Xbox 1914 Controller With RetroPie on PiZero 2W

Trainman52

I have a "fresh" image with all of the updates installed. When I go into the Bluetooth, it does "see" the controller but it will no pair. I tried the "Yes/No" and the second option after selecting the controller. Sometimes I get no error and other times I get a cancellation error. The end result, however is the same - no pairing. I know that the Bluetooth is functioning as I can pair a wireless mouse to it. I've tried disabling the onboard BT and using an Asus BT-400. The Asus dongle is recognized, but the end result as far as adding the wireless Xbox 1914 controller is the same. I've seen loads of solutions, none of which has worked. It would seem that there should be a "simple" solution, but I've yet to find it. Any assistance would be appreciated. Rich

mitu

Install the xpadneo driver then try pairing again via Bluetooth.

Trainman52

@mitu Thanks for the info. I'll be trying it some day this week and I'll let you know how it worked out. Be well, stay safe - Rich

Trainman52

@mitu I followed the instructions on the Github page. The kernel was already installed. I downloaded the xpadneo repository from the Github site. I changed to xpadneo and ran the sudo ./install.sh command. I did the bluetoothctl command and got the MAC for the controller. The pair command just kept running showing "connected YES" and then "connected NO". This went on continuously until the controller powered off. What do you suggest I try next? Thanks for the help!!

mitu

The xpadneo driver is already available to be installed from RetroPie-Setup, from the driver package section. Re-install it from there and then use the Bluetooth menu to pair the controller. Make sure you remove any existing paired/registered devices first.

Trainman52

@mitu Thanks. I will try that tomorrow. I did manage to get the 1708 controller that I borrowed (2 buttons under the power switch) paired. Thanks again for your help.

Trainman52

@mitu This is really annoying me so I decided to try again. I reinstalled the xpadneo from the drivers section of the Retropie Setup. It downloaded and installed them. The controller will still not connect. I rebooted and tried pairing from the command prompt. Same thing with a string of connected yes and connected no. Something is really strange here. There must be a simple answer, or at least one would hope. Thanks again.

mitu

Usually xpadneo is enough and has very good support for Bluetooth Xbox controllers. Normally I would advise to make sure you're fully updated - both OS and packages and RetroPie's packages - but if you're using a weekly build that would be enough.
You said you have a 'fresh' image - what does this mean ? What image did you use ?

Trainman52

@mitu Interestingly the older version of the controller with the 2 buttons under the "X" power button works without an issue. I will try downloading the latest image and trying it with that. I know that the controller is not faulty as it works perfectly with Retroarch on my PC. Thanks again.

Trainman52

@mitu This morning I downloaded the 3/5/2022 weekly image for the 2/3/Zero2W. I use a Game Pad to navigate during setup.

Configured WiFi
Removed xpad driver via RetroPie Setup
Installed xpadneo driver via Retropie Setup
Launched bluetooth from the main menu
Controller was detected
Selected controller and then tried all of the various options on the next screen.
Controller will still not connect.

As I mentioned previously, the older controller will connect and works fine. The 1914 seems to toggle on and off. Is it possible that the firmware in this unit needs to be upgraded? I just tried the 1914 in Retroarch on my PC and it works perfectly.

mitu

The 1914 seems to toggle on and off. Is it possible that the firmware in this unit needs to be upgraded?

If you haven't done so, then you should upgrade the firmware first.

Trainman52

@mitu Thanks. That's the next step. It almost seems like it is "locked" into another device even though I powered off the PC that it is paired to.

kurek

I have the same model number controller and also can't pair it. I downloaded a fresh new weekly retropie image, tried the xpadneo driver, updated the controller firmware and whilst the pi can see the controller, when I try to pair the pad just shakes and the pairing light continues to flash. I've been trying various things for a few hours now with no luck.

Trainman52

@mitu I updated the firmware using my son's Xbox. Here is the real head scratcher. I disconnected it from my PC's bluetooth and had him power off his Xbox. The controller was as before detected by RetroPie. I next tried option 1 and option 2. I believe that it was on option 2 that I heard the tiniest of buzzes from the controller. When I clicked on "paired devices", nothing was listed. Just for the heck of it, I went back to the Input Configuration and both controllers were seen by the system. I was then able to get the wireless controller working. It is just really odd that it did not appear in the list of paired devices. Thanks again for your help. It is greatly appreciated. Be well, stay safe - Rich

Trainman52

@kurek said in Xbox 1914 Controller With RetroPie on PiZero 2W:

I have the same model number controller and also can't pair it. I downloaded a fresh new weekly retropie image, tried the xpadneo driver, updated the controller firmware and whilst the pi can see the controller, when I try to pair the pad just shakes and the pairing light continues to flash. I've been trying various things for a few hours now with no luck.

It's a very strange situation. After selecting it in pairing, I picked option 2. It gave the slightest buzz and then the light went solid. There was no devices shown as paired, yet it worked. When I turned on the Pi later, the device wasn't seen. I repeated the entire sequence and it is again working through several reboots and power-offs. The only other thing I did was unpair it from my computer and have my son turn off his Xbox just in case it was somehow "homing in" on that. Let me know how it works out.

Trainman52

@kurek Several days later and the RetroPie still launches with the bluetooth connection okay.