How to Fix DS4Windows Not Working on Windows 11 [6 Methods]

Hey there! I‘m guessing you landed on this article because you recently upgraded to Windows 11, and now your trusty DualShock 4 controller refuses to work properly with DS4Windows. I‘ve been there too, when a system update breaks something that was previously working flawlessly.

Not to worry though, this is a reasonably common problem that can be solved with a few easy troubleshooting steps. I‘ll walk you through 6 methods that have helped many users (including myself) get DS4Windows detecting controllers again on Windows 11.

Stick with me through this guide, and you‘ll be fragging away in your favorite games with your PS4 or PS5 controller in no time!

Method 1: Verify System Requirements

Before diving into more complex solutions, let‘s first ensure your PC meets the minimum requirements to run DS4Windows properly on Windows 11:

• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 or later
• Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015-2022
• Windows 7 SP1 or newer
• A compatible controller – DualShock 4, PS5, or Xbox
• Bluetooth adapter or USB cable for wireless

Check .NET Framework Version

The .NET Framework is a Windows component that provides common functionality for many apps and programs. DS4Windows requires at least version 4.8, which shipped with Windows 10.

To check your installed version, open the Start menu and search for "about .NET Framework". In the popup dialog, verify the version is 4.8 or higher.

If you see a lower version, you‘ll need to install the 4.8 framework or newer. You can download it directly from Microsoft here.

Install Visual C++ Redistributables

Next up is the Visual C++ Redistributables, which provides runtime components for software built in Visual Studio. DS4Windows requires the 2015-2022 versions.

Open the Start menu and search for "visual c++ redistributable". This will display a list of installed versions. Ensure you have at least 2015-2022 checked:

If any are missing, you can download the Visual Studio redistributables individually from Microsoft‘s website here.

Meet Windows and Hardware Requirements

DS4Windows officially supports Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and later, including Windows 11. You also need a compatible controller – either DualShock 4, PS5, or Xbox. PlayStation 3 and other legacy controllers are not supported.

For wireless connection, you‘ll need a Bluetooth adapter. Many modern PCs and laptops have built-in Bluetooth, but you can also use a cheap USB dongle like this Asus adapter.

That covers the basics! With those requirements met, you can move on to some more advanced troubleshooting.

Method 2: Update Bluetooth Drivers

If you connect your controller wirelessly via Bluetooth, problems can arise if your Bluetooth drivers become outdated. This is actually quite common after a major Windows update like moving to Windows 11.

Here‘s how to fully update your Bluetooth drivers:

1. Open the Windows Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting it (or press Windows + R and type devmgmt.msc).

2. Expand the "Bluetooth" section to show your Bluetooth radios.

3. Right click on the Bluetooth device and select "Update driver".

4. Choose to search automatically for updated drivers from Windows Update.

5. Follow the prompts to install any available driver updates.

6. Restart your computer when finished for changes to fully apply.

This will fetch the newest matching drivers from Microsoft‘s servers and can often resolve connectivity issues after OS updates. Give DS4Windows another shot after updating Bluetooth drivers.

According to 2022 survey data from IT training company Pluralsight, 31% of organizations cited outdated drivers as the primary cause of problems following an OS migration like Windows 10 to 11. So there‘s a good chance this driver update will fix your DS4Windows woes!

Method 3: Update DS4Windows to Latest Version

If hardware drivers are good, another possibility is the DS4Windows software itself is outdated. The developer Ryochan7 actively maintains the utility and releases new versions to fix bugs and improve compatibility.

Updating is straightforward:

1. Close DS4Windows if currently running.

2. Navigate to where DS4Windows is installed on your computer.

3. Inside the folder, run the application named DS4Updater.

4. DS4Updater will automatically download and install the newest DS4Windows version.

5. Launch DS4Windows again and it should now be up-to-date!

According to the DS4Windows GitHub page, there were 11 releases in just the past year to squash bugs and enhance controller support. So updating to the latest version very well may fix your issues.

Method 4: Clean Reinstall DS4Windows

If you‘ve upgraded DS4Windows but are still seeing controller connection problems, a more heavy-handed fix is to completely uninstall and reinstall a fresh copy. This wipes the slate clean, eliminating any corrupted files or registry issues from previous installations.

Here is the full process to cleanly reinstall DS4Windows:

1. Uninstall the current copy: Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. Select "Uninstall" on the "Nefarius Virtual Gamepad Emulation Bus" entry. Then delete the DS4Windows folder wherever you installed it.

2. Delete program data: Type %appdata% into File Explorer. This will open the AppData\Roaming folder. Delete the DS4Windows folder inside.

3. Download new copy: Grab the latest DS4Windows installer from the official site. Be sure to download the main package, not just the update.

4. Install fresh copy: Run the new setup executable and walk through the installation prompts. Let it install drivers and components.

5. Set up controllers again: Open the new DS4Windows version. You‘ll need to reconnect your controllers and reconfigure settings.

This clears out old program files and registry data, giving you a completely fresh DS4Windows instance. According to research by Avast, nearly 40% of Windows PCs have registry issues, so a clean install gives you the best shot at smooth DS4Windows performance.

Method 5: Re-enable Controllers in Device Manager

Here‘s an obscure trick that has resolved DS4Windows detection issues for some users. If Windows encounters problems with a device like a game controller, it may automatically disable it in Device Manager to prevent further issues.

To check and re-enable controllers:

1. Open Windows Device Manager.

2. Expand the "Human Interface Devices" section.

3. Locate any entries named "HID-compliant game controller" and right click.

4. Choose "Disable" then "Enable" to reset the device.

5. Restart your computer for changes to apply.

This will make Windows re-detect your connected controllers, potentially fixing any incorrect device conflicts. It‘s quick and easy to try with no downsides.

Method 6: Restore Earlier System Restore Point

If you‘ve tried the above troubleshooting without success, a last resort is rolling back your Windows installation to an earlier state using System Restore.

A word of caution – restoring will remove all programs and updates installed after that point. So backup important data first!

Here‘s how to roll back to an earlier restore point:

1. Search for rstrui and open the System Restore tool.

2. Select "Next" then choose a restore point from before you had DS4Windows issues.

3. Review the impacted programs and click "Finish" to confirm.

4. Windows will reboot into the restored state. You‘ll need to reinstall any apps and updates released after that point.

According to Microsoft documentation, System Restore monitors your PC for system changes and automatically creates restore points prior to updates or driver installations. So chances are you have a restore point from when DS4Windows was functioning normally that you can roll back to.

This completely undoes any Windows changes since that point which may have caused DS4Windows connectivity problems. Just be aware of the potential data loss and app reinstallation required.

Summary

Well, we‘ve covered a ton of ground troubleshooting your DS4Windows issues in Windows 11! Here‘s a quick recap of the 6 methods we went through:

1. Confirm your PC meets system requirements
2. Update Bluetooth and other relevant drivers
3. Update DS4Windows to the latest version
4. Cleanly reinstall DS4Windows
5. Reset controllers in Device Manager
6. Restore an earlier Windows system state

Hopefully with one or more of those steps, you‘ve been able to get your DualShock 4 or PS5 controller smoothly connecting again with DS4Windows.

I know from personal experience how frustrating controller issues can be when you just want to kick back and game. But some diligent troubleshooting and patience should get you back up running.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other tips for fixing DS4Windows problems on Windows 11. And game on my friend!