How to update your PS5 controller

If you're one of the blessed 8 million people who were able to get your hands on a PlayStation 5, you've probably encountered the controller update process by now. I received mine on launch day (November 12, 2020) and have had to update the DualSense controller several times since then, including when I received the new red variant.

It's easy, right? Well, maybe not so much.

Here's how to automatically update your PS5 controller

• Wake the PS5 from sleep
• See on-screen text alerting you to controller update available, which includes choices to "Notify after 24 hours" and "Update now"
• Plug in a USB cable (because for some reason you can't do it wirelessly)
• Highlight the "Update Now" button and press X on the controller to update

But. If you don't press X at this point - if you press O, say, like I could, because as a longtime resident of Japan I'm still getting over the fact that it's not the button anymore Confirmation – you'll see the PS5 account login screen, and the update prompt disappears. How to get it back?

Well, basically you don't, unless you're willing to delve into some needlessly convoluted deception. That's right. There is no option in the PS5 settings that will allow you to manually update the PS5 controller. Waking the console from sleep mode does not bring the prompt back and does not turn off the power completely.

Photo by Sean Hollister / I/O Means

As far as we can tell (and judging by the "Notify after 24 hour" option), the update prompt is tied to a 24 hour cycle, you are so probably supposed to wait a day and try again. I/O means Tom Warren, however, says he's successfully forced the update on his PS5 a few times.

Here's how to manually update your PS5 controller

• Disconnect from the Internet by selecting Settings> Network> Settings
• Advance the internal clock 24 hours by going to Settings> System> Date &Time

DualSense firmware updates may not be particularly exciting or even essential, but I'm here with anyone who found this whole process to be a confusing piece of PS5 software . It's deeply confusing to be told you need to update something on startup and then find out you have no obvious way to do it on your own later, such as when you have a USB-C cable. at hand.

Hopefully knowing you're not missing anything from the menus - or can engage in Animal Crossing - last resort time skip style – gives you some peace of mind the next time you hit the wrong button.