No Gamepads detected, lost all controls

Mailo

Pi Model or other hardware: Pi Zero
RetroPie Version Used : Latest from installer
Built From: Pi imager
USB Devices connected: USB hub, two Logitech F310 controllers, wireless keyboard

Hi guys,

A very odd thing happened yesterday and I can't seem to fix it.

I moved my Pi Zero to the other room where my ethernet cable is to put on few extra games then took it back to where the TV is. First it did not recognize the controllers, then I restarted and all was fine, I played a little bit and then restarted again and never had any controller connectivity ever again. The USB hub is powering up, but the controllers are not being recognized, not even the little green light on the controllers light up.

I haven't been changing any settings, it is just so random.

I tried connecting a controller directly to the USB of the Pi without going through the USB hub, same result.

I tried tens of times unplugging them and plugging them back in, no change. The keyboard is also not recognized. It is just as no power is getting to them.

I have played with these controllers for months and never had such a problem with them. I also tried plugging them in the computer to see if they work and they work just fine.

Any ideas?

Folly

@Mailo

Reading your post it looks you have a bad connection of some sort.

Here are some things you might want to check :

did you connect it to the correct micro usb port ?
is your "micro USB <-> USB A" cable still ok ?
(you might want to check with an old android tablet connecting a mouse to it)
is your micro usb connector on your zero still ok ?
(check the pins within and outside the connector with a magnifying glass)

jamrom2

@Mailo Do you happen to have a RetroFlag case? I'm only asking because there aren't a whole lot of case options out there for the Pi Zero as inexpensive and useful as Retroflag's are.

If so, remove the Pi and plug it back in. Thus reseating the connectors.

I found this by getting the same symptom you just described.

Mailo

@Folly

Thanks for the suggestions.

Connected to the micro USB port.
Tried with 3 different cables, same result.
Connector looks ok from what I can see.

Interestingly, I believe that my micro USB to USB dongle may be the culprit. Power transmits to the USB hub, but maybe data cannot be transferred. I am thinking that because I tried to connect my ethernet dongle to the Pi and it did not show up in the network devices.

Ordered a new dongle from Amazon, tomorrow evening I will share the result.

Mailo

@jamrom2

Nope, no Retroflag case, but thanks for the suggestion.

Mailo

Update!

Problem was with the usb dongle micro usb to USB all along. Got a new one and the controllers are back online.

Folly

@Mailo

Nice to hear that you have found it.