Learn to connect your PS3 controller to PC with these 3 steps

 Many PC gamers prefer to play with a controller instead of a keyboard and mouse. Depending on the game, it is more comfortable due to the optimization that the developers have done. If you don't want to buy an extra controller but have a PS3 controller, you can use it to play on a PC! We tell you how to connect your PS3 controller to your PC in 3 easy steps.

For everything to work properly, make sure you have the following:

• Mando DualShock 3 original
• PC with Windows 7 or higher
• Cable USB o cable miniUSB
• Drivers de MotioninJoy

Step 1: install drivers

The first step can be a bit tricky, but don't panic. You should make sure to install the necessary drivers on your PC. Of all the ones out there, one of the best is MotioninJoy. Download the latest version on that page and extract the file anywhere on your PC. A DualShock icon will appear.

Right-click on the icon. Run it as administrator, which will allow MotioninJoy to install on your PC. At the end of the installation, all you have to do is open the DS3 Tool program.

Step 2: Connect your DualShock 3 to your PC

When you open the DS3 Tool, double-check that there are no controls configured. Then plug the USB cable into your controller and connect it to your PC. Then click on the tab that says "Driver Manager".

Then, if everything goes well, you will see that the controller is already connected. If not, check the MotioninJoy column for a red X. This happens when the program does not recognize your DualShock 3. Reconnect the controller or the USB cable again and wait for some time until the program recognizes it.

When it is connected and recognized by MotioninJoy, click "Load Driver". You can also click on "Install All". Your operating system will ask if you want to connect the DS3 to the PC, but that will only happen once. From then on, your PS3 controller will be perfectly recognized on your PC.

Step 3: Configure the Buttons

A very important point is to configure the buttons. To do that, click on "Profiles", thus returning to the initial window. If you want to make sure that your DualShock 3 controller is recognized by the program, click on the "Vibration Testing" button. If your controller vibrates, great! We can start now with the button configuration.

In that window, you will see that there are 6 modes for control. Select the one that emulates the XBOX 360 controller and click on "Game Controller Panel". In there you will see all the button properties and settings that you will need to check and customize. Test the buttons and make sure everything works fine.

Now that you have done the test and everything is ready, just open a Steam game or any game compatible with XBOX 360 controllers. Do not close the DS3 Tool, or the PS3 controller will stop working.

Install Bluetooth controller

If your PC has some kind of Bluetooth support, you can take advantage of it to use DualShock 3 without cables. Before doing anything, you need to follow the steps outlined above. After that, unplug the USB cable and press and hold the PS button on your controller for at least 20 seconds.

When the lights stop flashing, click on "Bluetooth Pair" in DS3 Tool. You will need to reconnect the controller with a USB cable. Click "Pair Now". After a few seconds, do a vibration test on the controller again. If it vibrates, everything is fine and you can unplug the USB cable.

Pay attention to the following details:

• Once Bluetooth is set up, you no longer need to connect the USB cable to the controller.
• If you use the DualShock 3 on PS3 again, you will have to connect it to the console via USB cable, to reconnect successfully.
• Even if you're using a PS3 controller, games will generally display XBOX 360 button prompts. You'll probably get confused at first, but you'll get used to it, especially if you're familiar with the buttons on both controllers.