Why Does My PS5 Controller Keep Dying So Fast?
Nothing kills the gaming mood faster than your controller suddenly dying mid-boss fight. As a hardcore gamer and content creator myself, I know that struggle all too well. The PS5‘s DualSense controller pushes the limits of features for immersive play – incredible haptic feedback, dynamic trigger resistance, built-in mic and speaker. But all that tech drains battery life faster than previous controllers.
While the DualSense is rated for 12-15 hours average, real-world use often falls short. Through first-hand testing and researching fellow gamers‘ experiences, I‘ve identified the most common culprits behind the DualSense‘s shorter-than-expected battery life. Read on for reasons your PS5 controller life fizzles out, and more importantly solutions to extend it.
DualSense Battery Draining Features
The DualSense‘s myriad of high-tech features enable amazingly immersive gameplay – when powered on. But each drains significant battery life when used extensively.
| Feature | Battery Impact |
|---|---|
| Vibration Feedback | High |
| Trigger Resistance | High |
| Microphone Monitoring | Medium |
| Light Bar | Low |
The more features activated simultaneously, the faster your battery dwindles. Disabling some effects can greatly extend charge, albeit at the cost of some immersive flair.
Battery Hungry Game Genres and Titles
Not all games drain battery equally. The most graphic-intense games hammer the DualSense‘s unique features, eating battery in the process. Frequent vibration feedback, dynamic trigger pulling, even background mic monitoring to enable in-game chat all require major power.
Genres notorious for battery drain include action-adventure, shooters, and simulators that utilize vibration, sound, and trigger effects heavily. God of War Ragnarok provides that satisfying axe-throwing feedback, but be prepared to charge up after just a few hours of play.
Compare that to turn-based and logic titles that require less continuous physical input. I squeezed nearly 14 hours playing indie puzzle game Dorothy the Vampire Slayer since vibration and triggers weren‘t constantly activated.
While you can minimize in-game features like vibration to save power, certain titles will tax battery more than others. Check gaming forums to see what actual players report for your go-to games‘ battery life.
Charging Cable Connection Problems
Before assuming the worst about your controller itself, examine how you charge it. A loose or faulty USB-C cable can fail to properly charge the DualSense. One telltale sign is if the controller charges when directly connected to the PS5, but not from a wall charging brick.
Pay close attention to snugly inserting the charging cable into the controller. The port fit is tight, needing an assertive push to make a solid connection. Also try swapping cables, ideally with the official Sony PS5 cord. Questionable third-party cables often don‘t output sufficient power for proper charging. Only use accessories meeting USB-IF certification standards for safe charging.
Outdated Firmware Causing Battery Drain Issues
Finally, don‘t underestimate the impact buggy software can have on your controller‘s power performance. Failing to update can leave the DualSense running inefficiently, burning through precious battery life faster than necessary during gameplay.
I recommend periodically checking for new DualSense firmware updates manually:
- From your PS5‘s main menu, select Settings > Accessories.
- Scroll down and select Controllers > Wireless Controller Device Software > Update to Latest Version
This scans and installs the latest patches, keeping your controller‘s firmware optimized. Also enable Auto-Update so future releases install automatically.
Additionally, head to Settings > System > Power Saving to adjust options like auto-shutoff when idle. I have controllers set to enter low power after 10 minutes of inactivity.
Maximize Your DualSense Battery
To keep you charging ahead in those epic gaming battles rather than hunting for a charging cable, be mindful what drains battery most. Reduce in-game features, play lighter titles at times, secure cable connections, and keep firmware current. Take back control over your DualSense‘s battery life and game on!
Let me know if these battery saving tips help you squeeze a little more gaming glory from your PS5 controller. And stay tuned here for the latest on PS5 updates to feed your gaming addiction just a bit further into the night.
