My Journey to Keeping Tabs on the DualSense Battery on Windows
Let’s be honest — checking the battery level of a PS5 DualSense controller on Windows has always been a bit of a head-scratcher. The same straightforward info you see on your PS5 — that little battery icon or percentage — just isn’t so easy to spot in Windows. I’ve poked around in Bluetooth settings, Device Manager, even the Windows Xbox Accessories app, but nothing ever gave me a clear, real-time display. It’s frustrating, especially if you swap between wired and wireless gaming or just want to make sure your controller doesn’t run out of juice mid-match.
It was quite the scavenger hunt for me. Turns out, Windows doesn’t natively display the battery status of DualSense controllers over Bluetooth unless you use specific apps — and even then, they’re a bit hit or miss. But I finally stumbled on a workaround that actually works pretty well: using DS4Windows. Yep, I know it’s originally made for DualShock 4, but remarkably, it also reads the battery level of DualSense controllers. Now I can keep an eye on the battery without guesswork or reconnecting all the time.
Setting Up DS4Windows for Battery Monitoring
First, grab DS4Windows from the official GitHub repository. Don’t bother with dodgy sites — the genuine version is free and safe. When you download it as a ZIP file, right-click and select “Extract All” (it’s not an installer, just a portable app). I keep mine in a dedicated folder — I’ve found it works more reliably stored locally rather than running directly from a USB stick or network share, which caused some odd disconnects earlier.
Launch DS4Windows.exe. Windows might warn you about SmartScreen — just click “More info” and then “Run anyway.” When the app opens, it’ll ask where to save your settings; I chose a local folder. This way, your profiles and configurations stay consistent across sessions, especially if you restart or replug the controller. Eventually, you’ll see a prompt to install drivers. This is a must-have — the app needs to install some drivers to recognise your PS5 controller properly. Often, I had to click “Install” under the Devices tab, or sometimes it works after a restart or two.
While setting up, DS4Windows will suggest installing the ViGEmBus driver. This is essential for smoother connection and input emulation. You’ll find links or instructions on the setup page or the GitHub README. Without these drivers, your controller might not be recognised properly. Once everything’s installed, reconnect your DualSense via USB or Bluetooth, depending on your preference. Bluetooth is more convenient but can sometimes introduce lag or stability issues — wired typically offers more reliable gaming, especially for longer sessions.
How Does It Show Battery Info?
After everything’s set up, open DS4Windows. The main window will list your controller — if all drivers are installed correctly, it should display the battery percentage. Sometimes, it updates quite sluggishly, or there’s a delay compared to what’s shown on your PlayStation or Bluetooth device list. But compared to having no info at all, it’s a massive step up. Just keep in mind that the battery percentage displayed isn’t always 100% spot-on — firmware quirks, driver bugs, or Bluetooth glitches can throw off the reading.
In my experience, the battery indicator can be a bit slow or show odd numbers if you disconnect and reconnect the controller quickly. Sometimes, the app crashes or the controller isn’t recognised until I restart DS4Windows or even reboot my PC. If that happens, toggling Bluetooth off and on or updating drivers can help. Recent firmware updates on the DualSense can also cause weird readings, but overall, it’s better than no info at all.
Is It Worth the Effort?
Honestly, using DS4Windows isn’t exactly elegant — it’s a bit clunky, especially over Bluetooth — but in my opinion, it’s the best free option out there. It took a few nights of tinkering, driver reinstalls, and trial and error to get stable readings, but now I can at least tell how much battery I’ve got left without guesswork. Plus, having it running makes it easier to keep an eye on things during those long gaming marathons, so your controller doesn’t unexpectedly die mid-scene. Just bear in mind, the battery percentage isn’t perfect — think of it as an approximate estimate.
If your controller isn’t showing up at all, double-check that you’ve installed the latest drivers, keep Windows up to date, and make sure no other Bluetooth devices are causing conflicts. Sometimes, a quick Bluetooth reset or disconnecting other peripherals helps get everything recognised properly.
Hopefully this saves you some frustration — took me ages to figure out — so give it a shot if you’re in the same boat. Might save someone else a whole evening of fiddling around.