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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

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

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    • I
      Imrhien @Serum
      last edited by

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

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      • S
        stayupthetree
        last edited by

        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

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        • S
          stayupthetree
          last edited by

          @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!

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          • O
            opensourcefan @stayupthetree
            last edited by

            @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.

            RPI3, v 3.7 from SD Image, Last update, Bluetooth v1.0, Child-Friendly ES, 3 amp Power Supply, Case w/fan.

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            • I
              Imrhien
              last edited by

              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.

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              • S
                stayupthetree @Imrhien
                last edited by

                @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.

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                • Wolfman100W
                  Wolfman100
                  last edited by

                  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.

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                  • SerumS
                    Serum
                    last edited by

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

                    Pi Model: 3 model B
                    RetroPie Version Used: 3.7 (rpi-_rpi3)
                    Built From: SD Image
                    USB Devices connected: none
                    Controller used: PS3 Shanwan

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                    • S
                      stayupthetree @Serum
                      last edited by

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

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                      • Wolfman100W
                        Wolfman100
                        last edited by

                        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.

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