PS5 Wireless Controller Keeps Disconnecting? 8 Fixes to Try

Your PS5 DualSense wireless controller can lose connection with your console or computer for many reasons. Out-of-date firmware, signal interference from nearby Bluetooth devices, and outdated Bluetooth or USB drivers can affect gaming controllers’ connections and performance on Windows computers.

This tutorial will teach you how to fix PS5 wireless controllers that keep disconnecting from consoles or Windows computers.

1. Charge the Controller

The DualSense controllers may disconnect from the PlayStation 5 if their batteries are low or dead. If that’s the case, charging your controllers for some minutes should fix the problem. If your PS5 controller is connected to the console, press the PS button to check its battery status.

If the DualSense controller won’t connect, turn on your PS5 and plug the controller into the console. We recommend using the Type-C to Type-A USB cable provided in the PS5 packaging.

Plug the cable’s USB-A connector into any USB type-A port on the rear or front of the console. Afterward, insert the USB-C end into the controller.

Your console may not charge the controller if it’s in rest mode. So, ensure your PS5 is powered on and not in rest mode. Alternatively, configure your console to supply power to the USB ports in rest mode.

Go to Settings > System, select Power Saving on the sidebar, and choose Features Available in Rest Mode.

Select Supply Power to USB Ports and set it to Always or 3 Hours.

Charge the controller for about 5-10 minutes and check if it connects and stays connected to the console. Keep the controller charging even after it connects to your PS5.

2. Change Controller Shutdown Time (in Steam)

Steam has a default 15 minutes timeout for connected controllers. If your PS5 controller is idle for 15 minutes or more, it disconnects from Steam. Change or disable Steam’s “Controller shutdown time” to keep your controller connected to the app.

1. Open Steam and select Steam on the menu bar. Select Settings to open the app’s settings menu.
   

2. Head to the Controller tab and select General Controller Settings.
   

3. Open the Controller shutdown time drop-down menu and select an extended timeout period. Select Never if you don’t want Steam to disconnect your PS5 controller automatically.
   

3. Restart Your PS5 or PC

Unplug your PS5’s from the wall socket, wait for 2-5 minutes, plug it back in, and press the power button. If you’re experiencing the issue on a Windows PC, restarting the computer might fix the problem.

4. Run the Windows Bluetooth Troubleshooter

If a PS5 controller keeps disconnecting from your PC over Bluetooth, run the Windows Bluetooth troubleshooter. The tool can diagnose and fix connectivity issues and update broken or outdated Bluetooth drivers.

Connect the controller to your PC and run the Bluetooth troubleshooter before it disconnects.

1. In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot.
   

If your PC runs Windows 10, head to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

2. Select Other troubleshooters.
   

3. Scroll to the “Other” section and select the Run button next to Bluetooth.
   

The troubleshooter will scan your PC’s Bluetooth capability, disconnect all Bluetooth devices, and fix any issues it finds.

4. Press the PS button on your DualSense wireless controller to reconnect it to your computer. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices and ensure your controller’s status reads “Connected.”
   

5. Update the PS5 Controller’s Driver

A broken or outdated USB or Bluetooth driver can cause your PS5 controller to malfunction. Connect your computer to the internet and check if the PS5 wireless controller’s driver is up-to-date.

1. Press Windows key + X or right-click the Start Menu and select Device Manager on the Quick Access menu.
   

2. If you connect the controller wirelessly, expand the Bluetooth category, right-click the Wireless Controller driver, and select Update driver.
   

Update the USB driver in the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” section if you connect your controller via USB cable.

3. Select Search automatically for drivers.
   

Wait for the update wizard to check if there’s a new driver version available for the device.

6. Factory Reset the PS5 DualSense Controller

Resetting your controller to factory default can eliminate connectivity issues and other problems on the PlayStation 5. You can unplug the console from its power source or follow the steps below:

1. Turn off your PS5. Press and hold the console’s power button for about 10 seconds. Release the button when you hear two beeps.
   

Note: Releasing the Power button too early (after one beep) puts your PlayStation 5 in rest mode.

2. Check the back of the DualSense controller for a small hole (to the right of the SONY logo). A reset button is inside the hole. Use a paperclip, push pin, or office pin to push down the reset button for 3-5 seconds.
   

3. Turn on your PS5 and plug the controller into the console using a USB cable.
   
4. Press the PS button on the controller and wait for your console to detect the controller.
   

7. Update the Controller

If your PS5 has an internet connection, the console should automatically download the DualSense wireless controller software. But it doesn’t automatically install the update. You should receive a prompt to update your controllers when you plug them into the console.

If you don’t get any prompt, manually update your controllers in the PS5 settings menu. If your controllers fail to connect to the console, you can update them using a Windows PC.

How to Update DualSense Controllers on the PS5

Connect your PS5 to the internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet and follow the steps below:

1. Turn on your PS5 console and connect your controller using a compatible USB cable.
   
2. Select the gear icon in the top-right corner of the PS5 home screen to open the settings menu.
   
3. Select Accessories.
   

4. Select Controllers on the sidebar and choose Wireless Controller Device Software.
   

If the controller keeps disconnecting while navigating the settings page, update its firmware using a computer instead.

Update PS5 DualSense Controllers Using a Computer

First, install the Firmware updater for DualSense wireless controller app on your Windows PC. Note that the software only works on Windows PC that meets these system requirements:

• Operating system: Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11.
  
• Storage space: At least 10MB.
  
• Display resolution: At least 1024×768 pixels.
  

Your computer must also have at least one USB port. If your PC meets these requirements, download and install the Firmware updater for DualSense wireless controller file. Connect your computer to the internet and follow the steps below:

1. Launch the Firmware updater app and connect the DualSense wireless controller to your PC using a compatible USB cable.
   

2. Wait for the app to detect your controller.
   
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the controller’s firmware when it does. You’ll see an “Up to date” message on the screen if your PS5 controller has the latest firmware version.
   

In addition to fixing connectivity issues, firmware updates improve your controllers’ performance and stability.

8. Update Your Console and PC

Updating your computer and console’s software can resolve system glitches causing the wireless controller to disconnect occasionally.

How to Update PS5’s System Software

1. Open the PS5 settings menu and select System.
   

2. Select System Software on the sidebar and choose System Software Update and Settings.
   

3. Select Update System Software to download the latest system software available for your PS5. When the download is complete, you’ll get prompted to install the update.
   

Update Windows

Updating your computer’s operating system can fix issues causing the PS5 wireless controller to keep disconnecting.

On Windows 11 computers, go to Settings > Windows Update and wait while your PC checks and downloads new updates. Select Restart now to install previously downloaded updates.

If you’re using a Windows 10 PC, go to Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update.

Get Professional Help

Visit a PlayStation Service Repair Center if you’ve tried everything, but your PS5 wireless controller keeps disconnecting. Have a professional examine the affected controller(s) for physical damage or factory defects.