How To Fix PS4 Controller Keeps Disconnecting from PC? With a PlayStation 4 (PS4) controller, you get the best of both worlds – precision from a console controller and power from a PC.
There’s, however, nothing more frustrating than when your PS4 controller keeps disconnecting from your PC during an intense gaming session.
It can disrupt your immersion, hinder your gameplay, and leave you scratching your head. But don’t worry! We can help you.
You will find a comprehensive guide to fix the disconnecting issue in this blog post that explains the common reasons behind the problem.
Regardless of whether the problem is connectivity, a driver issue, or interference, we have the solutions you need to keep your PS4 controller connected and your gameplay uninterrupted.
Let’s get your PS4 controller back working by jumping into troubleshooting mode!
Why Does Your PS4 Controller Keep Disconnecting From Your PC?
In some cases, PS4 DualShock 4 controllers (on Amazon) will disconnect from the PC. This can be frustrating as you may lose a game if the controller cannot be used between games.
Whether the controller disconnects right after you plug it in, or it disconnects while you are playing a game, the reason is the same.
Here is a quick list of some common reasons for this disconnect issue, ranked by frequency:
Damaged Controller Wires
If you are using a wired controller, you may experience connection issues due to damaged cable.
Cables can be damaged by overstretching or bending them wrong.
You should store your controller’s wires carefully and don’t jerk them around or drape them over an area where someone could trip over them, or anything like that.
Default Settings of PS4 Controller
When you play on your PS4 and PC, your controller’s settings are different.
It can lead to a connection error or some controller features may not work on a PC if you disconnect from your PS4 and then want to use the controller on your PC.
The default settings will be saved and carried over to the computer if you disconnect from your PS4.
There are also the following possibilities:
- Your controller may not be supported by some games.
- Bluetooth devices nearby are connected to your controller.
Damaged USB Port
A damaged USB port can occur when you use electronic devices for a long time. Electronic devices tend to go bad after a while.
Thus, it is not uncommon for your PC’s USB port to be damaged.
Having a damaged PS4 controller can make it incapable of working if the wire is misplaced. When that happens, the controller will not be able to communicate with your PC.
Always keep the system away from dust and clean everything on a regular basis to prevent the connection between the controller and your computer being disrupted.
Low Battery of Controller
Having a low battery on your controller can disrupt the connection. When the battery is nearing its end, the controller will become slower, creating weak connectivity.
Incompatibility with the PC
Depending on your system and controller model, it could be possible that your PC does not support that controller, making it impossible to connect.
An outdated OS system can also contribute to this incompatibility.
Signal Interference
It is possible for Bluetooth signals with the same frequency to cancel each other out and die down. If you use your controller in a place where multiple Bluetooth or WiFi signals have the same frequency, this may affect Bluetooth connectivity.
If your WiFi router is in the same room as your console, it can interfere with the controller’s connection. This is particularly true if your WiFi router is in the same room as your console.
Out of Range of Controller
Bluetooth controllers have a limited range. Beyond that range, the controller will disconnect or form weak signals. PS4 controllers have an excellent range (about 30 feet), but it doesn’t mean you can be far from your PC while playing.
To enjoy the strongest connection between your controller and screen, keep a balanced distance from it.
Outdated Bluetooth Drivers
You should update your Bluetooth drivers regularly to keep them compatible with your PS4 controller to avoid disrupting your connection.
Bluetooth drivers are the number one cause of poor connectivity between your controller and the PC.
The Bluetooth driver might automatically update even if you don’t get a notification.
If you don’t get a notification, you should check your Bluetooth driver’s status regularly and download and install any available updates.
In order to use your PS4 controller with your PC, you need to download a Bluetooth driver.
How To Fix PS4 Controller Keeps Disconnecting from PC?
There are several steps you can take to make your PS4 controller stay connected to your PC if it keeps disconnecting.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to helping you fix this problem:
1. Charge Your Controller:
If your PS4 controller is running low on battery, you may experience connectivity issues. Connect the controller to your PC using a USB cable and let it charge for a while.
Use the cable that came with the controller for a stable connection.
2. Use a Wired Connection:
Using a wired connection is often the most reliable method of using your PS4 controller on a PC.
Simply connect the controller to your computer with a USB cable to eliminate wireless interference.
3. Update Controller Drivers:
It is possible for a controller driver to be corrupted or outdated, causing disconnection issues. You can update your controller driver by following these steps:
a. Plug your PS4 controller into your PC via USB.
b. Go to “Device Manager” by right-clicking on the “Start” button.
c. Increase the number of “Human Interface Devices” in the section.
d. Select “Update driver” from the right-click menu of “Wireless Controller” (or a similar entry).
e. Click “Automatically find updated driver software” and follow the instructions.
f. Restart your PC after updating the driver.
4. Disable Bluetooth on Other Devices:
It is crucial to ensure that other Bluetooth devices are off or out of range if you are using a wireless connection via Bluetooth.
Interference from other devices can lead to disconnections.
It may be necessary to reinstall the Bluetooth driver if updating the driver failed to solve your problem. Follow the steps below to do so.
- Open the Device Manager by pressing the Windows key.
- Expand Bluetooth by double-clicking.
- Click on your Bluetooth driver and then click on Uninstall Device from the list.
- You can uninstall Bluetooth again by clicking on Uninstall again.
- Restart your computer after uninstalling the driver.
- If you restart your computer, the driver will be reinstalled and the problem should be resolved.
5. Re-Pair the Controller:
A controller can sometimes be re-paired to resolve a problem:
a. Use your controller’s PS button and Share button simultaneously until the light bar flashes.
b. Remove the PS4 controller from the list of paired devices in your PC’s Bluetooth settings.
c. Select the controller again from the available devices list to pair it again.
6. Disable the power saving settings:
The controller’s connection may be interfered with by some power-saving settings on your PC. Disable these settings to ensure a stable connection:
a. Select “Power Options” from the “Control Panel.”
b. Click on “Change plan settings” after selecting your current power plan.
c. Click on “Change advanced power settings.”
d. Uncheck “USB selective suspend” under “USB settings.”
7. Update Windows:
Maintain an up-to-date Windows operating system. Connectivity issues are sometimes fixed as part of system updates. For an update check, follow these steps:
a. Open “Settings” > “Update & Security” > “Windows Update.”
b. Install any available updates by clicking “Check for updates”.
8. Update Bluetooth Driver
If your Bluetooth driver is outdated, you may also encounter this problem. To fix this, follow these steps: Update your Bluetooth driver to the latest version of the PS4 controller that keeps disconnecting from your PC.
- To open Device Manager, press Windows + X and click on it.
- To expand the Bluetooth options, double-click on it.
- Choose Update Driver from the list by right-clicking the Bluetooth driver.
- To download and install the drivers from the internet, click on Search automatically for drivers.
9. Disable Steam’s PS4 Configuration Support:
This may cause your PS4 controller to not work properly if you are using Steam. To disable it, follow the steps below:
a. Click “Steam” > “Settings” in Steam.
b. Click “General Controller Settings” under the “Controller” section.
c. Make sure “PlayStation Configuration Support” is unchecked.
d. Restart Steam.
If you have tried all these steps but your PS4 controller still keeps disconnecting from your PC, it may be a hardware issue with the controller.
A replacement controller may be necessary in such cases. Contact Sony’s customer support if you encounter such issues.
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Conclusion
You shouldn’t have to spend your gaming time battling annoying technical difficulties. If your PS4 controller keeps disconnecting from your PC, it can be a real nuisance, but there are ways around it.
Throughout this blog post, we have explored a number of troubleshooting steps you can take to identify and resolve the problem.
These steps should help you get your PS4 controller working again, from checking your USB cable and charging it fully to updating drivers and minimizing interference.