How to connect PS5 controller to Steam Deck
Table of Contents
The Steam Deck is one of the best handheld gaming consoles out there, and its versatility makes it an excellent option to take with you on the go, as you can even use it as a mini PC. However, when it comes to playing games, the controls of the Steam Deck might take getting used to, but you can skip that learning curve and connect a PS5 controller to it.
The process of pairing a PS5 controller and a Steam Deck is very simple, and we've listed two methods in this guide that should get you up and playing games with the controller in no time. So, without further ado, let's get right to it.
Quick Answer
The easiest way to connect a PS5 controller to your Steam Deck is by inserting a USB-C cable in both devices, and you should be able to control the Deck and play games with it that way.
For a wireless connection, turn on the Bluetooth on the Steam Deck > Put the PS5 controller in pairing mode by pressing the PS5 and Share button > select the controller on the Steam Deck > wait for it to pair and start playing.
Via Bluetooth
The PS5 has DualSense wireless controllers, meaning they can be connected wirelessly to a number of devices, including the Steam Deck. Here is how you can pair the two together.
Step
Turn on the Bluetooth on the Steam Deck
Press the “Steam” button, and it should open a menu. Navigate to “Settings” and then to “Bluetooth”. Tap the Bluetooth option to turn it on, and it should start looking for available devices.
Step
Turn on the pairing mode on the PS5 controller
On your PS5 controller, press the “PS5” and “Share” buttons and hold them down. After a couple of seconds, you should see blue lights flashing on the controller, indicating that it is in pairing mode.
Step
Pair them together
On the Steam Deck, you should see the PS5 controller under “Available to pair”. Tap on it and it should pair them together, moving it to the “Paired” section. After this, you should be able to play games and control the Steam Deck with the controller.
Step
Additional settings
Below the “Bluetooth” option in the menu, you should see “Controller,” and through that, you can change the settings for the DualSense wireless controller. Another way to do that is to go to the game page for any title, and next to the “gear” icon, there should be a controller icon. If you tap that, it'll open another window, and in that, you can change the button layout for that particular game.
Via cable
Connecting the PS5 controller with the Steam Deck with a USB-C cable is pretty quick, and here is how you can do it.
Step
Connect the Steam Deck
Take one end of the USB-C cable and insert it into the USB-C port on the Steam Deck.
Step
Connect the PS5 controller
Take the other end of the USB-C cable and insert it into the port of the controller.
Step
Enjoy gaming
After that, you should be able to play games with the controller.
FAQs
Why isn't my PS5 controller pairing with the Steam Deck?
Your PS5 controller might not be able to pair with the Steam Deck due to various issues. However, the most common cause is a software issue, so start by checking for updates on the Steam Deck.
For the controller, download the PlayStation Accessories application and update the software. You'll need a Windows PC to do that.
Conclusion
So as you can see, pairing a PS5 controller with your Steam Deck is pretty easy, and hopefully, by following the steps mentioned above, you were able to connect it easily. If you aren't able to connect the two, check out the FAQ section, as we've mentioned a cause and fix for it there. If you want to play games with the PS5 controller on a big screen, check out our how to connect Steam Deck to monitor guide.
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