Putting your PS5 controller into rest mode is a simple process that allows you to conserve battery life when you need to step away from your game. In rest mode, the controller enters a low-power state but remains connected to your PS5. This means you can quickly wake it and jump back into the action when you’re ready to resume playing.
When to Use Rest Mode
There are a few common situations where putting your DualSense controller into rest mode comes in handy:
- Pausing for short breaks – If you need to step away from your game for a few minutes to take a call, use the restroom, etc., rest mode will keep the controller powered on and connected, so you can instantly pick up where you left off.
- Longer gaming sessions – During marathon gaming sessions, rest mode helps preserve battery life by limiting power consumption when you’re not actively using the controller.
- Watching movies/cutscenes – When viewing cinematic content where controller input isn’t needed, rest mode avoids wasting battery.
- Charging controllers – You can charge your second controller by connecting it with a USB cable while your main controller is in rest mode.
How to Put a PS5 Controller in Rest Mode
Putting your PS5 controller into rest mode only takes a few seconds. Here is the quick process:
- Press the PS button on your controller – This brings up the Control Center.
- Navigate to the controllers tab using the directional buttons.
- Highlight your controller and press the Options button.
- Select Enter Rest Mode.
That’s all there is to it! The light bar on your controller will pulsate slowly to indicate it has entered rest mode.
How to Wake PS5 Controller from Rest Mode
Waking your PS5 controller from rest mode is even faster than putting it to sleep:
- Press the PS button on your controller.
This will instantly wake the controller and reconnect it to your PS5. The light bar will resume its normal blinking pattern. You can then jump right back into your game.
Rest Mode vs. Turning Controller Off
At a glance, rest mode may sound similar to simply turning your controller off when not in use. However, there are some important differences:
| Rest Mode | Turning Off |
|---|---|
| Remains paired to PS5 | Loses pairing, needs to sync again |
| Instant-on readiness | Delay turning on and connecting |
| Uses minimal power | Completely powers down |
As you can see, rest mode provides much faster, more seamless transitions when pausing gameplay briefly. The persistent low-power connection keeps your controller ready for action.
Adjusting Rest Mode Settings
If you want your controllers to automatically enter rest mode when inactive, you can adjust the settings:
- Go to Settings > System > Power Saving.
- Set Features Available in Rest Mode to Stay Connected to the Internet.
- Set Set Time Until Controllers Turn Off to the desired timeout duration.
This will make your controllers automatically sleep after a set period of inactivity. The default is 10 minutes but you can adjust as needed.
Tips for Using Rest Mode
Here are some tips to get the most out of using your PS5 controller’s rest mode:
- Fully charge your controller before longer gaming sessions so it has enough battery to last.
- Use a shorter timeout duration if you take frequent short breaks.
- Turn off ambient lights on the controller in rest mode to maximize battery savings.
- Charge your second controller in rest mode while gaming with your main one.
- Remember to manually put the controller into rest mode when watching movies.
Troubleshooting Rest Mode
In some cases, you may encounter issues getting your PS5 controller to enter or exit rest mode correctly. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
Controller won’t enter rest mode
- Check controller battery level – It needs at least a partial charge to enter rest mode.
- Reset the controller by pressing the small reset button on the back with a paperclip.
- Update PS5 and controller system software in case of a bug.
- Try a different USB cable if using a wired connection.
Controller won’t wake from rest mode
- Press PS button multiple times to retry waking it.
- Fully recharge the controller.
- If on a wired connection, disconnect and reconnect the USB cable.
- Reset the controller.
- Re-pair the controller by connecting via USB and pressing the PS button.
Conclusion
Making effective use of your DualSense controller’s rest mode is key to maximizing gaming time on your PS5. Rest mode conserves battery life while keeping your controller instantly accessible. Whenever you pause gameplay or need your controller inactive, simply entering rest mode will keep it ready for your return. With a few tweaks to the settings, you can have rest mode activate automatically. Mastering controller rest mode helps provide the uninterrupted PS5 gaming experience you deserve.