RetroPie forum home
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Home
    • Docs
    • Register
    • Login
    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

    Basic understanding on how to connect and configure a bluetooth (PS3) controller

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Help and Support
    controllerplaystation 3
    8 Posts 2 Posters 3.0k Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • M
      MoonKid
      last edited by

      I am new to RetroPi. RetroPi is build and installed on Deiban as it is described in your wiki.
      I use Debian stable here on a Laptop.

      I have a PS3-Controller. I can connect it to Debian via the Blueman GUI without any problems.

      But I have problems to use it with RetroPi. I see two ways currently.

      In the "Configuration" menu of EmulationStation there is a "Bluetooth" menu entry. When clicking on it a console window opens and offers me to "Register and Connect to Bluetooth Device". The PS3-controller is found and then I have to choose one of 5 "security mode"'s.
      No matter which one I choose it doesn't work. Mode 1-4 ask me to enter a PIN in my bluetooth device - which is not possible on a PS3 controller. Mode 5 just give me an error "PageTimeout".

      The second way is to use the "Main Menu" in EmulationStation and "Configure Input" in there. Then it ask me to "hold a button" on my device. But it doesn't react on my PS3-controller - only on my keyboard.

      So which way I should work on and how? ;)

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

        If your controller is paired - using Blueman or other methods - you don't need to do Step 1 (pairing the controller in the RetroPie configuration/tools section). Once paired, you should use the Input Configuration menu in ES - but you say this i not working ?
        Are you really sure the PS3 controller is connected/paired ? You can test by using jstest from a terminal - see an example at https://retropie.org.uk/docs/RetroArch-Configuration/#determining-button-values.

        Also, when opening a support request, please provide as much as you can, the information requested in https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first.

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

          Pi Model or other hardware: Samsung N220 Netbook (Atom)
          OS: Debian 4.911 (stable) with Kernel 4.9.0-8-amd64
          RetroPie: 4.4.2 (last commit: 2fca9d9)
          EmulationStation: 2.7.6RP
          Built From: source (last commit: 2fca9d9)
          Controller used: Original PS3 Controllor

          Thanks for the hint with jtest (debian package: joystick). Thats the key.
          The controller is coupled as "keyboard" with blueman and jtest can not find it.

          I will check this basic problem in another forum and will report later here.

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

            Wow, I wasn't aware that a PS3-Controller is such an exotic special device. Because of that I never thought my problem is controller specific. A PS3-Controller is not easy.
            https://github.com/retropie/retropie-setup/wiki/PS3-Controller

            I build and installed the ps3controller driver from the RetroPie setup.
            I (think I) did exactly what is described in the wiki. I can use and configure the controller when it is connected via USB.

            But pairing it via bluetooth in the Emustation doesn't work. "no gamepads detected". The 4 leds on my controller still blicking.
            I am sure it is an original sony controller.

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

              @moonkid said in Basic understanding on how to connect and configure a bluetooth (PS3) controller:

              I am sure it is an original sony controller.

              Does it identify as 'Sony' when you run lsusb with the controller connected ? Somebody else thought they got a genuine PS3 but it turned out just a clone - https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/19047/it-s-my-dualshock-3-a-shanwan-controller-certainly.

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

                Spannendes Thema. lsusb sagt Bus 002 Device 007: ID 054c:0268 Sony Corp. Batoh Device / PlayStation 3 Controller. Also Original?

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

                  @moonkid said in Basic understanding on how to connect and configure a bluetooth (PS3) controller:

                  Also Original?

                  Probably yes. I don't know why it's not pairing/detecting properly though.

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

                    I assume the problem depends on the Debian system.

                    Can I test the pairing myself on the commandline? Which commands are used in that case?

                    How can I contact the developers of the ps3controller driver for retropi? Maybe they have some hints on this problem.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • First post
                      Last post

                    Contributions to the project are always appreciated, so if you would like to support us with a donation you can do so here.

                    Hosting provided by Mythic-Beasts. See the Hosting Information page for more information.