Why Isn't My PS3 Controller Listed In Bluetooth Devices?

pikey

I had posted earlier here about how authentication fails every time I try to pair my controller (mods: I thought this should be in its own thread since it seems like a different problem but apologies if you think otherwise; please move if that's the case). It seems that my mistake is that I'm pairing the wrong device because the controller never gets listed when I select "Register and Connect to Bluetooth Device" in the Bluetooth Configuration menu of RetroPie-Setup.

I've used three different controllers, all original as far as I can tell. I'm certain the bluetooth on each works because I'm able to pair them to the same bluetooth adapter on a windows machine. I'm also able to pair a bluetooth keyboard in retropie so I think that rules out the bluetooth adapter.

So the question remains: why don't my controllers show up in the list of bluetooth devices?

Pi Model: Pi 1 B+
Power supply: Canakit 3-Amp
RetroPie version: 4.14.98+ (not sure about that one but the output of uname -a is Linux retropie 4.14.98+ #1200 Tue Feb 12 20:11:02 GMT 2019 armv6l GNU/Linux)
Built from: https://github.com/RetroPie/RetroPie-Setup/releases/download/4.5.1/retropie-4.5.1-rpi1_zero.img.gz
USB devices connected:

Bus 001 Device 005: ID 054c:0268 Sony Corp. Batoh Device / PlayStation 3 Controller
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0a12:0001 Cambridge Silicon Radio, Ltd Bluetooth Dongle (HCI mode)
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0424:ec00 Standard Microsystems Corp. SMSC9512/9514 Fast Ethernet Adapter
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 0424:9514 Standard Microsystems Corp. SMC9514 Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub

Controller used: dualshock 3

Clyde

You can execute dmesg right after connecting the controller and see if there're any messages about it. Alternatively, you can first run tail -f /var/log/syslog and then connect the controllers to see what messages appear. You end tail by pressing ctrl+c.

If you show us the messages (in a code block, please), maybe we can spot any obvious problems.

Halvhjearne

@pikey

first off, its worth noting that you need to install a driver for the ps3 controller to connect, so if you havent done that yet, i sugest you try that first, via the retropie setup.
also linux is not windows, so the fact that it works in windows, dosnt automaticly mean it also works in linux.

does the bluetooth adapter work as expected with other bluetooth devices in linux?

edit:
also, are you using an original controller?