Every time the PS4 is turned on, a blue light bar will appear on the PlayStation 4 controller. Each controller connected to the PS4 console will have different meanings based on its color. What does the light on the PS4 controller mean?
The PS4 controller lights indicate the players connected to the PS4 console. Blue is Player 1, Red is Player 2, Green is Player 3, and Pink is Player 4.
Games have started to utilize different colors, such as turning red when you have low health in Call Of Duty or when the police are chasing you in Grand Theft Auto.
In this article, we’re going to show you what the light bar on the PS4 controller means and how games use it to your advantage.
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What The Lights On The PS4 Controller Mean
PlayStation 4 has put a light bar on the controller to help indicate which player is.
Before, players would often connect four controllers and not tell who was connected.
Wireless controllers don’t have a cord, so players need a light or indicator to determine the difference.
PlayStation added the indicator lights to enhance your playing experience on and off the screen.
These indicator lights can help if your volume is turned down (if your parents or your kids are sleeping) and you can’t hear essential sounds in the game.
Player Identification
Also, if you’re playing a multiplayer game, a different color will be assigned to each player.
For instance, if you’re playing NHL or any other party game with four controllers involved, as soon as the game starts, you want to know which color you are.
Simply by looking at the controller before the puck drops, you’ll be able to chase the puck without having to waste the first 20 seconds figuring out what color you are.
Here’s what the colors indicate when a player signs in
| Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 |
| Blue | Red | Green | Pink |
The light bar helps players quickly dictate who is who, especially in sports games or any game that allows multiple participants.
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How The PS4 Controller Light Bar Is Used In Games
One of the unique features of the PlayStation lights that you may not know about is that game developers can alter the lights based on what’s happening in the game.
Players often assume the lights indicate which player was assigned to which controller.
However, these games were creative in how they utilized the indicator light.
Tomb Raider
Color: Red/Orange
If Laura picks up a torch, the controller will start flickering yellow and orange – the colors of the torch. This is an excellent effect if you play video games with the lights off.
Destiny
Color: Multiple
As most shooters on this list, red indicates low health. They’ve also implemented the white for the flashlight, and the bright yellow lets you know your super attack is fully charged.
Grand Theft Auto 5
Color: Red & Blue
This is another one you may not have even noticed, especially if you play the game with the lights on. When the cops are chasing you, your controller will flash red and blue repetitively!
And I thought red, white, and blue was the color of freedom.
Kill Zone
Color: Green & Red
Health indicator. Low health indicates red, and green indicates full or almost full health!
DC Universe
Color: Multiple
DC universe has implemented the color indicator lights to change based on your character’s power.
This can be annoying if you play in a dark room, as the frequent changes may distract you.
Infamous
Color: Blue or Red
Infamous (Sucker Punch Productions) developers used the lights in the controller to indicate your karma. The controller will start with white light, and based on your decisions; it will change colors.
Good deeds will change blue. Bad deeds will start to fade to red.
Far Cry 4
Color: Multiple
Far Cry does a great job of utilizing the color scheme in their game, based on your class. Here’s How:
Assault: Red
Trapper: Green
Medic: Light Blue
Support: Yellow
Monsters: Yellow
Fortnite
Color: Multiple
Fortnite allows up to 4 players to be on a team.
When players enter the game, they are each assigned a color.
Players can quickly communicate their color by looking next to their name or their controller.
This is also useful, as Fortnite has allowed split screen into their battle royale.
Playing split-screen helps the players identify who’s who in the game.
How To Dim The PS4 Controller Lights
You must do specific steps to dim the light on the PlayStation 4 Controller. To do so, you must:
- Go to settings on the PlayStation Dashboard
- Devices
- Controllers
- Brightness of DUALSHOCK 4 Light Bar
From here, click on the option that applies and select either bright, medium, or dim.
If you’re not using the light for anything, in particular, I would recommend choosing “dim” as it will save the battery life on your controller.
How To Turn Off The PlayStation Controller Lights
Unfortunately, there is no way to turn it off, only dim it.
However, if you’re feeling risky and want to take the controller apart, we did find this tutorial that could help.
If you’re interested in trying, Youtuber Matej Civan claims it works for him.
Conclusion
The light bar is an aesthetic that PlayStation has added to the controller to help players dictate positioning.
The four colors allow players to quickly find their players on-screen and play effectively.