My parents just bought me a refurbished PS4 how do I connect the controller because it's not connecting

5 answers

To connect your PlayStation 4 controller to your refurbished PS4, follow these steps:

  1. Power On the PS4: Make sure your PS4 console is turned on. If it’s not, press the power button on the front of the console.

  2. Charge the Controller: First, ensure your PS4 controller is charged. Use a USB cable to connect the controller to one of the USB ports on the front of the PS4.

  3. Sync the Controller:

    • After connecting the controller to the PS4 using the USB cable, press the PlayStation button (the circular button with the PlayStation logo) in the center of the controller.
    • You should see the light bar on the controller turn on, indicating that it is pairing with the console.
  4. Disconnect the USB Cable: Once the controller is connected (the light should stay on), you can disconnect the USB cable and use the controller wirelessly.

  5. If It Doesn't Connect:

    • If the controller isn't connecting after following the above steps, try pressing the Reset button on the back of the controller. Use a small, pointed object (like a paperclip) to press the button.
    • After resetting, repeat the sync process by connecting the controller to the PS4 using the USB cable, then pressing the PlayStation button.
  6. Pairing Additional Controllers: If you are trying to connect a second or additional controller, follow the same steps. Remember that each time you connect a new controller, you must use a USB cable initially for pairing.

If you still encounter issues, ensure the USB cable is working properly, try using a different USB port on the PS4, or consult the PlayStation support website for further troubleshooting.

The thing is I've tried resetting my controller but it's not working do I hold the the reset button for 3 seconds?

To reset your PS4 controller, follow these steps to ensure you're doing it correctly:

  1. Locate the Reset Button: The reset button is a small hole located on the back of the controller, near where the L2 button is. You might need a pointed object like a paperclip to press it.

  2. Press and Hold the Reset Button:

    • Insert the paperclip or similar object into the hole and hold it down for about 5-10 seconds. This duration is generally recommended to ensure a proper reset.
  3. Reconnect the Controller: After resetting the controller:

    • Connect it to the PS4 using a USB cable.
    • Power on the PS4, if it’s not already on.
    • Press the PlayStation button on the controller to pair it with the console.

After doing this, the controller should connect to the PS4.

Additional Tips

  • Try a Different USB Cable: If the controller still doesn’t connect, there might be an issue with the USB cable or port. Try a different USB cable or another USB port on the PS4.
  • Check for Controller Issues: If the controller still doesn’t respond, it may have a hardware failure.
  • Testing on Another PS4: If possible, test the controller on a different PS4 to determine if the issue is with the controller or the console itself.

If you continue having problems, there may be an issue with the controller or the PS4 hardware. In that case, contacting technical support would be a good next step.

I mean the controller it's charging and everything it's just it won't connect

If your PS4 controller is charging but won’t connect to the console, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try beyond just resetting the controller:

1. Reboot the PS4

  • Fully turn off your PS4 by holding the power button until you hear two beeps. Wait a few moments, then turn it back on.
  • Once it’s booted up, try connecting your controller again using the USB cable and pressing the PlayStation button.

2. Check for Bluetooth Interference

  • Ensure there are no other devices nearby that might interfere with Bluetooth connections. Move away any potential sources of interference.

3. Forget the Controller in Safe Mode (if needed)

If the PS4 has paired with your controller previously but you can't connect it now, you might need to enter Safe Mode:

  1. Turn off the PS4 completely.
  2. Hold the power button until you hear two beeps (the second beep should come about 7 seconds after the first).
  3. Connect the controller to the PS4 with a USB cable and press the PlayStation button.
  4. Once in Safe Mode, choose the option to "Change Resolution" or "Restore Default Settings" (this doesn’t delete your data but can reset connections, including controllers).

4. Try Another Controller

  • If possible, try connecting a different PS4 controller to see if the issue is with the controller or the console.

5. Firmware Updates

  • Ensure your PS4 is updated to the latest system software. Sometimes, connectivity issues can arise from outdated software.

6. Wired Connection

  • If you haven’t done so already, make sure you try connecting with the USB cable directly to the PS4 while the controller is off. Sometimes, the USB connection needs to be established before the wireless connection can work.

7. Factory Reset (as a last resort)

  • If none of the above methods work, you might consider doing a factory reset on your PS4. However, this will erase data, so make sure you back up saved games and other data first.

If the controller still doesn’t connect after trying all these steps, it may be worth contacting PlayStation support for further assistance, as the controller may be defective.