Controller ps4 test: Gamepad Test | Controller & Joystick Test with Gamepad Viewer

How Can I Test My PS4 Controller? (Explained)

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Can you tell if your PlayStation 4 controller is performing well? If so, how?

To test your PS4 controller, connect it to a computer and go to “Devices and Printers” from the control panel. Select the option for your PS4 controller and go to “Properties”. Here, you can examine all of the buttons individually to examine whether or not they are working.

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How to Test PS4 Controller Buttons on PS4?

The DualShock 4 is the official controller for the PS4. It is a versatile gaming controller that you can use wirelessly for a dynamic gaming experience. Different PS4 games will require you to operate with different buttons on the device. And even if one button falters, it may greatly hamper your overall enjoyment.

Now, if you are having trouble playing a game, it can be due to multiple reasons. Sometimes the problem lies with the controller or specific parts of the controller, while other times the console itself may be the source of the issue. Knowing where the problem is located is essential in trying to fix it.

Fortunately, there is a way for you to check if all the buttons are working normally or not. All you need for this is access to a computer, the controller, and a USB to Micro-USB cable. So, here is how you test the buttons on your PlayStation.

  1. Connect your PS4 controller to the computer with a micro USB cable.
  2. Open the computer’s control panel. Here, you will see a variety of different settings.
  3. Click on the “Devices and Printers” option below the headline “Hardware and Sound”. Here, you will get a list of all the peripheral devices connected to your computer.
  4. If your PS4 controller is successfully connected to the computer, you should see an icon resembling it. Right-click on that icon.
  5. From the resulting menu, click on “Game Controller Settings”.
  6. A new window will pop up. You will see the name of your device highlighted. If it is not, then highlight it by selecting it.
  7. Click on the “properties” option located in the bottom right corner.
  8. Another window will show up. In this window, you will see all of the buttons of your PS4 controller displayed as well as the touchpad.
  9. Now, press each of the buttons individually to see how they react on the screen. A bar will slide to show you how hard you are pressing the buttons on the controller.

If the display on the screen is reacting to all your actions, then you will know that the controller is functioning just fine. You will be able to play with this controller on your PS4 console without any issue.

If any of the buttons are not working properly, then there will be no response on the screen. This will be an easy indication that the controller is not at full capacity. You may face problems with one or more buttons and/or the touchpad. In that situation, you may need to get the controller fixed or get a replacement.

How Do I Calibrate My PS4 Controller?

Now sometimes, the buttons will respond to your command but not show the desired effect. This is often the case with the touchpad especially, as this part requires a more delicate grip. If the pad is not calibrated properly, your commands will be wayward and the effect on your game will be frustrating.

This is where calibrating your PS4 controller can be a fine solution. Fortunately, for windows 10 users, there is software built-in to their PCs that can perform this task. By doing this option, you save yourself from buying a brand-new controller. Instead, you can keep your current controller and make sure that it works to the tune of your preference.

So, let’s discuss how you can manually calibrate your PS4 game controller with Windows 10:

  1. Open your PC’s control panel.
  2. Under the headline “Hardware and Sound”, select “Devices and Printers”.
  3. Right-click on the icon that resembles your PS4 controller.
  4. Now, select “Game Controller Settings” from the resulting menu.
  5. In the following window, make sure that your designated devices are highlighted. If so, then click on properties on the bottom right corner of the window.
  6. From the next window, click on the “settings” tab.
  7. You will see two options under the text. Click on the option that says “Calibrate”. This will initiate the Calibration wizard.
  8. A new window should pop up. Click on “next”.
  9. Keep the left thumbstick of your DualShock centered and press any button on the controller. Then click on next.
  10. Move the left thumbstick of your DualShock to all four corners and then press any button on the controller. Click on “next”.
  11. Move the triggers up and down. Then click on any button.
  12. Do the same for the right thumbstick.
  13. When you are done, click on “finish” and the process will be complete.

Once you are done, you can open up the same window where you tested all of the buttons. The tab for “test” is right next to the “settings” tab. If you are happy with the result, you simply click on “apply” and then “ok”. If you are not satisfied with the results, you can go back to the calibration window and adjust it once again.

How To Reset PS4 Controller?

Now, you should not consider replacing your PS4 controller the moment it starts to act abnormally. It is not always a case of a malfunctioning controller that is beyond repair. Sometimes, a simple reset can restore your controller to all its former glories.

Similar to many devices, the controller also has a memory cache of its own. By resetting the device, you clear all the cached data as well as clear any software that is stuck in a misbehaving pattern.

Things You Need to Check Before You Reset

But before you decide to reset your misbehaving controller, you should take some preparatory actions. Otherwise, the entire process may turn out to be for naught.

  • Turn the PS4 off and unplug the controller for a few minutes.
  • Try a different port for connecting your controller. Or you can try a different USB cable with the controller.
  • Try replacing the battery of the PS4 controller.
  • Follow the steps for checking a PS4 controller on your computer.

After you have done these steps and you are still facing issues with the controller, you can perform a “soft” or a “hard” reset, depending on how much you are willing to go.

Soft Resetting your PS4 Controller

Note that you need an additional controller for this task or use a keyboard and mouse setup. Because the faulty controller is going to be inspected and so you will not be able to use it to navigate the console.

  • Open up the dashboard on your PS4 by pressing the PS button.
  • From the dashboard, go to “settings”.
  • Now go to “devices” and then to “Bluetooth devices”. Here, you should see a list of all the devices connected to your console currently, including your PS4 controller.
  • Select “disconnect”.
  • Press the options button on your active controller and select “forget device”. Then confirm.

Hard Resetting Your PS4 Controller

  • Take a paperclip.
  • There should be a small hole at the back of your controller, near the L2 button. Use the paperclip to press it.
  • Press and hold it for a few seconds.

The hard reset should be complete. In both hard and soft resets, you need to reconnect your controller the same way you connected the first time. Afterward, you can test to see if the controller is functioning properly or not.

If the problem persists, then you may need to consider acquiring a new one.

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Conclusion

You should always try to test the controller before you decide to buy a replacement. This can save you both the money and the headache.

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How to Connect a PS4 DualShock 4 Controller to a PC

The DualShock 4 is a great controller, but it’s designed specifically for the Sony PlayStation 4. That means, at least on paper, that it’s not meant to be used with PC games. Fear not, since PCs are such powerful and flexible systems, you can get nearly any peripheral to work on them with a little effort. Here’s how to connect a DualShock 4 controller to your PC.

If you want to use the most advanced PlayStation controller, we have a guide on how to connect your DualSense to your PC. The good news is that the process is almost the same as it is with the DualShock 4. The bad news is that the particularly special features of the DualSense, like adaptive triggers and subtle haptic feedback, are very hit-or-miss on PC.


The Connection Itself

There are two ways to connect a DualShock 4 to your gaming rig. You can go the wired or wireless routes, but setting up those connections is a bit different than how you would do it on a PlayStation 4 console.

The Wired Method

  1. Plug your controller into a USB port with a USB-to-micro-USB cable.

  2. That’s it, as far as connecting the controller goes. More on getting it to work in a bit.

The Bluetooth Method

  1. With the DualShock 4 turned off (you’ll know by the deactivated light bar), press and hold the PlayStation and Share buttons for three seconds until the light bar starts double flashing.

  2. Access the Bluetooth menu on your PC via the system tray.

  3. Click «Add Bluetooth or other device.»

  4. Click «Bluetooth.»

  5. Select the DualShock 4 controller from the list that pops up.


(Credit: PCMag)

Getting the Gamepad to Work

Connecting the controller is only the start of the process, due to how the DualShock 4 communicates with your PC. Most current Windows games use Microsoft’s XInput, an interface that processes Xbox 360 and Xbox One controller inputs. The DualShock 4 doesn’t send XInput commands, so a wrapper is needed to translate its inputs into something your PC can deal with easier. There are two good options: DS4Windows and Steam’s controller compatibility settings.

The Comprehensive Way: DS4Windows

DS4Windows(Opens in a new window) is a freeware program that tricks your PC into thinking an Xbox 360 controller is connected, instead of a DualShock 4. Follow these steps to get it to work.

  1. Download DS4Windows(Opens in a new window) and unzip it to a directory.

  2. Open DS4Windows.exe in the directory you just unzipped.

  3. If you’re prompted to install .NET runtime, click «Yes» and follow the instructions for DS4Windows to properly function.

  4. Click «Install ViGEmBus Driver.»

  5. Follow the steps in the driver installer. This installs a multipurpose gamepad driver to your system that DS4Windows uses to get the DualShock 4 to work.

  6. Click «Install HidHide Driver.»

  7. Follow the steps in that driver installer. This installs an optional driver that hides the DualShock 4’s DirectInput gamepad connection from Windows, so it only accepts the converted XInput inputs through DS4Windows. This prevents a common «double gamepad» error.

  8. Click «Finished.»

  9. Connect your DualShock 4 to your PC.

  10. The controller should show up under the Controllers tab. Wait a minute to make sure all of the necessary drivers show up. Once Windows pops up a message saying it has connected a new Xbox 360 controller, you’re ready to play!

What Else Can You Do With DS4Windows?

By default, the DualShock 4 acts like an Xbox 360 controller, with the touchpad functioning as a mouse. That said, DS4Windows offers more options. To start, click the Profiles tab and double-click the Default profile (or create your own new profile). This causes an outline of the DualShock 4 to appear surrounded by various settings. Here, you can remap the physical controls, program the touchpad and motion controls to act in different ways, adjust rumble settings, and tweak the analog sticks’ dead zones and movement curves. You can even change the light bar’s color.


DS4Windows

DS4Windows offers many more options for getting your DualShock 4 to feel good on your PC. You shouldn’t have to open these settings, because most games will behave properly after you set the software up the first time.

The (Potentially) Easier Way: Steam

If your favorite games are on Steam, they’ll work with the DualShock 4 with a quick tweak.

  1. Go to the Settings menu in Steam (under Steam on the taskbar).

  2. Select the Controller menu.

  3. Click «General Controller Settings.»

  4. Check the box marked «PlayStation Configuration Support.»

  5. Connect the DualShock 4 to your PC.

Steam’s DualShock 4 compatibility is inconsistent, and this technique obviously won’t work with non-Steam games. As a result, you may have better luck simply using DS4Windows.

On the other hand, if you have a Steam Deck, the compatibility mode there might be your only option without extensive software tweaks (and installing Windows on the system). And, if you can dock the Steam Deck, connecting a DualShock 4 could be the ideal way to play Spider-Man Remastered on it.

Start With the Right Controller

For more, head over to our guide on how to choose the right controller for your PC. If you’re a multi-console gamer, check out our guides for connecting your Nintendo Switch and Xbox controllers to your PC.

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How to fix PS4 controller won’t connect to PlayStation 5 • Oki Doki

While the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller is pretty good, and I really like the new Create button on it, your old DualShock 4 isn’t useless. In fact, you can easily use the PS4 controller with your PS5 to play PS4 games on your new console.

This is pretty cool, but sometimes you may find that your PlayStation 4 DualShock controller won’t connect to your PS5. If this is happening to you too, there is a very simple solution. Here’s how to fix PS4 controller won’t connect to PlayStation 5.

Although I play a lot of new PS5 games, some of the games I enjoy playing with friends are made for PS4. Games like Tekken 7, Mortal Kombat and Cricket 19 are PS4 games. This means I can easily connect my PS4 controller to my PS5 and use it to play PlayStation local multiplayer games with friends. In addition, you can install PS4 games to PS5 external hard drive, which is very convenient to save space.

However, I recently ran into an issue where the PS4 DualShock simply won’t connect to my PS5. Pressing the PS button just flashes the light bar a little before the controller turns off again. I tried to charge it and use the USB cable to connect it to the PS5, but without success. nine0003

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In this article I will tell you how to easily solve this problem, so read on.

Fix PS4 controller not connecting to PlayStation 5

If your old DualShock 4 won’t connect to PS5, you need to do the following.

  • With the PS4 controller turned off, press the PS button and the share button until the light bar flashes white. This puts the DualShock 4 into pairing mode, and is basically how you connect your PS4 controller to Android, iPhone, and other devices. nine0020
  • On PS5 go to Settings -> Accessories.
  • On the General tab, go to Bluetooth Accessories.
  • You will see «Wireless Controller» under «Accessories Found». Simply select it to connect your controller to your PlayStation 5.

You can now select a user using a DualShock 4 controller and start playing local multiplayer games on PlayStation 5 without two PS5 controllers. nine0003

Which games are supported by PS4 controller on PS5.

Since the new DualSense controller is way ahead of the PS4 DualShock controller, you cannot play PS5 games with the old PS4 controller. However, any PS4 game installed on a PS5 can be played with a PS4 controller without any problems.

In most cases, you can easily connect your DualShock 4 to your PlayStation 5 and play your favorite games without any problems. However, sometimes things do get a little messed up, making it hard to pair the controller with your console. nine0003

Now that you know how to solve this seemingly tiny but really annoying problem, keep playing all your favorite PlayStation 4 games in local multiplayer with friends. Also, if you’re keeping your old PS4, click the link to learn how you can use PS5 remote play for PS4 games.

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Why is My Mic Not Working on PS4 (Solved)

With a deep gaming experience and great graphics, PS4 has been a leader in the gaming industry for some time now. It provides an interface for players to communicate with each other while the game is still in progress. However, many users are facing issues when the PS4 microphone is not working. Sometimes they can hear others talking, but other players can’t hear them.

There are many reasons that can lead to this problem; therefore, you may need to try several fixes to identify the real issue and resolve it. nine0003

Your PS4 was working fine until now, but all of a sudden, stops functioning. You may want to check your hardware in this case. The headsets are the most prone to damage in a PS4.

The problems can arise due to a damaged port, plug or cable. Thoroughly check your entire headset- the cable, plug. Check if the cable is torn or loose somewhere. Also check the audio port, if any dust or any obstruction is causing the issue. If you find any of these, know that the problem is with the headset and not with the console or the controller and work on the same. nine0003

2. Check the Audio Settings : The first thing to check before jumping to conclusions is the audio settings. It is more than possible that the problem with the microphone is due to incorrect audio settings or some configuration issues. You can check this by changing the microphone level or other microphone settings.

3. Issues with the NAT : Your headset is working fine, you can hear the other players talking, but can’t talk to them. Another possible reason in the list could be the NAT type on your PS4. Your PS4 has three types of NAT:

Type 1 — Open
Type 2 — Moderate
Type 3 — Strict

You may experience communication problems if your NAT type is set to Strict.