Yes, you can use a PS5 controller on the Steam Machine. Valve’s Steam Machine Feature and Troubleshooting guide says other controllers connect by plugging them in or over Bluetooth from Steam Menu > Settings > Bluetooth, and its shortcut instructions name the PS button outright (“a long press of the Steam/PS/Xbox button”).
A USB cable works with no pairing at all. Below are both methods, the button shortcuts on a PlayStation pad, and what to know about haptics, gyro, firmware and games that show the wrong button prompts.
How to Pair a PS5 Controller Over Bluetooth
- On the Steam Machine, open Steam Menu > Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on.
- Put the DualSense in pairing mode. Sony’s DualSense Bluetooth pairing page says to start with the player indicator off, then: “While pressing and holding the create button, press and hold the PS button until the light bar blinks.”
- Select the controller when it appears in the Machine’s device list (it shows as DualSense Wireless Controller). If it does not show up, turn on Show all devices in the same menu.
- When pairing finishes, Sony says the light bar blinks and the player indicator lights up.
The Create button is the small button above the left side of the touchpad. The Machine has Bluetooth 5.3 with its own antenna, per Valve’s store page.
No other controller to work the menu? If the DualSense is your only pad and it is not paired yet, Valve’s guide points to Settings > Controller > Add Controller, which walks you through pairing without needing a second input device.
How to Connect It With a Cable
Plug the DualSense into the Steam Machine with a USB cable and it works straight away. The Machine has two USB-A 3.2 ports on the front, two USB-A 2.0 ports on the back and one USB-C 3.2 port on the back, so a USB-C to USB-C cable goes in the back, and the USB-C to USB-A cable that came with many PS5s goes in the front.
A cable is also the safe choice if you want every rumble effect. Sony’s page says that on PC, haptic feedback “requires a USB connection.” Valve has not published anything different for SteamOS, so if a game’s haptics matter to you, play wired.
Controller Shortcuts on a DualSense
On the Steam Machine, the PS button does the Steam button’s job. Steam’s default shortcuts on a PlayStation pad include:
| Action | DualSense shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open the Steam menu | Press PS |
| Open the Quick Access Menu | Hold PS, press Cross |
| Bring up the on-screen keyboard | Hold PS, press Square |
| See every shortcut | Long-press PS, choose Show Controller Shortcuts |
If the held-button shortcuts do nothing, turn on Enable Guide Button Chords for controllers in Settings > Controller. Our guides on bringing up the Steam Machine keyboard and showing FPS use the same shortcuts.
What Works and What to Check
- Gyro. Steam Input reads the DualSense’s motion sensor. Valve’s November 2025 client notes fixed “an issue with PS5 controller gyro over BT,” and the calibration and advanced settings page under Settings > Controller holds the gyro options, including Smooth Fine Movements.
- Button prompts. Steam itself shows PlayStation glyphs, and Valve’s December 2025 notes adjusted the DualSense “Create” and “Options” glyphs. Whether a game shows PlayStation prompts is up to the game.
- Adaptive triggers. Sony says these work “when supported by the game.”
- Controller support per game. Each game’s Steam store page lists its controller support, which is the quickest check before you buy.
- Waking the Machine. Valve’s guide says a Bluetooth controller can wake the Steam Machine from sleep.
Updating the DualSense Firmware
Sony’s compatibility list for the DualSense names Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, not SteamOS, and Sony’s firmware updates run on a PS5 or, on a Windows PC, through its PlayStation Accessories app. If a DualSense acts up on the Machine, update it there first. It is the same advice Valve gives for Xbox controllers, which our Xbox controller guide for the Steam Machine covers. For pairing the same pad with a console, a PC or a phone, see our PS5 controller pairing guide.
If the DualSense Will Not Pair or Keeps Dropping
- Update SteamOS. Check Settings > System > Software Updates, since many controller fixes arrive in Steam client updates.
- Restart pairing. Hold Create and PS again until the light bar blinks, with the Bluetooth menu already open.
- Turn on Show all devices if the controller never appears in the list.
- Go wired to rule out Bluetooth entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the PS5 controller work on the Steam Machine? Yes. Pair it over Bluetooth from Steam Menu > Settings > Bluetooth, or plug it in with a USB cable.
How do I put a DualSense in pairing mode? With the player indicator off, hold the Create button, then press and hold the PS button until the light bar blinks.
Does haptic feedback work over Bluetooth? Sony says haptic feedback on PC requires a USB connection, and Valve has not said otherwise for SteamOS, so play wired for full haptics.
What does the PS button do on the Steam Machine? It acts as the Steam button: press it for the Steam menu, hold it with another button for shortcuts, and long-press it for Show Controller Shortcuts.
Can I use a PS4 controller too? Steam ships a default shortcut layout for PlayStation controllers, and Valve’s guide says other controllers connect by cable or Bluetooth the same way. Pair a DualShock 4 by holding Share and PS until the light bar flashes.