Start with a USB connection
A controller that will not connect can interrupt a gaming session before it starts. Work through these checks in order, stopping once you can control the console again. This guide covers the standard DualSense wireless controller and PS5.
Turn on the PS5, connect the controller with the included USB cable, and press the PS button. Watch for the player indicator to light up after the light bar flashes.
If the connection does not work, try another console USB port and a cable that supports data transfer. Sony advises using a charge-and-data cable rather than a charge-only cable when troubleshooting.
Check the controller software
Once you can operate the console, update the PS5 system software and follow any controller-update prompt. To check manually, open Settings, then Accessories, then Controller (General), and select DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software.
These connection and software steps follow PlayStation’s DualSense support guide.
Reset the controller if pairing still fails
If the earlier checks do not restore the connection, follow Sony’s hardware-reset procedure:
- Shut down the PS5 and unplug the USB cable from the controller.
- Locate the small reset opening on the controller’s rear, near the Sony logo.
- Using a pin or similar tool, hold the button inside for at least five seconds.
- Reconnect the controller to the PS5 with the official USB cable and press the PS button.
Do not confuse this controller procedure with a console reset. There is no step here that asks you to erase the PS5 or reinstall its operating system.
When to seek further help
If the controller still disconnects or refuses to pair, use the diagnostic options linked from PlayStation’s troubleshooting page. Choose the symptom that actually remains, such as pairing, battery, or button trouble. A reset is a troubleshooting step, not a guarantee that a hardware fault will disappear.
Editorial note: Prepared from official PlayStation documentation checked on October 30, 2026. This is a documentation-based guide, not a hands-on hardware test.