Connecting a PS4 gamepad to a computer via Bluetooth, USB. How to set up a gamepad: three effective ways

And to make this process much more interesting and realistic, but not everyone knows how to properly configure a joystick for a computer.

How to properly debug your device - read in our material.

Contents:

If you need to connect a gamepad from a console to a PC or are just thinking about purchasing a joystick, you should remember that not all games will “see” the connected gadget.

If it does not provide the ability to control one-dimensional or multidimensional, you can configure the operation of the device only using third-party programs that match each press on a specific button on the keyboard.

Types

You can connect completely different types of manipulators to it. They can be of the following types:

• One-dimensional– capable of controlling objects only in the “up-down” or “left-right” direction;
• Multidimensional– working with an object in two or three planes;

They also differ in the type of connection to the console and computer: wired and wireless.

All connection instructions below are suitable for Windows operating systems versions 7, 8 and 10, as well as Mac OS.

Connecting a gamepad - instructions forWindows

With its help, you can configure the smooth operation of your gadget and enjoy support in almost any game.

The Xbox device has a simplified connection scheme with a PC.

The user only needs to turn on the manipulator, and then go to the “Settings” - “Devices” window - "Add device"-"Xbox Wireless Controller":

Wait for it to be detected and automatically linked to your PC. Now the gadget will start automatically as soon as you establish a connection with it via Bluetooth.

You don't need to make any settings.

Pay attention! The Xbox Adapter feature may not be available in some regions. Before linking your gadget, the developers recommend checking for the latest service updates on the Xbox website and installing them.

If you don’t have a gamepad from , you can take absolutely any other one. Before debugging, select a connection option.

Below are instructions that are suitable for wireless and wired methods:

• Connect it to your PC using a USB cable or click on the Share button to activate wireless connection mode. Please note that with USB you can connect a maximum of 8 controllers (or 4 with a headset) to one PC. Devices can only be connected in quantities of two;

• If all the necessary updates and drivers are installed on the PC, the wired gadget will start working independently without any settings. You can download drivers using the manager window. Just select the item you want. Right-click on it and update the configuration. Then reboot it and everything will work;

• To connect wirelessly, go to the Bluetooth window. This must be done immediately after activating the Share key;

• On Windows, click on "Notification Center" and at the bottom click on the “All parameters” tile. In the window that opens, click on the “Devices” logo;

Many modern games support joystick control. Moreover, some of them are convenient to play exclusively on a gamepad. This includes “racing”, “fighting games”, some types of “action”. Joysticks are connected to the computer via any USB port or a special Game port. Let's consider both connection options.

You can prevent possible difficulties connecting a joystick by purchasing modern gamepads from well-known companies. In this case, there will be no problems with finding and installing drivers, as well as the ordeal with the game port. Connect your gaming device only to a working and stable USB port to avoid technical problems.

When Sony first announced that the DualShock 4 would be compatible with Windows, gamers all over the Internet cheered the news. Unfortunately, you won't always be able to simply connect it to your computer and start playing. Although the PS4 controller is recognized by Windows, existing games may glitch or not work automatically with it.

Windows supports the use of the PS4 gamepad for PC, but since Microsoft has its own console, they officially only support their controllers, and dual shockers will have to dance a little with a tambourine.

What do you need to connect?

1. Actually the controller itself.
2. Standard USB cable.

After connecting the gamepad, it will be recognized by the system and you may even be able to use it in some applications and games (for example, Steam and some toys). You can watch the video and understand what bugs and glitches await you:

If you simply connect the device to your computer, then some of the joystick’s functions will not work, such as:

1. touchpad (but works like a button),
2. gyroscope,
3. vibration,
4. built-in microphone and speaker,
5. headset jack.

How to make the gamepad work correctly?

Here you have only one option - to use special software, namely:

1. drivers;
2. joystick emulator (Xpadder).

It is worth understanding that when connecting a PS4 joystick to a PC, you only need to use one of two options; which one is up to you. Let's talk about everything in order.

1) Dualshock 4 drivers for computer

There are at least two drivers:

Moreover, the second grew out of the first, when it was still at the testing stage. You can download the drivers using the links above, or by visiting the official support threads: one, two.

In addition to the drivers themselves, you need to check if the following components are installed on your system and install (or update) them if necessary:

1. Latest version of DirectX;
2. Latest official version of Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller Driver;
3. Administrator rights.

Before installing all components, you should close all applications and games that may be using the controller. Also, if you previously installed a driver for Dualshock 3, you should remove it. If you want to use the gamepad via Bluetooth, you need to install the appropriate drivers for it too.

Installation procedure for DS4Tool:

1. In the archive there is a Virtual Bus Driver folder, in which we install the ScpDriver.exe file (this is the driver itself).
2. After installing the driver, run the ScpServer.exe file (located in the root of the archive).

Once the installation is complete, connect your DualShock 4 to your computer via USB or Bluetooth. Keep in mind, USB is a much more reliable choice as some Bluetooth chipsets are not supported by this software. The controller is recognized in the application (ScpServer), and in most cases functions identically to the Xbox 360 device. However, some games have compatibility issues, so you may need to check the "Hide DS4 Controller" checkbox.

By clicking on the “Settings” button, you can open a window with several sliders. Here you can change the color and intensity of the DS4's light bar, switch it to a battery indicator, set vibration, and enable the touchpad to control the mouse pointer.

You can watch this video to make it clearer:

At the time of creating the video, earlier versions of drivers were available, which is why there is such a discrepancy in size - the author talks about ~700kb, when the current version is already more than one megabyte. Please remember that the application is a work in progress. Currently, you need to manually launch the program every time you want to launch the game. This may be fixed in future updates.

2) Using the joystick using the Xpadder program

First, let's figure out what kind of software this is. Xpadder is a joystick emulator program for your computer. Currently it supports several hundred controllers from different manufacturers, which makes it absolutely universal in terms of use. And of course it’s suitable for our dual shock from PS4.

This method has two undeniable advantages:

1. no drivers needed;
2. You can customize each joystick button to suit your needs.

But there are also disadvantages:

1. it will take a lot of time to understand the essence of the application and configure everything as it should;
2. The program is officially paid (but you can very easily find a free version).

Setting up Xpadder for Dualshock 4

The video below shows the setup for an Xbox joystick, but since the program is universal, the steps described are also suitable for your DS4.

For games. After all, if you purchase a device in a store, the likelihood that it will initially work correctly is extremely low. That is why it is worth understanding all the intricacies before sitting down to play.

Why configure your gamepad?

As mentioned above, before starting the game, you first need to configure the gamepad. There are a lot of games using a joystick, so this article will be useful to a wide range of gamers. But it should be explained why it is necessary to carry out configuration, while the device must be prepared initially.

It’s worth making a reservation here: if you purchase a gamepad from XBox, then most likely it will function perfectly, but a device from another company is unlikely. This is the case because games designed for a joystick are cross-platform. This means that the developer makes them not only for PC, but also for PlayStation and XBox. And the game, accordingly, supports the device of these two flagships of the console industry.

In simple terms, if you have a third-party device, then you must know how to configure the gamepad, because otherwise it will not function correctly or will not start working at all.

Settings via control panel

So, let's start talking about how to set up a gamepad for comfortable gaming. First of all, the simplest method will be discussed, which does not involve downloading additional applications. Configuration should be carried out using standard Windows utilities.

First you need to log into the control panel. To do this, select the section of the same name in the Start menu. Once you have done this, a window will appear with a large number of icons, but we are only interested in one - “Devices and Printers”.

Now you will see images of all devices connected to your personal computer. Among everything, find images of your gamepad. Now you need to right-click on the icon and select “Game Control Device Settings” from the menu. Next in the window you need to open the properties of this device.

Let's move on to the final stage. In the window you see a number of fields that need to be filled out. Each field requires entering a key on the keyboard, which will be activated when you press the corresponding button on the gamepad. Fill in all fields and then click "Save".

Now, when you enter the game, all assigned buttons should function properly. But if this is not the case, do not despair, now another way will be discussed on how to set up a gamepad for games.

Setup using x360ce

If the above instructions did not help you, you need to move on to other methods. This time you will need the help of third-party software, namely x360ce. This is an XBox 360 gamepad emulator. It makes any game feel like a PC device connected to an XBox joystick.

After downloading, you need to configure the program. This is not a difficult task, so anyone can easily handle setting up this application:

1. After downloading the archive, place the files from it in any folder on your computer.
2. Now open the x360ce.exe file from this folder.
3. If the controller is connected correctly, you will hear a characteristic signal upon startup.
4. At the bottom, click on All templates will open in front of you.
5. From the list, select Thrustmaster Dual Tigger 3 in 1 Rumble Mods.
6. Click the Load button.

Now, when you press the gamepad buttons and interact with the sticks, you will see that the corresponding buttons on the controller image will light up. If this is not the case, then change the preset or assign the necessary buttons manually. After everything is done, click the Save button and close the window.

All that remains to be done is to copy the files from the folder, namely: x360ce.exe, x360ce.ini, xinput1_3.dll - to the root folder of the game. The root folder is the one in which the launcher is located. To find it, you can right-click on the game's shortcut and select "File Location". A folder will open in which you need to place all the above files.

Setting up a gamepad using XPadder

So, now let's look at how to configure a gamepad using the XPadder program. We can say that now we are moving to the heavy artillery, since this program no longer emulates the controller, but the keyboard of your PC, that is, you will assign keyboard keys to the gamepad. This is a universal method, because with it you can play games from the device, even if they do not support joystick control at all.

So, let's set up the program:

• In the program window, click on the joystick icon, which is located at the top left of the window.
• Click "New".
• From all the buttons, select "Open".
• In the window that appears, open the controllerimages folder. It contains pictures of different gamepads. Select yours and click “Open” (if you didn’t find yours, select any).
• In the left panel, select "Sticks".
• In the box, check the box next to "Enabled". Following the instructions, press left, then right.
• A circle will appear on the joystick image, move it to the left stick.
• In the stick settings window, check the box next to “Enabled”, only now on the right, and repeat all the steps, but move the circle to the right stick.
• In the left panel, select "Cross".
• Check the "Enabled" box and follow the instructions to press the appropriate buttons on the gamepad.
• Drag the cross in the picture to the desired location.
• In the left panel, select "Buttons".
• Press all the gamepad buttons one by one. Squares will appear on the pictures: drag them to the corresponding buttons.
• In the left panel, select "Triggers".
• Press the left and then the right trigger.
• Click "Accept".

Now you just have to click on the white squares to assign the corresponding keys on the keyboard.

Now you know how to set up a gamepad using Xpadder.

What to do if the gamepad is not configurable?

Of course, there is a possibility that all of the above methods will not help you. Unfortunately, this only means one thing - the gamepad is faulty. All that remains is to take it to the store and demand the money back or exchange the device for another.

So you have learned how to set up a gamepad. PC games, of course, are controlled using a keyboard and mouse, but it is much more convenient to lie down on the couch and, picking up a joystick, enjoy your favorite activity.

Game joysticks for popular consoles can also be connected to a computer, although, as it turns out, not all of them.

Having a wired gamepad in hand, you shouldn’t have any problems connecting to a PC via a USB port, but wireless devices can present a few surprises.

ConnectionUSB gamepad

When purchasing a regular joystick with a USB cable or USB radio adapter, the connection is made by simply connecting the device to the computer. In most cases, Windows will recognize the device and install the appropriate drivers. In this case, as a rule, a set of drivers is included with the universal joystick, in case the operating system cannot cope on its own.
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If you own an Xbox 360 or Xbox One game console and have a wired controller in your hands, then you can also connect it to your computer without incident. Since this set-top box is also manufactured by Microsoft, there should be no problems with automatically searching for drivers. Connect the device to the PC, press the large central button on it and wait until one segment next to it lights up. You can play.

If you have an original PlayStation joystick of the third or fourth version, you need to purchase a MiniUSB or MicroUSB cable, download and install drivers for the XBox 360 gamepad, selecting your version of the operating system (starting from the eighth version of Windows, this is no longer necessary), in addition you will need to install packages Microsoft .Net 4.0 and Visual C++ for Visual Studio 2013 and the SCP Driver program.

We are not in a hurry to connect the PlayStation gamepad via USB, since you first need to install the necessary software - drivers and the specified package solutions, and finally unpack the SCP Driver archive, for example, into the Program Files folder. Only after this can you connect the joystick. Next, run ScpDriver.exe from the unpacked archive (the Force Install checkbox is only relevant for versions of Windows XP and Vista) and wait for the installation to complete.

At the end of this procedure, the operating system will begin to see the PlayStation gamepad as if you had connected a joystick from the XBox 360. You can play.

The described method is suitable for PlayStation 3 and 4 controllers, however, for the 4th version model, you can use an alternative in the form of the InputMapper program. We simply download and install the program, after which the system will begin to see the gamepad, and not like the one from the XBox 360, as in the previous version, which means that the functionality will be wider. In particular, a trackpad will work, with which you can, if desired, control the cursor.

Connecting a wireless gamepad

As in the case of a wired connection, universal joysticks should not encounter any special obstacles when connecting - the necessary driver will be installed automatically. For Bluetooth connection with PlayStation gamepads, you need to perform the same steps above, and it is advisable to use an external USB whistle with Bluetooth technology, since the installed SCP Driver utility reserves the wireless adapter for the joysticks, that is, in this case it will no longer be possible to connect other devices.

In the version with a PlayStation 4 joystick connected, the gamepad itself must be switched to pairing mode. To do this, you need to hold down the Share and PS buttons for a few seconds, wait until the joystick starts flashing the signal LED quickly and intermittently, then go to the Bluetooth connection menu on your computer and connect the Bluetooth “whistle” via USB. InputMapper recognizes a wireless connection, similar to how it did a wired one.

But with devices from Microsoft itself, the situation is much more dire. More precisely, we are talking about joysticks from the Xbox 360. It is not possible to connect a wireless gamepad to a computer in the standard way, since in this case the manufacturer decided to use not the usual Bluetooth, but its own analogue, which does not exist on any PC. So neither additional software nor anything else will help. The only option for connection is to purchase an additional USB receiver from Microsoft, specially designed for this purpose. Expensive and inconvenient.

The situation with the joystick for Xbox One is more pleasant. Standard Bluetooth is already used here, and owners of the latest version of Windows 10 may not even need to install anything additional. To connect a gamepad, just go to the Bluetooth panel on the computer, turn on the joystick itself and press the small button on top of the device, designed specifically for searching via Bluetooth - all the segments around the power button should blink. Windows 10 should detect the device as a gamepad and automatically install the necessary driver, after which only one diode will light next to the power button on the joystick. You can play.

However, this option only exists in Windows 10 and only starting with the Anniversary Update. Owners of earlier versions of Microsoft's operating system will not be able to connect an Xbox One controller unless using an additionally purchased adapter, as is the case with the Xbox 360.