Whether you’re a day-one PS4 owner or a newbie to the console, there are a few hidden features and tips that can make using your PlayStation 4 more accessible.
One of the most useful PS4 tips is to put your system in Rest Mode when you’re not playing. This will keep your console from refreshing the home screen as often, which can cause long delays.
Turn Off the Light Bar
The light bar on your Playstation 4 controller indicates various states and is meant to enhance the gaming experience. Typically, the light bar will shine white when your controller works appropriately and red when it does not.
If you notice that your light bar is red, it could mean something is wrong with your controller or has a hardware issue. However, this is a rare situation.
Another common cause of a red light bar is when your PS4 controller gets disconnected from the console. The controller’s light bar should automatically reconnect when you plug it back in.
In games that feature player-based multiplayer, the controller light bar will change colors to indicate who’s logged in. For example, a blue light is usually the indicator for the first player on the team.
In games like Far Cry 4, yellow and pale blue lights indicate who’s in the game’s support role, while light blue means you’re in the medic’s seat. This is a very clever way of conveying information without using verbal cues.
Turn Off the Vibration
One of the most popular controllers for PlayStation consoles is the PS4 DualShock 4. It is comfortable and has numerous features, making it a great gaming controller.
However, some gamers don’t like the vibration on their controllers. They find it annoying and can also drain the battery life of their controllers.
If you don’t want your controller vibrating while playing games, it is easy to turn off the vibration on your controller. You can do this by going to Settings on your PlayStation 4 and then going to Devices.
You can then go to controllers and turn off the vibration option in the menu. This will override any in-game settings and disable the controller’s vibration.
If this doesn’t work, uninstall the games on your Playstation 4 and restart your console. This should solve most vibration issues.
Turn Off the IR Sensor
Most remotes rely on an infrared sensor to turn the device on. The PS4 has no infrared detector, so you cannot control it with a standard remote.
Luckily, there are ways to get around this issue. First, make sure your controller is charged correctly. If not, unplug and plug it back in to see if that resolves the problem.
Second, try calibrating the IR sensor. This is a simple process. Bring your hand or an object in front of the IR sensor, and you should see the signal LED turn ON.
Then, push the reset button on the back of your controller near the L2 shoulder button. This will force the IR sensor to reset, allowing you to pair your controller with your PlayStation 4 again.
Turn Off the Bluetooth
If you have a PlayStation 4 controller that doesn’t work as expected, it could be because it’s paired with Bluetooth. You’ll want to unpair it from your console and pair it with a working controller using a USB cable.
You can do this by opening the PS4 menu and choosing “Devices.” Here, you’ll see a list of all your Bluetooth devices. Select the one you want to unpair, then press the Options button on that controller.
Next, choose “Forget Device.” This will remove it from your console’s devices list.
Once you’ve done this, a green dot should appear next to that inactive DualShock 4 controller. You’ll need to connect it to your PlayStation 4 and use it wirelessly again, assuming it’s fully charged.
Turn Off the Backlight
If you’re tired of your PlayStation 4 controller bouncing light off your television screen, you can permanently turn off the Backlight on your controller. This can reduce distractions during playtime and improve your gaming experience.
You must unscrew your PlayStation 4 controller from your console to do this. Then, cover the ribbon cables that power the LED lights on the controller.
One of the most popular controllers for PlayStation 4, the DualShock 4, has a new feature called the “light bar.” The lights on your controller help differentiate players and provide in-game feedback. Each light color has its meaning, depending on the number of players you’re playing with and what game you’re playing.
If you want to pair your PS4 controller with a Bluetooth-enabled device, like an Android phone, it’s easy to do. Hold the small Share and central circular buttons until the controller’s Backlight starts flashing. Once it does, you can plug in the adapter and connect it to your smartphone or computer.
