How to Fix PS5 Controller Driver Error on PC

The PlayStation 5 controller, known as the DualSense, is a fantastic piece of tech. It’s sleek, responsive, and a joy to game with. But when you plug it into your PC and see a driver error pop up? Yikes! Don’t worry—we’ve got your back with a simple guide that makes fixing it a breeze.

TL;DR

If you’re trying to use your PS5 controller on a PC and it’s not working because of a driver error, don’t panic. Usually, this happens because the right drivers aren’t installed, something is conflicting, or Windows just needs a little nudge. We’ll walk you through the steps to fix it. In just a few minutes, you’ll be back to gaming.

Common Reasons for Driver Errors

You might be wondering: “Why is this happening in the first place?” Here’s a quick list of the usual suspects:

• Outdated Windows drivers
• Missing or corrupted Bluetooth drivers
• The controller wasn’t installed properly
• Windows tried to use the wrong driver
• Steam settings are interfering

The good news? Most of these problems have simple solutions.

How to Connect Your PS5 Controller to a PC (The Right Way)

Before diving into driver errors, make sure you’re connecting the right way. There are two methods:

1. Wired Connection

1. Use a USB-C to USB-A or USB-C to USB-C cable
2. Plug one end into your controller and the other into the PC
3. Wait a few seconds—Windows should auto-detect it

2. Wireless Connection (via Bluetooth)

1. Hold the PS and Create buttons until the light bar flashes
2. Open Bluetooth Settings on your PC
3. Select “Wireless Controller” from the device list

If everything goes smoothly here, you won’t need the rest of the steps. But if you’re getting errors, keep reading.

Step-by-Step Fix for the PS5 Controller Driver Error

1. Uninstall the Problem Device

First, let’s remove any broken drivers that might be causing chaos.

1. Hit Win + X, then select Device Manager
2. Look under Bluetooth or Universal Serial Bus devices or Human Interface Devices
3. Find anything named Wireless Controller or similar
4. Right-click and choose Uninstall device
5. Check the box that says “Delete the driver software” if it shows up
6. Restart your PC

Now try plugging your controller back in. If it installs cleanly—congrats! If not, onto the next step.

2. Update Windows

An outdated version of Windows might not recognize your controller. Time to fix that.

1. Go to Settings → Windows Update
2. Click Check for updates
3. Download and install anything available
4. Reboot your PC

After the restart, plug in your controller again to see if it’s recognized this time.

3. Install or Reinstall Bluetooth Drivers (For Wireless)

If you’re having issues with Bluetooth connection, this might be the culprit.

1. In Device Manager, go to Bluetooth section
2. Right-click your Bluetooth adapter and click Update driver
3. Choose Search automatically
4. If that fails, check the manufacturer’s website

Still not working? Try removing and re-pairing the controller:

1. In Bluetooth settings, remove the device
2. Put your DualSense back in pairing mode
3. Pair it again

4. Use Steam Big Picture Mode

Steam has built-in controller support that often solves driver issues by itself.

1. Open the Steam app
2. Click View → Big Picture Mode
3. Go to Settings → Controller Settings
4. Check PlayStation Configuration Support

Steam will recognize your controller and make it work with Steam-based games, bypassing other errors.

Advanced Fix: Install Drivers Manually

Warning: This is a little nerdy. But don’t worry, we’ll go slow.

1. Open Device Manager
2. Right-click the problem device and click Update driver
3. Select Browse my computer for drivers
4. Then pick Let me pick from a list
5. Choose HID-compliant game controller
6. Click Next

This installs a generic driver that works with most games and setups.

Things to Avoid

Here are some things you might think help—but usually don’t:

• Random driver downloads from sketchy websites
• Non-official third-party Bluetooth adapters
• Constantly reconnecting the controller without restarting the PC

Bonus Tip: Use DS4Windows

If you’re still stuck, DS4Windows is a great tool that tricks your PC into thinking your PS5 controller is an Xbox one. Most games love Xbox controllers, so this often works like magic:

1. Download DS4Windows from the official GitHub page
2. Install and run the app
3. Follow the steps to install its drivers
4. Connect your controller and it should appear in the app

Now it should work with nearly every game!

Wrap-Up: Back to Gaming!

Don’t let a little driver error stop your gaming fun. Whether it’s a quick uninstall, a Windows update, or using tools like DS4Windows, your PS5 controller can play nicely with your PC.

Remember: stay calm, take it step-by-step, and you’ll have it fixed before the next loading screen ends.

Now go crush some bosses, race some cars, or build that pixel-perfect base. 🕹️