A regulator controller which controls conversion of an input voltage to an output voltage, including a switching regulator, a low dropout (LDO) regulator, and a mode controller. The switching regulator develops a pulse control signal to regulate the output voltage when enabled. The LDO regulator also regulates the output voltage when enabled. The mode controller enables or disables the switching regulator and the LDO regulator based on a load condition. The switching regulator is enabled and the LDO regulator is disabled during normal operation. The LDO regulator is enabled when the low load condition is detected, such as a skipped pulse on the pulse control signal. The switching regulator is disabled when the pulse control signal reaches a minimum level. The LDO regulator is disabled and the switching regulator is re-enabled based on threshold conditions of the current output of the LDO regulator.