TechGamingGaming Accessories5 mistakes everyone makes with PS5 DualSense controllersDon’t fall into these common DualSense controller traps when gaming on your PS5When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

TechGamingGaming Accessories5 mistakes everyone makes with PS5 DualSense controllersDon’t fall into these common DualSense controller traps when gaming on your PS5When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Don’t fall into these common DualSense controller traps when gaming on your PS5

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Reet Talreja / Unsplash)

Man using PS5 DualSense controller

(Image credit: Reet Talreja / Unsplash)

I’ve owned aPlayStation 5since day one and have loved gaming on the console for many years. Despite distractions from theXbox Series X(yes, I took the plunge and bought one – something I now half regret andwish I’d waited for a Switch 2)andNintendo Switch, it’s theSonyconsole that gets the most play time out of the trio.

But it got me thinking: it’s so easy to just unbox the PS5 and dive into gaming using the included DualSense Wireless Controller that many people won’t think twice about various mistakes made and traps fallen into when it comes to the default Sony controller. So here are tips, tricks and errors to avoid with your Sony DualSense to make for a better gaming experience overall…

1. Ignoring firmware updates

I’ve often been guilty of this: “oh the PS5 wants to update; oh the DualSense wants to be wired to the console for an update too,” before then ignoring it and digging into a gaming session instead. Well, obvious as it is, this is a bad idea – because it means you can miss out on feature drops, such as enhanced sound/volume, light intensity adjustment, and more besides.

Sony added the ability to wirelessly update the DualSense Wireless during 2023, so that’s removed the faff of needing to wire in a cable to the USB port, but updates will only happen if your console software is right up to date too. It’s clearly worth it, though, in delivering the most up-to-date and feature-rich experience overall.

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2. Forgetting to mute the mic

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3. Not adjusting settings for battery benefit

One thing that I love about the DualSense Wireless Controller is the haptic feedback. It justfeelsso much better than so many competitor controllers. But do you ever think about how much battery energy this is using up? And did you know you can adjust the intensity of the setting too – especially useful if you don’t like it feeling so highly intense.

From here you can adjust Vibration Intensity, Trigger Effect Intensity, Brightness of Controller Indicators, and Communication Method. Dumbing these down or switching various ones off may suit your preference, but also save on that all-important battery life!

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4. Failing to charge

Speaking of battery life: the DualSense Wireless Controller doesn’t really last all that long per charge. And I find it’s all too easy to forget to charge the controller at the end of a session. Fortunately you can use any USB-C connection for this task, so don’t feel as though you’re restricted to using the USB-A socket on the front of the console – which will fail to charge if you turn the console off anyway (select ‘Rest’ and it’ll work though).

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5. Not upgrading your hardware

Another top tip I recommend: buy another DualSense Wireless Controller! When battery on the first runs out you can easily switch over to your second, charged controller and continue unimpeded. Having two controllers is also obviously great for multi-player in the same room, when applicable.

If you’re a hardcore gamer and want additional features then I’d also suggest considering upgrading toSony’s DualSense Edge– yes, it costsa lot morethan the standard DualSense version, but brings heaps of adaptable features, replaceable thumbstick options, additional trigger controls, and a much better build quality.

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