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    Please do not post a support request without first reading and following the advice in https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

    PlayStation 3 controller won't connect via Bluetooth + constant vibration

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    raspberry pi 3playstation 3bluetoothvibration
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    • V
      vladquebec
      last edited by

      I have a Raspberry Pi 3 device with the latest updated RetroPie version. I have recently bought a brand new PlayStation 3 controller (it's not a Sony brand, it's from a 3rd party company) that I was hoping to use as a remote control.

      1st problem : the controller is always vibrating when plugged in the USB port. It never stops.

      2nd problem : I have followed the instructions to install the PlayStation 3 controller drivers successfully, but it doesn't do anything. Just like I've mentionned in the 1st problem, it only vibrates non-stop. I've plugged in the PS3 controller, it vibrates and the 4 lights a blinking. I remove the controller as mentionned and push the PS3 button, the 4 lights vibrate and eventually, they stop.

      I'm wondering if this is simply because my controller is from a third party company, not an official Sony.

      Any ideas?

      tbartusT 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • tbartusT
        tbartus @vladquebec
        last edited by

        @vladquebec I have the same problem. I have bought new Sony Duall Shock 3 sixaxis PS3 controler (Model no: CECHZC2U A1). My controller after connecting via usb still vibrates too. When it is connected via usb, works very well (excluding vibrations). It couldn't connect with Raspberry via bluetooth.

        Connected to the Play Station 3, everything works correctly without vibrations.

        I borrowed from my friend another one controller the same type. And suprise, the controller conected to the Raspberry works perfectly and without vibrations and without any other problems connects with the pi via bluetooth.

        I don't know what to do?...

        V 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • V
          vladquebec @tbartus
          last edited by

          @tbartus Thanks for sharing the pain ;-) Just to confirm, the 2 controllers you mentionned (the first one being the one not working and the second one borrowed from a friend), are they both Sony products (not 3rd party seller)?

          tbartusT 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • tbartusT
            tbartus @vladquebec
            last edited by tbartus

            @vladquebec The both controllers looks similar. The first one (which is vibrating) is black. I have bought them in an internet shop. It is looking very well. They have good looking box and a short instruction. The borrowed one (gold) looks the same as the black one.

            0_1508862792809_1508861565513.jpg

            0_1508862802428_1508861565799.jpg

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • V
              vladquebec
              last edited by

              Just realized I forgot to mention something : the controller is not even working when plugged in, it's vibrating only, the RetroPie doesn't even detect it.

              tbartusT 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • tbartusT
                tbartus @vladquebec
                last edited by

                @vladquebec
                uhmm..., it means that your problem is a bit deeper. ;)
                My controller connected via usb works correctly. The problem is with bluetooth connection and permanently vibrations.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • S
                  stenbot
                  last edited by

                  I had a very similar experience just this past weekend. I bought a second PS3 controller from Amazon and could never get it to connect. Whenever I connected the controller to the rp3 it would just vibrate and do nothing. I returned the controller and said it was defective and went to gamestop and picked one up for $40. I connected it to the rp3 and it instantly connected. I'm not sure why the controller that I returned did not work. I just made a retropie build for my brother-in-law and bought 2 more PS3 controllers from gamestop and all the controllers work flawlessly, even with 2 controllers connected. This probably isn't helping much with your current situation, but I would just go somewhere that you can get a PS3 remote that you know is authentic.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • lostlessL
                    lostless
                    last edited by lostless

                    All those problems, the inability to connect and constant vibrating are syptoms of 3rd party chinese knockoffs. they are the only controllers I ever have issues connecting.

                    lostlessL 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                    • C
                      cgeyik
                      last edited by

                      You guys need to install the package first via the RetroPie-Setup.sh. There are 4 or even more for the DS3 controller, you just need to choose the correct one.

                      R 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • R
                        rsn8887 @cgeyik
                        last edited by

                        @cgeyik wrong information. With the newest retropie versions, no special package is needed. PS3 Bluetooth controllers work out of the box.

                        V 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • V
                          vladquebec @rsn8887
                          last edited by

                          @rsn8887 @cgeyik Just to confirm, there are steps I have done also to install the drivers for the PS3 controller. I have also made sure the RetroPie was fully up to date.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • R
                            rsn8887
                            last edited by rsn8887

                            I didn't install the PS3 controller driver, but my PS3 controller still works. I just plugged it in with the cable, then went to Bluetooth->Register, unplugged it from the cable, pressed PS button, and then it appeared in the list.

                            I think installing the PS3 controller driver is not a good idea, because it blocks other Bluetooth devices. I think it takes over the whole Bluetooth stack (I might be wrong).

                            V 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • V
                              vladquebec @rsn8887
                              last edited by

                              @rsn8887 You are correct about disabling the Bluetooth. For my part, it's not a bad thing since I'm not using any other Bluetooth devices.

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • V
                                vladquebec
                                last edited by

                                Update : I have returned the 1st controller I had bought (which was from a third party company, not from Sony) and replaced it with a used PS3 controller from Sony. This one seems to work fine. My conclusion would be that the problem was with the 3rd party controller, not made the same way the Sony was made. I can't say if it would have worked on a PS3, but it didn't work for a RetroPie.

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • lostlessL
                                  lostless @lostless
                                  last edited by lostless

                                  @vladquebec
                                  @lostless said in PlayStation 3 controller won't connect via Bluetooth + constant vibration:

                                  All those problems, the inability to connect and constant vibrating are syptoms of 3rd party chinese knockoffs. they are the only controllers I ever have issues connecting.

                                  I just said that LOL. Glad you got a real one, They work great

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                  • edmaul69E
                                    edmaul69
                                    last edited by

                                    For anyone who thinks they have an “official” controller and it doesnt work you probably have a bootleg controller. Black is the only color i personally have seen the bootlegs in but i have seen hundreds of them.

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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