How to Make a Sony PS3 Sixaxis Controller Work on Your Windows PC

Written by: Bill Fulks • Edited by: Michael Hartman
Updated May 23, 2011 • Related Guides: PS3 | Windows Vista | Windows XP

With the right drivers, you can use the Sony PlayStation 3 Sixaxis controller just like a regular gamepad on your Windows PC. These instructions are for Windows XP and Vista systems only.

PS3 Sixaxis on a PC

Did you know that you can make a Sony PlayStation 3 Sixaxis controller work on a Windows PC? All you need is the right drivers and it can be done. I’m running a Windows Vista Home system and got it working on my machine, and even played a game with it. This article will provide details on two different methods of how to make it work in either Windows XP or Windows Vista. If you are using Windows 7, be sure to read this article on how to make a sixaxis work in Windows 7.

Disclaimer

click to enlarge

Before we begin, you should know that I have worked in the computer field for over a decade and have been using computers for another decade on top of that. I am very knowledgeable when it comes to installing hardware and software, so much that I have certifications to prove it.

The drivers required to make the PS3 Sixaxis controller work on a PC are homemade and not officially licensed by Sony or Microsoft or anyone else, so it is at your own risk that you install them on your computer. If you aren’t comfortable with that sort of thing, my best advice is to just go buy a game controller for your PC and not risk screwing up something. Continue at your own risk.

Before you begin, make sure you power off the PlayStation 3 console by flipping the switch on the backside of the unit, next to where the power cable plugs in. If you don’t, you may turn the system on when you hit the PS button on the controller, and this could cause it not to work right on your PC. I read several message board threads where people could not get the controller to work on their computer until they turned off the PS3.

Also remember that you have to keep the USB cable plugged in to make the controller work. These drivers are for manual connection with cables, and not for Bluetooth connections. Don't make the mistake of unplugging the cable while playing, because it won't be wireless on your PC like it is on the PS3.

Windows XP

Here’s the first method that I understand to work best in Windows XP, because it did not work on my Windows Vista system. I got my computer to recognize the controller, but it would not respond to any of the buttons.

Download the Sixaxis drivers from download.qj.net and extract the contents of the archive to any folder, such as C:\PS3.
Install the USB filter driver (libusb-win32-filter-bin-0.1.10.1.exe) and wait a minute. All of your USB devices will disconnect and reconnect. If there is a problem, be sure to uninstall this software.
Plug in the PS3 Sixaxis controller using the USB cable that came with it.
Run ps3sixaxis_en.exe. A black DOS window should appear and disappear very quickly.
Reboot the PC.
Go into Control Panel – Game Controllers and see if it works. Good luck!

Windows Vista

click to enlarge

This is the method that worked for me on my Windows Vista system. I followed the simple instructions and was able to use the controller to play a game. This only works on 32-bit operating systems, which is what most people currently have.

Download the Sixaxis drivers @ http://www.hardcoreware.net/files/sixaxisdriver.rar and extract the contents of sixaxisdriver.rar to any folder, such as C:\PS3.
Plug in the PS3 Sixaxis controller using the USB cable that came with it.
Run sixaxisdriver.exe and follow the on-screen instructions to load the driver.
Reboot your computer.

That’s it! To make sure it worked, go into Control Panel – Game Controllers and you should see the PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller listed with a Status of OK. Click on Properties and you should be able to test it by hitting the buttons or moving the thumb sticks around. It worked just fine for me on my HP desktop computer running Windows Vista Home.

Windows 7

These drivers were not designed to work with Windows 7. In order to use a PS3 sixaxis controller with Windows 7, you will need to download a separate program and go through a different install process. This article explains everything you need to do and also provides a Windows 7 PS3 sixaxis driver download link.

Links not working?

Should the links in this article stop working, just Google ‘PS3 Sixaxis drivers’ and the results should point you in the right direction. I hope that eventually Sony will release some official software for making the controllers work on a PC, because it would be an excellent selling point for the Sixaxis controller.

DSquared Aug 29, 2011 11:35 PM

Thank you so much

I am so happy this worked, thank you so much for posting this, you wouldn't believe how hard it is to find!

Acid_trixx Jul 13, 2011 3:40 PM

dumb ass driver

Okay look.. I did everything.. the process is not showing up in the process window.. Last night it was working for me.. Nw its no longer working at all. NEED A FIX!!! Every time i run the exe..the ms dos window pops up and then i ctrl alt del.. The process isnt there.

StephenC Jun 18, 2011 1:47 PM

Motionjoy

Motion joy also works. If you having problems this way try it. Can even do elimination for the xbox 360 with the playstation 3 controller. The vibration even works.

http://www.motioninjoy.com/

terry coriah Jun 6, 2011 8:52 AM

RE: How to Make a Sony PS3 Sixaxis Controller Work on Your Windows PC

ok so i`ve done absolutley everything you said and still no joy... all 4 lights on the controller are blinking, my computer recognises the controller but can not calibrate.... please help...

New999 Sep 28, 2010 12:30 AM

Sixaxis on Vista

It was working before but...
For some reason, since im using that DriverLoader from this article, when the controller is unplugged, it says the driver is ok, when its plugged, it tells me to load the driver. I load it, nothing happens.

marc Jul 1, 2010 3:13 AM

ps3 controller niot working with game

managed to get it working so when i go on the tet thing it works fine nbut when i load crysis r crysis warhead the controller options isn't highlighted so i cant use the controller. is it the controller or omething i have to do with crysis. previously tried using xbox wireless gaming reciver but had issues where it couldn't find the driver no matter what i did. i am currently running windows7 ultimate 32bit

Rslow May 17, 2010 6:27 PM

Okay down loaded the file and followed the instructions exactly but when I went to test it, it showed up but it didn't respond. I also tried it with halo 1 and 2 so it might just not be compatible. Any help and suggestions is greatly appreciated. Oh and I'm running windows vista basic

Neal. F May 1, 2010 4:15 PM

RE: How to Make a Sony PS3 Sixaxis Controller Work on Your Windows PC Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/video-games/pc/articles/16035.aspx?p=2#ixzz0mi8KzfZY

@Lefteris: You need to keep the wire plugged in, because the wireless function will only work with the PS3 at the moment. This driver just defines the buttons on the controller so that you can manually apply them to functions in your game by going into the controller settings. It would be nice if the controllers' wireless function did work with the PC/ Laptop, but its a bit more complicated to do. I don't have the technical know how unfortunately, maybe someone else could help us out with that... ???

Lefteris May 1, 2010 1:12 PM

Is it working without the USB cable?

Neal. F Apr 25, 2010 7:23 PM

If it's not working, try this...

Firstly, Unplug the controller and wait a few secs.
Plug the controller back in, wait for windows hardware insert sound (or just wait a bit).
Run the sixaxisdriver.exe.
Press the PS button.
Now go into Game Controllers and Calibrate the device.
Enjoy. =D
The only problem I have with it is that when displaying the raw data in the calibration mode, I cannot get the numbers on the joysticks to stop jittering constantly by a few units.

Nick Apr 8, 2010 5:03 PM

vista problems...

the link for vista is broken and i cant sem to find another one. can you help me?

Aarron Mar 16, 2010 12:29 AM

Helping

If you find that you can't get any controls on it after doing everything in the guide, you must as previously said run the ps3sixaxis_en.exe (black popout window) every time you plug in the controller. This actually got me confused as I unplugged the wife from my controller and back in multiple times only to find out it wasn't working. You have to unplug the wire from your computer and back into your computer then run that and it should work. Calibrate it if you'd like and enjoy playing games with it as I know I will. Thanks for the guide!

JEremy Mar 2, 2010 5:38 PM

thanks

thanks it works just fine.

Chome Feb 28, 2010 7:48 PM

Chome

I have windows 7 and the vista one worked fine Thanks.
PS for xp you have to run the ps3sixaxis_en.exe (black popout window) every time you plug in the controller.

PESFan Feb 26, 2010 1:36 AM

Awesome description!...up to the point of open CP-> Game controller, good luck. I think that I have the same issue as the people who can't calibrate.

There is no description of the USB cable.

Should we plug in the USB when we restart? Should we plug it in when we open Game Controllers? Should we plan on keeping it plugged in the whole time? Do we ever need to hit the PS button on the controller?

I think that'll do it, please help!

Guilherme Brinatti Jan 23, 2010 4:14 PM

Can't even calibrate

The controller appears in the game controllers but i can't even move the cursor's, can't calibrate, i can do nothing.

Bill Fulks Jan 23, 2010 10:36 AM

For Rufolf

It is only supposed to pop up for a second with the black window. After that, reboot your computer and then go into the Control Panel to Game Controllers and try to calibrate it.

For Michael

Michael, did you reboot after installing the driver? You need to reboot the PC before you try to calibrate it or use it in a game.

Michael Monroe Jan 23, 2010 9:29 AM

Sixaxis shows up but will not calibrate

I am running Windows XP (not thrilled about it, but beggars cannot be choosers) and my PS3 controller is recognized in CP after running the SixAxis Driver Bill Fulks provided. It is recognized and I can select it as a controller in the game menu but I get no response. I am also having trouble calibrating it in the CP menu. Any help??

Franklin M. Dec 31, 2009 9:25 AM

Controller not working for my game

Hello. First off, thanks for attempting to enlighten me as to how to make my PlayStation 3 controller work for my XP. But, a slight problem that is probably quite simple. I'm attempting to use my controller for a Emulator of the Super Nintendo(Yes, I actually own one. But for sake of uploading videos, I need a emulator) and it won't register as working. Any ideas?

Thanks for reading.
Sincerely, Franklin M. Stone

Rufolf Sep 24, 2009 7:11 PM

wtf?

the command thing pops like for a milliseccond wat do i do?

man_with_the_plan Sep 13, 2009 2:39 PM

it wont load the driver

umair Aug 10, 2009 9:40 AM

thanks a lot, much appreciated, makes sense now!!

Bill Fulks Aug 9, 2009 9:54 PM

If you have trouble opening that one file, you may need to download WinRAR. RAR is a format like ZIP where it is compressed. Sorry if that caused any problems for anyone.

umair Aug 8, 2009 4:10 PM

ps3 controller on xp

i went to the link, clicked download, it then says find, save, cancel, i click on find and it takes me to another microsoft page with different links, i click save, when i run it, it says "TO OPEN THIS FILE, WINDOWS NEED TO KNOW WHAT PROGRAME CREATED IT." then underneath it says- what do you want to do? "USE THE WEB SERVICE TO FIND THE APPROPRIATE PROGRAM or SELECT THE PROGRAM FROM THE LIST" the file name is 11679_Sixaxis_PS3_win32_Driver_For_PC.rar. What should i do, i'm confused and annoyed?

Bill Fulks Aug 5, 2009 12:15 AM

Games

What games are you trying to play with it? Some may not be compatible.

Blaiyan Aug 4, 2009 2:57 PM

Works but Doesn't

Okay so I tried this and at first it didn't work. Before trying this I just plugged the the ps3 controller into the pc and it recognized. After doing this it didn't until I unplugged and replugged the usb into my ps3c. Then I went back to CP>Game Controllers clicked properties and test and nothing. I kept pressing the ps3 icon in the middle, nothing. Press a bunch of bbuttons I think I hit start or select and got movement. But it was all over the place. Clicked Settings to calibrate it and then it moved fine. But the only problem now is it won't work with the game. I bought Judge Dredd vs death from steam and it doesn't recognize it. I'm not pc gamer but I wanted to test it out. Too much of a hassle. Mouse and keyboard just didn't make sense so that's out of the question.

oroxlaw Jul 1, 2009 10:44 AM

I got my ps3 controller to work on the control panel, i even can calibrate it, but when i try to play a game it wont recognize it, i cant use it to play games with it, i dont know why?

/

Rodolfo Jun 26, 2009 9:00 PM

Sixaxis on WinXP

Didn't work.

On the Control Panel, it's just the same as before :(