Random directional inputs from iBuffalo controllers

MisterMeeseeks

Hello, I am wondering if anyone has a solution for this problem. I have searched through many posts on this and other boards, and have found several others dealing with the same issue, but no posted solution has worked for me thus far.

These iBuffalo controllers give random directional inputs while connected to my Pi, in emulationstation, while playing games, even in Kodi. I have tried connecting them to my PC and the issue did not present itself there, which leads me to believe that the issue must be software related rather than faulty controllers.

I ran jstest and saw that when I actually press down the direction, it reports either 32767 or -32767. The random/phantom inputs on the other hand, are all over the place:

Axes:  0: -5406  1:      0
Axes:  0:     0  1: -16216
Axes:  0:     0  1:   5742
Axes:  0:     0  1:  -5406
Axes:  0:     0  1:  -5406
Axes:  0: -5406  1:      0
Axes:  0: 16552  1:      0
Axes:  0:     0  1: -16216
Axes:  0:     0  1: -32767
Axes:  0: 16552  1:      0
Axes:  0:     0  1:  -5406
Axes:  0:     0  1: -32767

Pi Model: 3B
RetroPie Version Used: retropie-setup says 4.1.3
Built From: Image from Retropie website
USB Devices connected: Currently only an iBuffalo USB controller, but I switch to an Xbox 360 wireless adapter for 3D games.
How to replicate the problem: Plug in iBuffalo controller

Based on posts I have seen, I have already tried changing the input driver to several different values, some of which seemed to have an affect on the frequency / direction / value of these inputs, but none of which made them go away completely.

I have also tried deleting the config files and letting the system build them again, no luck.

Somehow, I was able to solve the problem temporarily by accident, but have been unable to reproduce the effect: at one point, upon unplugging my 360 adapter to switch back to the iBuffalo, I noticed the random inputs were gone. I even left it overnight and it stayed on the same game at the menu, with the screen dimmed. Normally the screen NEVER dims because these things send a signal every 10-20 seconds.

Unfortunately, the next time I switched to the 360 controller and back, the magic was gone and the ghost inputs had returned.

Is there a solution out there for this horrible issue? Lots of people recommend these controllers, and I want to love mine, but this leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

Thanks for all the help, I'm Mister Meeseeks, look at me!

mediamogul

@MisterMeeseeks

Hello Mister Meeseeks, I'm Mister Meeseeks! I believe the issue you're having can be solved by calibrating the axis deadzones of your controller. Look at me! Right now, your controller is likely either new and overly sensitive, or old and worn out. In either case, the most infinitesimal axis movement, even when at rest, would be read as intentional user input. To fix this, you'd need to either use the fairly involved guide that I've written here, or find a similar solution to deadzone calibration elsewhere. Ooohhh can do!

MisterMeeseeks

If it is a sensitivity issue, then shouldn't I be able to 'force' a phantom input by wiggling the dpad? Doing so seems no different from leaving it idle, I am unable to force a phantom input.

I looked at that link but I'm afraid I don't quite understand all that about forcing the controller to be an xbox controller. :(

mediamogul

@MisterMeeseeks said in Random directional inputs from iBuffalo controllers:

shouldn't I be able to 'force' a phantom input by wiggling the dpad?

Not always. It really depends on the controller and it's particular issues.

I looked at that link but I'm afraid I don't quite understand all that about forcing the controller to be an xbox controller.

It's not really the kind of tutorial you'd want to start off with if you're new to all this. An alternative that I have yet to try myself can be found here.

alt0134

I will be applying this fix tonight - or, cramming my analog pad down for 10 minutes until it learns its place and quits waking my receiver up in the middle of the night.

MisterMeeseeks

@alt0134
I was not able to get anything helpful out of the links posted here, but I was able to determine that the effect is SIGNIFICANTLY (though not quite completely, more like 99%) reduced when connecting the controller through a usb hub.

mediamogul

@MisterMeeseeks said in Random directional inputs from iBuffalo controllers:

I was able to determine that the effect is SIGNIFICANTLY (though not quite completely, more like 99%) reduced when connecting the controller through a usb hub.

I'm glad to hear you found a something that works. Now, if you could just find a way to take two strokes off my golf swing. ;)