# Using a PS5 controller on PC – here’s how to connect the two For some game genres, keyboard and mouse on the PC are not actually the best way of controlling the game, especially if you want to jump from platform to platform in a long gaming session. A PS5 controller can be connected to the PC in just a few steps. We’ll show which connection options are available. --- ### Tip: .gg Domain Make a statement with your own .gg domain and let the games begin. Register your own [.gg domain](https://www.ionos.ca/domains/gg-domain ".gg Domain - IONOS") now with IONOS. --- ## Connect your DualSense to the PC with a USB cable Probably the easiest connection between controller and PC or laptop is via a suitable UBS cable, which is connected to the controller and via USB input on the computer. This is how you connect the PS5 controller to the PC: - The **cable** that comes with the PlayStation 5 can be used for this. Use it to connect the controller to the computer. - As soon as the **connection via cable** is established, the computer automatically recognizes the newly connected hardware and starts setting up the controller. This should be completed within a few seconds. Now you can use the controller for a wide variety of games. ## Use DualSense with your PC via Bluetooth: How to connect the PlayStation 5 controller wirelessly To enable a **wireless gaming experience**, the PS5 DualSense controller can also be connected to a PC via Bluetooth. - To do this, open the “Settings” of the PC via the menu item “Devices”. - On “Bluetooth and other devices” you can activate the Bluetooth function by clicking on the slider. [![Image: Screenshot of the Bluetooth settings of a PC](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/0/7/csm_screenshot-of-device-manager-of-bluetooth-settings_a6e6d2a458.webp "Screenshot of the Bluetooth settings of a PC")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/screenshot-of-device-manager-of-bluetooth-settings.png) First, activate the Bluetooth connection on the computer. - Next, select the top item from the menu by clicking on the cross “Add Bluetooth or other device”. - A selection of three different possibilities will then appear. You just need to choose the first — **Bluetooth**. Don’t be put off by the fact that the third item talks about Xbox controllers. As indicated, this action is specific to connecting to Microsoft controllers. [![Image: Screenshot of Bluetooth connection options](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/e/5/csm_screenshot-of-the-bluetooth-connection-selection-options_e18a6e3192.webp "Screenshot of Bluetooth connection options")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/screenshot-of-the-bluetooth-connection-selection-options.png) The first selection starts the Bluetooth pairing mode of the computer. - As with the older PS4 DualShock controller, the \[PlayStation\] button and the \[Share\] button have to be pressed to pair the DualSense with a PC. The **built-in LED light** will flash in the controller, confirming the start of the Bluetooth search. - The PS5 controller should now be recognized as a wireless controller by Windows. Clicking on the menu item confirms the connection to the PlayStation controller, and the setup is complete. [![Image: Screenshot of the established connection between PS5 controller and PC](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/7/f/csm_screenshot-of-a-successful-synchronization-of-a-ps4-controller_ea90ea64ec.webp "Screenshot of the established connection between PS5 controller and PC")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/screenshot-of-a-successful-synchronization-of-a-ps4-controller.png) By confirming with Done, you complete the pairing of the controller. Just like with linking a [PS4 controller to PC](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/online-marketing/social-media/ps4-controller-on-pc/ "PS4 controller on PC"), **configuration of the controller** via a suitable program can also be useful for a PS5 controller — or even necessary, especially for older games. ## Set up a PlayStation 5 controller for PC with DS4 for Windows individually Sony uses a special interface for connecting its controllers, while Microsoft uses a different interface, the so-called Xinput, for connecting Xbox and Windows. Due to these different interfaces, the **assignment of the PS5 buttons** of connected PlayStation controllers is **not optimized** in some cases. To fix this and precisely adjust the settings from game to game, there are a few free programs available. First and foremost, the DS4 Controller software offers the option of mirroring the PS5 controller’s button assignment to a virtual Xbox controller. In DS4 Controller, you can see in the first menu item “ID”. As soon as the controller is displayed there, click on “Profile” and you’ll be brought to the change mode. In this, you **can change the button assignment** of the PS5 controller on the PC according to your preferences. [![Image: Screenshot settings options in DS4 controller](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/f/4/csm_screenshot-of-button-configuration-in-DS4-controller-menu_a03cd91a90.webp "Screenshot settings options in DS4 controller")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/screenshot-of-button-configuration-in-DS4-controller-menu.png) With the DS4 controller software, the button assignment can be configured according to your own preferences. You’ll see the Xbox controller as a visual guide for your configuration. As soon as you have made the setting, the program takes over the **individual adjustment** at every start. Note that you have to run the DS4 controller again every time you restart the computer. --- ### Tip Wondering how to use an [Xbox](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/online-marketing/social-media/xbox-controller-on-pc/ "Xbox controller on PC") controller on PC? We’ll explain this in a dedicated article! --- This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/online-marketing/social-media/ps5-controller-on-pc/](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/online-marketing/social-media/ps5-controller-on-pc/) for AI/LLM consumption.