Trying to use a PS3 DualShock makes me want to pull my hair out.

[Cayaco]

3B+ running whatever version was released about 6 months ago.

Pi Model or other hardware: B+
Power Supply used: Cannacat kit thing
RetroPie Version Used : how do I tell?
Built From: pre-made SD image from https://retropie.org.uk/
USB Devices connected: None
Controller used: Trying to get a DualShock 3 working
Package used for connection: sixaxis

I got a couple of PS3 Dualshock controllers to try to play wireless instead of being tethered to a USB cable and their configuration and use makes me want to throw everything in the bin. They connect, once I got all the bluetooth stuff set up, but trying to get them to work between sessions is impossible. I boot up and the buttons stop working, I reconnect and on one controller start is working and on the other nothing works. I have to configure input every time I turn the Pi back on and half of the time the buttons refuse to work. Turn it off and on and suddenly one controller's config is gone and the other who knows. Today's newest thing was after going through the Configure Input when you got the Yes/No selection for the hotkey pushing a button to confirm would launch a random Megadrive game. The controllers themselves are fine as they were originally used with a PS3 a couple of years ago with no problems like this at all.

Also I do not use the controllers for anything else, we no longer have a PS3.
Controllers are fully charged.
Everything I am talking about just happened today.

Should I be using these controllers or getting something else? I just want simple. My wired controllers work fine, never had to reconfig after setting them up the first time, and I can just plug them in and play. Are all wireless controllers this much of a pain?

[sirhenrythe5th]

I used two PS3-Pads (sixaxis, not the Dualshock ones) for years until i switched over to 8BitDos Pads.
They worked great, i never had these problems.

The only differnce i can see to your setup - i did not use the sixaxis-package anymore with Retropie 4.x because it was not needed anymore.
So maybe it helps to get rid of this package, but that depends on the Retropie-Version you are running.
You wrote "how do i tell?" - just open the retropie_setup, there you will see which Version of retropie you are running.

[Cayaco]

Version: 4.5.1

I have uninstalled the driver as suggested. Will see what happens now..

[Cayaco]

@sirhenrythe5th um, how do I connect to the PS3 controller now that I removed that driver? Via the normal Bluetooth menu and just pair a new device?

[sirhenrythe5th]

@Cayaco yes, just connect them via the bluetooth-tool in the retropie-setup ;)

[Cayaco]

@sirhenrythe5th it isn't working. My 8bitdo one paired fine just now but the PS3 ones won't connect. Are you sure you didn't use one of the drivers as every guide says with a PS3 controller one is required.

[sirhenrythe5th]

yes, i am pretty sure as i built a new Image from scratch when "Stretch" was introduced.
I did not install any drivers (i dont know any besides the "sixaxis"-one anyhow ;)) anymore but just used the bluetooth-tool.
My PS3-pads are still in the device-list and do work if i connect them.
I have no idea why it is not working for you, i hope someone else reads this here and can give more hints!