PS5 Controller Not Charging In Rest Mode? (Easy Fix!)

We know the inconvenience when your PS5 controller not charging in Rest Mode, especially when you were expecting a full battery, ready to play.

Don’t worry–we guarantee that this is the last time you’ll ever find your controller at low battery, especially after leaving it charging in PS5 Rest Mode.

Several things could be responsible for the issue:

Let’s start with the most important first…

How to Know When the PS5 Controller is Charging?

When a DualSense (PS5) controller is charging, you should be able to see a slowly pulsating orange light.

The light fades in and out, indicating that the controller is receiving battery charge. When the controller reaches 100% battery, the light turns off.

PS5 Controller Not Charging in Rest Mode – 8 Working Steps!

Note: Have you tried rebooting your PS5 by unplugging it from the wall for ~30 seconds?

1. Supply Power to USB Ports “Always”

By default, PlayStation 5 supplies power to USB ports, including USB-C and USB-A ports, for 3 hours after entering Rest Mode.

This means that after 3 hours, the controller will stop charging, unless you change the setting to “Always”.

In case your controller immediately stops charging after the console enters “Rest Mode”, the option could be set to “Off”, meaning the PS5 will not supply the USB ports with power at all.

To change the Rest Mode power supply option, follow these steps:

1. Go to “Settings” → “System” from the main screen.
2. Then, go down and select the “Power Saving” pane.
3. Next, enter the “Features Available in Rest Mode”.
4. Adjust the “Supply Power to USB Ports” accordingly.

You can choose between three options:

They are pretty much self-explanatory, so go ahead, choose “Always” and try charging your PS5 controller while the console is in “Rest Mode”.

2. Test via Multiple Console USB-A Ports

The best thing to do is to use the default USB-C to USB-A cable that is supplied with the PS5 console to charge the controller. 

This means that the USB-C end plugs into the controller, and the USB-A side of the cable goes into one of the available USB-A ports on the PlayStation.

The PlayStation 5 comes with 1 USB-A port on the front and 2 USB-A ports on the back, so try charging your controller by connecting it to multiple ports.

3. Try via a Different or Replacement Cable

If your PS5 is not charging the controller in Rest Mode, the cable could be the culprit, especially when it has sustained physical wear such as a bent connector, corrosion, or rips. 

The best way to identify whether the cord is preventing the DualSense controller from charging is to use a proven replacement cord, whether it’s USB-A or USB-C on the end.

You have two options:

So, whether you have a USB-C to USB-A or a USB-C to USB-C replacement cable, implement it in the setup to check whether that will help. 

4. Plug your PS5 Directly into the Outlet

In some rare cases, especially when you’re using dividers, strips, or smart plugs, when the PS5 enters “Rest Mode”, the power to the console could be suspended.

So, a quick way to exclude this possibility would be to plug the console directly into the outlet, without third-party extenders.

If you can, relocate your PS5 to a different room and connect it to an outlet that is hooked up to a different fuse from the circuit breaker.

This may exclude the possibility of power insufficiency.

5. Reset your DualSense (PS5) Controller

If your controller won’t charge while your PS5 is in Rest Mode, you may need to reset the unit, which will ultimately unpair the controller from the console.

To reset a DualSense controller, follow these steps:

1. Make sure that your controller is working.
2. Find the small pinhole on the back side.
3. Acquire a pointed tool such as a toothpick.
4. Then, reach in the pinhole and push in.
5. Hold for ~15–20 seconds and release it.
6. Plug your controller into the PS5 via USB.
7. Then, press the “PS” button to connect it.

When you’re ready, put your PlayStation 5 in Rest Mode and try charging the controller. If it still doesn’t work, maybe the issue is with the controller hardware.

6. Try Charging the Controller in an Outlet

By now, it’s clear that something in your setup is not quite right, especially if the USB cable that you are using has been proven to work, but your controller won’t charge.

So, let’s shift our focus towards the DualSense controller for a moment and confirm that the unit can be charged at all.

You’ll need a USB-A or USB-C adapter, based on the cable that you are using to connect your DualSense controller straight into a wall outlet.

If you see an orange light, that’s good news–your DualSense (PS5) controller is not defective!

The bad news, of course, is when the controller won’t charge even when connected directly to the wall outlet, which probably indicates a hardware defect.

7. Install the Latest PS5 Firmware Version

So, even if this may not always help, you are kinda obligated to update your PS5 to the latest firmware version before seeking further assistance.

If you reach out to the PS5 Support, this is the first thing they would want you to do anyway.

To update your PS5, go to “Settings” → “System” → “System Software” → “System Software and Settings” → “Update System Software”.

Tip: You can also update your PS5 console through “Safe Mode”.

8. Reset the PlayStation To Factory Default

If you’ve tried everything but your PS5 controller is not charging in Rest Mode, no matter what you try, perhaps a software issue is preventing the charging.

Only as a last resort, before seeking further assistance, we recommend attempting the ultimate factory reset, which will completely reinstall the PS5 system.

⚠️Warning: The PS5 factory reset will permanently erase ALL apps, games, and console settings!

Here’s how to factory reset your PS5 in easy steps:

1. From the main screen, head to the “Settings”.
2. Go to “System” and then “System Software”.
3. Now, move down and select “Reset Options”. 
4. Select “Reset Your Console” and then “Yes”.

Wait until the factory reset is completed and your PlayStation 5 reboots.

Then, make sure to set the “Supply Power to USB Ports” to “Always” and try to charge your controller in Rest Mode.

Note: If your controller just won’t charge in Rest Mode, or even worse, won’t even charge through an outlet via adapter, get in touch with PlayStation®5 Support.