As a PlayStation gamer, you know how a controller is crucial to the game. Equally important, it needs to be charged for it to function. Otherwise, you may find it disrupting your gaming, which can be annoying and frustrating. However, can you be sure that the PS4 controller is charging in the first place?

That’s why you need to ensure that your PS4 controller is charging. It avoids instances where you assume it is only to be in for a rude shock once you start gaming. That’s what brings us to our million-dollar question. How do you know if the PS4 controller is charging to avoid unnecessary gaming interruption?

Here’s a detailed discussion on charging your PS4 controller. So, read on to ensure it doesn’t come between you and gaming.

1. What Should You Expect When PS4 Controller is Charging?

As soon as you connect your PS4 controller to the console for charging, you should notice changes on the light bar. If the controller is charging, the light bar starts blinking. Expect a slow fading from white to amber. Therefore, failing to do so means the PS4 controller isn’t charging.

However, that doesn’t warrant panic immediately. After all, as easy as charging a controller is, sometimes it won’t start until you try it several times. If that’s not working, other possible issues and fixes are applicable.

PS4 Controller’s Charge Status Impact on Gaming: Expert Insights

Grace White, Head of Design and Development at Lilo, points out PS4 Controller’s Charge Status Impact on Gaming:

“I’ve got to say, keeping an eye on your PS4 controller’s battery life is super important. It’s like knowing when [you] need to refuel your car during a long road trip.

Imagine you’re [right] in the middle of [an] awesome game, maybe about to win, and suddenly, your controller dies. Total bummer, right?

From what I’ve seen, gamers really hate being interrupted. A controller running out of juice is like your favorite movie stopping right at the best part.

If you [keep an eye] on the battery, you can keep your game going smoothly and fun.

Here’s a cool fact: A study found that gamers play for about 8.45 hours a week. That’s a lot of gaming! So, having a controller that’s always charged is super important.

It’s all about keeping the fun going without any hiccups. Stay charged and keep on gaming!”

2. Why is My PS4 Controller Not Charging?

If you realize that your PS4 controller isn’t working despite connecting it to the console, several culprits exist. Some of these causes include the following.

2.1. Hardware Issues

If the battery has a problem, it will be hard, if not impossible, to charge your PS4 controller. The same applies to a faulty charging port. These two major hardware problems can cause your controller to fail to charge. However, other hardware problems can cause the controller to fail to charge.

2.2. PS4 Problems

In other instances, the console is incapable of charging the controller. Consequently, your PS4 can’t pass the current needed to charge the controller. The seriousness of such an issue is relatively severe compared to other similar problems.

2.3 Charging Cable Problems

Did you know that some USB cables won’t charge your PS4 controller no matter how long you connect it to the console? That’s because it isn’t one of its uses, which could be a waste of time.

That has seen many people struggle to charge their gaming tools. It gets worse if the USB cable charges other devices since it makes one assume that the cable isn’t an issue.

Sometimes, the cable is designed to charge the controller but is faulty. It could be worn out or broken, but that doesn’t matter. The bottom line is that the PS4 controller won’t charge under such circumstances.

2.4. Charging Port Problems

You will be surprised to learn that your charging port isn’t faulty but won’t work. After all, even debris is enough to obstruct it, thus making it impossible to charge the PS4 controller. On the other hand, it could be physically damaged, and the fate is the same.

3. How to Fix a PS4 Controller That’s Not Charging

An issue of your PS4 controller not charging shouldn’t be the end of your gaming. It would be best if you didn’t consider buying a new one immediately, either. On the contrary, you should consider several fixes, including the following;

• Ensure that the charging cable is connected to the console and the controller firmly, and fix it if that’s not the case.
• Use a different USB cable to confirm that the current one isn’t faulty
• Use the cable to charge other devices to ensure that it is not just incompatible with your PS4 controller
• Clean the charging port to remove any debris that can compromise the charging
• Reset the PS4 controller to eliminate any firmware problem that can stop charging
• Power cycle the PS4 and check whether that fixes the charging problem
• Replacing the charging port can also do the trick
• If none of the above isn’t working, you have no choice but to replace your PS4 controller.

It is advisable to start with minor fixes instead of complex ones.

PS4 Console Issues and Troubleshooting Steps: Expert Recommendations

Azzam Sheikh, the Digital Strategist at Carifex, reommends a twofold strategy:

A Blue Indicator Light That Blinks:

Having a blinking blue indicator light on the PS4, sometimes known as the Blue Line of Death, is a common problem. This phenomenon indicates [there are] some technical issues with the console, which could lead to its malfunction.

Unexpected power outages may result from a video output failure, as [shown by] the blinking blue light.

[This issue was] first brought to light in connection with consoles manufactured between late 2013 and early 2014, which [was also] the time that the PS4 was first released.

To restore the console’s functioning, users may need to engage in more focused troubleshooting if they encounter this problem.

Fixing Power Cycle Issues:

One simple [yet quite powerful] fix for several frequent PS4 console problems is to power cycle the system.

This procedure is turning off the PS4 completely, unplugging all power cords, waiting a little while, and then turning the system back on.

The purpose of a power cycle is to reset the system and remove any transient data that might be causing errors.

When faced with console-related difficulties, it serves as a first and frequently effective step that provides a fast fix for many issues without requiring more involved actions.

4. How Long Does a PS4 Controller Take to Charge Fully?

If the PS4 controller depletes its charge, it will take about 2 hours to charge fully. After all, this controller uses a battery with a voltage of 5V, and its capacity is 800 mA. Under such circumstances, 2 hours is usually sufficient to charge its lithium-ion battery.

5. How Long Does a PS4 Controller Take to Charge Halfway?

Since charging the controller fully takes about 2 hours, the time needed to do half of the work is around an hour. However, this time, it depends on how low its battery was.

6. How Long Does a PS4 Controller Take to Charge 1 Bar?

Given the amount of time a PS4 controller takes to charge fully, it takes to charge to its first bar between 45 minutes and 1 hour.

7. Is It Okay to Charge Your PS4 Controller Halfway?

You want to try everything you can to prevent damaging your PS4 controller. It turns out that failure to charge it fully isn’t one of the things that can damage it.

However, the user guide recommends doing it at least once annually. It will increase your battery lifespan, which is good for your gaming experience.

8. How Long Does a PS4 Controller Last if You Charge it Fully?

If you charge your PS4 Controller fully, its battery lasts up to 8 hours. Whereas you can play with the controller all this time, it is advisable to pause often for the longevity of your controllers.

Conclusion

You no longer have to worry about whether your PS4 is charging. After all, you know how to confirm if that’s the case. If it isn’t charging, give it a few more tries and see if that works.

If the attempts don’t work, you know other reasons why the controller won’t charge. Fortunately, they have corresponding fixes you can try out. Some are simple enough that you don’t need any professional expert to sort them out.

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

Last Updated on March 4, 2024 by Ananya_Sreen