iFixit - Answers With Device "DualShock 3"

DualShock 3: What's wrong with player indicators LED on the ps3 controller?

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 18:14:13 -0700

Hi, so I have a ps3 controller that doesn't indicate what player you are the red LED doesn't light up on the controller

⟐ Commented January 17, 2026 at 18:14 MST

DualShock 3: Why doesn't my ps3 controller connect

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:32:32 -0700

My PS3 controller doesn't connect whether I plug it into the console or not if I charge it you just keeps blinking if I unplug it just turns off

⟐ Answered December 17, 2025 at 14:32 MST

DualShock 3: Dualshock 3 won’t connect with working USB

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 17:05:18 -0700

I have a recently purchased Dualshock 3 controller. When pressing the middle PS button, it shows the 4 flashing lights to initiate pairing. Yet, even after connecting it to my PS3 with a proper USB cord. It will not pair. I have a different working dualshock 3 controller to confirm that wireless connection works on my PS3, and that the USB cord is able to transmit data to pair the controller.

So far I have tried: pressing the reset button on the back side with a paper clip, disassembling the controller and removing the battery then replacing it to reset it. The controller continues to power on but not pair.

⟐ Answer accepted November 11, 2025 at 17:05 MST

DualShock 3: PS3 Six-axis controller doesn't motion control. Won't calibrate.

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 07:52:21 -0700

I have 3 of these controllers along with the 2 six-axis only that shipped with the system when purchased new but none of them will detect the six axis motion. They have been sitting unused for several years and I have new batteries on order for them. The buttons do work but I can't get any of them to respond to motion or calibrate the motion control.

⟐ Commented August 15, 2025 at 7:52 MST

DualShock 3: Why does my controller press the home button continuously

Sat, 09 Aug 2025 09:53:28 -0700

I was using the controller for past 2-3 years and it started pressing the home button continuously with out me pressing.It always take me to the main menu ( like the black screen with the options like 'turn of PS3' and many).I would get irritated a lot .It would not let me to play a game . please I need a solution for this

⟐ Answered August 09, 2025 at 9:53 MST

DualShock 3: Why are the R1 and R2 buttons not responding?

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 02:20:39 -0700

I bought a few brand new PS3 controllers from Amazon. Two came in a pack and one works fine. The other one works fine except for the R1 and R2 buttons. The buttons aren't broken, and when I took it apart, I tried using the sensors to push the buttons and it didn't work. I did the same for the L triggers and it did work, so I know it's supposed to work. All the connections and ribbons look fine, and it's brand new, so it's clean inside. The sensor pads and everything look fine, too. I don't know what else to do. Any advice?

⟐ Commented July 08, 2025 at 2:20 MST

DualShock 3: Why doesn't my PS3 controller work?

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 21:01:01 -0700

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?

⟐ Commented June 14, 2025 at 21:01 MST

DualShock 3: Why is 4 red lights blinking?

Tue, 13 May 2025 12:48:14 -0700

I recently took apart my DS3 and put it back together, ever since then I have received 4 flashing red lights everytime i plug it in. It does not give off any lights when unplugged

Edit: I have used the reset button and switched batteries.

⟐ Commented May 13, 2025 at 12:48 MST

DualShock 3: Need Help Diagnosing PS3 Controller Ghost Inputs (MCU V3.5x 1.12)

Sun, 04 May 2025 15:52:27 -0700

Hello, I’m struggling with ghost inputs on a DualShock 3 (MCU V3.5x 1.12) with a Toshiba T6UN6EFG-002 Japan 0833EGIF0461ZAO. I’ve tried cleaning and reassembling, but the issue persists. Any advice would be appreciated!

Problem:

Ghost Inputs: Pressing one button triggers multiple inputs (e.g., Square causes random b, w, [, ], a, 1 combinations.). [ for context: the reWASD mapping is in the photos link ]
Pattern: After connecting via USB, the controller outputs [[[]]]]] after ~15 seconds.
Multimeter Fix: Dragging the red(signal) probe across all pins temporarily stops the issue.

What I’ve Tried:

Disassembled, cleaned PCB
Tested button continuity with a multimeter (Square=TP30, X=TP31, TPs to Toshiba pins, connectors up to the white boarder).
Confirmed the issue occurs wirelessly and via USB

Limitations:

No soldering tools yet.
Can’t identify shorts or damaged resistors.

I removed everything and left the PCB only to be sure that the problem isn't from anywhere else. I bridged the pins with the help of wires, paper clip and other metal conductive object.

Any tips what to look for? What else can i try? Any ideas where the problem could be?

Link to photos: https://mega.nz/folder/oigjFaiI#7NXMg2_7...

⟐ Commented May 04, 2025 at 15:52 MST

DualShock 3: X O Triangle and Square buttons not working‏

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 05:37:27 -0700

Hello all,

I am having trouble with my PS3 controller, all X O Triangle and Square buttons are not working. I have taken the unit apart, placed tape between the ribbon as advised elsewhere, but still these buttons simply don't work. The select PS and start buttons are fine however along with the D pad.

Could anyone please advise on how this issue can be fixed?

Regards,

Oliver

⟐ Answered February 20, 2025 at 5:37 MST

DualShock 3: Trigger assembly issue . Not fixing

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 14:23:27 -0700

Ribbon between rubber strip and plastic tool got removed mistakenly while opening controller

⟐ Commented January 08, 2025 at 14:23 MST

DualShock 3: PS3 controller charging problems

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 23:43:33 -0700

When I connect my PS3 controller to the charger it doesn't start charging right off. I have to plug and unplug it so many times. I thought the cable might have a short but there is no pattern to when it starts charging. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if you have to do it a certain way. Can someone help?

⟐ Answered November 20, 2024 at 23:43 MST

DualShock 3: Why won't my Ps3 controller turn on?

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 16:47:40 -0700

My ps3 controller battery went dead then my charger broke and then my controller dropped then i got a new charger and now the controller wont turn on How can i fix this ?

⟐ Answered August 21, 2024 at 16:47 MST

DualShock 3: Why won’t my ps3 controller turn on?

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 00:30:00 -0700

I recently bought a used ps3 controller unopened but definitely dropped before. It was missing a trigger. I assume some kid pulled it out. Anyways I tried to turn it on and it didn’t turn on. I even swapped the batteries. With a charged battery. Nothing happened. I opened the board and removed everything’s cleaned the board with 99% ipa. Put it back together. Plugged it in and still nothing. I thought maybe it was the charging port. So I removed the port and replaced them. No idea why it still won’t turn on. Any ideas? Is there a dead chip?

⟐ Answered June 21, 2024 at 0:30 MST

DualShock 3: My PS3 controller will not turn on at all?

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 08:51:15 -0700

My PS3 controller wont turn on - no red flashing lights - no response to being charged or reset. Also, when the controller used to work, I accidentally hit it - not hard - against my fan and then it sounded like something was broken inside of it.

⟐ Answered June 08, 2024 at 8:51 MST

DualShock 3: My controller won't connect to the play station

Wed, 29 May 2024 03:10:20 -0700

It's been working properly for short amount of time and then it stopped working and won't work without being connected directly with a cable.

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you.

⟐ Commented May 29, 2024 at 3:10 MST

DualShock 3: Why does my controller randomly turn off or disconnect itself

Mon, 27 May 2024 06:05:33 -0700

Whenever I'm playing a game the controller just goes off yet it still has full battery power

⟐ Answered May 27, 2024 at 6:05 MST

DualShock 3: I can fix my PS3 controller without opening it? Random Pressing Button

Sat, 13 Jan 2024 12:32:45 -0700

My controller is pressing buttons randomly for itself, like a problem that has been posted before:

Why does my controller randomly presses buttons?

I've already opened the controller, and I haven't seen anything weird or abnormal in it. And in that previous post, the guy doesn't say what worked for him. Is there a way to fix this problem that has been proven to work? Or, do I just need to buy a new one?

⟐ Commented January 13, 2024 at 12:32 MST

DualShock 3: Poured 91 percent alcohol into my PS3joysticks now only 4 buttons work

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 05:13:02 -0700

Poured alcohol into the joystick modules hoping to clear out any grime (didn't have a screwdriver on hand). Now none of the face buttons, or the right side trigger and shoulder buttons work). The start, select, and left joystick, and dpad all work. Anyway to fix this? Going to lowes to get a screwdriver soon.

⟐ Answered January 02, 2024 at 5:13 MST

DualShock 3: Dualshock 3 flashing lights but won't stay on! Can you please help?

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 05:33:37 -0700

So, I don't have my PS3 around, so I thought I could make my Dualshock3 my new PC controller, to play games like FIFA and so on. Today I tried to turn the controller on, and nothing... I pressed the reset button and then I pressed the Playstation button ( you know that little Sony button nearby the analogs) and th lights flashed for like half a second but it wont stay on. I wanted to know if I have to open it up or is there a easier way to fix this? (Remember its only connected to my PC not to the PS3, so I can't charge it on the Playstation)

⟐ Answered November 01, 2023 at 5:33 MST