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The Daily Insight

Can a PS4 controller completely died?

Author

Sarah Duran

Published Mar 04, 2026

If your controller suddenly and inexplicably seems 100% dead, no lights, no connection, then you likely have a USB issue. To get around this, you need to buy a PS4 controller charging station, the kind that charges through the ports on the bottom of the controller rather than through USB.

How do I get my computer to recognize my controller?

What can I do if the gamepad isn’t recognized on my PC?

  1. Download the latest gamepad driver.
  2. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.
  3. Unplug other devices.
  4. Prevent the computer from automatically turning off plugged devices.
  5. Disable your gamepad.
  6. Change your power plan settings.
  7. Install generic USB hub drivers.

How do you fix a dead PS4 controller?

Turn off your PS4 console and controller, and unplug the PS4’s power cord from the outlet. Wait 5 to 10 minutes, and with the PS4 still unplugged, hold down the power button for 30 seconds to drain all its leftover energy. Then, plug the PS4 back in, turn it on, and see if the issue has been fixed.

Why is my controller not turning on PS4?

Reset the DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controller Turn off and unplug your PS4. Locate the small reset button on the back of the controller near the L2 shoulder button. Connect the controller to the PS4 using a USB cable and press the PS button. If the light bar turns blue, the controller has paired.

Can a PS4 be tracked?

Sony will ask you for your PS4’s MAC address and mark the machine as stolen. As soon as someone logs in to PlayStation Network, Sony will be able to track the console via its IP address.

Is there a way to control PS4 without controller?

Sony officially launched a PlayStation app (iOS and Android) which enables you to use your smartphone or tablet to control your PS4 remotely. You can use them as a keyboard, as a controller, or even as a remote controller.

How do I fix an unresponsive PS4 controller?

Reset the DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controller Turn off and unplug your PS4. Locate the small reset button on the back of the controller near the L2 shoulder button. Use a small tool to push the button inside the tiny hole. Hold the button down for roughly 3-5 seconds.

Can’t connect any controller to PS4?

A common solution is to try a different USB cable, in case the original one has failed. You can also try to reset the PS4 controller by pressing the reset button on the back of the controller, behind the L2 button. If your controller still won’t connect to your PS4, you might need to get support from Sony.