How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error

Are you having issues with your controller connecting? You’re ready to game, but without using your controller, it’s game over.

How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error

You’re not the only gamer to have this problem. DS4Windows was initially developed by InhexSTER, then taken over by Elctrobrains. Later, it was recreated by Jays2Kings. Now, it is maintained by Ryochan7. You may have an older version with files no longer used. One such file includes the “Scarlett.Crush Productions Virtual Bus Driver” (ScpVBus) (originally developed for SCP Toolkit and used in DS4Windows) getting replaced by the “Virtual Gamepad Emulation Bus Driver” (ViGEmBus) and “Virtual Gamepad Emulation Client Libraries” (ViGEmClient.)

Fortunately, solving this dilemma doesn’t require a difficult hack. This article will guide you through the steps to connect your controller and get you back to gaming.

DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller in Windows 11

Many DS4Windows users have had issues getting Windows 11 to recognize their controllers. DS4Windows was originally designed for Windows 10 but now supports Windows 11.

If you still have problems with DS4Windows not detecting the PS4/PS5 controller in Windows 11, you may have old drivers and libraries installed from previous DS4Windows versions or other controller software.

Visit the corresponding DS4 controller websites to get uninstall information. Also, ensure no other software uses the old drivers/libraries, as other programs often utilize them.

Another common issue is when you’ve recently updated to Windows 11.

You can try two methods to solve your problem.

Sometimes the solution is to re-enable your controller. To do this, follow the steps below:

  1. Close “DS4Windows” and disconnect your controller from the PC.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  2. Right-click on the “Windows Start Menu” and select “Run” to open the prompt menu.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  3. Type “devmgmt.msc” in the box and click “Enter.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  4. From the “Device Manager Menu,” select “Human Interface Devices.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  5. Right-click on “HID-compliant game controller” and choose “Disable device.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  6. Wait a moment, right-click on “HID-compliant game controller,” and select “Enable device.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  7. Open “DS4Windows” and reconnect your controller, then check if it is detected.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error

If you still have issues with your controller being detected, you can try uninstalling and reconnecting your DS4Windows controller. To learn how to do this, follow these instructions:

  1. Ensure that DS4Windows is closed and your controller is disconnected.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  2. Open the prompt menu by right-clicking on the “Windows Start Menu.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  3. Type “Control Panel” and hit “Enter.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  4. Locate “Hardware and Sound” and tap “Devices and Printers.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  5. Reconnect your “DS4Windows” controller to the PC. A gamepad icon will appear on the “Devices and Printers” screen. Right-click “Wireless Controller” or whatever the gamepad says, then choose “Properties” from the drop-down menu.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  6. Select the “Hardware” tab and double-tap on “HID-compliant game controller.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  7. Switch to the “Driver” tab and tap “Uninstall Device.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  8. Open “DS4Windows.” Your controller should now be detected.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error

Note: If using a PS5 controller, ensure dualSense is turned on in the DS4 Controller settings. If it is, try stopping and restarting it.

DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller in Windows 7

You’re not the only person with a problem with Windows 7 detecting your controller. Fortunately, this common problem has a few different quick fixes.

There are two solutions to this issue. The first is to reinstall the DS4Windows driver, while the second fix is to disable and re-enable the DS4 controller. One of the two methods described below should be all you’ll need to do to get back to gaming.

To learn how to reinstall the DS4Windows driver, follow these steps:

  1. Disconnect your controller from the PC and close “DS4Windows.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  2. Using the “Search” tool, type in “Control Panel” and hit “Enter.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  3. Select the “Hardware and Sound” option.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  4. Reconnect your controller. A new pop-up will appear on the screen.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  5. Right-click on the icon and select “Properties.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  6. Tap the “Hardware” tab and double-click on “HID-compliant game controller.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  7. Choose the “Driver” tab and double-tap.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  8. From the “Driver” tab, select “Uninstall Device.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  9. If the controller isn’t detected, reboot your PC.

If this method hasn’t solved your problem, you can disable and re-enable your DS4 controller. To do so, follow the steps below:

  1. Disconnect the controller from the PC and close DS4Windows.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  2. From the “Search Bar,” type in “Device Manager” and click to open.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  3. Locate and click on “Human Interface Devices.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  4. Select “HID-compliant game controller” or “Sound, Video, and Game Controllers.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  5. Right-click on the one your system has and select “Disable device.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  6. Wait a moment and then select “Enable device.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  7. Restart “DS4Windows.” Your controller should now be detected.

DS4Windows Not Detecting PS5 Controller

If you’re having issues with DS4Windows not detecting your PS5 controller, there are a few things you can do. First, check that DualSense is enabled. If it is, try turning it off and back on. Second, you can re-enable your controller. If that doesn’t help, you can uninstall and reconnect your DS4Windows controller next. One of these methods should do the trick and get you back to gaming.

To re-enable your PS5 controller, do the following:

  1. Unplug the controller from the PC and close “DS4Windows.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  2. Right-click on the Windows “Start Menu” and select “Run.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  3. Type “devmgmt.msc” in the window and press “Enter.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  4. From the “Device Manager,” select “Human Interface Devices.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  5. Right-click on “HID-compliant game controller” and click “Disable device.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  6. Go to “HID-compliant game controller” again and select “Enable device.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  7. Reconnect your controller and open “DS4Windows.” Check if your controller is detected.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error

If your PS5 controller still gives you problems, you can also try to uninstall and reconnect it. To do so, follow the steps below:

  1. Disconnect the controller from the PC and shut down DS4Windows.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  2. Right-click on the “Start Menu” and choose “Run.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  3. Type “Control Panel” in the box and press “Enter” or click “OK.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  4. Find “Hardware and Sound” and click “View devices and printers.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  5. Reconnect your “DS4Windows” controller to the PC.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  6. A gamepad icon appears on the “Devices and Printers” screen. Right-click on it and choose “Properties” from the drop-down menu.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  7. Choose the “Hardware” tab and double-click on “HID-compliant game controller.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  8. Switch to the “Driver” tab and select “Uninstall Device.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  9. Launch “DS4Windows.” Your controller should now be detected.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  10. Disconnect your controller and shut down “DS4Windows.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  11. Right-click on the “Start Menu.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  12. Type “Control Panel” in the box and press “Enter.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  13. Find “Hardware and Sound” and click “View devices and printers.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  14. Reconnect your DS4Windows controller.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  15. A gamepad icon appears on the “Devices and Printers” screen. Right-click on “PS5 wireless controller” or whatever it says, and choose “Properties.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  16. Click the “Hardware” tab and double-click on the “HID-compliant game controller” function.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  17. Switch to the “Driver” tab and choose “Uninstall Device.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  18. Launch “DS4Windows.” Your controller should now be detected.

DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller via Bluetooth

If you’re having issues with DS4Windows not detecting your controller with Bluetooth, you’re not the only one. Fortunately, you can try a few things to solve this problem. You can ensure your PC is Bluetooth enabled and toggle the switch or remove the device and add it back.

To pair your controller with Bluetooth, do the following:

  1. Click the “Start Menu” and choose “Settings.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  2. Choose “Devices” and then “Bluetooth & other devices.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  3. Ensure that “Bluetooth” is on. Toggle it off and then back on to refresh it.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  4. Power on your controller.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  5. Press the “PlayStation+Share” buttons on the controller until its lights begin to flash.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  6. Your PC should now connect to the controller.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error

To remove and add your controller for Bluetooth, follow these steps:

  1. Reboot your PC and ensure your controller has a 10% or above charge.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  2. Using the “Run” tool, type in “Control Panel” and press “Enter” or click “OK.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  3. Locate and click on “View devices and printers.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  4. Find “Bluetooth PS4 controller,” right-click and select “Remove device,” and then “Yes.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  5. Launch “DS4Windows” and select the “Settings” tab.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  6. Tap “Hide DS4 Controller” and click “Controller/Driver Setup.”
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  7. Select “Bluetooth Settings” in the “Controller/Driver Setup” window.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  8. Press the “PlayStation+Share” buttons using your controller until the lights flash.
    How To Fix The DS4Windows Not Detecting Controller Error
  9. Your controller should be detected now.

Get Your Controller Detected and Get Back to Gaming

It can be frustrating when DS4Windows won’t detect your controller. Sometimes all that’s needed is to uninstall and reconnect it. Maybe the fix was simply toggling off and on your Bluetooth settings or pairing your controller again.

Have you had issues with DS4Windows and your gaming controller? Did you use the methods outlined in this article? Let us know in the comments section below.

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