PS4 Controller Red Light (Causes & Easy Fixes)

If you’re a serious gamer and you want to know about your PS4 controller’s red light, here are the basics with more details to follow. 

First up, the way to deal with the red light, and how seriously you should take it, depends on whether you’re looking at the controller or the console. 

If it’s the console, then the red light is likely to mean it’s overheating. 

If, on the other hand, the red light is on your controller, there are multiple reasons why it might be red, and they probably don’t need fixing. Here’s why. 

Common Reasons For PS4 Controller Red Light

1. Player One, Player Two, Player 3

So, you’re playing a multiplayer game and the console you’re using is showing a red light. Ask the folks who are playing with you what color their console is, and they’ll each tell you a different color. Getting the drift?

Yup! Your console light’s color might just be showing which player you are, with nothing sinister to worry about and nothing wrong to fix. So, go ahead, red. Destroy green, blue and pink! 

2. You’re About to Die!

Game devs can add their own twists to the lights displayed on your console. Some of them let you know you’re in trouble by making your controller light turn red.

So what’s up? Low on HP or mana? Being chased by the cops? If you’re in a tough situation, that red PS4 console light is just letting you know that you need to defeat the odds. Heal up, evade your foes, and keep playing!

3. Maybe It’s Just the Game Devs

Seriously, game devs have had a lot of fun with their ability to decide what color your controller will be.

Plenty of users have noticed their PS4 controller light changing color depending on which game they’re playing.

Could be your red light is just part of the overall gaming atmosphere. For instance, if you’re playing The Witcher 3, expect the red light because you’re about to die unless you take drastic action. 

4. Low Battery

You’ve been going all out for months with no recharge. All of a sudden, your PS4 controller shows a red light. Wow! Is it possible that all it needs is a charge?

Think about when last you charged your PS4 controller. With low to moderate use, it will need its charge up at least once a year. Not bad huh?

If charging doesn’t seem to resolve your issue, do check your cables and their connections.

It’s no wonder your controller can’t charge if your connections don’t make contact or if there’s an issue with your cable. 

Still struggling? Try testing your USB cable on another device to see if it works OK. If it is, then it isn’t the problem.

Remember, when your battery is charging, the light will go from red to orange. If this happens, you just have to wait till your controller is all charged up. You should be good to go in about two hours. 

If you’re sure that your PS4 controller (not console) red light is a charging issue and a new cable doesn’t help, you might need to get a replacement battery.

That costs about the same as a new controller, so consider your options. A second-hand controller in working order might even be cheaper than a new battery!

Fixes For The PS4 Controller Red Light Issue

1. Restart or Power Cycle The PS4

So, you’re not about to die in the game. And if you switch to another game, you’re still red.

You don’t see an alert of any kind, but that red light doesn’t seem normal. Do what you do with any electronic device and try restarting – or better yet, a power cycle. 

For the latter option, all you have to do is unplug everything from its power source for a few minutes before reconnecting and rebooting.

If some kind of software glitch caused your issue, that should sort it out, leaving you ready to game without the red light. 

2. Factory Reset your Controller

Sometimes, devices go crazy and need a reset. A factory reset restores your PS4 controller to the state in which you received it. So, all software updates and processes will be zeroed, leaving your controller in an as-new condition.

Did you traumatize it while playing your favorite game? This is one way to find out. 

Look for the little hole indicating the presence of a recessed button. Press and hold it using a sharp object. You may need to pair your controller with its console again, but it could solve your red light issue. 

3. Your Controller Might Be Broken – Replace It

It’s possible. All things can break. But, if your controller is still working just fine – that’s probably not your issue, is it?

If it isn’t working as it should, then you might need to take it to a repair shop – after trying the charging solution, of course. 

However, we’re throwing this in as an outside chance.

Normally, it’s a simple matter of your game being programmed to make your controller light up in different colors – or it’s just a matter of charging or battery issues. 

Red Console Light, Not Controller? 

The final possibility that may have led you here is that your console is showing a red light. That’s a different scenario altogether, but we’ll help you with the likeliest reason for that too. 

If your console is displaying a red light, it’s probably overheating. In that case, you need to look at its ventilation.

Dust can block vents and a good blast of compressed air usually solves the problem. 

But do look at your console’s environment. There should be breathing space all around, with nothing else placed in a way that might impede airflow. 

If you think you’ve spotted the problem, turn off your console, and leave it off for an hour or two before firing it up again. You should be good to go. 

Controller Red Light? Probably Not a Serious Issue

The bottom line here? Red lights on your electronics are usually a bad sign, but when it comes to the PS4, that may not be so.

Your controller might be showing that you’re one of a group of players who are busy with the game at once. Or, it could be telling you that you need to heal or power up before you “die.” 

The only real hardware-related reason for your red light might be a low battery.

And, unless you have issues with your cables or ports, getting rid of the red light should be a simple matter of plugging in your controller and letting it charge. 

Looking at repairs? Getting another console and controller might be a cheaper option!