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I'm attempting to connect my PS4 controller to a laptop over the built-in bluetooth. I pair by either holding the ps button and options (which my laptop autodetects and pairs) or holding the ps button and share and then explicitly pairing using "Add Bluetooth or other device".

The pair succeeds but when I try to actually connect the controller (by pressing the ps button), the bar flashes then goes off. On the laptop it appears as "Connected" very briefly then immediately switches to "Driver error".

I have previously managed to get it to connect without the driver error but it didn't actually work (buttons had no effect). Connecting via USB works fine.

Edit: I've now managed to get it to connect without the driver error again but nothing apart from windows' bluetooth devices screen detects it.

I've tried updating drivers and multiple reinstalls with no luck.

I don't actually own a PS4 (I bought this controller especially to use with my laptop). I'd really appreciate any help as I'm rather short on USB ports.

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  • I know it's old, but steam worked for you? And you found any solution?
    – Dr.G
    May 10, 2020 at 16:00
  • Any update on this? I have a PS5 controller and while it will pair with bluetooth, about 10 seconds after windows shows it's connected, it turns off. It works fine when connected via USB-C.
    – NibblyPig
    Mar 4, 2022 at 14:22

4 Answers 4

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You mentioned you updated the drivers, but DS4 has no official driver on Windows 10 so I assume you are using an unofficial driver like DS4Windows.

There was a change to Windows that broke DS4Windows and effectively renders the DS4 device unusable until the user manually re-enables it. To work around this issue, you'll need to re-enable the DS4 and use a patched version of DS4Windows.

The Jays2Kings version is no longer being maintained and doesn't have a fix for this issue. If you were previously using this version, it's recommended that you update to Ryochan7's fork:

https://github.com/Ryochan7/DS4Windows

More info about the device detection issue and how to fix your DS4 here:

https://github.com/Ryochan7/DS4Windows/blob/jay/README.md#device-detection-issue

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  • I've been using my controller over USB without installing DS4Windows or anything else. I also managed to get it to connect over bluetooth without the driver error as I mentioned in the question before doing any manual driver installation. I have now installed ryochan7's DS4Windows and got the controller to display connected again however DS4Windows still doesn't recognise the controller as existing (nothing does except windows). The device detection issue doesn't seem to be my problem: the DS4's entry in device manager only appears when it's connected via USB and is enabled then.
    – Blimmo
    Sep 5, 2018 at 10:34
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There is a simple solution for this.

First thing:

The reason for your controller behaviour is simply because of your USB cable, IF it's one of those with a ferrite choke (a bulge in the wire container near the end of the cable). It doesn't cause any issues with your signal, but it DOES hamper your controller charging, e.g. it will look like the controller is fully charged, but in actuality it isn't and your laptop will not charge it, since it doesn't recognize it. So it works fine while the cable's plugged in, but it has issues with Bluetooth. Use another non-ferrite choke cable, and you will see your controller battery is actually completely depleted.

2nd thing:

  • Remove the Bluetooth pairing for the controller(s).
  • Install DS4, if you haven't already.
  • Go to its settings, and access the Bluetooth pairing Windows control panel via the hyperlink in the DS4 driver settings. DO NOT Access it directly through Windows - access it via that hyperlink.
  • Click on the bottom right when you restart the Bluetooth pairing process.
  • It will work, and the DS4 program will detect it as well. Don't use the cable while plugged in. Then you will know the real battery percentage of your controller, and it will display in DS4 as well.

Hope that helps.

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  • My USB cable doesn't have a ferrite choke (I'd also be surprised if a ferrite choke impeded charging - AFAIK they only affect electronic interference (also I've regularly seen laptop chargers with them)). I'm pretty confident the cable isn't causing any issues since it's from a charger! Accessing the bluetooth pairing settings page from the DS4Windows page is also confusing to me - it isn't different to the page I get when accessing it from windows (and didn't work better either, I tried just in case). Finally I'm confused about what you mean by "click on the bottom right". Could you clarify?
    – Blimmo
    Jul 7, 2019 at 13:43
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You cannot use the PS4 controller over Bluetooth without purchasing the "PS4 DualShock USB Wireless Adaptor", or using the USB cable. If you want to save yourself some money, using a USB cable is the easiest option.

Unfortunately, either option will take up a USB port on your laptop.

Below is a screenshot from the MacOS version of PS4 Remote Play app, indicating the two ways in which the DS4 will work. The Windows version of the Remote Play app has a similar message. I understand that you may not be using the Remote Play app on your own PC, but the message is a good indicator of what is supported.

MacOS Remote Play

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  • Could I see your source for this? Only it directly contradicts this article ("any Bluetooth adapter that supports Bluetooth 2 and above should work").
    – Blimmo
    Sep 4, 2018 at 9:34
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    This is incorrect, DS4 works fine over Bluetooth on OSX and Linux, and works on Windows with third-party drivers.
    – nondebug
    Sep 4, 2018 at 17:36
  • While the controller connects over Bluetooth (and I've tried this on MacOS), the controller does not actually work. An example of this is using the Remote Play app on MacOS - the controller only works if it's connected via USB or using the Bluetooth Dongle.
    – Niraj Shah
    Sep 5, 2018 at 10:26
  • To me that message doesn't imply that it can't be used with other bluetooth adapters. Obviously Sony would suggest their adapter in their app. I'm just confused that there seems to be some support seeing as I can get the laptop to acknowledge its existence and connect, but not enough to actually forward the button presses.
    – Blimmo
    Sep 5, 2018 at 10:47
  • I've tried the bluetooth method so I'm speaking from experience. I too can get my MacBook to connect to the DS4 using the built-in Bluetooth, it just doesn't work when I press any buttons. I cannot use it as a controller with the Remote Play app, or with any other games on my system.
    – Niraj Shah
    Sep 6, 2018 at 12:49
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I have a similar problem on my MacBook. My controller connected successfully at the first time, but failed to connect the next time. The bluetooth preferences interface said that the controller is connected but showed a loading indicator (like it's connecting) and finally failed.

I succeeded to fix it by deleting the /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file.

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  • Any idea where that would be on a windows machine?
    – Blimmo
    Jan 9, 2019 at 16:22

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