The Playstation 4 is one of Sony’s most popular consoles so far. However, as great as the console was, it’s been nine years since it launched, and the longer you’ve had it, the chances are things are starting to break. 

In this article, we’re taking a look at the PS4 controller’s light colours, more specifically, why is it red and how you can fix any problems that might be hampering your controller.

Also read: Why does my PS4 keep disconnecting from WiFi?

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What does the red light on PS4 controllers mean?

The DualShock 4 controller’s lights indicate the player number as follows:

• Blue: Player 1
• Red: Player 2
• Green: Player 3
• Pink: Player 4

However, if your controller’s light remains red regardless of your player number, it can indicate problems with your controller. 

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Fixing Dualshock 4’s red light issue

Here are five fixes you can try out if your controller’s light isn’t changing from red. 

Try changing the cable

Another primary reason the controller’s light turns red is low battery levels. If you’ve been charging your controller and it isn’t working, try swapping out the cable with your controller with another one and charging it again. 

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Reset your controller

The error could potentially be in the DualShock 4 controller. If that’s the issue, you can reset your controller by inserting a pin or another small object inside the reset hole near the L2 button and holding it in place for five seconds. 

Try reconnecting your controller now, and your console should be able to pair without any problems, provided the issue was with the controller.

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Try pairing in Safe Mode

The PS4 has a safe mode that runs the console with just the required software components to help diagnose any firmware issues. Try starting your console in the safe mode and pairing your controller again to see if the light colour changes. If it does, resetting your console can do the trick.

Check out our detailed guide on how to boot into PS4's safe mode here.

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Check the controller’s ribbon cable

If the ribbon cable connecting your controller’s battery is broken, your controller won’t charge and will be stuck on the red light indicating a hardware problem. If you’ve got experience with electronics, you can open your controller yourself and try reseating the ribbon cable to resolve the problem. 

However, the safer option here is to hand your controller in for repairs, as a qualified technician will be able to diagnose and fix the problem better than most people. 

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Reset your console

If all else fails, you will have to factory reset your PS4. It’ll remove all existing data on your console and give it a fresh start to fix any issues you’re facing, including this error.

You can reset your PS4 using the console interface or Safe Mode. We recommend resetting through the console interface as it’s safer and comparatively easier.

If that doesn’t resolve your issue, you will have to enter Safe Mode and select the Initialise PS4 option to reset your console.

Check out our in-depth guide on how to reset your PS4 here.

Also read: Cannot start the PS4: 7 Fixes