally different sport launchers than PS5 controllers.)

Typically, Sony-ported PS5 video games usually work greatest on PC, however the variety of supported titles continues to extend over time.

Steam

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Steam — probably the most dominant PC gaming platform — helps the PlayStation 5 DualSense Wi-fi Controller, a minimum of in principle. Particular person listings will let you know if the sport helps the controller.

Launch Steam and head over to Settings, then Controller, then Normal Controller Settings. Right here you’ll have the ability to choose PlayStation Configuration Assist, which can set the controller up to be used on a PC:

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You may also map out totally different buttons to alter what they do, permitting you to customise the controller to your preferences:

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Video games like Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Minimize work very nicely with the PlayStation 5 DualSense Wi-fi Controller. For the reason that title first launched on the PS5, it’s a smoother transition to PC.

Associated: Steam video games present whether or not they help PS5 controllers

Xbox Recreation Cross

When enjoying PC video games on Xbox Recreation Cross, DualSense compatibility is much more hit-or-miss. For instance, Minecraft doesn’t work natively. Some video games do work, whereas others require further steps (like driver or app downloads) to make DualSense practical.

Additionally, if you play with the PlayStation 5 DualSense Wi-fi Controller by way of the Xbox app, ensure to utterly shut out of Steam (i.e., not even operating within the background). Steam could cause controller interference points when enjoying on one other platform.

Associated: How you can get Xbox Recreation Cross Final for affordable!

Now you possibly can play PC video games utilizing your PS5 controller

Given the variety of sport ports coming to PC from the PS5 — together with Ghost of Tsushima, Sackboy: A Large Journey, and The Final of Us Half I — the DualSense controller is a good way to expertise these video games as they have been meant to be skilled.

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That isn’t to say that the PlayStation 5 DualSense Wi-fi Controller solely works with PS5 titles. It really works nicely sufficient with many video games, however simply understand that some video games could fit points that make sure options and capabilities unavailable.

You should use the PS5 controller on PC by way of wired or wi-fi connections, with every technique having its personal execs and cons. For higher characteristic help, use a wired connection… should you don’t thoughts being tethered to your machine by a cable. (Various, get an extra-long cable!)

And should you primarily play by way of Xbox Recreation Cross, think about switching to an Xbox Wi-fi Gaming Controller for higher out-of-the-box compatibility with a wider variety of video games.

Additional studying: Why I switched from Xbox to PlayStation