Playstation PS4 Controller - pairing connect without a USB cable

Gear Review

Troubleshooting PS4 Controller Connection Issues

*Stop the frustration and get back to your game with these proven fixes*

~7

Days

3

Controllers

2

Minutes

Table of Contents

• ①Troubleshooting Steps
• ②Connecting Without a USB Cable
• ③Conclusion

Section I

Troubleshooting Steps

I recently encountered some frustrating issues trying to connect my PS4 controllers, and it took me over a week and three new controllers to figure it out. The real culprit wasn’t the controllers themselves—especially since they were brand new—but rather the USB cable I was using. Here’s a rundown of various troubleshooting steps and a workaround for connecting your PS4 controller without a USB cable.

 

1. Basic Connection with USB Cable

• →Connect the Controller — Use a USB cable to connect the controller to the PS4.
• →Press the PS Home Button — With the PS4 turned off, click the PS Home button. If the PS4 turns on, you’re in business!

2. Reset the Controller

• →Locate the Reset Button — Find the small hole on the bottom of the controller, near the L2 button.
• →Press to Reset — Use a paper clip to press and hold the reset button for a few seconds. Then, try the first method again.

3. Power Off the PS4

• →Turn Off the PS4 — Hold the power button until it beeps a second time, indicating it’s off.
• →Unplug and Wait — Unplug the power cord and wait for 1-2 minutes.
• →Reconnect Power and Try Again — Plug the power cord back in and attempt the first method once more.

4. Try Different USB Cables

• →Use a Different Cable — Sometimes, not all micro USB cables are created equal. Ensure you use a cable specifically designed for both power and data transfer. Some users reported having to try multiple cables before finding one that worked.

Tip: Not all micro USB cables support data transfer. If your controller isn't connecting, swapping to a high-quality data-sync cable is often the fix.

Section II

Connecting Without a USB Cable

If you already have a working controller, follow these steps to add a second (unpaired) controller:

Navigation and Pairing

• →Navigate to Bluetooth Settings — Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices on the PS4.
• →Pair the New Controller — On the new controller, hold down the Share button and the PS Home button at the same time. Wait for the controller to appear in the Bluetooth devices list, then select it to pair.

If You Have No Working Controllers

If you find yourself in the same situation I did, without any working controllers, you can use the PS Remote Play App on your iPhone:

Step	Action
1	Download the PS Remote Play App from the App Store.
2	Use the app to navigate to the Bluetooth settings on your PS4.
3	Press the Share and PS Home buttons on your new controller until it shows up in the app and pair it.

Section III

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot your PS4 controller connection issues effectively. I found success after testing different USB cables and utilizing the PS Remote Play app to pair my controllers. It’s a bit of a hassle, but now I'm back to gaming without any connectivity issues!

Happy gaming, and may your sync process be swift.