How to use a PS5 controller on PC (wired and Bluetooth)

5 min read · Updated 2026-10-12

The short answer

Yes, a PS5 controller (DualSense) works on PC. Windows sees it straight away, Steam supports it fully, and many newer PC games show PlayStation buttons on screen. For other games, Steam or a free tool makes it act like an Xbox controller.

Option 1: with a USB-C cable (easiest)

Plug a USB-C data cable into the controller and a USB port on your PC. Some cheap cables only charge; if nothing happens, try another cable.
Windows installs it by itself in a few seconds. That's it.
Wired is also the way to get the rumble effects and adaptive triggers in games that support them on PC, since most games only use these over a cable.

Option 2: with Bluetooth

Your PC needs Bluetooth. Most laptops have it; many desktops don't. A small USB Bluetooth adapter solves that.
On the controller, hold the PS button and the Create button (the small one left of the touchpad) together for about 3 seconds, until the light around the touchpad blinks quickly.
On the PC, open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Add device → Bluetooth and pick Wireless Controller.
To use it on the PS5 again later, plug it into the console with a cable and press PS once.

Set it up in Steam

Open Steam, go to Settings → Controller and make sure PlayStation controller support is on.
Steam Input then makes the DualSense work in every game in your Steam library, even old games that only know Xbox controllers. You can remap buttons per game.
Games bought elsewhere (Epic, Xbox app, EA) can be added to Steam with Games → Add a Non-Steam Game so Steam Input works for them too.

If a game doesn't see the controller

Start the game through Steam (see above), or use DS4Windows, a free open-source tool that makes the DualSense look like an Xbox controller to Windows.
Don't run Steam Input and DS4Windows at the same time: the game sees two controllers and buttons press twice.
Bluetooth lag or dropouts? Move the PC's Bluetooth adapter to a front USB port or use a short extension so it isn't blocked by the case.