DualShock 4

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The DualShock 4 is the standard PlayStation 4 controller.

Unlike its predecessor, which driver developers have described as "broken", Sony made the DualShock 4 better conformant to the Bluetooth spec, to the point where it can expose itself as a standard controller to any Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR receiver by entering its own pairing mode (hold down the PS Button + Share until the lightbar flashes white twice in succession). This mode does not expose the 3.5mm headphone jack and touchpad functionality over wireless, and functionality is still limited to software that natively supports the controller, but the core buttons and triggers work fine.

Windows[edit]

The official driver for the DualShock 4 only supports DirectInput. External programs are still needed to expose the controller through XInput.

Name Touchpad Lightbar USB Bluetooth Vibration Sixaxis Active Recommended
DS4Windows
Steam Input
Official Wireless Adaptor [N 1]
SCP Driver Package
InputMapper (DSDCS)
DS4 to XInput
  1. Currently out of stock.

Comparison[edit]

DS4Windows
Forked from DS4Tool. A modified version of DS4-to-XInput that also allows for rudimentary Sixaxis mapping to XInput or keyboard keys. It also has a lot more mapping options, like setting up macros. The DualShock Exclusive Mode Tool might be necessary if your setup becomes unusable after updating to the Anniversary Update on Windows 10.
SCP Driver Package
Supports basic DS4 features, but reports of latency issues and dropped inputs due to the linked zadig tool. Official thread.
Steam Input
Has supported the DualShock 4 since December 2016, and uses the same technology they developed for their own Steam controller to translate controller inputs to XInput. The only downside is that one would have to add the emulators as non-Steam games, configure them from Big Picture mode, and launch them from Steam every time.
InputMapper
Formerly named "DSDCS", a fork of DS4Windows promising a clean, user-friendly GUI with plenty of options (mostly copied from J2K's DS4Windows), but is adware/donationware. Official thread.
DS4-to-XInput
The original wrapper for XInput that can also use the touchpad. However, it's no longer being maintained.

Issues[edit]

Bluetooth connection problems[edit]

Some Windows users have experienced problems with their DS4 controllers disconnecting from Bluetooth during the pairing process. This does not affect all users, but those who experience this issue can resolve it using these steps. (Perform these steps quickly or the controller will disconnect.)

  1. Initiate the pairing process by holding the Share button and the PS button until the light bar begins to flash white.
  2. Go through the usual steps to add a device through your Bluetooth settings, as simple as right-clicking the tray icon and selecting "Add a Device".
  3. When asked to select the device, right-click on the Wireless Controller and click Properties.
  4. In Bluetooth Services, check "Drivers for keyboard, mice, etc (HID)" and press Apply.
  5. Allow the drivers to install and complete the pairing process as normal.

Your controller should now remain connected via Bluetooth, allowing you to use wireless input where supported with the driver solutions listed above.

External links[edit]