How to Test Your PS4 Controller

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: June 18, 2024 Fact Checked

If you're suspicious of your PS4 controller's functionality and suspect that it is not working properly, you can always connect it to your Windows 10 computer and diagnose any issues. This wikiHow article will teach you how to test your PS4 controller's functionality with a Windows 10 computer.

Steps

Download Article

Using a USB to Micro-USB cable, connect your controller to a USB port on your computer. You can usually find these ports on the front or back of your computer tower, on the back of your monitor (if you're using an all-in-one), and along the sides of laptops. The Micro-USB cable plugs in at the top of your PS4 controller.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Right-click the Start logo
. You'll see this logo in the bottom left corner of your screen if you haven't moved the location of the taskbar.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source

Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

Go to source}
- A menu will pop up from your mouse.
Advertisement
As you type, the search window will show you results.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source

Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

Go to source}
4
Click Control Panel to launch the app. You should see this listed as an app under "Best Results."^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source

Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

Go to source}
- If you don't see it here, you can open the Run dialog (⊞ Win+R, enter "control panel" and press ↵ Enter.
5
Click View Devices and Printers. You'll see this under the header, "Hardware and Sound."
- You'll see a listing of all your connected devices.
You'll see this with the picture of a controller that closely resembles your PS4.
7
Click Game controller Settings. This is usually the first listing in the drop-down menu.
- Another window should pop up.
You'll see this in the lower right corner of the window that pops-up.
9
Press the buttons on your controller to see their reaction on the computer screen. You'll see a bar that slides to show how hard you're pressing the button on your remote.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- For example, the graph on your computer screen should tell you how hard you're pressing the trigger buttons on your controller.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}