Sony’s PlayStation 5 is a console loved by many types of gamers, with its vast library filled with deeply engaging titles. Even though some time has passed since the console’s release in 2020, some users are taken aback by its DualSense controller’s lighting system.
Similar to the power light on the PlayStation 5 console, the controller has a light bar around the touchpad. These controller LEDs are based on system status, typically switching between blue, white, and amber. Orange typically indicates the battery is low when unplugged, actively charging when plugged in, or the console is in rest mode. In comparison, solid white indicates your DualSense is successfully paired, and flashing blue indicates attempted, failed, or unstable pairing.
Other colors and patterns on the PlayStation 5 controller are slightly more nuanced. For example, the gamepad can display different lighting configurations during couch co-op, giving a visual indication of who is player one, player two, etc. Then, certain colors may appear when playing specific games.
What do the DualSense controller lights mean when gaming?
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Some games feature custom LED color profiles that amplify the gaming experience. For example, “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” and its sequel, “Jedi: Survivor,” have the light bar that changes to match the color of the main character’s lightsaber on screen. “Hogwarts Legacy” changes colors to match the theme of your Hogwarts house. For “Resident Evil Village”, the light bar reflects your character’s health; green means you are healthy, while yellow and orange mean you are weakened but not yet at danger level, and red means your health is extremely low. This progression was a unique feature carried over from previous “Resident Evil” engine titles using the PlayStation 4’s DualShock lightbar.
Outside of specific games, the controller’s LEDs can also change depending on whether or not you’re in a local multiplayer session using a row of small LEDs just below the touchpad. When multiple users log into the same console, their controllers change. Player one will have a lit dot under the touchpad, leaving player two with two; player three with three and player four with four. By default, it’s not too bright, so it shouldn’t necessarily distract you from your gaming experience, even in a dark room.
