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How to reset a PS5 controller – The simple method

A quick guide to resetting your PS5 controller
Last Updated on March 18, 2024
Learn how to reset a PS5 controller with ease. The image shows a DuelSense PS5 controller with a red arrow and a dark background.
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Trying to find out how to reset your PS5 controller? Well, you’re in good hands; in this article, we’ll guide you through the process of performing a reset on your PS5’s DualSense controller. Knowing how to reset a PS5 controller is an important troubleshooting step for resolving various issues that occur on your device and is a must-know for any PlayStation user.

Resetting your PS5 controller is a simple and effective way to address problems, as it reverts the controller to its default state, potentially clearing any glitches or errors. Before proceeding with the reset, ensure that your controller’s battery is sufficiently charged.

If you find this article useful, we’ve also written a helpful troubleshooting and power issues guide for your PS5.


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Step-by-step guide: How to reset PS5 controller

1

Soft resetting a PS5 controller

Soft resetting the DualSense controller involves turning it off and on again to re-establish connection with the PS5 console.

Step

1

Access control center

Press the PS button at the center of your controller to bring up the control center on the PS5 dashboard.

The control center is the main hub for system settings and device management.

Step

2

Navigate to accessories

Select ‘Accessories’ in the control center.

This section allows you to manage your connected devices, including the DualSense controller.

Step

3

Turn off the controller

Choose the controller you want to turn off and select “Turn off.” The lights on your controller should go out.

Turning the controller off is the first step in the soft reset process.

Step

4

Reconnect

Ensure your controller is fully charged before attempting to reconnect wirelessly. Turn the controller back on and check if the issues are resolved.

Reconnecting the controller establishes a new connection to the console, which can resolve minor glitches.

If you’ve tried soft resetting your controller and are still facing issues then trying this next method may be the answer you need.

2

Hard resetting a PS5 controller

A hard reset, also known as a factory reset, reverts your DualSense controller to its original settings and removes installed updates.

Step

1

Turn Off the controller and console

Make sure the controller is turned off and unplugged, and that the PS5 console is also off.

A powered-down state is essential for a successful hard reset.

Step

2

Locate the reset button

Find a small hole in the back of the PS5 controller beside the Sony logo.

This hole houses the reset button for the controller.

A close-up of a person holding up the back of a red DualSense controller, with its factory reset button highlighted by a yellow circle.
The reverse side of a red DualSense controller, with the factory reset button highlighted by a yellow circle © BGFG

Step

3

Press the reset button

Use a thin, pointy object (like the tip of a pen or a straightened paper clip) to press the button inside the hole. You should feel a click when pressed in all the way.

This action initiates the hard reset process.

Step

4

Hold down the button

Hold the button down for about five seconds. The lights on the controller should flash and then turn off.

Step

5

Resync controller

Reconnect the controller to the PS5 using the USB-C cable and press the PS button to resync the controller.

Resyncing is crucial to reestablish the connection with the console after a hard reset.

✓ Eve’s thoughts

Hard resetting

Be cautious when hard resetting your controller, it will revert it back to it’s original settings meaning you might have to remap any preferential changes you’ve made to the buttons.

How do I fix an unresponsive PS5 controller?

To fix an unresponsive PS5 controller, you can perform a reset of the controller. Start with a soft reset by turning off the controller and then turning it back on. If the controller remains unresponsive, a hard reset might be necessary. To do this, locate the small reset button on the back of the controller, near the Sony logo.

Does the PS5 controller have a reset button?

Yes, the PS5 controller, known as the DualSense controller, does have a reset button. It’s a small hole located on the back of the controller, near the Sony logo. This button is used to perform a hard reset of the controller, which can help fix issues like connectivity problems or unresponsiveness.

Final thoughts

Having issues with your controller can be a time-consuming and frustrating problem, especially when you’re in the middle of a game! By understanding how to reset your controller, demonstrated in the guide of this article, you can eliminate any glitches or errors and get back to your game swiftly.

Eve is a writer and copy editor at PC Guide, who focuses on a broad range of topics but main interest lies in the development of AI technology.