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    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

    8Bitdo Bluetooth connection problems persist

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    8bitdo bluetooth sn30 m30
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    • B
      bradbradbrad
      last edited by

      I have both the 8Bitdo M30 and SN30 controllers. I have updated to the latest firmware and when I pair and connect them to my pi3b+, they both work great. However, if I reboot or turn off my pi while the controllers are still connected, they will both completely fail to reconnect after starting up again. I just get the blinking lights, then they shut themselves off after a few seconds of not being connected.

      I have tried to set them up in android mode as well as windows mode, and neither matter.

      I have also purchased a separate Bluetooth dongle, but that didn't fix the issue either.

      Is there anything I can do to fix this? I would prefer to not need to constantly leave my pi on in order for it to stay connected.

      Thanks

      C 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • C
        cdaters @bradbradbrad
        last edited by cdaters

        @bradbradbrad which dongle are you using? I have two of the orange 8bitdo dongles (one for each controller) that I pair (like you, my SN30 and SF30) my controllers to, and I have no issues.

        Orange, because the other colored (grey?) one requires some additional steps to get it working each time you power on. The Orange one does not.

        The Pi will see the USB dongle as the controller and that connection will always persist, whether your M30 or SN30 controllers are currently connected to the dongle or not (dead battery, turned off, etc.)

        Now, with that all out of the way...

        • What power adapter are you using?
        • Is your Pi in a case? If so, which one?
        • How far are you from your Pi when you are powering on your controllers?

        The Bluetooth/WiFi chip doesn't have great range on the Pi, especially when it's in a case.
        If you are not using a name-brand power supply, it might not be supplying an appropriate amount of voltage to the Pi.

        Additionally, the latest version of RetroPie 4.8 (20220313) features various fixes and improvements for Bluetooth...

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        • B
          bradbradbrad @cdaters
          last edited by

          @cdaters Thanks for the reply. I updated to the latest version of Retropie. Initially it seems that I am no longer having that problem, but I need to do some more testing to make sure.

          On a side note regarding the dongle, I am using a TP-Link USB Bluetooth Adapter (UB400). I actually bought the 8-bitdo one, but I didn't like how large it was. Plus, it was expensive given the fact that it only allowed you to connect 1 controller. This TP-Link one lets you connect a lot more and is much smaller (and cheaper!). Aside from this issue I was having with the connections being lost (which I don't think was related to the dongle), it has been great and I highly recommend it.

          C 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
          • C
            cdaters @bradbradbrad
            last edited by

            @bradbradbrad hmmm, I will have to procure that UB400 and experiment! Thanks for the tip!

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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