PS4 Controller Keeps Disconnecting – Reasons And Solutions

Published: Updated:
PS4 Controller Keeps Disconnecting

The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a popular gaming console that provides hours of entertainment for millions of users worldwide. However, one of the most frustrating issues that PS4 users face is when their controller keeps disconnecting or losing connection with the console. This can happen for a variety of reasons, and it can significantly impact your gaming experience.

In this article, we will explore some of the common causes of PS4 controller disconnection and provide some solutions to help you fix the problem.

How to Fix a PS4 Controller That Keeps Disconnecting:

  1. Check the battery: Make sure that the battery in your controller is fully charged. If the battery is low, the controller may disconnect.
  2. Reset the controller: To reset the controller, press and hold the small reset button on the back of the controller for about 5 seconds until the light bar on the front of the controller flashes.
  3. Check for interference: If you’re using your controller near other wireless devices, such as a wireless headset or a Wi-Fi router, the controller may be disconnecting due to interference. Try moving the controller and other wireless devices away from each other to see if the issue is resolved.
  4. Update the software: Make sure that your PS4 and controller are running the latest software. You can check for and install software updates from the “Settings” menu on your PS4.
  5. Check the USB cable: If you’re using a USB cable to connect your controller, try using a different cable. The cable you’re using may be damaged or not working properly.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, the controller may need to be repaired or replaced. You can contact Sony support for more information and assistance. Read on for more details about each of the steps highlighted above.

Why Won’t My PS4 Controllers Stay Connected to My PS4?

Your PS4 controller keeps disconnecting from your PlayStation 4 console because of the following reasons:

  • Your other devices are causing interference. For instance, your Wi-Fi router, tablet, smartphone, and Bluetooth devices
  • Faulty USB cable
  • The battery could be low
  • The distance between the controller and the PS4 console

Here’s what you need to do when your PS4 controller keeps disconnecting.

Charge the Controller

The DualShock 4 controller battery can run for up to 8 hours. So when the charge is low, expect connection issues. Keep tabs on your gaming for minimal interference.

When you hold down the PS button, an on-screen indicator shows you how much juice is left in the battery.

Related: Why Does My PS5 Keep Turning Off? Reasons And Solutions

Check for Devices Causing Interference

Remember we mentioned that your tablet, smartphone, and other Bluetooth devices could interfere? Well, they could be the cause for your frustration—when they have the Bluetooth feature activated.

But how will you know your devices are the culprits? Easy.

Does the LED indicator turn white when you turn the PS4 controller on? The white color usually indicates that the controller won’t connect.

So you need to turn off the Bluetooth feature from your android or iOS devices. You should also keep the controller close to the console for a fast connection.

This fix has worked out for some gamers. We hope it works for you too. If it doesn’t, try the other fixes below.

Related: Can You Connect Bluetooth Headphones to PS4 & PS5?

The Distance Between the Controller and the PS4 Console

The typical range for the DualShock is 50 to 100 feet, allowing for use within the room and beyond. With additional dominant signals, such as a Wi-Fi router or a standalone Bluetooth device, you may notice your PS4 controller disconnecting. Connectivity problems can arise as close as 20 feet away under these conditions.

Inspect Your USB Cables

Poke the USB connector when you’ve plugged the cable into the controller. The socket or cable connector may be broken if you notice it’s loose or pulls out quickly.

You can fix the former by simply trying a different cable. But you’ll need a high-quality USB cable.

Check the controller LED indicator to know if the USB cable is working. If it lights up, that’s a good sign. But you also need to ensure the cable can maintain a data connection. So try transferring data from your computer to your phone using the cable.

If the USB cable can power and transfer data, you can now sync the PS4 controller. We’ll look into that in a few.

What if the problem is with the socket or cable connector? In that case, you’ll need to take apart the PS4 controller and repair the USB port from the inside.

Resync the PS4 Controller

Syncing your PS4 controller is an easy fix. Here’s how to resync the PS4 controller:

  • Turn off your PS4 PlayStation.
  • Press the little reset button that is behind the L2 button.
  • Press the tiny button for up to 5 seconds using a small tool—a pin or a toothpick.
  • Connect your controller to the PS4 console using the charge-sync USB cable
  • Turn on your console
  • Click on the PS button. Press the button continuously and wait on the beep sound.

If your controller still doesn’t work with your console, try connecting it to another one. You will need to contact the PlayStation Support Team for additional assistance if it does not work.

Why Is My Controller Randomly Disconnecting?

Your controller is randomly disconnecting because:

  • The controller battery is dead. You, therefore, need to charge or order a new one
  • You need to update the firmware
  • You’re putting too much distance between your controller and the console
  • It seems like you have a lot of devices plugged into your game system

To solve this problem, you need to:

Reset the Controller

You can fix almost all pairing problems with your PlayStation 4 controller by resetting it. So here’s how to reset your controller:

  • Use a paper clip to press the small reset button below the L2 button
  • Hold the button for 5 seconds.

The reset is complete. 

Now you can sync your controller with the PS4 console. Check out the previous section on how to sync the PS4 controller.

PS4 Controller Keeps Disconnecting and Won’t Reconnect

Here are more reasons your PS4 controller keeps disconnecting and won’t reconnect:

Faulty or Damaged Bluetooth Antena

A broken antenna prevents the PS4 controller from communicating with the system. The controller may keep disconnecting if the connection is unstable. Motion-controlled games on the PS4 may experience dropped connections between the PS4 controller and the console.

Compatibility Issues

You may purchase a third-party controller because you are on a budget. However, the downside of this move is that the controller may be incompatible with the PS4 console. To fix this problem, you may need to contact the controller manufacturer.

Hardware Problem

Hardware issues could result from your PS4 console overheating. Or maybe the motherboard may have overheated. Extremely high temperatures often damage console components.

When that is the case, you need to contact customer support.

You can handle most controller connection problems by doing the following:

  • Try resetting your controller
  • Use a USB cable to sync the controller
  • Charging the controller

PS4 Controller Keeps Disconnecting From PC

Your PS4 controller keeps disconnecting from PC because of the following reasons:

Incorrect or Outdated Bluetooth Drivers

Connecting a Bluetooth device, like a PlayStation 4 controller, to a computer with out-of-date Bluetooth drivers might cause connection problems. So you can update your drivers to the most recent device or software version.

You also need to remove other Bluetooth devices from the area.

Steam Controller Settings

You can customize each controller in Steam’s Options menu. The PlayStation Configuration Support menu is where you’ll go to ensure you’ve set up the PlayStation controller correctly.

Faulty USB Cables

USB cables are prone to wear and tear. As a result, a faulty cable can cause connection problems. So if you must use a USB cable with your DualShock 4, ensure you use the charge-sync cables. Better yet, go for a Sony wireless adapter to avoid the same problems in the future.

PS4 Controller Keeps Disconnecting From PC Bluetooth

If your PS4 controller keeps disconnecting from PC Bluetooth, Consider the fixes below:

  • Update your Bluetooth drivers
  • Check the OS of your computer to confirm they are compatible
  • Charge the PS4 controller

PS4 Controller Keeps Disconnecting From Phone

Outdated controller firmware can be the root cause of the Xbox One controller disconnection issue. The firmware on your controller should be up-to-date. But if it isn’t, you need to upgrade it. 

You can also fix this by closing the app and relaunching it. You also need to restart the controller.

Related: Getting Into Safe Mode and Why It’s Necessary For Your PS4

PS4 Controller Stops Working Mid-Game

If your controller stops working mid-game, you can update your controller or PlayStation console firmware. Here’s another trick that could work for you:

  • Go to Settings
  • Click on Devices
  • Select Controllers
  • Hit Communication Method
  • Choose Use USB Cable
  • Connect the USB cable to your PS4 controller.

Related: PS4 Pro vs. PS4 Slim – Which Should I Choose?

PS4 Controller Keeps Disconnecting From PS5

The PS4 controller keeps disconnecting from PS5 for the same reason it does on PS4. Please refer to the previous sections of this article for a detailed discussion of the different reasons. Follow the instructions below to solve this problem:

  • Charge your PS4 controller
  • Move closer to the PS5 console
  • Change sleep time. That’s because the console will turn off if idle for long. Here’s how:
    • Go to Settings
    • Select Power Save Settings
    • Click on Set Time PS4 Turns Off
    • Set Media Playback and General (Applications) time separately

Why Does My PS4 Controller Keep Disconnecting From My iPhone?

When your PS5 controller keeps disconnecting from your iPhone, it’s likely because:

  • The controller has a low battery.
  • The controller firmware is outdated.
  • Other Bluetooth devices are interfering with the connection.

To crack the code, you’ll need to:

  • Update controller firmware
  • Make sure other Bluetooth devices aren’t in the area
  • Check battery status

Sharing is caring!

You may also like