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PS4 Controller light bar can show multiple colors like Blue, Orange, White, etc., but many people are confused about the red color. The red light bar is not usually a sign of a broken controller, but in some cases, it can be a sign of broken controller hardware. If your controller is working fine but showing a red light, usually it’s not something to worry about, but if it’s stuck on a red light and not connecting to your PS4, then you can try some of the methods we have included in this guide and hopefully one of them will fix the issue. 

DS4 Controller Lightbar Meanings

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

Some games like Fallout and Witcher 3 can change the controller’s light bar during gameplay. In GTA V, the light indicator shows Blue for Michael De Santa, Green for Franklin Clinton, Yellow for Trevor Philips, and it flashes red and blue when the character is wanted by the Police. 

PS4 Controller Red Light Bar During Gameplay

In some games, the light bar on the controller turns red to indicate your in-game character’s health, and if you play NFS as the illegal street racer, the light bar will turn red. Some games also turn the lightbar red when you die in a Killzone, so it’s not something to worry about. 

If you are the only player and the controller still shows red light, it could mean you are logged in as another user; changing the user will also change the light. To switch user, press and hold the PS button of the controller, highlight ”Power” and select ”Switch User,” now you can choose the user you want to play with.

How to Fix Controller Light Bar Stuck on Red

If your DS4 controller is stuck on red and it has nothing to do with what we have mentioned above, you are dealing with a minor glitch or faulty hardware. Below we have mentioned some methods to fix the issue; make sure you read all of them to figure out what’s the cause behind this problem. 

Fix PS4 Controller Red While Charging 

Unplug Charging Doc’s Cord

If your controller is stuck on red and refuses to charge, you should unplug the charging dock’s cord from the main power outlet and reconnect it after 30 seconds. In some cases, the controller keeps pulsing red even when it’s fully charged; trying one of the methods mentioned below may fix that issue. 

Replace the Charging Cable

Connect a different USB charging cable and check if the light bar shows another color. If it shows Orange, then the controller is charging, and once it’s fully charged, the light bar will turn green. 

Reset the PS4 Controller

The PS4 controller has its own software; resetting the controller usually fixes all the glitches. Follow the steps to rest the controller: 

1. On the back of the controller, find the reset button near the L2 button.
2. Press the reset button with a sim card ejector pin. 
3. Connect the PS4 controller to the console with a USB cable.
4. Press the PS button on the controller to turn it on. 

Fix PS4 Controller Red light on PC 

If your controller shows a red light bar when it’s connected to the PC, it’s most likely to be a sign of high latency. When the latency surpasses 10ms, the controller will flash red light. You have the option to disable that red light alert on your PC, but it’s not the right solution. You should instead fix the latency issue, try using a USB 2.0 port and make sure other wireless signals are not interpreting with the connection. If you fail to reduce the latency, we recommend you to use a wired connection when you play on a PC.  

Common Hardware Problems That Cause the Red Light Issue 

If changing the cable and resetting the controller did not work for you, your controller is faulty. Multiple things can trigger red light, and below we have mentioned the most common hardware problems. 

Flawed Ribbon Cable 

The PS4 controller has a ribbon cable; if it stops working, the controller will not charge, and once the battery is too low, the lightbar will show red color. Sometimes cleaning the ribbon cable’s ends with alcohol can fix the issue. If cleaning the ends does not help, you have to replace the ribbon cable. 

Loose Port/Battery 

Make sure the battery and port of the controller are connected properly. 

Worn Out Battery

If your controller is old, its battery is probably worn out; thus, it’s failing to hold charge. You can buy a new battery, it is inexpensive, and if you know how to open a DS4 controller, you can easily replace it.

Faulty Port

If the controller’s USB charging port is faulty, it will do exactly what a faulty ribbon cable does. It will not charge when it’s plugged in, and you will see the low battery light. 

Can I Change the Color of The PS4 Controller’s Light Bar?

There is no option to change the light bar color on your PS4 controller, but you can switch the user to change the color. Player 1 is blue, player 2 is red, player 3 is green, and player 4 is pink. You can create different user profiles and then switch to other user without logging out of your account. 

To switch user, press and hold the PS button of the controller, highlight ”Power” and select ”Switch User,” now choose a user and check what color you get; you can switch the users multiple times until you find the color you want. 

Console Red Indicator Meaning

The red light on your PS4 console indicates overheating. If you see it, turn off your console until it cools down. If your console overheats all the time, make sure it’s not too close to a wall and additionally, you can put it on a vertical stand. 

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