DS4Windows Not Opening, Crashing, or Failing to Start

When DS4Windows doesn’t launch or crashes, specific steps can help. Check these common fixes to get the application running smoothly.

1. Check Essential Software Requirements

DS4Windows needs certain software installed on your computer. Make sure you have the correct versions.

• Microsoft .Net 6.0 Runtime: You need the desktop version (x64 or x86) based on your system. Server or console versions will not work. Download and install it from the official Microsoft website.
• Visual C++ 2015-2019 Redistributable: Install the x64 or x86 (32-bit) version as required by your system. This is available on the Microsoft website.
• ViGEmBus Driver: This driver is crucial for DS4Windows to recognize your controller. If you see an error like “ViGEmBus Is Not Installed,” download and install it. If you already have it but still see the error, uninstall it, restart your computer, and then reinstall it. The ViGEmBus driver might also require Visual C++ 2017 runtime libraries.
• Microsoft 360 Driver: This driver is necessary for DualShock 3, DualShock 4, and DualSense controllers. If you use a Microsoft 360 controller and already have this driver, you do not need to install it again.
• Operating System: DS4Windows works best on Windows 8.1, Windows 10, or Windows 11. Older operating systems may not support the application correctly.

2. Ensure DS4Windows Folder Has Proper Permissions

Extracting the DS4Windows zip file into a protected folder, like Program Files or your Desktop, can cause issues. These locations often require special administrator rights.

• Recommended Location: Extract the DS4Windows zip file to your Documents or Downloads folder, or any other built-in storage drive. Avoid the C: drive’s root directory or Program Files for direct installation.
• Administrator Rights: If the folder is in a protected area, you might need higher permissions to launch the program. Moving the folder to a less restricted location like Documents or Downloads often resolves this.

3. Address Corrupted User Data

Corrupted user data can prevent DS4Windows from working correctly. You can often fix this by resetting the data.

• Backup Data: Close DS4Windows completely. Make a backup copy of your user data files. You can find these logs in two places:
  • Main Folder: The folder where you saved DS4Windows.
  • App Data: Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows Key + R, type %appdata%, and press Enter.
• Delete and Restore: Delete the user data files from your computer. Then, relaunch DS4Windows. If it starts, restore your backup files one by one. This helps you identify which specific file is causing the problem. Once you find the problematic file, delete it permanently.

4. Inspect DS4Windows Log and Windows Event Viewer

DS4Windows creates log files that can show warnings or errors. The Windows Event Viewer also provides system-level information.

• DS4Windows Log: Check the log files in the DS4Windows main folder and the App Data folder for error messages.
• Windows Event Viewer: If you find messages like “Attempting to start the service winmgmt failed” or “Windows Management Interface not found” in the logs, it points to issues with Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI).
  • Repair Windows Installation: Use the Microsoft Windows installation media to repair your Windows installation. This often resolves WMI-related problems.
  • Run WMI Repository Repair Commands:
    1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator: Press Windows Key + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
    2. Type net stop winmgmt and press Enter. If prompted, type Y and press Enter.
    3. Type winmgmt /resetrepository and press Enter.
    4. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

5. Check for Incompatible Applications

Some applications conflict with DS4Windows, causing crashes or preventing it from starting.

• MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS): Versions of DS4Windows (v2.0 and later) are not compatible with MSI Afterburner and RTSS. RTSS, in particular, can stop DS4Windows from launching or cause sudden crashes.
  • Uninstall RTSS: Remove the RTSS application from your computer.
  • Adjust Application Detection Level in RTSS: If you prefer to keep RTSS, launch the RTSS tool, go to RivaTuner Statistics Server settings, and select “None” under “Application detection level.”

6. Uninstall Legacy ScpVBus Driver

The Scp Virtual Bus Driver (ScpToolkit) is an old driver no longer needed for virtual Xbox controllers. ViGEmBus replaced it.

• Remove ScpVBus Driver: While DS4Windows usually ignores ScpVBus, having it installed alongside ViGEmBus can cause issues. Uninstall ScpVBus Driver (ScpToolkit) completely from your computer.

7. Update Windows Operating System

An outdated Windows operating system can cause compatibility problems.

• Check for Updates: Ensure your Windows operating system is fully updated. Go to Windows Settings, select “Update & Security,” and check for available updates. Installing the latest updates can often resolve unknown issues.

DS4Windows Not Detecting Controllers

If DS4Windows launches but does not detect your actual controller, or if games do not recognize your virtual gamepads, follow these steps. First, ensure your controller is on the list of supported controllers.

1. Verify DS4Windows Version

Older versions of DS4Windows may not detect newer controllers or have compatibility issues.

• Download Latest Version: Visit the official DS4Windows GitHub page by Ryochan7. Download and install the latest version. The Ryochan7’s v3.3.0 or newer is the most current and detects up to 8 connected controllers. Look for the “Output Slots” tab in the latest version.

2. Ensure DS4Windows is Started

DS4Windows will open, but it won’t detect controllers unless you start the emulation process.

• Click “Start”: After launching DS4Windows, locate and click the “Start” button at the bottom right corner of the window.

3. Check Controller Connection

A loose or faulty connection is a common reason for detection issues.

• USB Connection:
  1. Disconnect the USB cable from both your computer and the controller.
  2. Check the USB cable for any damage.
  3. Inspect your computer’s USB ports. Try a different USB port if one seems faulty.
  4. Check the controller’s USB port for damage.
  5. Reconnect the controller to your computer.
• Bluetooth Connection:
  1. Turn off Bluetooth on your computer.
  2. Put your controller into pairing mode (usually by holding the PlayStation button and Share button until the light flashes).
  3. Turn on Bluetooth on your Windows PC.
  4. Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and click “Add Bluetooth or other device.”
  5. Select “Bluetooth” and choose your controller from the list. Enter “0000” if asked for a PIN.
  6. If the connection is unstable or disconnects, restart your computer and try pairing again.
• Verify in Devices and Printers: After connecting, open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers. Your controller should appear there. If not, the connection is the problem.

4. Enable HID-compliant Game Controller

Sometimes, the controller might be connected but hidden or disabled in Windows settings.

• Enable Device:
  1. Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers. (Alternatively, press Windows Key + R, type control printers, and press Enter).
  2. Find your controller in the list.
  3. Right-click on it, select “Properties,” and go to the “Hardware” tab.
  4. Select “HID-compliant game controller” under “Device Functions.”
  5. Click “Properties,” then click “Enable Device.”

5. Address HidGuardian or HidHide Issues

If your controller is connected but still hidden from DS4Windows and games, HidGuardian or HidHide might be the cause. These drivers are used to prevent double input.

• HidGuardian: HidGuardian is a legacy driver.
  1. Uninstall HidGuardian: Go to Windows Start Menu > Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program. Select “HidGuardian” and uninstall it.
  2. Restart your computer.
• HidHide: If HidGuardian is not installed and your controller is still hidden, HidHide might be configured incorrectly.
  1. Open HidHide Configuration Client.
  2. Under the “Devices” section, uncheck the “Enable Device Hiding” box.
  3. Check if your controller is now visible to DS4Windows and games.
  4. If the problem persists, try uninstalling HidHide temporarily to test.

6. Enable Controller Support in DS4Windows Settings

DS4Windows allows you to enable support for different controller types.

• Turn On All Controller Types:
  1. Launch DS4Windows.
  2. Go to the “Settings” tab, then the “Device” section.
  3. Ensure “Turn On All Controller Types” is selected. You can also see a list of connected controllers here.
  4. Click “Stop” and then “Start” again in DS4Windows, and restart your computer to apply changes.

7. Check for Replica Controllers

Some replica or copycat controllers may not be fully supported by DS4Windows.

• Test Connectivity: Reconnect your replica controller via both Bluetooth and USB. If your computer detects it, you might be able to use it with DS4Windows. However, full functionality is not guaranteed for all replicas.

High Latency / Input Delay Issues Over Bluetooth

Input delay, or latency, is the time it takes for your controller commands to register in a game. High latency leads to a poor gaming experience.

• Typical Latency:
  • DualSense (DS5): 3ms (can go down to 1ms)
  • DualShock 4 (DS4): 4ms (can go down to 1.5ms)
  • DualShock 3 (DS3): 5ms
  • Nintendo Switch Pro/Joy-Cons: 16ms A delay above 20ms is considered bad. Below 10ms is good.
• Monitor Latency:
  1. Launch DS4Windows and go to the “Controllers” section.
  2. Hover your mouse over the controller name to see the current latency.
  3. Check the “Log” section for entries indicating latency above 10ms.
• Common Causes:
  • Too many Bluetooth devices connected.
  • Low-quality or outdated Bluetooth adapter.
  • High radio interference.
  • Faulty Bluetooth adapter drivers.
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi interference.
  • DS4Windows causing increased data transfer rates (for DS4 and DualSense).

1. Turn Off Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi signals can interfere with Bluetooth, causing latency.

• Isolate Bluetooth: Turn off Wi-Fi on your computer and rely only on Bluetooth for the controller. Test the input delay again. Keep other electronic devices away from your computer and controller.

2. Set High-Performance Power Plan

Windows power settings can affect Bluetooth performance.

• Change Power Plan:
  1. Switch your Windows power plan to “High Performance.”
  2. In Device Manager, find your Bluetooth dongle. Right-click, select “Properties,” go to “Power Management,” and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”

3. Use a Dedicated Bluetooth Adapter

Built-in Bluetooth adapters may not offer the best performance.

• External Adapter: Consider using a high-quality external Bluetooth adapter.
  1. If you use an external adapter, disable your computer’s built-in Bluetooth adapter in Device Manager to prevent conflicts.
  2. If you cannot pair your controller, try connecting the new Bluetooth adapter to a different USB port or using a USB extension cable.

4. Decrease Bluetooth Polling Rate (DS4 & DualSense Only)

Adjusting the polling rate can reduce latency for specific controllers.

• Adjust Polling Rate:
  1. Launch DS4Windows.
  2. Go to “Profiles.”
  3. Select your profile, click “Profile Editor,” and then “Other.”
  4. Find “BT Poll Rate” and set the value to 10ms. This feature works only for DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers.

5. Disable “Enable Output Data To DS4”

This setting can affect data transfer for Bluetooth.

• Disable Output Data:
  1. Launch DS4Windows.
  2. Go to “Profiles,” select your profile, click “Profile Editor,” and then “Other.”
  3. Uncheck “Enable Output Data to DS4.” Note: Disabling this option will turn off rumble effects and lightbar control.

DS4Windows Not Creating Virtual Controllers

If DS4Windows isn’t creating virtual Xbox 360 or DualShock 4 gamepads, check this setting.

• Enable Virtual Controller:
  1. Open DS4Windows.
  2. Go to the “Controllers” tab.
  3. Select your profile and click “Edit.”
  4. In “Profile Editor,” go to “Other.”
  5. Ensure “Disable Virtual Controller” is unchecked (disabled).
  6. Save changes, click “Stop” and then “Start” in DS4Windows.

Games Not Recognizing Virtual Controllers

If your games do not detect the virtual controllers created by DS4Windows, check for double input issues and other configurations.

• Check for Double Input: Before troubleshooting, launch DS4Windows and ensure HidHide is not open. Look for an “X” mark in DS4Windows indicating a double input issue. This must be fixed first.

1. Verify Virtual Controller Responsiveness

Test if the virtual controller is working correctly outside of the game.

• Gamepad Tester Website:
  1. Go to an online gamepad tester website (e.g., gamepad-tester.com).
  2. Press buttons on your controller and observe if the website registers inputs correctly based on your DS4Windows profile.
  3. If it works, the issue might be with your DS4Windows profile. Create a new test profile with default settings and try again.

2. Address Incorrect XInput Slot

Windows assigns XInput slots (1-4) to Xbox controllers. Sometimes, a game might hold onto a slot, causing conflicts.

• Identify Occupied Slots:
  1. Connect at least one physical controller.
  2. Open DS4Windows, go to “Settings,” and launch the “XInputChecker” tool. Check which slots are connected. Press controller buttons to see if the tool responds.
  3. Download and run “Process Explorer” (procexp64.exe).
  4. Go to Find > Find Handle or DLL... (or press Ctrl+Shift+F).
  5. Type Xinput in the search bar and click “Search.” This shows which programs or processes are using XInput slots.
  6. Terminate any unnecessary processes that are using XInput slots.

3. Terminate Offending Processes/Programs

Close any applications or games that might be conflicting with DS4Windows.

• Close or Uninstall: If you identified conflicting programs in the previous step, close them. If you no longer need them, uninstall them. Restart your computer and ensure no other applications are using XInput slots before launching DS4Windows.

4. Set a Permanent Output Slot

Setting a permanent output slot for your virtual controller can help games detect it consistently.

• Configure Permanent Slot:
  1. Open DS4Windows and go to “Output Slots.”
  2. Choose the first available slot. If it says “Dynamic” for the X360 controller, change it to “Permanent.”
  3. Click “Accept.” Note: If emulating a DualShock 4 controller, unplug the permanent Xbox controller to avoid conflicts.

5. Check Game’s Controller Support

Some games only support Xbox controllers natively.

• PC Gaming Wiki: Visit the PCGamingWiki website and search for your game. Check the “Controller” section to see if it supports native DS4 controllers, or if only Xbox controllers are recognized. If only Xbox controllers are supported, you might need to use Xbox controller emulation in DS4Windows.

6. Enable Steam Input for DS4 Controllers

Many games on Steam require Steam Input to fully support DS4 controllers.

• Configure Steam Input:
  1. Launch the Steam Client.
  2. Go to Steam > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings.
  3. Enable “PlayStation Configuration Support.” This provides rumble and lightbar features. You may need to run DS4Windows under a custom name for this to work correctly.

7. Games Intentionally Ignoring Virtual Controllers

A few games are designed to ignore DS4 controllers intentionally when detected.

• Use Xbox Emulation: If a game actively blocks DS4 controller input, your only option is to use Xbox controller emulation through DS4Windows.

Controller Not Behaving Correctly While Playing Games

Issues like character movement without input or slow responses require specific adjustments.

1. Character/Camera Moves Automatically (Stick Drift)

Stick drift occurs when the analog sticks register input even when untouched.

• Causes:
  • Sticks not returning perfectly to the center.
  • Issues with stick position sensors.
• Default Preset Xbox Profile: Ensure the movement range for your stick’s resting position is less than 8% (+/−0.08). If it’s above this, DS4Windows assumes intentional movement.
• Test Profile: Create a new DS4Windows profile. Set “Dead Zone” and “Anti Dead Zone” for both LS and RS sticks to 0.00. Test on gamepad-tester.com.
• Minor Drift: If the drift is minor, increasing the dead zone in your profile settings can make DS4Windows ignore slight stick movements.
• Major Drift: For significant drift, consider cleaning the stick’s resistor meters or replacing the analog sticks if there’s physical damage.

2. Adjust Dead Zone Values

Properly adjusting dead zones can fix minor stick drift.

• Increase Dead Zone: If your gamepad tester shows minor drift (e.g., 0.16 for an axis), increase the dead zone value in your DS4Windows profile. This makes the controller ignore inputs within that small range, preventing unintended movements.

3. Controller Stops Responding Suddenly

Sudden disconnections can be due to connection issues or interference.

• USB Connection:
  • Check your USB cable for damage.
  • Ensure the USB cable is properly seated in both the computer and controller ports.
  • Clean your computer’s USB ports with cotton.
• Bluetooth Connection:
  • High latency or radio interference can cause disconnections.
  • Keep electronic devices away from your controller and computer.
  • Check the DS4Windows log for any error messages.

4. Game Responds Very Slow to Commands

If input lag is specific to a game, the game itself might be the problem. If all games respond slowly, it’s a controller or driver issue.

• Bluetooth Connection: High latency or random spikes cause slow responses. Switch to a USB connection for testing.
• USB Connection: Check the USB cable. Try a different cable. Keep electronic devices away from your system.
• Virtual DS4 Controller: Outdated HidHide drivers can cause slow responses. Update HidHide to the latest version. If the issue persists, check game-specific settings or forums for solutions.

5. Rumble, Motion, Gyro, Touchpad, Lightbar Not Working

Older DS4Windows versions or incorrect settings can disable these features.

• Latest DS4Windows Version: Ensure you are using the latest version of DS4Windows, as older versions might disable rumble and lightbar support by default due to ViGEmBus driver issues.
• Game Support: Check pcgamingwiki.com to confirm if your game natively supports DS4 features like rumble, gyro, motion, and lightbar.
• Profile Settings: In your DS4Windows profile, ensure all desired features (rumble, motion, gyro, lightbar) are enabled.
• Steam Input: If the game requires Steam Input, enable “PlayStation Configuration Support” in Steam settings to ensure these features work with DS4 emulation.

6. Rumble Doesn’t Work With DS4 Controller Emulation

Rumble support is not always active by default with DS4 controller emulation.

• Enable Rumble in Profile:
  1. Launch DS4Windows, select your profile, and go to “Settings,” then “Other.”
  2. Check the “Rumble” percentage. If it’s 0, increase it to 100.
  3. Save changes, then click “Stop” and “Start” in DS4Windows.
• Hardware Check: If rumble still doesn’t work, check your controller’s hardware for issues.
• Steam Input: Verify Steam Input requirements.
• Xbox 360 Emulation: If DS4 controller emulation doesn’t provide rumble, switch to Virtual Xbox 360 Controller Emulation in DS4Windows.

DS4Windows Double Input / Double Controller Issue

The double input issue happens when both your physical controller and the virtual controller are detected by games, causing conflicting inputs. HidHide is designed to prevent this.

1. HidHide Installed But Double Input Persists

Simply installing HidHide is not enough; it needs proper configuration.

• Configure HidHide:
  1. Close DS4Windows completely (ensure it’s not running in the background or taskbar).
  2. Launch HidHide’s configuration client.
  3. Select your physical controller and enable “Hide Device” for it.
  4. Ensure “Enable Device Hiding” is turned on.
  5. Save changes and close the HidHide client.
  6. Relaunch DS4Windows. A “Key” icon next to your controller in DS4Windows indicates it is hidden. Important: Add DS4Windows to HidHide’s applications list.

2. Controller Hidden But Double Input Still Not Solved

If the issue continues, re-verify HidHide settings and connection.

• Re-verify HidHide:
  1. Close DS4Windows.
  2. Launch HidHide’s configuration client and confirm “Enable Device Hiding” is on.
  3. Disconnect your controller from your PC, then reconnect using an alternative method (e.g., USB to Bluetooth, or vice-versa).
  4. Go to gamepad-tester.com to confirm your physical controller is truly hidden. If not, repeat the HidHide configuration steps from the beginning.

Conclusion

Experiencing issues with DS4Windows can be frustrating, especially when you’re ready to game. However, as this guide shows, most problems, from the application not launching to your controller acting strangely, have clear, actionable solutions. By systematically checking your software requirements, connection types, and in-app settings, you can often get your PlayStation controller working seamlessly with your PC.

Remember to keep your drivers and DS4Windows version updated, understand how your operating system handles controller inputs, and configure your profiles carefully. With these steps, you can tackle common DS4Windows glitches and enjoy a smoother gaming experience.