System reading "No Gamepads Detected" after the Retropie image file boots

ebridge

I just built a mini arcade cabinet from retro built games, and I followed the installation instructions to download the image file to an 8 GB SD card. However, when I boot the operating system, the screen says "No Gamepads Detected...Press any key to Configure," but nothing happens when I press any of the keys except the LCD controls. I am a teacher and am building these cabinets with students, but I cannot seem to troubleshoot this issue. PLEASE HELP!

mitu

@ebridge Please give more details about your system by answering the questions mentioned in https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first.

ebridge

I meant to attach this information to my original post...sorry!
Pi Model or other hardware: RPi 3 Model B
Power Supply used: 5.25 V
RetroPie Version Used (eg 3.6, 3.8.1, 4.1 - do not write latest): RetroPie v4.3
Built From: Pre made SD Image on RetroPie website
USB Devices connected: none
Controller used: mini arcade cabinet from retro built games
Error messages received: no gamepads detected
Guide used: First Installation Guide on RetroPie website
File: RetroPie image file for Raspberry Pi 2/3

mitu

@ebridge You omitted the most important info - what's your controller ? Type/make/home made uses GPIO pins ?

ebridge

@mitu The mini arcade has a joystick and buttons wired into the GPIO pins on the RPi.

mitu

@ebridge Just wiring together some contacts doesn't automatically make the system recognise there is a gamepad/joystick/trackball/etc. connected. You need some extra configuration for the system (Linux) to see the connected joystick.
This topic has a starting point on how to do that - https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/5002/how-to-configure-arcade-button-connected-to-gpio

ebridge

@mitu I followed the wiring instructions on retrobuiltgames.com, where I purchased the kit: file:///C:/Users/ebridge/Downloads/10%20inch%20Porta%20Pi%20Arcade%20Cabinet%20Assembly%20Manual%20rev2.81%20(2).pdf

I believe the wiring is correct. Do I need a different RetroPie image file or should it recognize the image file from RetroPie, meaning that there must be an error in the wiring?

ebridge

@mitu I just tested the SD card on another setup that I use for the Raspberry Pi's running Raspbian Jesse, and I can configure the keys on the keyboard, but it still says no gamepad detected? I think it must be an issue with the RetroPie image file on the SD card, but I cannot seem to figure out what it could be. After doing some reading, the image file that I am using should be running Raspbian, so I'm not sure why I cannot access any games on the Emulator.

rbaker

@ebridge Unless you configure retropie to use the gpio, your controls will not work. Have you done this by accessing the command line?

simonster

If you have connected them to gpio pins, what pins did you connect them to?

Can you get support from where you purchased the kit from?

I'm willing to bet they are using mk_arcade_joystick but without any detail, it is hard to confirm.

silant-wrath08

I just bought a raspberry pi and a waveshare pi hat but when i go to configerate the buttons it says no gamepad detected please help me.

;wave share pi hat
;raspberry pi 3b+
; 8 mb SD card
5v battery
running retro pi v4.3
no USB devices connected

dankcushions

@silant-wrath08 retropie 4.3 is 3 years old, why are you using it? if you bought the system, note we don't support third party builds or pre-loaded systems.

markyh444

@silant-wrath08 it would be better if you opened a new topic and provided the information requested in here https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

This will let the forum have the info on your setup and can try and assist.

Thanks.

air

@ebridge I'm building a Picade mini cabinet and can offer some general advice for others landing here from Google.

On first boot, your system probably doesn't see your stick or buttons. So on the 'No Gamepads detected' screen, hit F4 to exit. Then run

sudo raspi-config

to set up your wifi. Then do whatever additional setup steps are needed to get your controllers recognized (in the Picade, you run a curl command to download drivers).