How Do You Connect a PS3 Controller to the PS3?
How Do You Connect a PS3 Controller to the PS3?
3 Answers
Hey, so you\’re looking to get your PS3 controller synced up with your console? No sweat, I\’ve got you covered with a few easy methods to get things rocking:
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The Basics: How to Get Things Going
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Plug it In:
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Just grab the USB cable that came with your controller and plug it into one of the PS3\’s USB ports. Hit that PS button on the controller, and you\’ll see those little lights settle down—voila, you\’re connected! This is the way to go if you\’re setting up for the first time or if it\’s been gathering dust for ages.
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Go Wireless:
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Ready to cut the cord? Head to \”Settings\” > \”Accessory Settings\” > \”Manage Bluetooth Devices\” on your PS3. Press the PS button and Select (or Share) button on your controller at the same time until it starts flashing like crazy. Choose \”Register New Device\” on your PS3 and follow the onscreen hints to finish the job. Remember to stay within about 5 meters; walls and other gadgets can mess with the signal.
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When Things Get Tricky
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If It\’s Not Waking Up:
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Maybe the battery\’s flat. Plug it in for around 10 minutes and try again. Or, poke a pin into that little reset hole on the back to give it a reboot—it’s like its own tiny power nap.
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Bluetooth Headaches:
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Signals can get crossed if you’ve got other electronics nearby. Shut things down and restart them both. Still no luck? Your PS3 might need a system update.
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If It\’s Acting Odd:
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Lag or weird button issues? Head to \”Accessory Settings\” > \”Calibrate Controllers\” to sort it out. If buttons are all mixed up, you might need to hit the reset button on the settings to get back to square one.
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Special Situations
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Got More Than One Controller?
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Just pair them one at a time, and your PS3 will light up different LEDs for each player—like Player 1 gets LED 1, easy peasy.
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Using an Off-brand Controller?
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They might need special drivers or gadgets to work right. It’s a bit of a mixed bag.
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Repaired Your Console?
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If you’ve had to swap out parts, you’ll want to go into \”Manage Bluetooth Devices,\” delete all previous pairings, and start fresh.
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Some Backstory
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The PS3 talks to its controllers using Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, which lets you hook up to 7 devices, although 4 or 5 controllers are more realistic. Plugging in with a cable skips Bluetooth, which can be faster. The first controller you connect always takes priority as “Player 1”—some games are picky about which one they use.
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Wrapping It Up
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Start with a wired setup, then go wireless once you’ve got the hang of it. If things go south, check your firmware, do some resets, or make sure nothing is jumping on the same signal. There you have it—easy peasy!
Pairing Your PS3 Controller with the Console
Got a PS3 controller and can\’t wait to pair it up? Here\’s how you do it:
- First things first, power up your PS3. Make sure it’s switched on fully, not just in standby mode.
- Grab a mini USB cable and hook your controller up to the PS3. If you’ve still got the original cable, great! But don’t worry, most others will do the trick too.
- Now, hit that PS button right in the center of the controller. You should see those little lights start flashing, like they\’re doing a dance, as they try to sync with the console.
- When the light show stops and just one light stays on, you’re good to go. It’s a sign your controller is now totally in sync and ready to rock wirelessly.
- Unplug that USB cable, and voila, your PS3 controller is connected wirelessly to the console.
Running into some hiccups with syncing? No worries:
- Flip your controller over and find that tiny reset button (it usually hides near the L2 button). A paper clip comes in handy here. Hold it down for a couple of seconds until you feel the click.
- Once that’s done, try syncing again. Hook the cable back up, press the PS button, and see if that does the trick. Usually, this little reset solves any temporary issues.
And there you have it! That should get your PS3 controller working like a charm with your console.
Want to connect your PS3 controller to the console? Here’s how to do it without breaking a sweat:
- First things first: Get Your Gear Ready
- Grab a USB cable that fits; most USB 2.0 A to Mini-B cables should do the trick.
- Fire Up the Console
- Turn on your PS3. Make sure it’s fully booted up and good to go.
- Hook Up the Controller
- Plug one end of your USB cable into a USB port on the PS3.
- The other end goes into the top of the controller.
- Time to Sync!
- Hit that PS button in the middle. The controller lights should start flashing, trying to sync up with the console.
- If the lights settle down, and one stays on, you’re all set with the controller number.
- Go Wireless
- Once it’s synced, yank the USB cable out. Now you can use the controller wirelessly as long as you’re within range.
Running into trouble?
- If syncing isn’t going smoothly, double-check that your USB cable isn’t on the fritz and is connected properly.
- Try giving the controller a reset. Poke a pin into that tiny reset hole on the back and go through the syncing steps again.
These steps should match up with how Sony says to do it. Make sure your PS3 is running the latest software, and you should be golden.