Dark Souls 3 Not Working With Ps4 Controller

Okay, picture this: Friday night. Pizza. Dark Souls 3. I’m ready to finally beat the Nameless King (don't judge, it's a process). I fire up my PS4, grab my trusty Dualshock 4, launch the game… and nothing. Absolutely nothing. My character just stands there, mocking my gaming aspirations. The horror!

Yeah, the PS4 controller compatibility issue with Dark Souls 3 on PC is a real pain in the Estus Flask (see what I did there?). It's a problem that's plagued many a would-be Ashen One, myself included. So, why does this happen? And more importantly, how do we fix it?

Why My PS4 Controller Isn't Playing Nice

Basically, the issue boils down to how Windows (and Steam, since most of us probably play through Steam) interprets controller input. Dark Souls 3, being the demanding mistress she is, doesn't always play nice with the native PS4 controller drivers. It prefers the XInput standard, which is the language Xbox controllers speak fluently. Think of it like trying to order a pizza in Italian when the delivery guy only speaks English – things are gonna get lost in translation. (Except, you know, less delicious.)

So, what do we do when our controllers are speaking different languages?

The Fixes: Taming the Beast

Alright, time to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty. Here are a few tried-and-true methods to get your PS4 controller working with Dark Souls 3 on your PC:

1. Steam Input: The Easiest Route (Usually)

Steam has a built-in controller configuration tool that can often solve this problem. It's like a universal translator for controllers. Here's how to use it:

1. Open Steam and go to Big Picture Mode (the icon in the top-right corner).
2. Navigate to Settings (the gear icon).
3. Go to Controller Settings.
4. Make sure "PlayStation Configuration Support" is checked.
5. Restart Steam and try launching Dark Souls 3 again.

Sometimes, this alone is enough. Fingers crossed! But if not, keep reading. Trust me, we'll get you back to dying... I mean, playing in no time.

2. DS4Windows: The Reliable Workhorse

DS4Windows is a popular 3rd-party application that essentially tricks your computer into thinking your PS4 controller is an Xbox controller. It's a bit more involved than Steam Input, but it's often more reliable. Fair warning: download this only from trusted sources. The official site is the safest bet.

1. Download DS4Windows from the official website (seriously, be careful where you download it from!).
2. Extract the downloaded files to a folder (like "C:\DS4Windows").
3. Run "DS4Windows.exe".
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the drivers. You might need to install the "HidHide" driver as well (DS4Windows will prompt you if necessary).
5. Connect your PS4 controller via USB (or Bluetooth, if you've got that set up).
6. DS4Windows should recognize your controller.
7. Launch Dark Souls 3 and see if it works!

DS4Windows offers a ton of customization options, so you can tweak the controller settings to your liking. You can even remap buttons and adjust sensitivity. But honestly, just getting it working is usually the goal!

3. X360CE: The Last Resort (Potentially Risky)

X360CE is another 3rd-party emulator, similar to DS4Windows, but it can sometimes be a bit... finicky. I hesitate to recommend this, as it involves placing DLL files directly into the Dark Souls 3 game directory, which some anti-cheat systems might flag. Use this at your own risk! I haven't had issues, but I have read reports of others having problems. You've been warned.

If you're desperate, you can Google "X360CE" and find instructions on how to use it. But honestly, try Steam Input and DS4Windows first.

A Few Extra Tips

• Restart your computer: Seriously, sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.
• Check your drivers: Make sure your controller drivers are up to date. You can usually do this through Device Manager in Windows.
• Close other applications: Some programs can interfere with controller input. Try closing any unnecessary applications running in the background.
• Try a different USB port: Sometimes, certain USB ports just don't play nice.

So there you have it. A hopefully helpful guide to getting your PS4 controller working with Dark Souls 3 on PC. It can be a frustrating process, but don't give up, Ashen One! The sweet taste of victory (or, you know, the bitter taste of constant death) awaits!

And if all else fails? Well, there's always keyboard and mouse… but let's be honest, nobody wants that. Good luck, and may the flames guide thee! (Or at least, guide your controller input.)