According to Sony, the goal for the PS5’s DualSense controller was to iterate on the DualShock 4 without taking away its iconic form factor and general aesthetic. The company says it wanted to “heighten the feeling of immersion” with the DualSense, and to incorporate features that would encourage developers to explore themes of touch and feedback within the controller. It’s safe to say that this initiative was a rousing success; most reviews that discuss the PS5 mention the DualSense as a strong highlight of the console, and when you’ve played a game with the controller for a few hours, it’s hard to disagree.
Although it’s a great peripheral, the DualSense is prone to problems just like any other electronic equipment. Sometimes, you might experience an issue with your DualSense that can’t be solved through the usual methods. When this happens, what should you do? How should you fix the problem? Well, one of your options is to reset your PS5 controller, which should hopefully clear up any lingering issues you might have. It’s not immediately obvious how to go about doing this, though, so here’s our guide on how to reset your PS5 controller.
Reasons to reset your PS5 controller
Here are some of the reasons you might want to reset your PS5 controller. Remember, not every situation calls for a full reset; some situations can be solved by disconnecting or charging your controller instead.
- You’re experiencing connection issues. If you know your PS5 controller is paired to your console, but it won’t connect wirelessly, then one of your ports of call might be to reset it.
- Your controller keeps disconnecting and reconnecting. A spotty wireless connection between your PS5 controller and your console might be cause to reset your DualSense.
- You want to pair the PS5 controller with another console. If you don’t have a USB-C cable to hand and you want to connect your controller to a different PS5, then you might want to reset it.
How to reset your PS5 controller
Let’s get down to it. Here, in just a few easy steps, is how you can reset your PS5 controller. Before you start, you’ll need a USB-C cable, a small tool such as a straightened paperclip, and, of course, your DualSense controller itself. It’ll also be handy to be near your PS5, as you’ll need the console to test whether the issue has been resolved.
- Turn off the PS5 completely. Before resetting your DualSense, make sure to turn off the PS5 completely. If you can switch it off at the wall, that’s even better, but at the very least, hold down the power button for a few seconds so it switches off rather than entering rest mode.
- Turn the DualSense controller over and find the Reset hole. You should see a small hole on the back of your controller, towards the bottom. This hole contains a small button that serves as the controller’s reset button.
- Grab your straightened paperclip (or other small tool) and push the button. You won’t be able to reach the button unless you use a small, thin tool such as a paperclip, so work the tool into the reset hole and press the button down for a few seconds. Sony recommends holding it for between 3 and 5 seconds.
- Connect your controller to the console with a USB-C cable. When you’ve reset your DualSense, it’s not a good idea to simply try and reconnect it wirelessly. Instead, connect it to your PS5 with a USB-C cable, then follow the console’s startup steps. Hopefully, the issue should resolve itself.
What to do if resetting doesn’t work
Whatever your issue might be – whether it’s one of wireless connectivity, intermittent signal, or anything else – there’s a chance that resetting the controller won’t solve it. If that happens, then you should try other steps to resolve your problem. Here are some of the other things you can do if resetting your controller doesn’t work.
- Try a soft reset. A soft reset simply involves turning your DualSense controller off, then turning it on again (yes, really). In order to do this, you simply need to press the PS button twice, which should take you to the Control Centre. From there, choose Accessories, then your DualSense controller. You should be able to switch it off. Then, reconnect the controller either via USB-C cable or by pressing and holding the PS button again.
- Use a different USB-C cable. If you’re still experiencing connection issues after resetting your controller, then you may want to try a different cable. While it’s unlikely that the cable is at fault, it could be what’s causing your issue, so try swapping it out. Any other USB-C cable will suffice; you could, for instance, use a phone charger, or perhaps a tablet charger.
- Update your console or controller. Sometimes, the PS5 will prompt you to update your system or your controller. You should do this at your earliest convenience. Using updated firmware means you won’t run into any of the glitches or problems that each firmware update is intended to fix. Your PS5 should prompt you to update your controller every time you connect it, if an update is available. You can manually access firmware updates for your console via the System Settings menu.
- Turn off other wireless devices. While it’s rare, the DualSense will sometimes fail to connect or intermittently disconnect because of wireless interference. Try turning off smartphones, tablets, or any other device that’s currently receiving a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signal.
