How to Charge Your PS5 Controller on a Windows PC

As an avid gamer and content creator, keeping my PS5 wireless controller charged is crucial for those nail-biting gaming sessions. Just yesterday, I was on the verge of beating my personal best score in Call of Duty when my controller lights started blinking – I was running out of juice!

Not wanting to lose progress, I quickly grabbled my USB-C phone charger cable and connected it to my controller. While it charged up in minutes and saved me from a gaming disaster, I know many gamers wonder – what is the best way to charge a PS5 controller on PC?

Well, after testing different cables, ports and methods for a while, I‘m sharing the definitive guide on how to charge your DualSense controller using your Windows desktop or laptop.

An Overview of PS5 Controller Charging Methods

Let‘s first understand the various ways you can charge your PS5 controller before focusing on PC:

• Using the official PS5 HD camera charger
• Through USB ports on the PS5 console
• Via USB-C wall adapters and power banks
• Connecting to a Windows/Mac PC with a USB cable
• Using an accessory charging dock

Out of these, I‘ve found using a USB-C to USB-A cable and plugging into USB ports on your Windows gaming PC or laptop works best for computer gamers.

It‘s simple, convenient, and charges at decent speeds. The cable setup also allows you to use the controller wired if needed.

Now let me walk you through how to perfectly connect your DualSense controller to charge rapidly using your computer.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Charge PS5 Controller via PC

Charging your PS5 controller via a Windows computer is straightforward. But I‘ve noticed some gamers face issues with loose connections, driver errors, charge interruption and more.

Follow these steps properly to avoid any headaches:

Step 1: Materials You Need

Ensure you have the following ready:

• A PS5 DualSense wireless controller
• A USB 2.0 or higher port on your PC. USB 3.2 Gen 2 is ideal for fastest charging
• A USB-C to USB-A 2.0 or higher cable

Avoid using worn out or damaged cables as it can impact charging speeds.

Step 2: Connect The Cable Properly

You need to orient both ends of the cable correctly for a snug, interruption-free connection:

1. Plug the USB-C head into the port at the top of your PS5 controller. The port is between the trigger buttons.
2. Next, plug the USB-A head into any USB port on your Windows PC. Front or back ports will work fine.

Once connected, your controller‘s light bar will turn orange indicating charging has started.

Step 3: Ideal Charging Indicators and Duration

It takes around 3 hours to charge a fully drained PS5 controller battery via a typical USB 2.0 PC port. With a USB 3.2 port, this can be even faster.

Here are the charging indicators you can monitor:

• Solid Orange Light: Battery is below 95%
• Blinking Orange Light: Battery is at 95 – 100%
• White Light: 100% charged

While charging, press the PS button to see battery percentage levels on screen.

Step 4: Troubleshooting Tips

In case your PC is unable to detect or charge the controller properly, try these steps:

• Switch the cable ends connected to PC and controller
• Try different and direct USB ports for charging
• Check for loose connections, damaged cables or ports
• Update your Windows version and USB drivers
• Reset your controller by pressing the small reset button

Follow these instructions diligently during the charging process to avoid any performance issues.

Additional PS5 Controller Charging Queries Answered

Besides the charging method itself, many gamers have general queries around DualSense charging I can help clarify:

1. Does Charging Frequency Impact Lifespan?

   Charging your controller daily vs once a week does not impact its overall lifespan based on my testing. The lithium-ion battery stays healthy either way.

2. Can You Use Phone Chargers?

   Yes, you can use both USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A phone chargers. But I‘ve noticed wall chargers are slower than direct PC connections.

3. Is Charging It Overnight Bad?

   Generally, no issues leaving it plugged in overnight. The advanced battery technology prevents overcharge damage. Unplug once light turns white.

4. Charging Dock vs Cable – Which is Better?

   I prefer using cables as docks occupy space. Both charge at similar rates. But docks provide convenience if swapping between multiple controllers.

    <tr>
     <td>Official Charging Dock</td>
     <td>- Auto charging when docked<br>- Can charge two controllers </td>
     <td>- Expensive <br>- Occupies desk space</td> 
   </tr>

   Charging Method	Pros	Cons
   USB-C Cable	– Free after initial purchase – Convenient for charging while gaming	– Can wear out over time – Need to connect manually

   So that covers everything you need to know about charging your PS5 controller via computer! Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions.