First Steps
- Power Cycle the Controller: Turn off the controller by holding the PlayStation button, then turn it back on. Sometimes, a simple power cycle can resolve minor issues.
- Check Vibration Settings: Ensure vibration is enabled in your PlayStation 4 settings. Navigate to Settings > Devices > Controllers and make sure the Enable Vibration option is selected.
- Remove Connected Accessories: If you use any accessories with your controller, such as headsets or back button assemblies, then there is a possibility that the accessory is interfacing with your controller.
- Test Different Games: Verify whether the issue is specific to a particular game. Some games might have vibration settings that need adjustment.
Causes
If your controller doesn't have enough charge, it may refrain from initiating the vibration motors to sustain the overall charge for as long as possible.
- Recharge the battery to 100% to ensure your controller has enough charge to use the rumble motors.
- If this doesn't work, you may need to replace the battery. Try other solutions first before replacing the battery.
- 15 - 30 minutesModerate
Find compatible replacement parts for your PlayStation Controller. All parts and fix kits are backed by the iFixit Quality Guarantee.
If the controller is turning on but not syncing to the console, then the controller will appear to be unresponsive.
- With your PlayStation 4 turned off, plug your controller into the console's 2.0 Micro-B to USB-A cable.
- Turn on your PS4 by pressing the console's power button. The console should detect and assign your connected controller to the first available player slot.
- Check the blue light on the front of the controller. This will indicate that the controller is on.
Sometimes, if the wireless connection between the console and the controller becomes interrupted, resulting in some features, such as vibration, may not respond to the gameplay.
- Try to reduce any wireless interference that might be interfering with your controller. Keep any signal-emitting electronics (microwaves, wireless access points, etc) away from the console.
If you find that your controller isn't vibrating, then there is a possibility that your controller needs a firmware update.
- Connect the controller to the PlayStation 4 using a USB cable.
- From the PlayStation 4 home screen, go to "Settings" > "Devices" > "Controllers."
- If there's a firmware update available, follow the on-screen instructions to update the controller.
If updating the firmware could not resolve the issue with your controller, you might be encountering an issue with firmware corruption. You can attempt to factory reset your controller.
- Press and hold the Share and PS buttons on the controller to put it into pairing mode.
- Connect the controller to your PS4 using a USB cable.
- Press the PS button on the controller to log in to the PS4.
- Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices from the PS4 home screen.
- Select the PS4 controller from the list of devices and press the X button.
- Select Forget Device from the menu.
- Press the PS button on the controller to log out of the PS4.
- Press and hold the Share and PS buttons on the controller for about 3 seconds to turn off the controller.
You can also hard reset the controller by using the following instructions.
- Turn off your PS4 console.
- Locate the small hole on the back of your PS4 controller.
- Use a small, unfolded paperclip or something similar to push the button inside the hole.
- Hold the button down for a few seconds, and then release it.
- Your PS4 controller should now be reset and working correctly.
Suppose your controller has been repeatedly dropped or thrown through a wall after your teammate fumbles at a crucial moment. In that case, there is the possibility that your controller has experienced damage that is preventing the rumble motors from functioning.
- Take a thorough look inside your controller. Be sure to look for any loose or chipped components. Also, watch for any burn that might indicate that other components have experienced an electrical short.
- Ensure that the motor's connection is good and that neither the connection between the motherboard nor the motors has been damaged. If either is the case, you may need to replace the motors.
- 5 - 10 minutesModerate
- 30 minutesDifficult