You can conveniently connect up to four controllers to a Windows PC, version 8 and upwards, and macOS PC. PC games, like NBA and Mortal Kombat, support multiplayer gaming, so you should know how to use two controllers on PC to enjoy the full gaming experience.
Key Takeaways
There are two ways to connect multiple controllers to your PC; using a USB cable or Bluetooth.
A PC can support up to four controllers concurrently for team gaming.
You can inspect the working of the connected controllers through the Devices And Printers section on the Control Panel.
You can run a troubleshooter or restart the controller if it does not work on your PC.
Pair the two controllers through the PC’s Bluetooth if the controllers support wireless connectivity. PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam controllers all have the feature.
Windows
Click on the Windows icon on the taskbar to open the Start menu.Start Menu – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Pick the Settings icon to access different settings for your PC.Settings – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Go to Devices. Devices – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Stay on the Bluetooth And Other Devices page.
Turn On Bluetooth by clicking the toggle switch. It changes color to Blue. Bluetooth And Other Devices – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Next, press the + button beside Add Bluetooth Or Other Device. Add Bluetooth Device – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Select Bluetooth from the pop-up box.Bluetooth – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
The PC will start looking for available devices nearby.
Power On the controller and long-press the relevant buttons on the controller to enable Pairing.
PS4/PS5: PS + Share Buttons. PS + Share – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]Xbox: Pair Button. Pair Button – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]Steam: Steam + X Buttons. Steam + X – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Choose The Controller once it shows up on your PC.
Follow the same procedure to connect the second controller.
MacOS
From the Apple icon, go to System Preferences. System Preferences
Press the Bluetooth button from the menu.
Bluetooth
Turn On Bluetooth.
Press the Relevant Buttons on the controller to put it into pairing mode.
Select The Controller once it appears on the window.
Connect Controller
Connect the second controller using the same steps.
Use two separate USB cables to connect each controller to your computer’s USB ports. Furthermore, remember to insert the cables into a functioning port, or you may be unable to use them for PC gaming.
Insert a compatible USB cable into the Micro USB porton your Controller.
Plug the other end of the USB cable into one of the USB ports on your PC.USB Port – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Use the same steps for the other controller.
How To Verify The Functioning Of The Two Controllers?
After you have connected the two controllers to your PC, test their functioning to check if all the buttons are working fine.
Open Control Panel from the Desktop after connecting the two controllers to your PC. Control Panel – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Press the View Devices And Printers option. View Devices – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
The two controllers should appear under the Devices section.
Right-Click on the controller and choose Game Controller Settings from the sub-menu. Game Controller Settings – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
You will see the controllers actively connected to your PC.
Press on any one controller and select Properties from the next window. Properties – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Go to the Test tab to test the controller on your PC. Move the analog stick on the controller and check the + also moves in the same direction.Test Controller – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Repeat the instructions for the second controller.
MacOS
Click the Apple icon at the upper left corner of the top bar.
Head to System Settings. System Settings- Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Scroll to Game Controllers.
Press the Options button. Game Controllers- Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Customize any button on the controller. Customize- Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Click on Default. Default- Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Pick Test from the drop-down. Test- Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Now, press the Customized Button and inspect if it does the set task.
What Should You Do If You Cannot Use The Second Controller On PC?
You can resort to multiple solutions if one of the two controllers on your PC is not performing the task. Before proceeding, read Computer Restarts When Trying To Print.
Run A Troubleshooter
You can run a troubleshooter on the problematic controller to identify and solve issues hindering its operation on your PC.
Go to the Devices page from the Control Panel using the steps above.
Right-Click on the controller that is not working.
Hit Troubleshoot. Troubleshoot- Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
The system will detect and resolve potential issues or guide you to fix them. Detecting Problems- Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Restart The Controller
Another way to fix the problem is by restarting the controller. Turn off the concerned controller and turn it back on again after a minute. Re-pair the controller with the PC and see if it works fine.
You can pair two game controllers on your PC using a USB cable by inserting it into the computer’s USB port. Moreover, Bluetooth pairing is another method to connect the controller to the PC.
How Many Controllers Can I Connect To PC Via Bluetooth?
You can pair up to four game controllers at one time on your PC with Bluetooth. However, it is recommended not to exceed two controllers, or you may face lagging in your PC games.
What To Do If The Second Controller Does Not Work?
Restart or troubleshoot the controller that is not working.
With a major in Computer Science, Sameed is a tech enthusiast who puts his passion for gadgets into words and creates informative blogs. From breaking the latest, most credible news to comparing different hardware to reviewing the best RAMs, motherboards, and graphics cards for your next build, Sameed has covered a wide spectrum of topics that have given him a special insight into every nook and cranny of the tech world.