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Repair and support for the controllers that shipped with the PS3. Released in November 2007 (Japan only) and 2008 (other countries), the six-axis lithium battery powered controller (CECHZC2) is straightforward to repair.

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Why doesn't my PS3 controller work?

My PS3 controller recently stopped working after a friend borrowed it. It worked fine prior to his use, but now it seems like it has no power—and when I plug it in, it doesn't connect for charging. I can't use it and am wondering if it could be the lithium battery or if there is a soldered connection that came undone from the USB port. Can this be repaired or is this $50.00 controller that is less than a year old garbage?

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So I played tonight then I was putting a movie in it just turn off I put the charger in it didn't do anything.

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I have no problem with it until I get 5 to 10 minutes into the game and then it pauses itself and a dialogue box pops up stating that the controller is disconnected even though my controller is wireless. I've tried connecting the controller directly but that doesn't work. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks

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I get 5 to 10 minutes into playing, all of a sudden the game pause itself and a dialogue box pops up stating that the controller is disconnected even though it's a wireless controller. I've tried connecting the controller but the game is still unresponsive. Any suggestions? Thanks

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I got ps3 from a guy and its from 2008 I connected the controller put COD advanced warfare and when I tried to play it said that I had to update the system in which I did when it completed my controller stopped working and it tells me to use PS button but it doesn't work

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Ijust bought a ps3 controller from a guy on facebook and he said it worked and it worked for like 2 days then stopped workin and when i put it on the charger it wont charge its a dualshock 3

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21 Answers

Chosen Solution

Did you try resetting the controller? There is a pinhole in the back of the controller. Take a paperclip and press the button with it.

This should fix it.

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25 Comments:

A reset button button being pushed does not invalidate the warranty. This would do a force over write of ROM, device memory where required, check battery, and clock and run a series of tests. Resets, is the very first thing used by any Electronic organization to fix anything.

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yes......this work, thank you taught i had to buy another controller. thank you!!! even tho it's an old post.

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Any ideas why a ps3 pad would die & not be recognised after reset was pushed ??

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@njfrancis

m8, if the reset does not work you are most likely with a dead battery on your hands. The batteries of this controller are replaceble and its a fairly easy fix. If you own another controller, try switch the batteries. If you dont, try to borrow a controller from a friend and do it, you won´t break anything. Moreover, if the trouble persists after the try with a known good battery, obviously the problem is elsewhere in the device and its most likely not worth the time and money.

PS: upvote if useful

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I have the same problem. I changed the battery, replaced it with a new one, nothing. I opened my second controller, put the new battery in, it works. Put the battery from second controller in the damaged one, nothing. But connected directly to a power source is working just fine.

Any ideas?

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I have put together an article on every solution I could find on how to fix the charging problem: PS3 Controller not Charging Fix

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Solved ! Get the same usb type cable with data support.. like printer cable so that your ps3 controller can be detected by laptop/PC . You will see the controller lights blinking the moment you insert in the PC (install the drivers first or win 8 which has pre-installed drivers for ps3 controller). Insert and remove couple of times the USB cable until your ps3 controller is able to start up (don't start playing immidealy let it charge first) ..then charge normally . I once tried this with dead iPod it worked and it worked with my PS3 controller too.

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8 Comments:

Does it matter that I have a dual shock 3 controller and trying to connect to an older model counsel, its a 55gd ps3

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thank younso much!!! it worked :d

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whn the controller is not used for a long time thy 4get so to remind thm plug thm to a Pc, thy immediately light up.thnx @ Chris,I almost thrown thm out of the window.

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Thanks!!! Works for me finally

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I tried for 2 weeks trying every video on youtube and this worked I used the usb cord from my camera it had the little round cylinder on the cord

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I wouldn't fix it if it was under warranty. Before you repair it since these have back triggers that are hard to remove cleanly, see if you can pass it off as a warranty claim - providing there is no damning physical damage.

By law they need to prove it is your fault, so if they readily can’t it’s (generally) going to be done under warranty anyway. HOWEVER, you can’t cry if you get caught because you took the risk.

2015 note: If you're going to try this, it’s on you if you get caught.

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I know! I should go to Gamestop, to get it fixed. They will send it back in a few days.

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@ezzygreen, do you mind to explain your downvote on this answer? Downvotes are reserved for wrong or misleading answers. None of this applies to this answer and it is a very valid answer.

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Hi: reflow my ps3 fat and it worked, but my controller do not ,I tried 4 different one , and rest button several times , i was wondering if a cable became disconnected during reassembly, and what cable? Thanks Woody

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PS3 screen connect the controller using USB cable, and then press the PS button.

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reset the controller itll ork fine its cos youre friend used it so its trying to connect to that. not sure why charging it ont work but reseting it is fine

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I want to share what worked for me,

I plugged the usb onto the ps3 while off, turned it on, plugged the ps3 controller into cord held down ps button and held down on off button till turned off. Then as im still holding ps button turn it back on. Its working for me again.

Side note: just skip the curroption thingy it restarts the controller before its charged enough

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I have several possible solutions that I have learned;

Maybe open the controller up, disconnect the battery, then put it back in, or see if there is any liquid in the controller.

The most obvious way is to get a paper clip, then press the reset button with it.

Turn on the PS3, connect the controller to the PS3, hold the PS button on the controller, then restart your PS3. Release the PS button when the PS3 is fully turned on.

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2 Comments:

What do you mean by "restart"

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Turn off and turn on.

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I had the same problem. Tried reset button, nothing. I had a spare battery around from an older controller and replaced it. It worked. I thought I'd retry the original battery again and it worked too. I think maybe my kids dropping it might have dislodged the battery connector at one point.

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We all have the same PS control but my in charge start I'll

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The remote dropped off a night stand last night. Same problems as above (ie no lights at all). Changing cords and resetting were ineffective. Had to disconnect and reconnect the battery and it got everything going again.

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all i did was took apart the casing, unplugged the battery from inside, and plugged it back in, but mine wasnt under warranty, and it worked straight away

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I have searched the internet for days and tried everything from reset button to updates, charged it overnight and even got a new USB cable! My dual shock 3 wouldn't connect, just flashed the 4 red lights. Then I tried exactly as you did, popped the controller open, unplugged & plugged the battery back in and it started working immediately! Thank you!

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dat didn't work

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try using the usb charging cable for the controller and connecting it to a computer or so. it worked for me while all the other methods refused

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The Dualshock 3 (PlayStation 3) controllers from Sony don’t usually last long. They are made cheaply and wares out real easily. The 3rd party controllers honestly works more better than Sony’s controller does.

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what 3rd party controllers?

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Try pressing the tiny reset button on the back, and then try to charge it.

My brand new controller was completely dead. I had it in the charger for hours, then took it out and tried turning it on. Still no life signs.

Then I pushed the reset button on the back with a paperclip, and pushed all the buttons again. Still no luck.

Then I plugged it back in again, and finally the LEDs started flashing.

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Hi I faced similar problem once after not using my controler for long time the battery drained and it failed even to charge again, as controller becomes dead even fails to start. Thus, it will not be detected. So simple solution ... which works . Plug it to your PC install drivers for ps3 controller first. Plug it out after 5-10 secs and again plug it in and repeat this until you see controller's light blinking, it will give a small charge just to turn on the controller and it will be able to get detected by PC and will charge successfully . Certainly the battery has drained and should can be replaced. By charging and regualar use batteries can go still 2-3 years easy. Leave a comment if it worked for you . Thanks .....

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What is drivers for the ps3

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Files needed by the PC for your PS3 controller, usually is included in new system.

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I got a ps3 from my brother I reset it like to erase everything. Well I have this dual shock controller he gave me. It's the controller CECHZC2U well now even when I have everything connected and it's fully charged it won't connect to the PlayStation both controllers are like that. HELP PLEASE!!!

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open up the controller and there would be 4 to 6 screws and once it's open disconnect the battery and reconnect the battery

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My controller can connect to the ps3 wirelessly but daring a game where I have to turn the controller in a circle it doesn't do it. What do I do?

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Every time I turn on my controller, all 4 lights flash, then lights 3 & 4 go solid. I cannnot Control anything with the controller. I have tried all of the above reset options including removing the battery. But it still starts up with lights 3 & 4 showing solid.

Any ideas?

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That happened to me recently. Never saw this lights 3 & 4 solid until now. I cannot turn on the controller with PS3 button...nothing. It'll charge for a few seconds (all 4 flashing), then goes 3 & 4 solid...what the???!?

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I couldn't find any information on what this means either, but resetting the controller (pin through the hole in the back) does seem to fix this.

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Hey this happens quiet a lot to me too,

Sometimes, i have to insert a pin into the reset button while i plug it in to charge, whereas other times - just try hitting it on a table or something. I tried most of the solutions here abt finding a battery n other stuff but the easiest way i think is to just hit it.

Hope i can be of help !!

-- Zara

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Pls I need help if I insert my controller USB port in the lap top it will sound but if I want to play grand theft it doesn't support

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My controller glitches out after a short time of usage, resetting doesn’t solve the problem I have opened up the controller than placed scotch tape under neath the sensor that connects directly to USB port. This measure only works for a short time than the controller glitches out again

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So my PS3 conntroller that I meant to keep from my friend because he has stopped playing on his own PS3. The PS3 controller doesnt work: The light is not blinking or any response, I connected to my PC and didn't see any controller popping up. My own PS3 controller that I bought works but I need another one incase my cousin comes to play. I have 2 controllers. Pls help?

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