The DualSense controller is easy to pair with phones, tablets, PCs, and other Bluetooth devices, but it is not always obvious how to turn it off when you are finished. If you leave it connected, the battery can drain even when you are no longer playing.
Table Of Contents
Use the PS Button
The quickest way to turn off a Bluetooth-connected DualSense controller is to hold the PS button for around 10 seconds. The controller lights should switch off, which means the controller has powered down and is no longer actively connected.
Disconnect from Bluetooth Settings
If holding the PS button does not work, open the Bluetooth settings on the device you were using. The controller may appear as DualSense Wireless Controller. Select it and choose disconnect. This ends the Bluetooth session without deleting the pairing.
If you no longer want the controller paired to that device, choose forget, remove, or unpair. This is useful when the controller keeps reconnecting to the wrong device instead of your PS5.
Turn Off Bluetooth on the Device
Another simple option is to temporarily disable Bluetooth on the phone, tablet, laptop, or PC. Once the connection drops, the DualSense should power down after a short period. This is less elegant than holding the PS button, but it works well when an app keeps holding the controller connection open.
If the Controller Will Not Power Down
If the lights stay on, close any game, Remote Play session, emulator, or controller configuration app that may still be using the pad. Then hold the PS button again. If the controller seems stuck, use the reset pinhole on the back of the controller. Press it gently with a small pin or paperclip, then reconnect the controller later with USB or Bluetooth.
Pairing Back to PS5
After using the DualSense with another Bluetooth device, connect it back to the PS5 with a USB-C cable and press the PS button if it does not reconnect automatically. Once paired again, it should work normally with the console.
Battery Tips
Get into the habit of turning the controller off manually after Bluetooth sessions. Avoid leaving it connected to a tablet or PC overnight, and use a reliable USB-C cable or charging dock when recharging. If the controller drains rapidly even when powered off, check for firmware updates and consider whether the internal battery has degraded.
Bottom Line
For most situations, holding the PS button until the lights go out is all you need. If that fails, disconnect it from the Bluetooth menu or disable Bluetooth on the connected device. Taking a few seconds to shut the controller down properly can save a lot of battery life between sessions.
