Sony’s DualShock 4 wireless PS4 controller is one of the best console controllers available in today’s gaming industry. It also serves as the primary controller for the PlayStation 4 game system.
We enjoy a high-quality wireless controller since it eliminates the inconvenience of cords, which is especially useful when gaming. Waiting for them to be fully charged, on the other hand, can be extremely inconvenient. But it’s a tiny price to pay for many hours of gaming in the comfort of your couch.
So, we’re going to answer your question, “How long does it take to charge a PS4 controller?” as well as many other details concerning the PS4 wireless controller that you should be aware of.
How Long Does The PS4 Controller Charge?
There could be differences in each person’s controller condition, such as the USB cable you use, how long you’ve had the controller, etc. But generally, the PS4 controller needs about two hours to fully charge from being completely dead.
Although the PS4 controllers are one of the best controllers on the market, they are notorious for charging slowly after a few years of usage. It can vary depending on your controller’s condition and the charger you use. It could be faster or slower. However, it would typically take about two hours.
How to Charge the PS4 Controller?
If the battery has no remaining charge, it would take about 2 hours to fully recharge the controller. The charging process for the PS4 controller is simple, and all you need is a Micro-USB cable.
Before attaching your PS4 controller to the console, make sure your console is turned on or in rest mode.
If you don’t have or don’t want to utilize a Micro-USB cable to charge your PS4 controller, you can use a DualShock 4 charging station. The DualShock 4 charging dock can charge two PS4 controllers simultaneously without the need for the PlayStation console.
The light bar on your PS4 controller slowly flashes orange when you charge it. When your PS4 controller’s battery is fully charged, the light bar turns off.
Factors that Impact Charging
Photos courtesy of PlayStation
Each controller has different conditions depending on how the user has treated the controller. Thus, many factors impact a controller’s charging time.
The first factor that could impact the charging time is the amount of battery power left in your controller before charging. Some individuals typically charge their controllers before they’re completely drained.
If you start to charge the controller at 50%, then it will most likely take approximately one hour to fully recharge. But, that’s if your batteries aren’t worn out.
With older controllers with worn-out batteries, charging time would take longer.
Another factor that could impact the charging times is the type of charger you use.
When you buy the DualShock 4, you also get a USB charging cord to charge your controller’s internal battery from your PS4 USB port. However, you can use third-party accessories like a USB wall charger or a fast charger to charge your controller.
Although you can use third-party accessories and a wall outlet, Sony recommends charging your PS4 controller with your console. When charging your controller with anything else besides the console and charging dock, be cautious and check that the USB wall charger meets the maximum current allowable for a PS4 controller.
Don’t forget to use an AC adapter to avoid damaging your PS4 controller from excessive power currents. You should also avoid charging your PS4 controller with fast Micro-USB cables designed for phones.
The use of third-party accessories may charge your controller faster or slower, depending on the quality. But overall, you shouldn’t be too concerned as long as it doesn’t take more than three hours to charge.
How Long Is the Battery Life of a PS4 Controller Between Charges?
Photos courtesy of PlayStation
The battery life varies depending on the controller’s condition.
In general, a new PS4 controller will last between four and eight hours—depending on your usage—before it dies.
Meanwhile, an older controller would die faster because of worn-out batteries.
The DualShock 4 controllers have received positive feedback from PlayStation 4 users. However, they do not have the same great battery as their competitors. Its competitor, the Xbox One controller, is powered by replaceable double-A batteries and has a battery life of up to 40 hours.
But that’s not to imply the DualShock 4 controllers aren’t good; quite the contrary. The DualShock controller is one of the best. It just needs to be charged more frequently than other controllers.
Troubleshooting Tips When PS4 Controller is Not Charging
There may be a number of reasons why your controller is not charging or why the light bar is not blinking. If you’re having trouble charging your controller, you might want to try these troubleshooting tips before going to buy a new controller or controller battery.
Check if the Micro-USB Port or cable is Damaged.
One reason why your controller may not be charging is that your micro-USB port or cable is damaged. So, try out a different cable and see if your controller charges.
Check if the Charging Port has Dust.
If the USB cord is not the problem, the charging port on the controller or the console could be full of dust or other particles which could hinder the charging process of the controller.
Make sure to clean the charging ports of the controller, console, or charging dock with a small q-tip or compressed air to get rid of the dust and other particles that could be stuck inside.
Perform a Power Cycle
Another reason is that your console may be the problem. Try doing a power cycle on your console by unplugging it and waiting for about 10 minutes. Hold the power button for 30 seconds. while the PS4 is still unplugged to drain the remaining power. Then, plug in the console, turn it on, and connect your PS4 controller using the USB cable to see if it is charging.
Reset the PS4 Controller
If you’ve tried everything, the last resort before going to the store and buying a new controller is to reset your controller.
From your console’s menu, click on “Settings” and select “Devices.” From there, remove all the devices that are connected to your console. Now, press and hold a thin pin for five seconds in the little hole on the bottom of your PS4 controller. After that, click on the PS button to re-sync your PS4 controller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the DualShock 4 Charging Station Worth Buying?
Photos courtesy of PlayStation
While having a separate charging station for your controller is a huge luxury, you don’t always need one. A USB cable will do just as well. Furthermore, the charging station is extremely pricey. So, if you have the money, it’s a nice purchase; if you don’t, stay with the USB cable.
How to Know if Your PS4 Controller is Low on Battery?
Photos courtesy of PlayStation
When you press and hold the PS button, the battery appears on-screen. It will also show its remaining charge.
Is There a Faster Way to Charge a PS4 Controller?
There are faster ways to power your PlayStation 4 controllers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for your controller.
You can plug them into a wall outlet to get more power. Or you can buy fast chargers.
However, as previously mentioned, you must take precautions when charging it via a power outlet. There is a greater chance of damaging the controller’s batteries, which will reduce its overall lifespan.
Why do the batteries in some PS4 controllers last longer than others?
You may not know, but Sony released the second version of the DualShock 4 in September 2016. Although the v1 and v2 didn’t have much of a difference, Sony made sure to do some tweaks to the v2 to supply power that exceeded the v1.
With that, the v2 lasts longer. But regardless of which version you have, it will still take about two hours to charge.
Why does my PS4 controller die so quickly?
There are various reasons why your controller dies quickly. This could be because of how long your gaming time is; the battery could be worn-out already; it could also be because the PS4 controllers have too many battery-consuming features like the speakers or vibration motors. All these can be the reasons why your battery dies quickly.
But, of course, there are some ways to fix this to ensure longer gaming sessions. You can turn on your power save settings, reduce the brightness of the light bar, and turn off the vibration motors. All of these can be done in the settings menu.
But if you really want to lengthen your controller’s battery life, then you might want to try and disassemble the whole controller and replace the battery with a stronger one.
That’s a Wrap
And that’s it! Sony’s DualShock 4 controller for the PlayStation 4 is definitely one of the best controllers on the market. The use of a wireless controller really enhances your gaming experience, and it can last up to eight hours (but that depends on usage).
Despite its limited battery life, it still offers you a ton of great features. So, you better take care of your controller to fully enjoy all of the capabilities it can offer you.
If you want to enhance your gaming experience even more, you might want to try out an affordable gaming headset or a comfortable gaming chair to pair with your gaming setup.
For more gaming reviews, tips, and guides, check out our blog here.
Happy gaming!
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