8bitdo controller paired but wont connect

[Leanne]

Hello all,

I am having an issue with my 8bitdo SF30 pro controller not connecting to the Retropie 4. I have updated the firmware on the controller and I keep my pi up to date as well. What's strange is that it was working fine, connecting without and issue before, it connected each time I booted my pi. But recently it won't connect despite the pi saying that it is paired to the controller.

This may or may not have anything to do with it but, I had paired it with the switch a while ago and it's since then it doesn't pair with the Retropie, so I made the switch forget all paired controllers but that hasn't fixed the problem.

The first green light just keeps flashing for a few seconds after I hold down start and B but doesn't search for the pi.

This is really frustrating as this controller is really good when it works and it's perfect for playing retro games.

PLEASE HELP ME!!!

[Leanne]

@leanne Hang on, I think it was due to the fact that I had paired it with the switch, I am after giving another go at making the pi forget all paired devices and then re-pairing it, which I have tried a bunch of times but not since I made the switch forget all paired controllers.

This seems to have worked, YIPPEE!!!

[Leanne]

@leanne Although it is a pity that it can't be used for the switch as well, nevertheless, glad it's working with the pi now, hopefully if you've had a similar issue that this was helpful!

[IanDaemon]

@leanne Are both devices within BT range? May they be fighting? I'm not sure why, but if the controller sends the handshake and then stops when it gets a response from the first device it may start sending/receiving instead of shaking the hand of the second device.

[brandflake11]

@leanne I got the 8bitdo dongle to use with the pi, as it makes it easier. I have it paired with my switch with the controller in switch mode and then paired with retropie with the controller in xbox mode using the 8bitdo dongle. If I switch modes, I can connect to different sources.

[Leanne]

@brandflake11 oh nice! that's sounds like a useful gadget, thanks a lot I'll look into that.
@IanDaemon yes that must have been the issue, both the pi and the switch would have been within Bluetooth range, so like you said they were fighting with each other to connect with the controller. I didn't really know much about Bluetooth before but I understand better now.

I'd say that 8bitdo dongle would be a permanent solution but even for the time being, I could try shutting down the switch entirely, rather then putting it in sleep mode so then the switch should not be fighting for connectivity with the controller.

Thanks a lot for your help guys!

[pie_droid]

Hopefully, people are still monitoring this chat... I don't have a switch and this is still happening with my Retropie 4. Any suggestions?

[mitu]

@pie_droid Please provide some info about your setup - https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first.

[brandflake11]

@pie_droid I would just say make sure the controller is in the same mode you paired it to the pi (like xbox, macos, switch, or xinput mode). Maybe also try to re-pair it. The controller can be finicky to pair and 8bitdo doesn't give great instructions. When pairing the controller, make sure to put it in the mode you want first, then hold the pairing button on top of the controller. It may seem like that pairing button is only for switch mode, but it's actually for all of the modes.
I hope this helps!

[pie_droid]

@mitu
Raspberry Pi 4
Latest Retropie 4.7.1
8Bitdo Controller is the latest firmware

[pie_droid]

@brandflake11 So just to confirm, if I paired it using the Switch setting approach, that's what I use to connect?

[brandflake11]

@pie_droid Yes, you would have to have to use the same setting you paired with on the pi. It gets recognized as a different controller otherwise.