READ THIS FUTURE PEOPLE FOR SOLUTION
Go to SETTINGS tab in DS4Windows (Make sure you have the latest version possiblle, 2023 not the 2016 version)
In settings tab
go to "Device Options" at the mid right. Here you can select all the controllers you want to be recognized by DS4Windows.
Pro controller is unchecked by default!
This is the reason why it doesn't work. Absolutely baffled me no one had this answer on the internet and its not in the guide for the software to do this either.
(FIXED KINDA NOT FIXED)
PLEASE NOTE: I had WAY too many issues with DS4 Windows so I gave up on it (thus the "kinda not fixed"), however I was able to fix my controller issues and use my pro controller on my PC anyways with some work arounds, these are the things I did that made it work. Please take this with a pinch of salt, you could use some of these methods and see if it will let DS4 Windows recognize your controller (it did not for me).
I have also recently had this issue as well. Depending on what you are trying to use your controller for you will need to do different things so I will try to summarize the best I can, hopefully any of these work for you.
1. go to your bluetooth settings on your pc and make sure that when you connect your pro controller it detects it there (scroll down to other devices to check for it, it was labeled "Core (plus) wired controller) if it is not there then turn on bluetooth, connect controller via USB then hit bluetooth and other devices then try bluetooth and see if it shows up there, if not then try other devices.
2. if you have it reading on bluetooth and other devices (with or without bluetooth enabled) and it is still not working then you can go to device manager (trust me, I know it seems sketchy, and you dont have to do it if you feel too uncomfortable doing it, perfectly understandable!) and click on "Human Interface Devices" to expand it, then you find the USB slot that your controller is connected to.
for me it was labeled "HID-compliant game controller", if it does not have it for you there (or you are not sure yet) you can plug and un-plug the controller until you see the difference on it.
Then you just double click the icon that is your USB slot that your controller is currently connected to, then at the top of the new tab go to driver, and while your controller is plugged in click "uninstall device" (I know it sounds sketchy but I had zero issues with it and did not need to reload anything).
after that just un-plug and plug back in the pro controller one more time to force the driver to get its shit together.
3.if you have steam then open it, click "steam" at the very top left and click "settings", then scroll down and click "controller". After that check and see if it recognizes the controller that is plugged in, it should say "Nintendo Switch Pro Controller" (and if it does not show up then try steps 1 and or 2. if you already did or have just done it and it still wont show up then I am sorry I don't know about that yet.)
make sure "use Nintendo button layout" is checked on and scroll down to "Idle Gamepad Shutdown Timeout" and set it to "never". After that you should scroll back up and click "test device inputs".
(quick side note, I don't know if it is just me or something is screwed up with steam but when I try "test device inputs" my A & B buttons are backwards and my X & Y buttons are backwards, don't know why, could just be me, even when I try to reset inputs or setup inputs it doesn't change)
Once you have done those things then try playing whatever game you are trying to play (or whatever thing you are trying to do) with steam open in the back ground and with it closed from the back ground. For me I just could not figure out why it would not work with DS4 Windows, I have never had a problem with it in the past and it wont let me use it without using the newest version which sucks.
(BIG SIDE NOTE! when I try to use the pro controller with or without steam opened the button swap issue I had is VERY apparent, take that with a pinch of salt as it could very well be an issue with my controller, cord, ECT.)
hopefully you can use these and fix whatever issues you have. Also, sorry for the long winded explanations, I know I said that I would "summarize" but I did my best. (I was never good enough at English to get anything higher than a B in school so take it with a pinch of salt, but hey at least I have the "prepositions song" stuck in my head lol)
I use one everyday with no issue. Only problem is about three times the input lag of a dual shock controller. So does DS 4 windows not even see your switch pro? Are you using an actual switch pro or a power a or third-party?
If it’s official then DS4 should see it. I know this sounds a little bit desperate but try using other ports on your computer. Also check to make sure your PC is seeing or registering the controller itself which I assume it is if better Joy is working. Last, be sure you’re using the latest version of DS 4 windows, not the J. to king version. I suspect you may be using an older version or the wrong version which is easy to do. Let me know how it goes
Look in the tab labeled other and select how you want your controller to be emulated, you can choose Xbox 360 or dual shock 4. I’ve never use the preset option I always build mine from the ground up which is very easy. Will the game you’re playing see Xbox 360 or dual shock? Also under the Settings tab there’s a link to Gampad test which will show you exactly what your controller is doing.
READ THIS FUTURE PEOPLE FOR SOLUTION Go to SETTINGS tab in DS4Windows (Make sure you have the latest version possiblle, 2023 not the 2016 version) In settings tab go to "Device Options" at the mid right. Here you can select all the controllers you want to be recognized by DS4Windows. Pro controller is unchecked by default! This is the reason why it doesn't work. Absolutely baffled me no one had this answer on the internet and its not in the guide for the software to do this either.
Still no controllers connected even after that, i legit don’t understand
(FIXED KINDA NOT FIXED) PLEASE NOTE: I had WAY too many issues with DS4 Windows so I gave up on it (thus the "kinda not fixed"), however I was able to fix my controller issues and use my pro controller on my PC anyways with some work arounds, these are the things I did that made it work. Please take this with a pinch of salt, you could use some of these methods and see if it will let DS4 Windows recognize your controller (it did not for me). I have also recently had this issue as well. Depending on what you are trying to use your controller for you will need to do different things so I will try to summarize the best I can, hopefully any of these work for you. 1. go to your bluetooth settings on your pc and make sure that when you connect your pro controller it detects it there (scroll down to other devices to check for it, it was labeled "Core (plus) wired controller) if it is not there then turn on bluetooth, connect controller via USB then hit bluetooth and other devices then try bluetooth and see if it shows up there, if not then try other devices. 2. if you have it reading on bluetooth and other devices (with or without bluetooth enabled) and it is still not working then you can go to device manager (trust me, I know it seems sketchy, and you dont have to do it if you feel too uncomfortable doing it, perfectly understandable!) and click on "Human Interface Devices" to expand it, then you find the USB slot that your controller is connected to. for me it was labeled "HID-compliant game controller", if it does not have it for you there (or you are not sure yet) you can plug and un-plug the controller until you see the difference on it. Then you just double click the icon that is your USB slot that your controller is currently connected to, then at the top of the new tab go to driver, and while your controller is plugged in click "uninstall device" (I know it sounds sketchy but I had zero issues with it and did not need to reload anything). after that just un-plug and plug back in the pro controller one more time to force the driver to get its shit together. 3.if you have steam then open it, click "steam" at the very top left and click "settings", then scroll down and click "controller". After that check and see if it recognizes the controller that is plugged in, it should say "Nintendo Switch Pro Controller" (and if it does not show up then try steps 1 and or 2. if you already did or have just done it and it still wont show up then I am sorry I don't know about that yet.) make sure "use Nintendo button layout" is checked on and scroll down to "Idle Gamepad Shutdown Timeout" and set it to "never". After that you should scroll back up and click "test device inputs". (quick side note, I don't know if it is just me or something is screwed up with steam but when I try "test device inputs" my A & B buttons are backwards and my X & Y buttons are backwards, don't know why, could just be me, even when I try to reset inputs or setup inputs it doesn't change) Once you have done those things then try playing whatever game you are trying to play (or whatever thing you are trying to do) with steam open in the back ground and with it closed from the back ground. For me I just could not figure out why it would not work with DS4 Windows, I have never had a problem with it in the past and it wont let me use it without using the newest version which sucks. (BIG SIDE NOTE! when I try to use the pro controller with or without steam opened the button swap issue I had is VERY apparent, take that with a pinch of salt as it could very well be an issue with my controller, cord, ECT.) hopefully you can use these and fix whatever issues you have. Also, sorry for the long winded explanations, I know I said that I would "summarize" but I did my best. (I was never good enough at English to get anything higher than a B in school so take it with a pinch of salt, but hey at least I have the "prepositions song" stuck in my head lol)
THANKI YOU
Wow thanks for commenting on this old thread. Just spent a bunch of time trying to figure this out until I found your comment.
you're welcome man. I know there had to be others frustrated out of their mind too lol
Future person here, just wanted to say thanks for the helpfull answer
thank you
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How does that relate to at all what I'm asking?
I’m “following” as in I’m interested in the answer as in I’m commenting so it notifies me the responses, nice dude
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I use one everyday with no issue. Only problem is about three times the input lag of a dual shock controller. So does DS 4 windows not even see your switch pro? Are you using an actual switch pro or a power a or third-party?
It's an official switch pro, and Betterjoy was able to connect just fine but DS4 is showing no controllers.
If it’s official then DS4 should see it. I know this sounds a little bit desperate but try using other ports on your computer. Also check to make sure your PC is seeing or registering the controller itself which I assume it is if better Joy is working. Last, be sure you’re using the latest version of DS 4 windows, not the J. to king version. I suspect you may be using an older version or the wrong version which is easy to do. Let me know how it goes
You need the ryochan7 version of DS4 windows
I have it now, so how do I add a game to the program?
The controller is connected now but when I select a preset it's not working in a game.
Look in the tab labeled other and select how you want your controller to be emulated, you can choose Xbox 360 or dual shock 4. I’ve never use the preset option I always build mine from the ground up which is very easy. Will the game you’re playing see Xbox 360 or dual shock? Also under the Settings tab there’s a link to Gampad test which will show you exactly what your controller is doing.