Topic: Do you charge the DualSense using the backside USB ports on the PS5?

I have noticed that the controller doesn't appropriately charge when connected to any of the USB ports on the back of the console. It looks like there is simply not enough juice on these ports to charge the DualSense as expected. Sony's info on charging the DualSense says that the controller should charge from empty to fully charged in less than 3 hours, that's why the standard setting for Rest mode is to turn off the USB ports after this time.

When I connect it to charge on one of these USB ports on the back it can take between 12 and 15 hours for it to be fully charged. If I instead connect it to the USB-A port on the front of the console the controller charges in less than 3 hours, even if I continue to play with it wired. I have tested with several cables, including the one that follows with the PS5. When I connect the controller to a 2.5mAh charger port on my USB hub it also completes charging from an empty state in less than 3 hours as expected.

Can you reproduce this on your end? I wonder if this is by design or if there is some problem with the USB ports on the back of my PS5.

Thank you.

I charge using the rear port and never had any issues. 2-3hrs fully charged

@Thorz74 My cable is connected to a rear port for charging. I use the front port for my Pulse 3D Headset dongle. I’ve never timed it but about 3 hours is roughly how long it takes to charge fully through the back port.

If anything, I thought that launch PS5’s were having problems with the front port not charging correctly. I think a firmware update fixed most of those issues early on.

Sorry to hear you’re having this situation. I assume your PS5 functions fine otherwise? Do the rear ports relay data normally?

I use the rear port and it charges fine within the 3 hours. That definitely doesn't sound normal if it's a slow charge like that. I don't know if that's a problem with the controller or the PS5 though. Do you have another controller to try charging and compare? Even a DS4?

Why even use the PS5? Just use any usb charger that you have probably have a lot closer for your phone/tablet etc. Works exactly the same. Same for the pulse headset.

I don't get why people think they HAVE to use the console itself.

@Gamer_Guy Nobody "has to" use the console to charge the controller, but most people do it this way and it should have zero problems doing it. I have no problem charging using another power source, but the other answers to this thread show that people are charging the DualSense without any issues using the USB ports on the rear. This is clearly a sign that there is something wrong with my console because the controller should charge fine in any of the USB ports, and as my post explains, a charging time of >12 hours is not normal.

I am going to contact the store where I bought it from, or probably Sony.

Thanks to everyone that came back to me with answers about this.

@Thorz74 The issue isn't necessarily your system. I bought my PS5 two weeks ago and I have the same issue. Had no problem with charging the controller from the front during the first couple of days I had the charging cable there, but there's definitely an issue with charging it from the rear. It doesn't recognise that the controller is charging. I had to pull the charging cable out and put in back in multiple times before it started charging (indicated by the lightning bolt symbol next to the controller). Earlier this week when I tried to charge it, there was a question mark instead of a lightning bolt next to the controller, as if the system didn't recognise the controller at all.

I didn't think this had something to do with the rear port, but maybe it does. Maybe you're not supposed to use the rear port for charging your controller, but to use it for e.g. external hard drives. I'm going to try and use the front port from now on just to see the difference.

Been using one of the rear ports to charge my controllers since I've had my PS5 on day 1, and not encountered any issues with the expected charge time.

I have it so the cable comes out on the the top shelf of my TV unit, so I can just plug the controllers in easily. I do have other USB charging points I could use around the house, but these are usually used for other devices. Plus I have 3 controllers, so can use the others when one is charging up.