DualSense Lightbar & Speaker Tool
The DualSense has a lightbar around the touchpad, five small player lights and a built-in speaker. This tool lets you change the lightbar to any colour and check each light and the speaker work.
It's useful when buying a used controller, after a repair, or just to set a colour you like while using the controller on a PC.
DualSense Lightbar & Audio Tool
Change RGB lightbar colours, player LEDs, mute indicator and test the built-in speaker via WebHID.
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How to use it
- Use Chrome or Edge on a computer and connect your DualSense by USB or Bluetooth.
- Press Connect and choose your controller.
- Pick a colour from the colour wheel. The lightbar changes straight away.
- Turn each player light on and off to check them.
- Press Play test sound to check the built-in speaker.
What your results mean
What a healthy controller shows:
Lightbar Changes to the colour you pick, evenly on both sides
Player lights Each of the five lights turns on and off
Speaker Test sound plays clearly from the controller
If something doesn't work
Problem Likely cause
Lightbar stays one colour Another program (Steam, DS4Windows) is controlling it. Close it and reconnect.
One side of the lightbar is dark A faulty LED or loose internal cable
No sound Speaker fault, or a headset is plugged into the controller
The colour resets when the controller restarts or connects to a console.
What the lights are for
On a PS5, the lightbar and player lights show which player you are and react to games, such as flashing red when your health is low. The built-in speaker plays small game sounds right from the controller.
On a PC, these features are controlled by whatever software has the controller, which is why Steam or DS4Windows can override the colour you choose here.
What each light means on a PS5
On a PS5, the lightbar shows the player colour and can change during games, for example flashing when you're hurt. The five small lights below the touchpad show your player number. The mute button lights up orange when the microphone is muted.
When the controller is charging and the console is in rest mode, the lightbar pulses slowly. A solid lightbar after charging usually means the controller is fully charged.
Light What it means on PS5
Lightbar colour Player colour, or effects from the game
Player lights Your player number (1â4)
Mute button orange Microphone muted
Slow pulse in rest mode Charging
No lights at all Controller off, or the battery is completely flat
Lightbar problems and fixes
If the lightbar doesn't light at all, charge the controller fully and try again. If it still stays dark, reset the controller with the small reset button on the back, then reconnect it with a cable.
If only one side lights, or the colour flickers, an LED or the cable connecting it inside the controller may be damaged. That usually needs a repair. If the colour keeps changing back on a PC, another program is controlling it; close Steam or DS4Windows and reconnect.
Testing the speaker and microphone
The built-in speaker plays short sounds from games, such as a reload or a radio message. If the test sound doesn't play, check that nothing is plugged into the controller's headphone jack, since a connected headset takes over the sound.
The microphone is tested separately on our Controller Mic Test page. If the speaker works but the mic doesn't, check the mute button first.
Using lightbar colours on PC
When the DualSense is connected to a PC, the colour is set by whatever program is using it. Steam lets you choose a colour in its controller settings, and some games set the colour themselves.
The colour you set here lasts until another program changes it or the controller restarts. For a colour that sticks every time, set it in Steam's controller settings instead.
Can you turn the lightbar off?
On a PS5 you can lower the brightness in the console's controller settings, but not switch it off completely. On PC, some programs let you dim or turn it off, which also saves a little battery.
Lowering brightness is useful if the light reflects on your screen in a dark room, or if you want longer battery life.
Player lights and multiple controllers
When several controllers are connected, the player lights show which is which. Player 1 has one light, player 2 two, and so on. On PC, the program using the controller sets these lights.
If two controllers show the same player light, one may not be assigned a player number by the program or game.
Testing the mute button light
Press the mute button and check the light turns on and off. If it doesn't light at all, the LED may be faulty, though the mute function may still work.
On PC, the mute light may not respond unless a program controls it. Test on a PS5 if you're unsure.
Speaker volume and quality
The built-in speaker is small, so it's designed for short sounds rather than music. If the sound is crackly or very quiet, check the controller's volume setting on the PS5.
A damaged speaker usually sounds distorted at all volumes. That requires a repair.
Headphone jack
The DualSense has a 3.5 mm headphone jack. When headphones are plugged in, sound from the speaker switches to the headphones. If the speaker doesn't work, check nothing is plugged into the jack.
If headphones don't work when plugged in, try another pair to rule out the headphones.
Lightbar and battery life
The lightbar uses a little battery. On a PS5, you can set it to dim to save power. Controllers last a little longer with a dimmer lightbar.
If battery life has dropped noticeably, the battery itself may be wearing.
Using lightbar colours for streaming
Some streamers set the lightbar to match their stream colours. On PC, you can choose a colour in Steam or with this tool, though it may be reset when another program takes control.
Remember the lightbar can reflect on screens, so it may be visible on camera.
Browser requirements
Changing the lightbar colour needs a browser that can talk directly to the controller, such as Chrome or Edge on a desktop computer. Safari and Firefox don't support this.
Connect by USB for the most reliable results.
DualSense Edge differences
The DualSense Edge has the same lightbar, player lights, speaker and mute button as the standard DualSense. Testing works the same way. The Edge also shows a profile indicator when switching profiles, which is controlled by the controller itself.
If the lightbar stays on in rest mode
If the lightbar stays lit when the PS5 is in rest mode, the controller may be charging. Check the console's settings for how controllers charge in rest mode.
If the lightbar stays on after the console turns off completely, disconnect and reconnect the controller. Resetting the controller can also help.
Lightbar colours in games
Games use the lightbar in different ways. Some show your team colour, some flash when you take damage, and some match the lighting in the game. If the lightbar doesn't change in a game, it may not support lightbar effects.
Some games let you turn lightbar effects off in their settings.
Lightbar on the DualShock 4
The DualShock 4 has a larger lightbar on the front. It works similarly, though it's more visible and can reflect off screens more. This tool is designed for the DualSense, but some features may work on the DualShock 4 depending on your browser.
Resetting the DualSense
Many lightbar and speaker problems are fixed by resetting the controller. Turn off the PS5, find the small hole on the back of the controller near the shoulder button, and press the button inside with a paperclip for a few seconds. Then reconnect the controller with a USB cable and press the PS button.
A reset doesn't delete anything important. You may need to pair the controller with other devices again.
Common problems
This needs Chrome, Edge or Opera on a computer.
Close Steam or DS4Windows, which can set their own colour.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the colour on my PS5?
No. On a PS5 the console controls the lightbar. This works when the controller is connected to a computer.
Does it work with a DualShock 4?
The lightbar colour works on DualShock 4. The player lights and speaker test are for the DualSense.
Why is my lightbar a different colour on PC?
The program using the controller sets it, usually Steam. Change it in Steam's controller settings.
Does changing the colour affect the battery?
Brighter light uses slightly more battery. Dimming helps a little.
Can I set a custom colour on PS5?
No. The console and games set the colour on PS5.
Why is the mute button orange?
Your microphone is muted. Press the button to unmute.
Does this work wirelessly?
Yes, over Bluetooth in Chrome or Edge, as well as by USB.
Can I make the lightbar flash?
Only games or programs can set flashing effects.
Can a broken lightbar be repaired?
Often, yes. The LED or its ribbon cable can usually be replaced by a repair shop.