How to Connect Ps3 Controller Wirelessly?
How to Connect Ps3 Controller Wirelessly?
4 Answers

You can hook up a PS3 controller wirelessly to all kinds of devices like the PS3 console, Windows PCs, and Mac computers. Here’s the lowdown on how to do it:
First up, connecting that PS3 controller wirelessly to the PS3 console:
- Prep Work: Get both the PS3 controller and the console charged up. Grab a USB cable that handles both power and data.
- USB Hookup: Plug that USB cable into a USB slot on your PS3 console, and the other end into your controller. You should see the four lights blinking red.
- Power Up the PS3: Give your PS3 console the green light and turn it on.
- Press the PS Button: Hit the PS button on the controller – it should pair up with the console automatically. Once it’s connected, the blinking stops, and one light stays red.
- Go Wireless: Yank out the USB cable, and voila, your controller is good to go wirelessly.
Next, getting your PS3 controller hooked up to a Windows PC:
- Software Install: You’ll need the DS3 Tool or SCP Toolkit. These programs let you use the PS3 controller wirelessly on a Windows PC.
- DS3 Tool: Fire up the DS3 Tool and hit the “Driver Manager” tab. Pick the right driver for your version of Windows and click “Load” to install.
- SCP Toolkit: Download it from GitHub, extract the files, and run the installer as an administrator. Follow the prompts to get everything set up.
- USB Connect: Once the driver’s installed, plug your PS3 controller in with a USB cable. Windows should do its thing and recognize the controller.
- Bluetooth: If you’re going wireless, enable Bluetooth on your computer. In the DS3 Tool, go to the “Bluetooth Pairing” tab and click “Enable Bluetooth.” Disconnect the USB once Bluetooth’s ready.
- Configure: For DS3 Tool, hit up the “Pad 1” tab and customize your controller settings. If you’re using SCP Toolkit, open the manager from the system tray and tweak your settings there.
- Pair Up: Hold the PS button until the lights flash. Then head to your PC’s Bluetooth settings, hit “Add a Device,” pick your controller, and click “Pair.” If it asks for a code, punch in “0000.”
Finally, connecting your PS3 controller to a Mac:
- 360Controller Install: Download and install 360Controller – this software makes it easy to use your PS3 controller on a Mac.
- USB Connect: Plug your controller into the Mac. It should recognize the controller and install drivers automatically.
- Enable Bluetooth: Go to the Apple menu, hit “System Preferences,” and make sure Bluetooth is on.
- Configure the Controller: Open up 360Controller and adjust the settings to your liking.
- Pair the Controller: Hold the PS button till the lights flash, then add the device in your Mac’s Bluetooth settings. Select it and click “Pair.” Use “0000” if it needs a code.
A few troubleshooting tips:
- Controller Issues: Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Press the PS and Share buttons together if it won’t pair. Restart the controller and your computer if problems persist.
- Lag or Disconnections: Move your router and other wireless devices away to cut down on interference. Update your Bluetooth and drivers.
- Controller in Games Not Working: On Steam, ensure controller support is on. Adjust game settings if needed.
- Configuration Problems: Go back to your configuration tool and recheck the settings. Reset to default if things look buggy.
Notes:
- When connecting a new controller, just hook it up to the PS3 with a USB cable, turn on the console, and press the PS button. It should pair right away.
- The PS3 can handle up to seven wireless controllers at once, perfect for party gaming.
- The PS3 controller uses Bluetooth for wireless action and USB for charging and initial pairing.
Follow these steps, and you’ll be gaming wirelessly in no time!

Alright, let’s dig into connecting your PS3 controller wirelessly. The first thing you want to do is make sure your PS3 console is up and running. Just hit that power button on the front and you’re off, but keep it out of Standby mode for this trick.
Here’s a handy tip to kick off the wireless process: grab that USB cable that came with your PS3 controller. Plug one end into the controller and the other end into a USB port on your console. Don’t sweat about which port to use; they’re all good, and depending on your console model, you might have two or four of them.
Now, go ahead and press the PlayStation button—the round one staring at you from the middle of the controller. It’s going to light up, blinking away like it’s looking for a dance partner.
Here’s the kicker: wait for those lights to settle down. Once one stays lit, you’re in business! That light gives you your player number too—P1’s in the house if you’re player one, or P2 if you’re with a buddy.
After you’re all synced, go ahead and unplug that USB cable. You should be cruising wirelessly now. But if your controller starts acting cranky or turns off too soon, give it a friendly charge for a few hours to keep it happy.
Now, if things aren’t going smoothly—your controller isn’t syncing—don’t panic. There’s some troubleshooting magic you can try. First up, find the reset button near the L2 trigger on the back of the controller. It’s tiny, so you’ll need a paperclip or something to press it for a couple of seconds. Once that’s done, bring it back to the USB steps and give it another shot.
Another thing you could check is whether your controller has enough juice. Make sure it’s charged up, like it’s ready for a gaming marathon.
Honestly, once you get the hang of these steps, connecting your PS3 controller wirelessly shouldn’t be a hassle. Kick back and enjoy your games without those pesky cables getting in the way!

Connecting a PS3 Controller Wirelessly: Your Go-To Guide
Alright, let’s talk about the PS3 DualShock 3 controller. It’s a cool piece of tech that uses Bluetooth to go wireless, but it’s not as straightforward as just clicking a few buttons. You’ve got to jump through some hoops to get it paired. Let’s dive into how you can hook this bad boy up to your different gadgets.
First off, we’ve got the PS3 itself. You’d think it’d be plug and play, right? Well, kind of. Here’s what you do:
- Stick the controller into the console with a USB cable.
- Smash the PS button. When the lights show who’s player one, you’re in.
- Take out the cable. Boom! You’re live and wireless.
Now, sometimes things don’t go as planned:
- Controller Not Responding:
- Probably the battery’s dead or the pairing data’s been messed up.
- Charge it up for half an hour. If it’s still acting up, hit the reset button (the tiny hole on the back) with something sharp, and try again.
- LEDs Blinking Rapidly:
- Lost connection or something’s interfering with it.
- Pair it back up using the USB, and maybe shut down other Bluetooth gadgets nearby.
Moving on to Windows PCs. These guys don’t play nice with DualShock 3 out of the box. You’ll need a third-party tool like SCP Toolkit or DS4Windows to get the job done. Here’s the kicker:
- Go grab SCP Toolkit.
- Get it installed, don’t forget the DualShock 3 and Bluetooth driver.
- Hook up the controller via USB. The toolkit should do its thing with the drivers.
- For wireless freedom:
- Fire up the Bluetooth on your PC.
- Hold the PS button until the LEDs start blinking and pair them up.
What can go wrong?
- Driver Installation Fails:
- If your .NET Framework is old or the drivers get blocked.
- Update your Windows and turn off that driver signature enforcement by hitting F7 in Startup Settings.
- Bluetooth Unstable:
- Incompatible Bluetooth adapters? That’ll do it.
- Get a decent one, like those with CSR Harmony chipsets.
Next stop, Android. If you’re on Android 10+, you’re in luck—it natively supports PS3 controllers. Here’s how to do it without rooting:
- Head to Developer Options on Android (just tap Build Number 7 times in Settings).
- Switch on USB Debugging and Bluetooth HCI Snoop Log.
- Connect the controller using a USB OTG cable.
- Get into Bluetooth Settings and pair it up manually.
If things go sideways:
- Pairing Fails:
- Could be the MAC address doesn’t match up.
- Use a PC tool like Sixaxis Pair Tool to jibe your controller’s MAC with your Android’s Bluetooth MAC.
Let’s see how macOS handles things. While it doesn’t have full support for PS3 controllers, you can get them connected with a bit of finagling.
- Open up System Preferences and head to Bluetooth.
- Press the PS button and Share button at the same time until the lights flicker.
- Find “Wireless Controller” in your Bluetooth and choose it.
If it doesn’t recognize the buttons:
- Buttons Not Recognized:
- macOS might see it as a basic input device.
- Get yourself something like Enjoyable to map those buttons.
General Troubleshooting Tips:
- Battery Issues: Full charge lasts about 30 hours. Use a 5V/500mA charger for safety.
- Interference: Keep away from microwaves, Wi-Fi routers, and other Bluetooth gizmos.
- Firmware: Keep everything up-to-date, and it’ll save you a headache.
Wrap Up: The DualShock 3 is pretty versatile but can be tricky on some systems. If you want to move to something smoother, think about a DualShock 4 or DualSense. And if all else fails, a trusty USB cable will always get you back in the game.

So, you’re looking to connect your PS3 controller wirelessly, huh? No worries, it’s easier than you might think. Let’s dive right into it.
First things first—make sure your controller is charged. Just hook it up with a USB cable to your PS3 or any USB charger, and you’re good to go.
Next, grab that USB cable and connect the controller to your PS3. You’ll see the console light up; that’s your cue to hit the PS button on the controller. Presto—it’s syncing! Once you’re in sync, give that PS button another tap and ditch the cable. You should be rocking the wireless life now.
But what if things aren’t working out? Not so fast! Here’s the kicker—check if your PS3 has the latest firmware. Sometimes, you gotta reset the controller too. Find that tiny button at the back and give it a poke with a paperclip. Then, just try the whole syncing thing again.
How about connecting to a PC? Plug your Bluetooth in and get some software like MotioninJoy or SCP Toolkit. Follow the onscreen chatter to pair your PS3 controller via Bluetooth.
Trying to sync up with Android? No sweat. Go grab the Sixaxis Controller app from Google Play, follow the guidance on the app, and you’ll be tapping away on Bluetooth in no time.
Ultimately, keeping your gadgets updated and using trustworthy software makes life a lot easier. Follow these steps, and your PS3 controller should connect sans any fuss.