How to Check PS5 Controller Battery on PC?

If you’ve managed to get your hands on the PS5 controller (DualSense), then Kudos! You are now in possession of one of the most technologically advanced controllers in the gaming realm.

One significant aspect of this controller is that it can interface with your PC or laptop as well via Bluetooth. But there’s just one catch. It can be quite tricky to get your bearings straight with the controller including the key mapping.

One common question asked is “How to check the PS5 controller battery on PC?” After all, it would be a shame if the controller were to suddenly turn off without any warning amid heated gameplay.

Pairing DualSense Controller with PC is Possible

If you’re a gamer who enjoys the comfort of your gaming chair and also the sheer horsepower of a gaming PC while also appreciating the tactile magic of the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller, then fortunately you can pair them both together.

On Windows, it is as simple as heading over to your Bluetooth Settings page and then selecting “Add Bluetooth or Other Device”.

However, while the controller WILL work seamlessly, there is not indicator for battery level anywhere. The controller itself does not have any battery indicators built in.

So How to Check PS5 Controller Battery on PC?

Why doesn’t the PS5 controller just tell us its battery level when it’s connected to the PC?

Well, no one really knows the answer. We can only speculate by saying that perhaps the answer lies somewhere between “Sony wants you to stick with their consoles” and “because life is full of mysteries.”

Regardless, there are some workarounds:

Method 1: The DS4Windows Trick

DS4Windows is a third-party utility that you install on your PC and it gives you access to a wealth of information regarding your connected PS controllers.

Before we start, it should be noted that DS4Windows works with the PS5’s DualSense controller, not just the PS4’s DualShock 4.

So to check the battery level using this utility, you have to follow these steps:

1. Download and Install DS4Windows – You can find the software on the DS4Windows GitHub page. Once downloaded, unzip the file, run the DS4Windows.exe file, and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
2. Connect Your Controller – Now it’s time for the meet-and-greet. Plug your PS5 controller into your PC using a USB-C cable, or pair it via Bluetooth. Your PC and controller should shake hands and start communicating.
3. Open DS4Windows – Fire up the DS4Windows application and let it discover your PS5 controller. If it asks for an update, say yes.
4. Check the Battery Level – On the main screen of DS4Windows, you’ll see a battery indicator in the form of a tiny icon. Hover your mouse over it, and voilà! Your PS5 controller’s battery level will be revealed!

Method 2: Checking Battery Levels in STEAM

If you thought Steam was only useful for buying and playing games, boy, are you in for a treat.

Steam has a special mode called the Steam Big Picture Mode. This mode, as Steam puts it as:

[It is] designed for use with your TV and game controller, so you can enjoy your Steam games from the comfort of your couch. With the press of a button. – Steam

This mode not only gives you tremendous control over the controller (pun intended) but also tells you its overall battery life.

To use this method follow these steps:

1. Open Steam – If you don’t have Steam installed on your PC, head over to the Steam website, download it, and create an account (it’s free).
2. Enter Big Picture Mode – Once Steam is up and running, click on ‘View’ in the menu bar and select ‘Big Picture Mode’.
3. Add a Game – In the Big Picture interface, go to ‘Library’ and add a game that you want to play using your PS5 controller. If you don’t add a game, Steam won’t recognize the controller.
4. Check the Battery Level – Finally, with the game running, press the PlayStation button on your controller to bring up the Steam overlay. On the top right, you should see the battery level of your PS5 controller. Victory!

The neat part about this method is that you DO NOT have to minimize your game in order to check the battery life. You can view the battery life at any time within the game.

Final Words

I hope that with this article the question of “How to Check PS5 Controller Battery on PC” will no longer plague you.

Either of the two methods can work great on the vast majority of PCs without any issues. However, since both methods are essentially third-party methods (not PS5’s official methods) you can expect some kinds of hiccups here and there.