- DS4Windows is a tool for connecting Sony's Dual Shock 4 Controller to Windows PC for gaming.
- To fix "DS4Windows not working" error in Windows 10 games, methods include checking controller in Device Manager, updating DS4Windows, uninstalling and reinstalling DS4 Controller, editing registry entry, and uninstalling Windows update.
- Following these methods can help resolve the error and ensure a smooth gaming experience on Windows 10.
There were times when children used to play outdoor games to spend their leisure time. Nowadays, children prefer playing games on their smartphones, computers, PlayStation, Xbox, etc. In this tutorial, we came with the best 6 possible ways to DS4Windows not working errors.
Some PC games get even more exciting when played using a controller. However, you cannot directly connect a controller to your computer. You need a tool that will act as an emulator for connecting your controller to your Windows PC. This is where you can make use of DS4 Windows.
What is DS4 Windows?
DS4 Windows is the tool that will act as an emulator for connecting your Sonyโs Dual Shock 4 (DS4) Controller to your Windows PC.
Since Windows has rolled out its Windows 10 update, several users have reported a โds4windows not workingโ error. There could be several reasons which cause this error.
Thus, here we are with a list of methods that you can use to eliminate this error and enjoy an uninterrupted gaming experience.
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How to Fix โds4windows not workingโ Error?
Here, we will list and explain several methods to fix this error. But, you do not have to execute all of them! Start from the first and stop at whichever method works for you.
Method 1: Check if your DualShock 4 Controller is Enabled from Device Manager.
It is possible that this device is disabled from the Device Manager, and hence, it cannot recognize your controller. Follow the steps listed below to fix it.
Step 1- Launch DS4 Windows and plug your DS4 controller to your computer.
Step 2- From the Windows Start Menu, click on โDevice Managerโ from the list.
Step 3- Here, expand the โHuman Interface Devicesโ option by clicking on the right-pointing grey arrow.
Step 4- Right-click on the โHID-compliant game controllerโ from the list of devices. Then, select โEnable Deviceโ from the list of options.
Step 5- Now, exit from Device Manager and return to DS4 Windows.
Your DS 4 controller should appear in the โControllersโ tab. If you are still experiencing the same error, go ahead with the next method.
Method 2: Update DS4Windows.
It is possible that the DS4 version you are using is not compatible with the Windows 10 version installed on your PC. Follow the steps listed below to update your DS4 Window.
Step 1- On your PC, go to the location where you have all your DS4 Windows files.
Step 2- Search for โDS4Updaterโ and click on it.
Step 3- Let it scan for the latest version of DS4 and download it if required.
Step 4- Be patient till โDS4 Windows is up to dateโ this message appears on your screen.
Step 5- Close the DS4Updater window and relaunch DS4 Windows.
Now, check if the error is fixed. If not, go ahead with the next method.
Method 3: Uninstall your DS4 Controller Device.
Once you are done with the preliminary methods, and the error prevails, start with some robust techniques. Follow the steps listed below to uninstall and reinstall your DS4 Controller.
Step 1- Close all your DS4 Windows and disconnect your DS4 controller.
Step 2- Press Win + R keys to open โRunโ dialogue box and type โcontrol panelโ in it and hit Enter.
Step 3- Your Control Panel will be launched. Here, search for โHardware and Soundโ section and click on it.
Step 4- Then, click on โDevices and Printersโ from the list that appear on your screen to get the details of all the devices connected to your PC.
Step 5- Now, reconnect your DS4 controller to your PC. You will notice a popup icon of a game controller. Right-click on that icon and click on the โPropertiesโ option.
Step 6- In the properties, click on the โHardwareโ tab located at the top and double click on the โHID-compliant game controllerโ option to open its properties.
Step 7- Here, in the โDriverโ tab, click on the โUninstall Deviceโ option to uninstall your controller. Again, disconnect your controller from your PC.
Step 8- Launch DS4 Windows on your PC and reconnect your DS4 controller to it.
This method should fix your error. If not, try using the next method.
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Method 4: Re-enable your Controller.
Step 1- Press Windows + R keys to open the โRunโ dialogue box on your PC. Here, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter.
Step 2- Click on the arrow with โHuman Interface Devicesโ and double click on the โHID-compliant game controllerโ option.
Step 3- Enable it to get your controller detected by DS4 Windows.
Method 5: Edit DualShock 4 Controller Registry Entry.
This is the most technical method. Thus, you need to be careful with is the process.
Step 1- Plug your controller to the PC and close all DS4 Windows.
Step 2- Launch the Control Panel of your computer and select โHardware and Soundโ option.
Step 3- Then, select โDevices and Printersโ. In the โDevicesโ section, click on โWireless Controllerโ >> โPropertiesโ.
Step 4- Click on the โHardwareโ tab and then, click on โHID-compliant game controllerโ from the Device Functions list.
Step 5- A new window will appear on your screen, click on the โDetailsโ tab on this window.
Step 6- Select โHardware idsโ from the โPropertyโ drop-down list and select the first three entries in the โValueโ section. Copy it and paste these entries as a backup.
Step 7- Right-click on the Start menu and select โRunโ and type โRegeditโ in it and hit Enter.
Step 8- In the Registry Editor window, expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE >> System >> CurrentControlSet >> Services.
Step 9- Now, look for HidGuardian >> Parameters. Double-click on the Affected Devices listed in the left-section. Then, copy the value which you had earlier copied and paste it in this list and click on OK.
Step 10- Restart your PC, launch DS4 Windows, and connect the controller.
Please execute perstep carefully as missing out on any one of the steps will lead to failure in fixing the error using this method.
Method 6: Uninstall Windows update.
If none of the above-listed methods fixes this error, try uninstalling your Windows update. The steps involved in this method are listed below.
Step 1- Press Windows + I keys simultaneously on your keyboard. This will launch the settings.
Step 2- In Settings, click on the โUpdate and securityโ option.
Step 3- Go to โWindows Updateโ from the list on the left and then, click on โView installed update historyโ option.
Step 4- From the new window, click on the โUninstall updatesโ option to get the list of all the installed updates on your computer.
Step 5- Search for the latest update after which this โds4windows not workingโ error started appearing. Once recognized, click on it and uninstall it. Go through the un-installation process till the end and restart your PC once the process is completed.
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Conclusion:
These are some of the most useful methods which you can use to fix the โds4windows not workingโ error on your PC. We are confident that one of the above-listed methods will fix this error.
If you have any queries regarding the methods listed above or if you know of any better method to fix the โds4windows not workingโ error, then please let us know about it in the comments section below.
Nice post. Got my DS4windows fixed. Thanks author!
I have a puzzles for you. I have the latest version of DS4Windows and the latest drivers. But about a week ago, i used DS4Windows to play Farming Simulator 2022 and i messed up my game, so i went into the game files to get an older save game. And after that DS4Windows wont work in any of my games. I have tried to uninstall and reinstall both “DS4Windows” and “FS 2022” and nothing works.
I hope you can help me.