Common DS4 Bluetooth Solutions
Using a good quality, dedicated USB BT Adapter
- Integrated BT adapters are usually bad
- Most problems are caused by a bad bluetooth connection
- Though most controllers will work with a 2.1 BT adapter, more modern ones usually have better signal quality
- A (at least) 4.0 BT adapter is recommended
Re-pairing it to Windows using the correct method
There are 2 ways a controller can be paired to Windows:
- The controller makes the connection request to Windows (incorrect method)
- Controller is set in its special
pairing modeand then the user manually makes Windows connect to it (correct method)
If the controller has been connected in the wrong method it will 100% not work even though it appears on Windows as if it has been properly added. If in doubt, make Windows remove the controller from its Device list and re-pair it again using the correct method. Check the following section on how to propperly connect a controller to the PC.
Correct Method
Incorrect Method
Correct Method
Incorrect Method
How to properly remove and re-pair a Controller
Pair a controller to Windows
- Verify if the controller is not already on Windows’ Paired Devices list. If it is, remove it as per the next section
- Follow the instructions in the dedicated Connecting your controllers to the PC page or use the specific pages on how to connect PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Controllers.
Remove a paired controller from Windows
Via Settings
Via Devices and Printers
Via Settings
Via Devices and Printers
Windows can’t find the controller when adding via Bluetooth & Other Devices
- MAKE SURE YOUR DEVICE IS IN PAIRING MODE!
- For most controllers a 2.1 Bluetooth adapter is required
- Windows will not detect the device if it already is on its paired devices list, requiruing it to be removed from there beforehand
- If the controller has been previously connected to the PC but does not appear on the list anymore, check if it still exists on Windows’ Devices and Printers
- Sometimes Windows takes an awful long time to detect DS4v1 controllers
- Use a gamepad tester to see whether your device can be picked up online.
Controller connects and stays connected but Windows / DS4Windows does not recognize it
- Re-pair the controller to Windows using the correct method explained in one of the topics above just to be sure
- If you’re using a controller from your gaming console (PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch) make sure it has not accidentally connected to it/turned it on. It is recommended to fully turn off/unplug it when first attempting to pair the controller to the PC
- If this is not the case, check the dedicated controller detection issues page
Controller does not reconnect after system reboot, sleep or shutdown cycle
- If using a USB BT adapter it may be a compatibility issue between the adapter and the USB port being used. Test the adapter in other USB ports (un-pair the controller before moving the adapter)
- Sometimes this issue is caused by BT adapters that were were made for 2.0 USB ports being used in 3.0 ones
- It’s possible that your BT adapter model is just not fully compatible. Test with a different adapter
- Possible issues with BT adapter driver. Even if your BT adapter appears to work, check if there isn’t a specific manufacter’s driver that is required for it to properly function
Controller connects and works but sometimes randomly disconnects or stop responding
Important
If you are seeing the Add a device notification when trying to reconnect your controller then it is actually not properly paired. Check the «How to properly pair the controller» section on this page
- Generally causes by a bad Bluetooth signal stability. Refer to the Input delay on Bluetooth page for more related info
- Possible faulty controller or dying controller battery
- Check DS4Windows’ log for error messages
- Verify if the issue does not occur when DS4Windows or Steam are not running
- Keep in mind that using some controllers (DS4, DualSense) with DS4W or Steam makes them transfer more data, thus making them more prone to lose connection if your BT adapter is not up to the task
Cannot connect more than 1 controller or connection is lost
- Caused by a bad quality BT adapter or high signal interference
- BT adapter can’t mantain the necessary data rate
- Refer to the Input delay on Bluetooth page for more related info
Windows using integrated BT adapter instead of the external/USB adapter
The integrated BT adapter must be disable on Windows’ Device Manager:
- Press Win+X on the keyboard and select
Device Manageron the appearing selection window - Locate the integrated BT adapter under the Bluetooth section and disable it
- Replug the dedicated adapter or try disabling and enabling it again
Loss of WiFi or Bluetooth signal if controller is connected
- If using an integrated card that double as both the Bluetooth and Wifi adapter then it’s possible that its signal quality is so bad that one is interfering with the other. The solution would be to use a dedicated, good quality USB BT adapter
- Even if using independent BT and Wifi Adapters, if the signal quality of one of them is bad then it’s quite easy for severely interferece between them to occur anyway
- Make sure other devices’ (laptops, smart TVs, smartphones) WiFi and Bluetooth signals are not generating radio interference near the PC
- When DS4Windows starts communicating with controllers the amount the data being traded vastly increases and may serve as an explanation if this issue does not occur when the controller is connected but DS4Windows is not running
- Refer to the Input delay on Bluetooth page for more related info
Controller sometimes tries to reconnect to other nearby PC
Both PCs’ Bluetooth adapters probably have the exact same MAC Address, so the controller can’t differentiate between them and tries to connect to the first one that responds.
Latency/input delay issues on Bluetooth
A connection latency is how much time it takes for one system to communicate to another. In DS4Windows case, we refer to the time it takes for the system/DS4Windows to communicate with the controller. A high latency means a high input delay in games, meaning the time it takes for your character to respond to the controller commands.
A high but stable input delay will make the users’ character feel slow to respond, while a low input delay with high delay spikes may make the user prone to errors because of unexpected slow respond times.
It’s often considered that a really bad high latency is one where the input delay is above 20ms, though the ideal is to keep it bellow 10ms.
Usual controller latency
The following table can be used as reference for comparison on what input delay to expect with a supported controller and a good Bluetooth adapter:
| Controller | Usual input delay | Minimum input delay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DualShock 3 | 5ms | 5ms | Connected through BthPS3 + DsHidMini (DS4Windows Mode) |
| DualShock 4 | 4ms – DS4W Default settings |
1,5ms – polling rate set to maximum |
v1 and v2 don’t have major latency differences |
| DualSense | 3ms | 1ms | |
| Switch Pro controllers | 16ms | 16ms | 16ms is the lowest latency the official controller can achieve |
| Joy-cons | 16ms? | 16ms? |
Monitoring input delay
- You can check the current input delay by hovering your mouse above the controllers name on the
Controllerstab (check the image above) - If the controller’s latency goes over 10ms then it will appear on the Log
- If you have a DualShock 3, DualShock 4 or DualSense you can enable the
Flash Lighbar at High latencyoption in theSettingstab, which will make the lightbar flash in a red color when latency spikes are detected.
For the DualShock 3 you need to have DsHidMini’s Lightbar to LED translation enabled, then latency spikes will cause all 4 LEDs to quickly flash
Input delay issues
In case you are having issues with input delay, keep something in mind: DS4Windows itself is probably not the cause of whatever high input latency/latency spikes that you may have! 98% chance of the issue being elsewhere.
Controllers do not communicate directly with DS4Windows via some driver, they connect to the default Windows’ Bluetooth Stack and DS4Windows just receives and sends data to it through the channels given by Windows.
If you are having latency issues then installing/uninstalling drivers won’t fix them unless they are directly related to your dongle’s driver. For this reason, messing with DS4Windows’ related drivers will probably be a waste of time.
Latency issues always boils down to:
- Low quality Bluetooth adapters (most integrated ones)
- High radio interference near the adapter
- Too many devices connected to the adapter
- Not using the correct/updated BT adapter’s driver
Causes of high or unstable latency
Note on «Bad» BT adapters
Keep in mind that when the term «bad» is used it does not necessarily mean «cheap». Multiple users have confirmed they have no latency issues even with 4 controllers connected with cheap, generic $5 adapters from Aliexpress
Bluetooth and WiFi interference
Both use the same frequency. Although they should auto adjust to prevent interference, sometimes it just happens. Check if your area isn’t overloaded with different 2.4Ghz WiFi networks and Bluetooth devices. Also, if one of the signals is too weak then it’s quite easy for the other to heavily interfere.
Integrated or bad Bluetooth adapters
It’s quite common for integrated BT adapters to suck for one of the following reasons:
- They are inside the laptop’s shell or inside a case that act as an obstacle to the signal
- The Bluetooth adapter also is the WiFi adapter and they are both interfering at each other
- They are just being overrall bad. Integrated BT adapters generally have short range and can’t maintain the minimum data rate necessary when connecting more than 1 controller. Good integrated adapters are the exception, not the norm
Though the minimum BT specification required for most modern controllers is the 2.1 specs, more modern adapters should have better signal stability.
Multiple connected controllers
Each connected controller means more data that is being transferred through the Bluetooth adapter. If you have a bad adapter or high radio interference near it it may not be able to maintain the required data rate between the system and controllers, causing high latency or even connection loss. Not much can be done besides trying to lower the interference or replacing the adater with a better one.
A good quality adapter can easily maintain a stable, low latency connection with 4 controllers or even more.
DS4Windows causing controller to increase data transfer rate
This only applies to DS4 and DualSense controllers
DS4 and DualSense controllers can communicate in 2 different modes:
- PC friendly mode: only basic button/axes information is sent by the controller to the PC
- Native PS mode: controller sends its full set of information, including motion sensors data, status, touchpad states etc
When first connected to Windows, these controllers communicate in PC friendly mode and their data transfer rate is low. When picked by DS4Windows (or Steam for that matter), a request is sent for them to change into Native PS mode, which increases the volume and the frequency of data being sent.
Not only that, DS4Windows also sends data back to the controller related to the rumble, lightbar, triggers (DualSense only) etc.
When these changes occur, if the Bluetooth adapter can’t keep up with the required data rate then the user may suffer with high input delay or even connection loss. So if your never had latency problems when using your DS4/DualSense in games as a generic controller but then start having issues when trying to use DS4Windows or Steam this may be the cause.
Potential fixes to latency issues
Test with WiFi fully disabled
This test is recommended for those with integrated cards that work as both BT and WiFi adapters
By disabling the WiFi signal you have one less source of radio interference so you can then verify your BT adapter performance in a environment with less signal noise. Keep wifi enabled devices far from the PC too.
Set Windows’ Power Plan to High Performance
- Set the power saving plan of the PC to “High Performance” (usually the default in Win10 is balanced)
- On Windows’ Device Manager locate your Bluetooth Dongle -> Enter its
properties-> Check if there is a tab calledPower Managementand disable theturn off this device to save power(untick the option)
Use a dedicated BT adapter
A dedicated, good quality BT USB Adapter should offer better performance than an integrated one. Because its antenna is located outside of the laptop/desktop’s shell, it also suffers less from signal loss caused by physical obstacles.
When using a USB adapter in a PC that also has a integrated one the latter must be disabled in Windows’ Device Manager in order for the USB BT adapter one to be used, since Windows can only keep one dongle active.
Moving the adapter to another USB port
Moving the dongle to a better located USB port may offer a better quality signal. Also, USB ports (specially 3.0 and above) can be a source of radio noise. Test the dongle in different ports to verify which offer you a better signal.
Connect USB BT adapter through a USB extension cable
A laptop/desktop’s shell is a source of radio noise, specially if it’s ungrounded or near high powered, high data transfer ports like USB 3.0 and above. This noise may worsen your BT’s adapter performance.
Connecting your BT adapter through an active cable extension, so it stays located at some distance from the computers shell (not necessarily nearer to the controller), is known to be useful in these cases.
Decrease the BT polling rate on profile settings
Only works with DS4 gamepads. The BT polling rates of other types cannot be controlled
On Profile Editor -> Other tab it’s possible to set the BT Poll Rate used for DS4 and DualSense controllers on Bluetooth. If you are having latency issues, specially with multiple controllers connected, try setting this value to 10ms or more. For most games, a controller input delay is only noticeable above 16ms.
Disable output data to the controller
Your adapter may not be up to the task to both receive and send data to the controller. In this case, you can set a profile with the Enable output data to DS4 option disabled. Keep in mind that disabling this option will also disable Rumble and Lightbar control.
По проводу работает всё отлично через программу DS4Windows. По блютуз подключить вообще никак не получается, перепробовал уже миллион способов. Драйвера уже переустанавливал — бесполезно. Сначала думал, что проблема в самом геймпаде, но к телефону он подключается без проблем.
В общем, когда я удаляю его из списка устройств и подключаю заново, то он через несколько секунд просто отключается. DS4Windows по блютузу его вообще не видит.
Я столько раз пытался, что теперь он вообще даже к ПК просто не подключается. Я так задрался с ним возиться, прошу о помощи у вас, братцы
Появилась новая проблема: ПК не видит геймпад в режиме обнаружения. Я пытаюсь подключить новое устройство, а дуалшок там не появляется
P.s.: КАК РЕШИЛАСЬ ПРОБЛЕМА?
Оказалось всё очень просто. ПК не обнаруживал геймпад, потому что я удалил зачем-то HID для него. Если у кого-то такая же проблема, то вам нужно зайти в «устройства и принтеры» -> свойства Wireless Controller -> службы. И здесь поставить галочку на «Драйверы для клавиатуры, мыши и т.д.», после чего нажать «применить».
Тем самым установятся драйверы для геймпада, и его снова можно без проблем подключить через PS + Share.
Спасибо всем, кто пытался помочь мне!
Connecting a DS4 controller via Bluetooth to DS4Windows is not a problem as far as you are pairing both devices the right way.
However, times may occur when you do everything right but the controller still won’t get detected or connected to the system.
This guide, therefore, unfolds all the causes of DS4Windows not detected via Bluetooth connection.
Not only that, but we will also provide all viable solutions to make sure that gamers may enjoy uninterrupted gaming on their favorite DualShock controller.
Let’s have a look, without any further ado:
DS4Windows Connection via Bluetooth; The Do’s and Don’ts
Using a Dedicated Bluetooth Adapter
- The problem with integrated or inbuilt Bluetooth adapters is that they may cause problems in pairing.
- The bad connection may halt the controller’s ability to get detected by DS4Windows.
- Hence, to tackle the problem, we would recommend using a dedicated Bluetooth adapter.
- Any version above 2.1 and especially the 4.0 BT adapter would do the job and easily help with the connection.
Repairing Controller with Bluetooth the Right Way
You can pair your DualShock controller to your PC in two ways:
- The controller makes a connection request to Windows and gets connected. If you are connecting your controller this way, it won’t work.
- 2nd method is to set the controller in pairing mode and then connect it to the Windows manually.
In case you are following the first method to connect the DS4 controller, it will not work. To get started, first remove the controller from the pairing list, and then you’ll need to connect it manually.
The whole process goes as under:
- Correct Method
- Incorrect Method
You will manually add and pair the controller to your gaming PC like that:
You will manually add and pair the controller to your gaming PC like that:
How to Remove and Re-Pair DualShock 4 Controller?
Removing and then re-pairing the controller to Windows is not as difficult as you may think.
Pairing a Controller to Windows
First things first, verify that the controller is not connected to your system automatically.
Next, follow the instructions shared on connecting controllers on our Getting Started page.
Removing an Automatically Paired Controller from Windows
First, we should take a look at removing the controller in case it has been connected the wrong way as follows:
There are two ways to remove an already paired DS4 controller to Windows via Bluetooth, i.e.
- Via Settings
- Via Devices and Printers
From settings, open Bluetooth and Other Devices, find your controller, click on it and remove it from the list like that:
In case you cannot find the controller in settings, go to Control Panel and from there click on “Devices and Printers.”
In there, click on the controller connected to your computer and select Remove Device option as follows:
Now that you have removed the device, let’s have a look at how we can get to connect the controller the right way:
Troubleshooting the Problems Related to Bluetooth Connectivity on DS4Windows
1. Windows Cannot Find Controller via Bluetooth and Other Devices
- First things first, make sure that the controller is in pairing mode.
- You will need a 2.1 Bluetooth adapter for proper pairing.
- Next, make sure that you have removed the controller from the list of paired devices via settings or Device and Printers menu.
- Pair it again manually and wait for the controller to get detected. It may take some time but the controller will get detected by DS4Windows eventually.
2. Controller Stays Connected but DS4Windows or System does not Recognize It
If that’s the case, follow the correct method of re-pairing the controller to Windows first.
- Similarly, if using controller with a gaming console, i.e. PS3, PS4, or PS5, make sure that it is not connected to the console.
- We recommend turning off the console and properly unplugging the controller from it before connecting it to your PC.
- For further information, visit controller detection issues page to resolve your problem.
3. Controller Won’t Reconnect After Rebooting or Shutting Down PC
Things can go south in case you reboot, turn off or simply let your computer sleep for a while and then boot it again.
- In such situation, the problem may happen with your USB Bluetooth adapter. To make sure that the BT adapter is working well, remove it from the port and connect it to another port. While doing that ensure that the controller is not paired.
- Issues may also arise when you are using a Bluetooth adapter made for 2.0 port in a 3.0 USB port.
- Compatibility problems may also occur. Make sure that the BT adapter you are using is compatible with the operating system of your PC as well as the DualShock controller.
- Bluetooth drivers may also be problematic. You should first check whether the adapter requires the manufacturer’s drivers or not. If that’s the case, install them and then pair your controller with your system accordingly.
4. DS4 Controller Connects but Disconnects Randomly or Stops Responding
“If you see the Add a Device notification while trying to connect the controller, then it’s not properly paired.“
Check the correct method mentioned above and connect the controller accordingly.
Some reasons for this problem include:
- Bad Bluetooth signal stability may be one of the causes. For that purpose, please check out the Input Delay issue on the Bluetooth guide.
- A faulty controller or a controller with a drained battery may also prevent it from stable connection.
- In the same manner, you should check the DS4Windows log to see if there are any error messages that need to be addressed or not.
- Make sure that Steam and DS4Win app are not running simultaneously. If that’s the case, an increase in transfer data speed may cause the controller to disconnect more often.
5. Unable to Connect More than 1 Controller via Bluetooth
Sometimes you may need to connect more than one controller via Bluetooth. However, doing so will reset the connection.
Some of the probable causes include:
- A cheap BT adapter or one with high signal interference.
- The Bluetooth Adapter cannot maintain a stable and necessary data transfer rate.
6. Windows Uses Integrated BT Adapter Instead of an External/USB BT Adapter
If you are unable to connect your controller to Windows, it may happen because the operating system is still using the inbuilt BT adapter instead of the external adapter that you’ve connected.
Bear in mind that you must disable the Integrated BT adapter from Windows Device Manager.
For that, follow these steps:
- Press Win+X and select Device Manager.
- Simply locate the integrated BT adapter under the Bluetooth section and disable it.
- Re-plug the dedicated BT adapter into USB port. If it’s already connected, then disable and enable it again.
7. Loss of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Signal When Controller is Connected
In that case, interference with the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signal may arise because you are using the same integrated card on your PC.
- Bad signaling can, therefore, hinder the process of proper connection of the controller.
- The only solution, in that case, is to use a dedicated USB adapter for Bluetooth connectivity.
- In case you use separate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth adapters, make sure that there is no radio interference near your PC.
- DS4Windows when operational can increase the amount of data transfer and that’s one of the reasons for the interference.
- We, therefore, recommend connecting the controller and pairing it first with Bluetooth. After that, turn on DS4Win app and it will detect the controller without any problem.
8. Controller Tries Reconnecting with a Nearby PC
To tackle this problem you will need to change the MAC address of a nearby PC. This issue may occur because both PCs are using the same MC address. That’s the reason the DS4 controller may try to reconnect with a nearby PC and not your system.
9. Latency and Input Delay Problems
Latency means the time it takes for one system to communicate with the other system via Bluetooth.
When it comes to DS4Windows application, it refers to the time that it takes to communicate with the controller.
High Input Delay or Latency is also problematic. Why? Because it will take time for your game character to respond to any command you place using the controller.
High but stable latency will make a character slow to respond to different commands. On the other hand, a low input delay with high spikes can cause errors whenever you press any button on the controller.
Input delay greater than 20ms is considered as bad and it’s ideal to keep it below the 10ms mark to ensure stable and smooth gameplay while using the DualShock 4 controller.
Controller Latency Comparison
The table below lists the input delay or latency of different controllers when they are connected through Bluetooth
| Controller | Usual input delay | Minimum input delay | Notes |
| DualShock 3 | 5ms | 5ms | Connected through BthPS3 + DsHidMini (DS4Windows Mode) |
| DualShock 4 | 4ms – DS4W Default settings | 1,5ms – polling rate set to maximum | v1 and v2 don’t have major latency differences |
| DualSense | 3ms | 1ms | |
| Switch Pro controllers | 16ms | 16ms | 16ms is the lowest latency the official controller can achieve |
| Joy-cons | 16ms | 16ms |
DS4Windows and Monitoring the Input Delay
Monitoring and checking the input delay or latency via DS4Windows is not difficult.
- After opening and connecting your controller to Ds4Win app, simply hover the mouse cursor on the controller connection and it will show you the input delay.
- In case the latency of your controller goes way above the 10ms mark, you will get notified by it in the Log section of the application.
- Another way to monitor is to turn on Flash Lightbar at High Latency option. Enable it especially if you own DS3, DS4, or DS5 controller and once the input delay crosses the 10ms mark, your controller’s lightbar will flash red.
Troubleshooting the Input Delay Issues
If you face high input delay problems, then know that you cannot blame the Ds4Windows software for it.
Almost 99% of the time, it’s not the application that’s causing this problem but the other way around.
Controllers when connected to your PC do not communicate directly with DS4Win app, so installing or uninstalling its drivers or even the application itself will not be a good idea.
Latency issues are mostly caused due to the following problems:
- Using low-quality integrated Bluetooth adapters
- High radio interference due to the presence of one more adapter near the Bluetooth adapter.
- Not utilizing the correct method to pair the controller with the BT adapter.
- Note that a BAD BT adapter does not certainly mean that the adapter is cheap. We have got many users who have said that they faced zero latency issues even after connecting 4 controllers simultaneously while using $5 BT chips from Aliexpress.
Causes of Unstable Latency or High Input Delay
Some of the major causes include:
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Interference
Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi cards use the same frequency and that’s the major cause of interference.
If that’s the case, check whether you are sitting in an area with too many Wi-Fi networks. Secondly, make sure that you use an integrated BT adapter to avoid the issue once and for all.
Integrated Bluetooth Adapters
Integrated Bluetooth Adapters almost always suck until and unless you are using a high-end gaming PC or laptop.
Some of the primary causes include:
- The adapter is inside the laptop or in a shell/case that may cause hindrance in the signal.
- The BT adapter also acts as a Wi-Fi adapter and that can cause interference as already discussed above.
- Integrated BT adapters have a short range and they are unable to provide a stable data rate transfer especially when you connect more than one Bluetooth device to it.
- Modern adapters are better but such machines are quite expensive and not available to everyone.
Multiple Connected Controllers via Single Adapter
One of the reasons for high input delay or latency issues is that multiple controllers are connected to a single BT adapter.
Not only that, but the interference of radio waves around your PC can also be a major problem.
In that case, you cannot do much except replace the integrated Bluetooth adapter with a new one.
One other recommendation is to purchase separate Bluetooth adapters for each controller. But yet again, it could cause interference and it can make everything unstable.
DS4Windows Increasing Data Transfer Rate While Connecting the Controller
Note: This factor applies only to DS4 (DualShock 4), and DS5 (DualSenseX) controllers. If you are using controllers other than these two, then simply ignore this section.
DualShock and DualSenseX controllers communicated with DS4Windows in two different modes:
Native PS Mode:
Using this mode, the controller sets complete information that includes data regarding the motion sensors, status of the controller, the touchpad status, etc.
PC Friendly Mode:
This mode allows the controller to send only basic information about the button or axes to the system.
When you first connect the controller to PC, they get connected via PC-Friendly Mode with a low data transfer rate. However, when DS4Windows detects that, it requests the system to change the mode to Native PS mode causing an increase in data transfer and volume.
DS4win also sends data to the controller about the lightbar, triggers, rumble, and other important commands.
During these changes, if a BT adapter cannot keep up with the required data rate, you may suffer a high input delay or even a loss in connectivity.
So, one reason could be that the controllers are in Native PS mode and not in Generic mode which is making it difficult for the adapter to detect them.
Solutions to Resolve Latency Problems
Test the Controller with Wi-Fi Disabled
We recommend that you perform this test only if you are using an integrated BT adapter that’s also acting as a Wi-Fi adapter.
When you disable Wi-Fi, the adapter will have less interference and thus you can easily check whether it’s causing high input delay or not.
Set Power Plan to High Performance
This solution is recommended for gamers who use gaming laptops.
Windows by default set the Power Plan to the Power Mode, which means it’s keeping your battery away from imminent drainage.
By doing so, it can cause high input delay.
- All in all, you have to set the Power Plan to High Performance. For gaming laptops, simply click on battery icon and increase the bar from Power Mode to High Performance.
- For PC, go to Windows Device Manager and locate Bluetooth Dongle. Go to its Properties and check whether there’s a tab for Power Management. Disable this option to make sure that the adapter works just fine.
Using a Dedicated BT Adapter
Certainly a no-brainer. Using a dedicated BT adapter can resolve your high input delay issues. You won’t have to connect your controller to an integrated adapter anymore and it may resolve the problem once and for all.
Inserting Adapter into another USB Port
Test the Bluetooth Dongle one by one into different ports and see whether it has any impact on the latency of the controller in DS4Windows log or not.
Avoiding Radio Noise
One way you can avoid all the radio noise coming out of your laptop or PC is to connect the BT adapter via an extension cable. Doing this will keep the dongle away from the laptop or PC and it can therefore get away from the interference once and for all.
Decreasing the BT Polling Rate
This solution works only for DS4 controllers. What you have to do is to go to Profile Editor and go to the BT Poll rate if you are using a DualShock 4 or DualSenseX controller. Set the value to 10ms which is set at 16ms by default.
Disable Output Data to Controller
You can also disable the output data to controller. However, by doing so you will have to sacrifice enjoying the rumble or lightbar effects while playing different games.
PAGE PURPOSE
- This page is dedicated for issues regarding connecting, reconnecting or maintaining Bluetooth connection with the controller
- If your controller connects and stays connected as normal but is not detected by DS4Windows then refer to the controller detection issues page
Most common solutions (check this first)
Using a good quality, dedicated USB BT Adapter
- Integrated BT adapters are usually bad
- Most problems are caused by a bad bluetooth connection
- Though most controllers will work with a 2.1 BT adapter, more modern ones usually have better signal quality
- A (at least) 4.0 BT adapter is recommended
Re-pairing it to Windows using the correct method
There are 2 ways a controller can be paired to Windows:
- The controller makes the connection request to Windows (incorrect method)
- Controller is set in its special
pairing modeand then the user manually makes Windows connect to it (correct method)
If the controller has been connected in the wrong method it will 100% not work even though it appears on Windows as if it has been properly added. If in doubt, make Windows remove the controller from its Device list and re-pair it again using the correct method. Check the following section on how to propperly connect a controller to the PC.
Pairing a controller to Windows
Correct method
Incorrect method
How to properly…
Pair a controller to Windows
- Verify if the controller is not already on Windows’ Paired Devices list. If it is, remove it as per the next section
- Follow the instructions in the dedicated Connecting your controllers to the PC page
Remove a paired controller from Windows
Info
Usual way (Settings)
- Open Windows’ Bluetooth Devices list on its Settings
- Locate your controller on the list, click on it then select
Remove device
Alternative way (Devices and Printers)
Sometimes this can be used when Windows’ fail to remove a device through the usual Devices Settings menu
- Open Windows’ Devices and Printers
- Locate your device, right-click it then select
Remove device
Windows can’t find the controller when trying to add it in Bluetooth & Other Devices
- MAKE SURE YOUR DEVICE IS IN PAIRING MODE!
- For most controllers a 2.1 Bluetooth adapter is required
- Windows will not detect the device if it already is on its paired devices list, requiruing it to be removed from there beforehand
- If the controller has been previously connected to the PC but does not appear on the list anymore, check if it still exists on Windows’ Devices and Printers
- Sometimes Windows takes an awful long time to detect DS4v1 controllers
Controller connects and stays connected but Windows / DS4Windows does not recognize it
- Re-pair the controller to Windows using the correct method explained in one of the topics above just to be sure
- If you’re using a controller from your gaming console (PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch) make sure it has not accidentally connected to it/turned it on. It is recommended to fully turn off/unplug it when first attempting to pair the controller to the PC
- If this is not the case, check the dedicated controller detection issues page
Controller always needs to be fully removed and re-paired to connect / Controller does not reconnect after system reboot, sleep or shutdown cycle
General info
- If using a USB BT adapter it may be a compatibility issue between the adapter and the USB port being used. Test the adapter in other USB ports (un-pair the controller before moving the adapter)
- Sometimes this issue is caused by BT adapters that were were made for 2.0 USB ports being used in 3.0 ones
- It’s possible that your BT adapter model is just not fully compatible. Test with a different adapter
- Possible issues with BT adapter driver. Even if your BT adapter appears to work, check if there isn’t a specific manufacter’s driver that is required for it to properly function
For users of BthPS3 + DsHidMini / Shibari
Refer to BthPS3’s documentation for proper understanding on BthPS3 behavior with DS4/DualSense controllers.
Too Long, Didn’t Read:
- If you don’t use DS3 controllers in your PC then you probably don’t have the BthPS3 driver
- Usualy, there is no actual issue besides the user having to turn on DS4/DualSense controllers 2 or 3 times before it actually manages to reconnect
High input delay issues / latency spikes
Check the dedicated Input delay on Bluetooth page for more info on this.
Controller connects and can be used as usual with DS4Windows, but sometimes randomly disconnects or stop responding
Important
If you are seeing the Add a device notification when trying to reconnect your controller then it is actually not properly paired. Check the «How to properly pair the controller» section on this page
- Generally causes by a bad Bluetooth signal stability. Refer to the Input delay on Bluetooth page for more related info
- Possible faulty controller or dying controller battery
- Check DS4Windows’ log for error messages
- Verify if the issue does not occur when DS4Windows or Steam are not running
- Keep in mind that using some controllers (DS4, DualSense) with DS4W or Steam makes them transfer more data, thus making them more prone to lose connection if your BT adapter is not up to the task
Cannot connect more than 1 controller / Connection loss when multiple controllers are used
- Caused by a bad quality BT adapter or high signal interference
- BT adapter can’t mantain the necessary data rate
- Refer to the Input delay on Bluetooth page for more related info
Windows using integrated BT adapter instead of the external/USB adapter
To Do
Add pictures and improve general text description
The integrated BT adapter must be disable on Windows’ Device Manager:
- Press Win+X on the keyboard and select
Device Manageron the appearing selection window - Locate the integrated BT adapter under the Bluetooth section and disable it
- Replug the dedicated adapter or try disabling and enabling it again
Loss of WiFi signal if controller is connected via BT or Loss of BT connection when WiFi is being used
- If using an integrated card that double as both the Bluetooth and Wifi adapter then it’s possible that its signal quality is so bad that one is interfering with the other. The solution would be to use a dedicated, good quality USB BT adapter
- Even if using independent BT and Wifi Adapters, if the signal quality of one of them is bad then it’s quite easy for severely interferece between them to occur anyway
- Make sure other devices’ (laptops, smart TVs, smartphones) WiFi and Bluetooth signals are not generating radio interference near the PC
- When DS4Windows starts communicating with controllers the amount the data being traded vastly increases and may serve as an explanation if this issue does not occur when the controller is connected but DS4Windows is not running
- Refer to the Input delay on Bluetooth page for more related info
Controller sometimes tries to reconnect to wrong, nearby PC
Both PCs’ Bluetooth adapters probably have the exact same MAC Address, so the controller can’t differentiate between them and tries to connect to the first one that responds.
Check the dedicated Controller trying to reconnect to wrong, nearby PC page for more info on how to verify if this is the case and how to fix the issue.
Move content to dedicated page in the «other» section
When trying to reconnect, a controller tries to locate the BT adapter with the same MAC Address of the last PC it has been paired to.
The only way for a controller to try reconnecting to the wrong PC is if both PC’s Bluetooth adapters have the exact same MAC Address, a situation that can easily happen if the user has brought multiple adapters from the same model.
The fix to this is to either:
- Replace one of the PCs’ BT adapter with one that has a different MAC Address or…
- Use a tool to rewrite the BT dongles MAC Address out of your own resonsability
- Even though many users had success with this tool there is always a small chance that things can go wrong and BT dongle ends-up dead. As such, we recommend using only with USB BT Adapters since these can be easily replaced
- If you understood the points above, the tool is
Все способы:
- Способ 1: Повторное подключение
- Способ 2: Обновление драйвера Bluetooth
- Способ 3: Удаление недавно установленного апдейта ОС
- Способ 4: Установка DS4 Windows
- Способ 5: Устранение неполадок с HID-контроллером
- Вопросы и ответы: 0
Способ 1: Повторное подключение
Если ранее геймпад DualShock 4 подключался к компьютеру с Windows 10 и работал корректно, мог произойти системный сбой, из-за которого устройство перестало определяться операционкой. Также такое иногда случается с драйвером самого подключаемого оборудования.
Для начала попробуйте удалить подключенное устройство, затем снова синхронизировать его с ПК, используя встроенные средства системы. Если это первое подключение, сразу переходите к Шагу 4 инструкции ниже.
- Нажмите на «Пуск» и вызовите штатные «Параметры».
- Перейдите в раздел «Устройства».
- Если потребуется, переключитесь на вкладку «Bluetooth и другие устройства» на панели слева, затем в центральной части окна среди подключенных устройств найдите геймпад, кликните по нему, выберите «Удалить устройство» и подтвердите действие.
- Потом кликните по «Добавление Bluetooth или другого устройства».
- Далее снова выберите «Bluetooth».
- На геймпаде одновременно зажмите кнопки «PS» и «Share», чтобы включить видимость устройства. Светодиодный индикатор начнет мигать, сообщая, что геймпад доступен для поиска.
- В окне с устройствами отобразится новое оборудование – достаточно выбрать его, после чего контроллер будет подключен к компьютеру.
Если ранее вы не подключали DualShock 4 к компьютеру, учитывайте, что для корректного функционирования геймпада потребуется специальное программное обеспечение и даже, возможно, его настройка, что более подробно мы разобрали в данной статье ниже (Способ 5).
Способ 2: Обновление драйвера Bluetooth
Еще одна распространенная причина, из-за которой Windows 10 может не видеть геймпад DS4, связана с неполадками в работе самого модуля беспроводной связи Bluetooth (ведь подключение устройства происходит чаще всего именно таким образом). В этом случае нередко помогает обновление драйвера для модуля, причем делается это с помощью предустановленных средств «десятки»:
- Запустите штатный «Диспетчер устройств». Для этого можно кликнуть правой кнопкой мыши по «Пуску», затем выбрать соответствующий пункт.
- Разверните меню «Bluetooth» в отобразившемся окне менеджера. Найдите в списке используемый модуль и щелкните по нему правой кнопкой мыши, затем из контекстного меню выберите пункт «Обновить драйвер».
- В появившемся окне воспользуйтесь вариантом «Автоматический поиск драйверов».
Система начнет поиск наиболее подходящих драйверов, после чего они будут инсталлированы, если таковые имеются.
Можете также попытаться переустановить драйвер: через контекстное меню устройства, вызываемое правой кнопкой мыши, выберите пункт «Удалить устройство» и подтвердите действие. После этого останется перезагрузить компьютер – с новым запуском ПК система автоматически установит базовый драйвер. Этот вариант может помочь, если в работе программного обеспечения произошел сбой, из-за чего оборудование перестало корректно функционировать.
В Windows 10 есть еще один способ обновления программного обеспечения для системных компонентов и используемых устройств, в том числе модуля Bluetooth. В этом случае потребуется воспользоваться «Центром обновления Windows»:
- Через штатные «Параметры» перейдите в раздел «Обновление и безопасность».
- Кликните по «Проверить наличие обновлений» в центральной части окна. Если апдейты уже готовы к загрузке или установке, нажмите на соответствующую кнопку.
Начнется поиск доступных апдейтов. Если они будут найдены, система предложит скачать и установить их. После загрузки обратите внимание на раздел «Необязательные обновления», где и может располагаться новая версия программного обеспечения для модуля Bluetooth.
Когда проблема Bluetooth заключается не в программных ошибках или сбоях, а носит аппаратный характер, может потребоваться замена компонента или использование внешнего модуля, подключаемого через разъем USB.
Способ 3: Удаление недавно установленного апдейта ОС
Конфликты программного обеспечения для геймпада и операционной системы могут появляться после инсталляции обновления Windows. Вероятно, это ошибка разработчиков либо какой-то сбой, но в любом случае для исправления ситуации придется удалить недавно установленное обновление ОС. Есть несколько способов выполнения поставленной задачи, причем для этого достаточно встроенных средств операционки (классическая «Панель управления» или «Командная строка»). О способах детальнее мы писали в отдельном материале.
Подробнее: Удаление обновлений в Windows 10
Чтобы контроллер DualShock 4 корректно работал в системе и определялся в играх, чаще всего требуется использовать эмулятор геймпада Xbox либо специальное программное обеспечение для его настройки. Одним из таких решений является DS4 Windows, которое распространяется бесплатно и позволяет синхронизировать компьютер и DS4, а также выставить правильные параметры работы.
Скачать DS4 Windows с официального сайта
- Щелкните по ссылке выше, чтобы перейти на официальный сайт производителя, затем для загрузки инсталляционного файла нажмите кнопку «Скачать DS4Windows» и дождитесь окончания скачивания.
- Отобразится окно, где будет предложено начать установку. Кликните по верхней кнопке – «Step 1: Install the DS4 Driver» (второй шаг предназначен для ранних операционных систем, начиная от Windows 7 и ниже).
- Если ранее подключение к системе (Способ 1) было выполнено корректно, появится дополнительное окно программы с информацией о состоянии устройства: способ подключения, заряд аккумулятора, ID оборудования, пользовательский профиль (в DS4 Windows можно создать сразу несколько профилей с определенными настройками и переключаться между ними). По сути, уже можно пользоваться геймпадом.
Обратите внимание, что в «Диспетчере устройств» появится новый раздел с оборудованием – «Периферийные устройства Xbox 360» — это работа программы DS4 Windows, которая эмулирует геймпад DualShock 4, выдавая его за контроллер от фирменной консоли Microsoft (с ней в Windows реализована простая интеграция).
Если с запуском программы возникают проблемы или она работает некорректно, попробуйте открыть ее с расширенными правами. Найдите ярлык или исполняемый файл DS4 Windows, затем кликните по нему правой кнопкой мыши и выберите «Запуск от имени администратора».
Если такой запуск сработал, чтобы не вызывать контекстное меню при каждом открытии, перейдите в свойства программы, затем на вкладке «Совместимость» отметьте опцию «Запускать эту программу от имени администратора» и сохраните настройки.
Стоит отметить, что для корректного функционирования софт лучше периодически обновлять. Причем совсем не обязательно каждый раз скачивать новую версию с официального сайта разработчика и устанавливать ее. Для этого в корневой папке программы есть специальная утилита – «DS4Updater».
- Кликните по ярлыку DS4 Windows правой кнопкой мыши, затем из меню выберите пункт перехода к расположению файла.
- В списке данных софта найдите EXE-файл с названием «DS4Updater» и двойным кликом левой кнопкой мыши запустите его.
После этого автоматически начнется проверка наличия более актуальной версии. При наличии она загрузится и установится в фоновом режиме.
Кстати, обновление программы DS4 Windows (если ранее вы ею пользовались) зачастую позволяет решить различные проблемы с синхронизацией геймпада с системой и другие ошибки при попытке подключить и использовать контроллер.
Способ 5: Устранение неполадок с HID-контроллером
В Windows 10 предусматривается специальный HID-контроллер, отвечающий за функционирование игровых устройств. Некоторые пользователи столкнулись с проблемой распознавания контроллеров, отличных от майкрософтовских Xbox 360/Xbox One, после одного из глобальных обновлений (зачастую версии 1607). Если дело в этом, то для подключения DualShock 4 требуется выполнить ряд дополнительных манипуляций с использованием программы DS4 Windows или аналогичного софта:
- Запустите штатный «Диспетчер устройств» (Способ 2, Шаг 1), затем разверните раздел «Устройства HID (Human Interface Devices)», кликните по устройству с названием «HID-совместимый игровой контроллер» («HID-compliant game controller») правой кнопкой мыши и выберите пункт «Отключить устройство» (если оно и так отключено, то включите его).
- Следующее, что нужно сделать, – это перезагрузить компьютер. Требуется именно перезагрузка, поэтому нажмите на «Пуск», затем на значок в виде питания и на перезагрузку.
- После запуска «десятки» запустите программу DS4 Windows, перейдите на вкладку с настройками («Settings»), отметьте галочкой пункт «Hide DS4 Controller».
- Выполните повторное подключение геймпада (как это описано в Способе 1). Чтобы проверить, прошла ли процедура успешно, переключитесь на вкладку «Controllers», где можно посмотреть, если ли в перечне устройств DualShock 4.
К сожалению, если причина связана с глобальным обновлением для «десятки», тогда данную процедуру придется проделывать каждый раз при подключении контроллера. Вероятно, разработчик операционной системы исправит ситуацию, выпустив новый апдейт, поэтому остается только дождаться его.
Если простое отключение HID-контроллера в «Диспетчере устройств» не помогло, тогда можно удалить его из списка оборудования. Для этого из контекстного меню, вызываемого нажатием правой кнопкой мыши, выберите соответствующий пункт, затем подтвердите действие. Далее потребуется перезагрузка системы и повторное подключение геймпада.
Наша группа в TelegramПолезные советы и помощь