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So the light indicator of your PS4 controller remains Yellow/Orange when plugged-in, but does not turn blue or white? You are not the only one. This bug is pretty common and has affected thousands of controllers; it can be fixed by following some simple steps. In this guide, we have explained the reason behind this bug, and we have covered all the known solutions that will hopefully fix the issue. 

PS4 Controller Light Bar Meanings

1. Blue = Player 1.
2. Red = Player 2.
3. Green = Player 3.
4. Pink = Player4.

Some games like Witcher 3, Fallout 4, FIFA, GTA V may change the indicator’s color, so if you see yellow or other light during the gameplay, it’s completely normal. For example, In GTA V, the light indicator shows Blue for Michael De Santa, Green for Franklin Clinton, and Yellow for Trevor Philips. It also flashes red and blue when the character is wanted by the Police.

Reason Behind PS4 Controller Orange/Yellow Light Bug

The issue can be caused by multiple things, including a hardware fault in your DS4 controller. It can also happen if you connect your controller with another device like an iPad; in that case resetting the controller should fix the issue. In most cases related to a hardware fault, the reason is usually a flawed conductive ribbon film strip. A damaged ribbon film strip can fail to register some or all the button inputs. So if your scenario is not related to any software issue, the reason could be the malfunctioning PS button since the controller can turn on and its indicator is blinking Orange/Yellow but not turning Blue or White when the PS button is pressed. 

How to Fix PS4 Controller Orange/Yellow Light Bug

You may have to try multiple solutions, and one of them might fix the bug. We have mentioned the easiest solutions on top, and at the end, we have explained how you can test your PS4 controller’s PS button by connecting it to a Windows computer. 

Check the Charging USB Cable

Checking the USB cable is the first thing you should do to make sure the controller is properly charging. Try using another USB charging cable and plug it in the PlayStation and your Dualshock controller; if the indicator light turns blue or white, it means the older cable is faulty.

Remove the PS4 Controller From Bluetooth Devices 

Since you cannot use the controller, you have to download the PS4 Remote Play app on your phone or tablet; it lets you control your PS4 so you can remove the controller from Bluetooth devices and pair it again. 

Android users can download the PS4 Remote Play app from here, and iOS users can download it using this link. You can also use a Windows/macOS computer or PS Vita, but we recommend an Android or iOS device if you want to connect it quickly. 

1. Once the remote play app is installed, sign in to your account. (Ensure the account you sign in to is the same account you use on the PS4.)
2. Now the app should display a ”Start” button; tap on it, and please wait until it connects to the console.
3. Use the touch D-pad and go to setting > Devices > Bluetooth Devices > Select your Dualshock controller. 
4. Tap on Options > Forget Device > Ok.
5. Now press and hold the PS button and Share button on the controller, and it should start flashing the Blue light. You can now pair it again and start using it. 

Repeatedly Press the PS Button

Repeatedly pressing the PS button after plugging in the USB cable is a well-known solution that fixed the Orange/Yellow light issue for thousands of people. 

1. Turn off your PS4 (Make sure it’s fully turned off).
2. Connect the DS4 controller to the PS4 using the charging cable.
3. Now, turn on the PS4 and wait until you see “Press the PS button to use the controller.”
4. Hold the power button of the console and wait for the second beep and let it turn off.
5. Turn on the PS4 again; when you see “Press the PS button to use the controller” screen, unplug the DS4 controller’s cable from the micro USB port.
6. As soon as you plug the cable back into the DS4 controller, start pressing the PS button repeatedly, and it should start flashing blue light, and then it will remain solid blue.

Reset the Controller

There can be some issue with the software of the PS4 controller; you can reset it by following the instructions mentioned below: 

1. On the backside, look for the reset button near the L2 shoulder button.
2. Use a sim card tray ejector pin to press the button inside the hole. Make sure you hold it for a few seconds. 
3. Once resetting is done, plug the USB charging cable into the PlayStation 4 and the other end into the Dualshock controller. 
4. Press the PlayStation Button on the DualShock controller to turn it on.

Reset the Console

Resetting the console works in most cases related to a software bug; you can reset your console by following a few steps:

1. Turn your PS4 fully off.
2. Remove the power cord from the back of the console and wait for 5 minutes.
3. Plug the cable back in.
4. Hold the power button for 10 seconds and wait for the second beep.
5. Plug the USB charging cable into the PlayStation 4 and the other end into the Dualshock controller. 
6. Select “Initialize PS4” using the X button.

Note: Resetting your PS4 will remove all the data, including the games installed. Make sure you back up your PS4 Saves before you reset the console. If you don’t want to wipe your data, follow the same steps, and instead of selecting “Initialize PS4,” select “Restart PS4.”

Start PS4 in Safe Mode

If resetting the console and controller did not help, you can try turning the PS4 on in safe mode and check if it works. 

1. Turn off your PS4.
2. Hold the power button for 10 seconds and wait for the second beep.
3. Connect the DS4 controller with a USB charging cable. 
4. Press the PlayStation button on your DS4.
5. Once the controller connects properly, select “Restart PS4” using the X button.

Note: Do not open your PS4 in safe mode if its USB ports are not working. As mentioned in the steps above, you will have to connect the DS4 controller to the USB ports using the cable. Without connecting it, you will not be able to restart your PS4.

What to Do If Nothing Works?

If you have tried all the solutions and the indicator is still stuck on the Orange/Yellow light, faulty hardware of the DS4 can be behind the issue, but before we explain how to check your controller for a hardware problem, follow the steps mentioned below and check if this last simple method works or not. 

1. Turn off your PS4.
2. Turn it on and wait until you see the welcome screen.

Connect the DS4 controller to the PS4 using a charging cable. When the controller flashes an Orange/Yellow light, unplug the USB cable from the micro USB port, and plug it again after 2 seconds and let the controller’s light blink once, and then remove the cable again and plug it in one last time, the controller should blink once and should not show any light, now you have to press the PS button of your controller, and the console will recognize it. 

If this one last method did not help you, we are sure that the Dualshock 4 controller has faulty hardware. It can be repaired, or you might have to replace the complete unit; read the next section to figure out what to do now. 

How to Test Dualshock 4 Input Signals

Testing the input signals is required to figure out why the PS4 is not recognizing your DS4 controller. As mentioned before, a flawed conductive ribbon film strip can fail to register some or all the button inputs, so we need to check if the PS button is working or not. To test the DualShock 4 controller’s input signals, you need to connect it to a Windows computer. 

1. Connect the DS4 controller to any Windows computer using Bluetooth or USB cable.
2. Open the Start Menu and search for Control Panel and click on it. 
3. Now look for ”Devices and Printers” and click on it. 
4. Right-click on wireless controller > Game Controller setting > Properties.
5. Now try pressing all the buttons one by one and check if you see any response on the screen. Usually, button number 13 flashes on the screen when the PS button is pressed.

If most buttons are working and the PS button is not. In that case, you have to replace the conductive ribbon film strip of the DS4 controller, it only costs 2-5 USD, but you will have to open the controller to replace it, if you can do it by watching a youtube tutorial, go ahead else get it replaced by an expert.

Console Indicator Lights Meaning

• The Blinking Orange light represents the system is entering rest mode; after a few seconds, it turns solid orange. Rest mode means the PS4 can charge controllers, download and install the content. (This light may appear Yellow or Amber to some people.)

• The Blue light represents connectivity initiating, and you should see the PlayStation® logo on screen after a few seconds. 

• The White light indicates the system is on and working correctly.

• The red light indicates the system is overheating.

Sources

PS4: Power Indicator Lights

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