PS3 controller - can't use via Bluetooth (RPi3)

Imrhien

I've installed my PS3 controller using the installer in retropie_setup.

The problem is that it only works while connected via a USB cable. I want it to work wirelessly!

I've followed a few guides but they've always implied that everything should work at this stage.

Any suggestions?

Pi Model: (3)
RetroPie Version Used: (3.6.0)
Built From: (SD Image)
USB Devices connected: PS3 Controller (x1)
Controller used: PS3 Controller (x1)
Guide used: https://github.com/RetroPie/RetroPie-Setup/wiki/Setting-up-a-PS3-controller

opensourcefan

More information will most likely be needed before someone can help you with this.

https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

Imrhien

Original post updated.

Serum

Hello Imrhien,

Which ps3 controller do you have ? original or an another ?

Imrhien

@Serum Original PS3 controller. Sony brand, nothing fancy.

stayupthetree

I am having the same issue. Originally it was working when I was testing on a berryboot version. When I went to just RetroPie on the sdcard it would work once, and then never again.

Here is a pastebin of what errors I could find. Seems Bluetooth service is failing to start.

http://pastebin.com/T5g4QTXr

stayupthetree

@Imrhien Ok I seem to have sorted it out. Everything works until I ran an update that updated pi-bluetooth from 0.1.0 to 0.1.1 This was enough to break it. These steps will downgrade to the previous package.

wget http://archive.raspberrypi.org/debian/pool/main/p/pi-bluetooth/pi-bluetooth_0.1.0_armhf.deb
sudo dpkg -i pi-bluetooth_0.1.0_armhf.deb

Reboot. If it works do this to prevent future upgrades

sudo apt-mark hold pi-bluetooth

I also updated the kernel from 4.1 to 4.4 which fixes problems freezing when using the PS3 controller on bluetooth.

Things are borked on the rpi-update side it seems so it takes a few steps:

sudo curl -kL --output /usr/bin/rpi-update https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Hexxeh/rpi-update/master/rpi-update && sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/rpi-update
sudo sed -i 's/curl/curl -k/g' /usr/bin/rpi-update
sudo UPDATE_SELF=0 rpi-update
reboot

Hope this helps!

opensourcefan

@stayupthetree said in PS3 controller - can't use via Bluetooth (RPi3):

@Imrhien Ok I seem to have sorted it out. Everything works until I ran an update that updated pi-bluetooth from 0.1.0 to 0.1.1 This was enough to break it. These steps will downgrade to the previous package.

So many people have been caught by this, a temporary sticky of the issue with the downgrade fix would probably help a lot.

Imrhien

Thanks for your advice, @Stayupthetree.

It didn't do the job for me - I got an error stating that there was a missing dependency.

What I did to fix the problem:

Updated to Retropie 3.7
Removed PS3 controller setup (using the retropie_setup script)
Ran the option to pair/unpair Bluetooth devices (using the Retropie menu option in Emulationstation). This prompted to install missing components
Ran the PS3 controller setup (using the retropie_setup script)
Plugged in the controller
Rebooted the Pi

After this I was able to pair the controller.

Bonus: I noticed that it connected as controller #2 which caused some problems. I removed my Keyboard/Mouse dongle, restarted, and paired the controller again. Done! Second controller paired as well no issues.

stayupthetree

@Imrhien Sorry, I assumed that you had already ran the pair/unpair in the Retropie setup script. Glad it is working for you. Yeah the Controller #2 thing is fairly annoying, so I learned early to make sure that it is the first controller config I did on the system. Never had to remove my keyboard/mouse. Next step is to get the PS button to open the RGui for libretro games.

Wolfman100

After WEEKS of trying to get my Shanwan PS3 controller to pair and a hella lot of messing around....today the day finally came where it paired perfectly!

Unfortunatly after a reboot,now the systems bluetooth doesn't work at all!When I get this figured out I'm going to write a guide as their is so much inconclusive information out there from many many sources regarding this issue.

Serum

Hello Stayupthetree, do you have find any solution ?
Do you have a documentation for paring a ps3 controller on r3 ?
Thank you

stayupthetree

@Serum Just saw this, are you still having problems? Are you using 3.8?

Wolfman100

Let me refer you to our rather long and chaotic thread on this subject:

https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/42/shanwan-ps3-controller-pi3-retropie-3-6-bluetooth-setup/121

Contained within is a lot of useful info regarding solving this pretty common issue.As promised,I will attempt to write up a guide on how to solve this when I have some time.