Many PS5 owners have reached out to us to seek help regarding their DualSense controller that won’t charge. If your own PS5 controller is having trouble charging too, then you’re definitely not the only one.
Causes for PS5 controller charging issues
If you find your PS5 controller not charging anymore, it’s likely just a minor issue, like a broken charging cable, or even a dirty USB port. If neither of those is the main reason, then you need to dig deeper. There are other serious cases that require drastic solutions, like replacing the controller due to physical damage.
In some rare cases, the issue may lie with the PS5’s software itself, like the reported issues of some users that their controller won’t charge at all when the console is on Rest Mode.
Broken charging cable.
As mentioned earlier, this is a common occurrence, especially if you’re not careful when unplugging or keeping your cables. The charging cable that comes with your PS5 box has tiny wires inside that can easily break if you pull the cable suddenly from the console or controller. The issue may not be easily obvious so consider using another cable to know.
Dirty USB port.
Dirt, lint, or foreign objects may find their way inside the USB port of the controller or console. If there’s enough blockage, the USB cable may not be able to make solid contact with the metal connectors in the port causing a disruption of data or power transfer.
Bad PS5 controller batteries.
Your PS5 DualSense controller uses a set of internal batteries to hold a charge. If these batteries have factory defects or have been damaged for whatever reason, it can cause a controller charging issue as well. Unfortunately, these internal batteries are non-removable so if this is what’s happening to you, you’ll need to have the controller either replaced or repaired.
Some Basic Checkups
Before we start with any of the methods I say let’s do a quick basic check.
Check for dust in the USB port: Make sure that there is no dust in the USB port of both PS5 and DuelSensse controller.
If there is then clean an Air Compressor Can. If don’t have one or don’t want to buy then you can blow air through your mouth. Bur I would recommend using the Compressor Air.
Check if the cable is plug-in properly: Check if the USB is properly inserted into the PS5 and DuelSense, If the cable is not properly inserted then the controller won’t get enough power and will not charge even if the light is flashing.
I have personally faced this one so many times when I forget to properly insert the USB cable in the console. Do make sure that you properly insert the USB cable.
PS5 Controller Not Charging: How to Fix The Problem
Now that we have looked at the common reasons a PS5 Controller may refuse to charge, let’s explore the solutions so you can resume gaming as soon as possible. Thankfully, you can try some of these troubleshooting tips yourself to get it back up and running. Let’s jump into it
Use another charging cable
The first thing you want to do is to check out the charging cable of your controller to determine whether or not the problem is with the cable. One way to do that is to use the same charging cable on another PS5 Controller to charge it. If that controller doesn’t charge, it means you got a problem with the cable. If you’re unable to find another controller to try the cable with, you can use another cable on your primary cable.
Clean out the USB ports
Many people are unaware that USB ports can accumulate dirt, so they never check and rid it of dirt and foreign objects. Loose contact between the ports can cause also disrupt the supply of power, so check the ports to see if there’s anything in both the USB ports and your PlayStation 5 console.
If you find anything blocking the connection or damaging the USB ports in any way, gently eliminate the dirt by using a can of compressed air. Avoid putting anything inside the port in a bid to clean it as this may damage the port. And if the PS5 Controller is still not charging after you’ve cleaned out the dirt, you may need to get the charging port replaced by an official vendor or get it directly from the PlayStation official website.
Charge PS5 controller using a PC.
If you have a controller not charging issue on your console, the other way to see if whether you have a bad console or controller is to find an alternative way to charge. If you have a laptop or a PC, connect your controller to one of its USB C ports and see if it charges normally.
If the controller charges fine on a PC but not on your PS5, you may need to contact Sony to have the console repaired or replaced.
Update your PS5 software.
Whether you have an issue or not with your PS5 DualSense controller, it’s always a good idea to keep the software of the console in top shape by installing updates regularly.
Update your controller firmware
Many people tend to ignore checking for updates until a problem pops up but you should check for updates regularly whether there is a charging problem or not. The simple reason is that most new devices come with bugs and the PlayStation 5 DualSense isn’t an exception. Like most manufacturers, Sony rolls out updates from time to time to address these bugs, so you want to have both your PS5 Controller updated.
Here’s how to check for and update your controller’s firmware.
- Make sure your PS5 is connected to the internet.
- Go to Settings.
- Go to System > System Software
- Then go to System Software Update and Settings > Update System Software.
- Now wait for the system to check for updates and if it’s updating, don’t try to turn off your PS5.
Reset your PlayStation 5 Controller
This step should the last resort if every other solution fails. It indicates that this isn’t a console issue but that it is firmware-related. Resetting your controller will bring back its factory reset state. Here’s how to reset your PlayStation 5 controller:
- Disconnect the controller from the console or from a charging port
- Check for a small hole under the L2 button. This hole is the reset button.
- Insert a needle or toothpick into this hole to press the button in it.
- Press and hold the button for a few seconds.
- Release it and you will see the controller reset to solve the failure
- Restart the controller and connect it to the PS5 system.
