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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

    Problem connecting a second bluetooth ps3 controller

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    • M
      messy
      last edited by

      Hello,

      Raspery pi 4 4GB
      USB PSU
      RetroPie v4.6
      Built from ISO from Retropie website
      USB devices - wifi dongle for a keyboard - Dragon Shock 3rd party PS3 controller (bluetooth) x2

      So I have been using a 3rd party ps3 controller just fine with bluetooth and recently bought another identical one - however I am having trouble connecting it :(

      During regestration i press the ps button and then plug the controller in. The lights flash for a moment and then goes to a single red light steady on for a moment then flashing then steady and I get a choice of two bluetooth devices.

      I select one using the controller im trying to pair, i get asked about security mode - i select one and get an error about authentication failed.

      I have tried both available bluetooth devices it finds and tried all the security modes - all fail :(

      My other controller is not turned on through all of this.

      Any ideas what the issue is?

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • M
        messy
        last edited by

        Now it doesnt even find any devices at all :(

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        • M
          messy
          last edited by

          bump

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          • M
            messy
            last edited by

            So I now have 3 PS3 controllers.

            I finally managed to get all three to connect via bluetooth however I now have an issue where I can only have one connected at a time :(

            If I do a reboot - any of teh 3 controllers will connect and work fine but neither of the other two will connect. If I reboot and connect a different controller first - that will then work and not the others.

            help!

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • mituM
              mitu Global Moderator
              last edited by

              Are you using the ps3controller driver ? Try using the sixaxis driver instead - it supports multiple controllers connected.

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              • M
                messy
                last edited by

                I was indeed :P - installed sixaxis and then everything went to hell. For a while everytime I tried to pair a device it crashed emulation station. Thats seemed to fix itself after a few reboots but now on all three controllers its random whether they will work with the cable attached so doing stuff is difficult.

                It seems I can get one controller paired and connected, the second one pairs but wont connect.

                Is there something I need to do to delete the ps3 driver? I couldnt see any option for it

                mituM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • mituM
                  mitu Global Moderator @messy
                  last edited by

                  If you install the sixaxis driver, it will automatically uninstall the ps3controller driver, since they're not compatible.
                  EmulationStation crashing - that happens when the connection to the controller is not stable. It happened to me with a a bad USB cable, that randomly disconnects and then connects again in a fraction of a second.

                  M 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • M
                    messy @mitu
                    last edited by

                    @mitu

                    ah ok, well the crashing has stopped so i guess it must be stable again now. I def have the sixaxis driver installed so thats ok.

                    It still only seems to like one controller at a time tho

                    M 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • M
                      messy @messy
                      last edited by

                      @messy actually, after a reboot the other controller that paired ok wotnc onnect even if its the first one i try. The first controller I paired works.

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                      • M
                        messy
                        last edited by

                        Starting from scratch - first controller pairs and connects ok.
                        Second controller pairs but then when I try to conenct it at teh screent hat says "you can now unplug the usb" it doesnt connect.

                        Same issue for the third controller.

                        All three controllers have successfully paired at some point in the past on their own so I know they work.

                        :(

                        R 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • mituM
                          mitu Global Moderator
                          last edited by

                          Try to reboot your PI between each pairing (2nd and 3rd controller) and make sure the other controller(s) are not active at the time.
                          Can you get a system log from the 2nd (or 3rd) controller pairing ? Before pairing the controller, run from the command line:

                          sudo dmesg -c

                          then try to pair it, see that it's not working, then exit RetroPie-Setup and run from the command line:

                          dmesg

                          Post the output of this last command.

                          M 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • M
                            messy @mitu
                            last edited by

                            @mitu sorry for the late reply. Rebooting didnt work.
                            How do you acces the command line, Do I need to SSH in?

                            mituM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • mituM
                              mitu Global Moderator @messy
                              last edited by

                              @messy said in Problem connecting a second bluetooth ps3 controller:

                              How do you acces the command line, Do I need to SSH in?

                              Yes, if you have an additional PC, then it's the best option for running commands and copying their output.

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                              • R
                                retrodaniel @messy
                                last edited by

                                @messy in which screen/menu are you seeing the "you can unplug the controller now"? Is it on the "pair register bluetooth device" after going from EmulationStation > Bluetooth menu?

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