PlayStation 5 launch Digital Edition controller will not connect or keeps disconnecting

Controller problems on the original PS5 Digital Edition involve the DualSense, and most are about connection, charging or drift. If the controller will not connect, hold the PS and Create buttons together until the light bar flashes, or plug it into the console by USB cable, which pairs it. A controller that will not charge needs a good USB-C cable and a port that supplies power; the console's front ports charge it in rest mode if the setting is on. For drift, where the character moves by itself, check Settings, Accessories, Controllers for the stick dead-zone options, clean around the stick, and update the controller firmware. A controller that disconnects often may be out of range or low on charge.

To reset a DualSense, press the small button inside the hole on the back with a pin for a few seconds. Persistent drift or a dead button needs repair or replacement. A DualSense that works wired but not wireless points at Bluetooth interference or a pairing record, and a wireless router or phone placed beside the console can disturb the link, so try moving them. Controllers also carry a software version, and the console updates them when connected by cable, so plug the controller in once after a system update to let it refresh.

A controller used heavily for years has worn analog stick modules, and a replacement stick module is a cheap fix for people who repair their own, but Sony's controller replacement or a warranty claim is the simpler route for most.