How to connect any gamepad to a computer

 What to do if the DualShock, Xbox Controller, Nintendo Pro Controller, or other "joystick" from the console does not work with the PC

Many gamepads work with Windows without any problems - plug it in via USB and play. However, this is more about originally computer game controllers. And since there are quite a few truly successful ones among them (even for our selection, we found only 3 high-quality models), they often try to connect a proven gamepad from one of the consoles to a PC, but, alas, such attempts do not always end successfully.

In this article, we will tell you how to properly perform this procedure in order to avoid any possible problems.

How to connect a gamepad from PlayStation 5 (DualSense) to a PC

The PS5 wireless controllers are claimed to be fully compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 out of the box. In modern games, no additional settings or driver installations are required. To connect the DualSense via Bluetooth, hold down the Create and PS buttons until it flashes blue quickly. After that, the controller can be added as a regular Bluetooth device ( RMB on the blue Bluetooth icon in the tray and the option "Add a Bluetooth device" ).

But for older games, you will need to enable user settings in Steam (you can even add a third-party game to the launcher library through the top menu). To enable the PlayStation 5 custom controller settings, open the Steam settings through the top menu, then in the "Controller" section, click the "Basic controller settings" button, and in the window that opens, check the "Custom. PlayStation Settings".

How to connect a gamepad from PlayStation 4 (DualShock 4) to a PC

Formally, Windows 10 supports the PS4 gamepad without additional drivers (primarily via cable). But in reality, it only works correctly when using Steam or when running top online games like Fortnite or Call of Duty: Warzone. In addition, Sony released a special adapter for wireless use of the DualShock 4. True, it is difficult to find it on sale, and it costs as much as half of the controller.

For reliability, it is better to install a popular third-party software like DS4Windows.

1. Connect the DualShock 4 with a native cable via USB.
2. Download the DS4Windows application.
3. Unzip the archive to a convenient location.
4. Run the DS4Windows.exe file from the unpacked archive. For Windows 8/10/11: Click the Step 1 button, wait for the drivers and libraries to install, and then click Finish. For Windows 7 and earlier: Click Step 1, wait for installation, click Step 2, wait again, and finally click Finish.
5. The program window will open. It is worth ticking the Run at Startup (run with Windows), Start Minimized (run minimized to tray), and Close Minimizes (close button minimizes to tray) checkboxes in the Settings tab.
6. Go to the Controllers tab and press the Stop / Start button in the lower right corner until the gamepad appears in the list of devices. Ready!

The Dualshock 4 will now be identified as an Xbox 360 Controller over the cable. If you want to connect it via Bluetooth, then hold down the Share and PS buttons until it starts flashing blue quickly. After that, it can be added as a regular Bluetooth device ( RMB on the blue Bluetooth icon in the tray and the option "Add a Bluetooth device" ).

How to connect a gamepad from PlayStation 3 (DualShock 3) to a PC

The PS3 gamepad is the best choice for price and quality. True, you can buy it sooner only in stores of used consoles. Unfortunately, there is not even formal support at the system level in Windows for it. Therefore, you will have to install special fan software:

1. Connect the DualShock 3 with a native cable via USB.
2. Download the ScpToolkit application.
3. Run the downloaded ScpToolkit_Setup.exe file.
4. Follow the installation wizard prompts.
5. At the final stage, the Run Driver Installer button will appear - click it.
6. Click the active buttons at the top and then the Next button.
7. Once the installation is complete, the DualShock 3 will automatically detect itself as an Xbox 360 Controller when connected.

DualShock 3 will only work via cable.

How to Connect Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller to PC

Wireless controllers from Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X are fully compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 out of the box. As with DualSense, no additional settings or driver installations are required.

To connect via Bluetooth, right-click on the blue Bluetooth icon in the tray and select the option "Add a Bluetooth device".

How to Connect Xbox 360 Controller to PC

The Xbox 360 controller is fully compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 via cable only. You cannot connect it via Bluetooth - you need a special adapter with its own wireless technology. Therefore, there are no fan-made drivers for wireless connection. And the adapter itself is already difficult to find on sale.

How to Connect Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to PC

Nintendo Switch controller connects via Bluetooth only on Windows 10/11:

1. right - click on the blue Bluetooth icon in the tray,
2. select the "Add a Bluetooth Device" option.

You may also need to install via Steam:

1. open the Steam app;
2. open the controller settings menu ( Steam > "Settings" > "Controller" > "Basic Controller Settings" );
3. find the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller among the detected devices and activate it.

How to Connect Wii U Pro Controller to PC

The Wii U controller is the most difficult to connect to Windows and get it to work correctly in all games. However, one of the Reddit users was still able to find a solution for connecting via Bluetooth:

1. Disable Bluetooth completely on your Windows PC.
2. Download WiinUSoft 2.1 and Windows 10 Hotfix.
3. Unzip both archives to a separate folder or desktop.
4. Connect the Wii U Pro Controller with a USB cable to your PC.
5. Open Bluetooth settings and turn it on.
6. Immediately press the red button on the back of the controller.
7. When the gamepad appears in the list of devices available for connection, click on it or on the button "Pair". If there is a connection error, then press the red button on the controller.
8. Go to the folder with the unpacked WiinUSoft utility.
9. Move the Nintroller.dll file from the hotfix archive into it.
10. Run the WiinUSoft.exe file and the controller will be ready to use.

How to connect gamepads from old consoles (PS1, PS2, Xbox, Dreamcast) to PC

It is better to get an updated version of one of the retro controllers, equipped with a USB cable. True, these will have to be ordered through Amazon or Aliexpress. But for native gamepads from the first PlayStation, PlayStation 2, original Xbox, or even Dreamcast, there are special adapters. They can also be searched in foreign online stores: