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PS4 Controller model CUH-ZCT1. Released in November 2013 by Sony Computer Entertainment, this six-axis, 3.7 V lithium ion battery controller is uncomplicated to repair. (NOTE: Teardown guide is NOT for this model)

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Light bar blinks Orange when plugged in but does not turn white or blu

Controller seems dead unless I plug it into USB. When I plug it in using the USB it does the slow orange light blink but after when I press the PS button it's dead again. Usually it would light up afterword but I'm at a loss from here. I've tried the reset but still same problem. I took the controller apart to see if anything was broken and nothing that I could see is wrong. What's the diagnosis and what parts do I buy from you to fix it? Thanks

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So I did what iMedic suggested, but had no luck. Until I went into my PS settings and went to bluetooth devices. I found the unresponsive controller, pressed the options button and clicked forget device. I then repeated the step of holding the PS and Share button until the bar started flashing, and then I saw the controller pop up on the bluetooth devices screen. I used my other controller to scroll down to it and pair it with the console. It now works perfectly!

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^^You saved my skin i thought i was going to have to chuck my pad away made an account on here just to thank you

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what if you don't have a second controller ?!?!

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Thank you Christian Rogers. Like UniCat, my controller now works again!

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Happy to help you guys :) Sorry haylievonbischoffshausen, second controller is essential. You might be able to use your phone or laptop via remote play tbh and go through the same steps?? Hope you got it fixed!

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18 Answers

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Hold the PS-button and Share-button simultanously for some seconds while the PS4 is turned on. This will reset all connections of the controller and searches for a new one. If this doesn't help, try different USB-cables after resetting. If that also doesnt work, your controller is probably damaged.

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39 Comments:

Ok I've done both. Still no good. What do you mean by damaged? Damaged like un-fixable? Or could I replace parts?

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Try this

Locate the small reset button on the back of the DS4 near the L2 button.

Use a small, pointy object such as an unfolded paper-clip (or something similar) to push the button.

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Tried that. Nada. Is it a part that's malfunctioning? Could I salvage this controller?

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Im tryin over here. Not sure if you can just replace the logic board and pair...

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Try this

Alternatively, you can power off the PlayStation 4, then press the controller reset button. After that, plug in the USB cable (the controller to the console), then turn the PS4 on. When the blue light starts flashing on the console, press the PS button on the controller. It should pair with the console and go back to working like usual.

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For most people that can't find a solution. Just perform this diagnostic test below - The Dualshock controller has a flawed conductive ribbon film strip that controls the button registry. Sony refuses to acknowledge this and still sells the controllers as is. The controllers are not cheap and the worst part is even if you buy a new controller, there is a 50% chance of it having the same issue. Take it from me who has bought a couple of them.

Now, how you can check if you have this yellow/orange light of death issue. The slow blinking light indicates that the controller is on charge and the PS button registry of the conductive film has been damaged. You can confirm this by holding the SHARE button to see if it blinks like an SOS light. If it does not blink like an SOS light, you might have a different issue and can be resolved by resetting the controllers or changing the USB cables.

However, if you do have the blinking SOS light, this means the conductive ribbon is damaged. There is also an additional method to confirm this. Firstly, you need to download DS4 for windows and connect your controller to your PC/Laptop.( I am not sure Mac's have this software. )

Once you connect the controller to your PC, open the software and your controller should get the blue connected light . Now, follow the below steps -

1. Go to control panel, and click devices and printers.

2. Right click on the dual shock controller and select 'Game Controller Setting'

3. A dialogue should appear. Select properties.

4. Another dialogue box appears with two tabs. Select the 'Test' tab.

5. You will see a lot of circles under the buttons section.

6. If the button 13 is highlighted, this means your PS button register is corrupted and your conductive film is damaged.

Don't worry. You still have hope. All you need is little bit of patience and some tools. Firstly, you need to order the conductive film for your buttons from amazon or eBay. It is really cheap and make sure you get the proper generation according to your controller. Check the back of your controller to confirm which Gen part you need to get. Once you get the part, take apart the controller (there are hundreds of videos and articles on how to disassemble your controller on youtube and google). Go slow and gentle if you are disassembling your controller for the first time. Watch the videos closely for tips and tricks.

Finally, test the new controller via PC to check if all the buttons are working via the 'Test' tab of the 'Game Controller Setting'. It should work and will be much durable than the ones Sony provides. Good luck. Shoot me a message on Instagram if you are stuck somewhere along the way at @rahimryan

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5 Comments:

My ps button is not responsive in the test tab. Can you suggest the problem? Thanks

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Hi there I've done that and the number 8 appeared highlighted l, what does that mean?

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no if the ps4 in mine say "can not connect please plug

usb cable dualshock 4" i did that orange appears charged happen yesterday not working still.

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I tried this and all buttons are responding but I get the "not connected correctly" message several times and the test gets interrupted (also blue light never appears) I'm thinking maybe is the usb port? Or battery? It seems all buttons are right but it stops working for moments.

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Mine only does one blink when i charge it but does not come online

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We had the same problem. Plugged it into the console via usb charger and the light on the control blinked orange and then acted dead. No response. We turned everything off and then booted the console up again using the PS button on the duelshock 4 controller. Hope this helps solve the problem for a few of you too!

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i did that to did not work

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Thanks!! This worked for me!

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Try plugging it in and holding the ps and Share button simultaneously.

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Thank you Aaron. It worked for me as well

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The problem is the battery, if you use your controller while it charges, it slowly messes the battery up, after a while it will not hold a charge and it will die as soon as you turn it on after hours of charging. Your best bet is to buy a new controller as replacement batteries can't be bought from Sony, only third party sellers. You should buy 2 controllers and use one while the other is charging. PLEASE DO NOT USE YOUR CONTROLLER WHILE IT IS CHARGING!!!!

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see if my mom will accept to buy during coronavirus

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Well I just bought a brand new controller which has the same issue then I trued 3 more secind hand cintrollers which all have this issue surely it's the ps4 not recognising them properly as it seems strange that all 4 of these controllers are acting the same

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oh well im always using it on charge and what do ya know! it doesnt work anymore

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Well the problem was not the battery for me it was mostly the PS4

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I’m having the same problem right now both of my controllers chrage but won’t turn on i tried everything literally like both of the controllers died at the same day how’s that possible? I’m guessing there’s something wrong with the update it made our controllers die

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3 Comments:

Yes same here

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Me too

I got them to work by turning device off

But they don’t work correctly

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may be that happen

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I have the same problem ive had two controllers and a charging port for two controllers and have alternated in between when one dies I have never used it while charging but it won’t turn on and when I charge it the orange light blinks once.when I press it again it blinks once again.i have tried all of the above.

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Listen I just shook it real hard and pressed the ps button on my controller and it worked

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not work for me nothing works

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Funnily enough I just shook the controller hard too now it's working fine. Tried all other comments, none worked.

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Thanks man I hit mine on the ground and it worked :)

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I booked a flight to US then climbed statue of liberty. Dropped controller from top. Collected it. Flew back to UK. Connected to PS4. Yay. Works great!!

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Did you try to delete the controllers firmware ?

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1 Comment:

no may be come damaged

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I just bought a controller it is doing the exact same thing I haven’t even had the controller for more than a month yet plus I feel dumb for not buying warranty on it

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sorry for you man

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I watched a video on YouTube of the same problem we are having n he checked all kinds of things in the end he changed the ribbon to the ps4 button and it workers

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2 Comments:

It has NOTHING to do with a ribbon cable.. If you're controller dies as soon as you turn it on after it's done charging, you're battery is about fried, there is no saving it you'll need to buy a replacement battery and take your controller apart, disconnect the old bad battery and put the new one in. Playing on your controller while it charges slowly lowers the time that the controller can hold a charge. PLEASE DO NOT USE YOUR CONTROLLERS WHILE THEY CHARGE BUY 2 AND ALTERNATE THE USE OF THEM WHILE THE OTHER CHARGES!

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i bet you its like tik tok

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Mine was doing the same thing and I put it on a wall charging USB for about an hour and it started working again

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I am currently at my wits end trying to figure this out, I have tried all the steps to pair my PS4 controller back to my PS4 after using it on my PS3. It simply won’t be found. I tried resetting it, hard reset, safe mode, usb cable, new usb cable, download the DS4 software on the pc - couldn’t detect the controller at all…

It still works on my PS3…even after resetting it…

so I thought maybe the controller just won’t reset, bought a brand new controller official. Exactly same issue, from a brand new controller…

Strangest thing is that my very old and bashed up (son got into Overwatch a couple of years ago!) hardly usable as a controller yet, IT WORKS! I am just so confused

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to fix your controller buy the ps4 charging dock which charges from the bottom because the usb port may be overused and no longer can great a positive charge. 3 of my controllers would turn on,wouldnt charge or nothing but out of nowhere it worked with the ps4 charging dock. thank me later.

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1.Get a different controller(A)

2.conect the damaged controller(B) true usb cable

3.with the new controller (A), go to settings, devices, Bluetooth devices

4.press share button and ps button on damaged controller(B) until it start blinking white light

  1. The controller will show on Bluetooth devices, click on it with the new controller
  2. The light is going to appear red and not blinking, on damaged device
  3. press the ps button on damaged device.
  4. It should work after. It did for me. Hope it helps you

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Here is a way how to fix a ps4 Controller if it won't turn on and only blinks white:

Try turning of the PS4 With the button on it then wait 5-10 minutes or 3 minutes and the controller should work.

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Why is the PS4 controller blinking orange/yellow light?

Your PS4 controller orange/yellow light owe to multiple reasons as follows;

  • Flawed hardware of your PS4 controller.
  • Firmware issues of your controller.
  • Your PS4 controller is connected to another device.
  • PS4 controller’s PS button is malfunctioning, etc.

If your controller is blinking orange light, it means either your console is in rest mode or the controller is not connected with the console. On the other hand, if it is giving an unblinking yellow light, it indicates that your PS4 is in rest mode and the controller is charging, while if it flashes the yellow light, that means the controller is plugged in to charging.

How to fix the PS4 controller orange light?

  1. Check the USB port and batteries
  2. DS4 cable replacement
  3. Reset your PS4 console
  4. Reset your DS4 controller
  5. Start your PS4 in safe mode
  6. Pressing the PS button repeatedly

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hi guys my controller connected but when i pluged micro usb to charge the light start blinkin fastly and didnt charge the joystick.

can anybody help me?

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mt ps4 controller wont turn on,i plug it in the usb port of my ps4,just a yellow/orange light turns on anf off, i press the ps button on my remote and wont turn on i did mostly everything on it,but wont turn at all,only when i cennect to the ps4 usb,the yellow or orangelight blinks of and on

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I FIXED MINE ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS

HOLD SHARE & THE PS4 BUTTON THEN BLUETOOTH IT TO YOUR PHONE FIRST, ONCE YOU REALIZE IT’S WORKING FOR YOUR PHONE” your phone will say it’s connected “ THEN GO TO DEVICES ON YOUR PS4 TURN OFF YOUR BLUETOOTH ON YOUR PHONE THEN HOLD THE SAME 2 BUTTONS “Share & middle ps4 button “ & YOULL SEE YOUR CONTROLLER POP UP ON YOUR PLAYSTATION. IF NOT COMPLEAT FURST STEPS THEN PRESS THE 2 BUTTONS AFTER YOU PLUG CONTROLLER IN PS4 SYSTEM as of 4/26/2022

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Replace the battery and it will work agian I promise.

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Matt will be eternally grateful.
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