What this DualShock 4 test shows
The diagram is drawn after the DualShock 4, with the D-pad and face buttons on their round pods and the touchpad in the middle. The page reads the controller about 60 times per second:
- ✕, ○, □, △, the D-pad, Share, Options and the PS button turn orange while pressed.
- L1 and R1 light up, L2 and R2 fill from the bottom as you pull them.
- The touchpad click lights the pad, in browsers that report it (button 17 in Chrome and Edge).
- Both sticks move inside their wells; L3 and R3 fill the stick cap.
Common DualShock 4 faults
The DualShock 4 is old enough that most units have a known weak spot. Test these first:
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| L2 or R2 does not spring back, or rests above 0.05 | Broken or tired trigger spring, the most frequent DS4 repair. |
| L2 or R2 stops before 1.00 | Worn trigger sensor or a cracked trigger. |
| A stick moves at rest | Drift. The stick drift test measures it and gives a deadzone. |
| Inputs freeze when you move the cable | Worn micro-USB port. Over Bluetooth, the same controller works normally. |
| The touchpad click never lights | Damaged touchpad ribbon cable, common after a drop. |
With or without DS4Windows
DS4Windows makes Windows games think the DualShock 4 is an Xbox controller. While it runs, this page may receive that virtual controller: the diagram stays a DualShock 4, the note under it says an Xbox controller was detected, and every input is still read correctly. To test the real hardware without a layer in between, close DS4Windows and reload the page. If a button works here but not in a game, the game or Steam Input mapping is at fault, not the controller.
Battery and Bluetooth
The DualShock 4 battery is small (1000 mAh), and an old one lasts two or three hours. A worn battery causes random disconnections that look like a radio fault. If the test stutters over Bluetooth but is smooth over USB, check the battery before buying a new controller.
Limits
The page cannot read the gyroscope, the finger position on the touchpad, the headphone jack, the speaker, the light bar or the battery. For a PS5 controller, use the PS5 controller tester, and to check the two rumble motors, use the vibration test.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need DS4Windows for this test?
No. Chrome, Edge and Firefox read the DualShock 4 directly. If DS4Windows is running, the page may receive a virtual Xbox controller instead. The diagram stays a DualShock 4 and the inputs are still correct, but close DS4Windows to test the real hardware with nothing in between.
Why does my controller show up twice?
DS4Windows creates a virtual Xbox controller next to the real one, unless its Hide DS4 option is on. Pick the one you want in the list at the top of the test.
My DualShock 4 charges but is not detected over USB. Why?
The cable probably only carries power. Micro-USB cables from phone chargers often lack data wires. Try another cable, or pair over Bluetooth by holding Share and PS until the light bar flashes.
Which DualShock 4 version do I have?
The second version (CUH-ZCT2, from 2016) has a thin light strip at the top of the touchpad. The first version (CUH-ZCT1) has none. Both test the same way here.
Is the light bar or battery level shown?
No. Browsers cannot read the battery level or set the light bar colour. The page only reads buttons, triggers, sticks and the touchpad click.
Updated October 26, 2026