Forza Horizon 5 (FH5) offers an immersive racing experience, and for those who prefer using a PlayStation 5 (PS5) controller on PC, it’s entirely possible with the right setup. This guide will walk you through the process of configuring a PS5 controller to play FH5 on your PC.
Table of Contents
Preparing to Use the PS5 Controller
Before diving into the setup process, it’s crucial to ensure that your PC meets the necessary system requirements and has the required software installed.
Checking System Requirements and Necessary Software
- System Requirements: Verify that your PC meets the system requirements for running DS4Windows, the software needed for this setup.
- Downloading DS4Windows: Visit the official DS4Windows page on GitHub and download the latest version. Click the green ‘Download Now’ button and save the zip file to your computer.
- Installing Prerequisites: Some additional software like Microsoft.NET 5.0 may be required. Links for these can be found on the DS4Windows GitHub page. Ensure you download and install these prerequisites.
Setting Up DS4Windows
DS4Windows is the key software that will allow your PS5 controller to communicate effectively with your PC.
Installing and Configuring DS4Windows
- Extracting the Software: After downloading DS4Windows, locate the zip file in the specified folder. Create a new folder on your desktop and move the zip file there. Extract the contents of the zip file.
- Launching DS4Windows: Open the newly created folder and run the DS4Windows application. This will bring up the DS4Windows interface.
- Hiding the DS4 Controller: In DS4Windows, navigate to the ‘Settings’ tab and check the option ‘Hide DS4 Controller.’ This step is crucial to prevent any input conflicts while playing FH5.
Connecting Your PS5 Controller
With DS4Windows configured, the next step is to connect your PS5 controller to the PC.
Pairing the Controller with Your PC
- Enabling the Controller: Go to your PC’s Device Manager, then to ‘Human Interface Devices.’ Right-click on your controller listed there and select ‘Enable Device.’
- Troubleshooting Connection Issues: If your PC doesn’t recognize the controller immediately, repeat the enabling process. Sometimes it may require a few attempts for the system to detect the controller.
Launching Forza Horizon 5 with the PS5 Controller
Now that your controller is connected and DS4Windows is configured, you’re ready to start playing FH5 with your PS5 controller.
Final Steps and In-Game Setup
- Starting FH5: Launch Forza Horizon 5 with the DS4Windows program running in the background.
- Switching Between Applications: If needed, use Alt + Tab to navigate to the DS4Windows window. Here, you can toggle the ‘Hide DS4 Controller’ option as required.
- Reconnecting the Controller: If your controller gets disconnected, re-enable the ‘Hide DS4 Controller’ option in DS4Windows and then disable it again. You might also need to repeat the ‘Enable Device’ step in the Device Manager.
- In-Game Configuration: Once in the game, you may need to configure the controller settings within FH5 to suit your preferences.
