This article explains how to sync a PS3 controller. Instructions apply to official PS3 controllers from Sony. Support for third party controllers is mixed, especially controllers that require a separate dongle.

What to Know

  • To sync to PS3, turn on PS3 > connect USB to controller > connect other end to PS3 > press PS button > wait for lights to stop flashing.When a PS3 controller won’t sync, turn controller over > locate reset button access hole > insert paperclip into hole and hold for 2 seconds.You can also connect PS3 controller to Windows and macOS systems.

How to Sync a Controller to a Playstation 3 Console

To sync a PS3 controller with a PlayStation 3 console you will need a mini USB cable. Sony recommends using the cable provided with the system. If you have trouble syncing with a third-party cable, try using a different cable. Most third-party cables work well, but there are some that do not.

Here’s how to sync a PS3 controller to a PlayStation 3 console:

  • Turn on your PlayStation 3.
  • Connect a mini USB cable to your controller.
  • Connect the other end of the cable to your PS3.
  • Push the PlayStation button in the middle of the controller to turn it on.
  • Wait for the lights on the controller to stop flashing.
  • Once the lights have stopped flashing, unplug the mini USB cable from the controller. Your PS3 controller is now ready to use.
  • If the controller isn’t charged, leave it plugged in to finish charging.

What to Do When a PS3 Controller Won’t Sync

In some cases, you may try to sync your PS3 controller and find that it does not work. This can usually be fixed by resetting the controller and then attempting to sync it again. If it still does not sync after a reset, you may have a battery or hardware problem.

Turn on your PlayStation 3.

Connect a mini USB cable to your controller.

Connect the other end of the cable to your PS3.

Push the PlayStation button in the middle of the controller to turn it on.

Wait for the lights on the controller to stop flashing.

Once the lights have stopped flashing, unplug the mini USB cable from the controller. Your PS3 controller is now ready to use.

If the controller isn’t charged, leave it plugged in to finish charging.

Here’s how to reset a PS3 controller:

  • Turn the controller over, so the buttons and analog sticks are facing down.
  • Locate the reset button access hole.
  • Insert a paperclip, pin, or thin nail into the reset button access hole to push the reset button. Hold it down for at least two seconds.
  • When the reset button is depressed, you should feel a click. If you do not feel a click, you may have missed the button.
  • Remove the paperclip and attempt to sync the controller again.
  • If your controller still won’t sync or turn on, it may be defective or the battery may be dead.

How to Connect a PS3 Controller to Windows

While PS3 controllers were designed for use with PlayStation 3 consoles, you can also use them with Windows PCs. To connect a PS3 controller to a Windows computer, you need to install several software packages and drivers from Microsoft and use a free program called SCP ToolKit.

Turn the controller over, so the buttons and analog sticks are facing down.

Locate the reset button access hole.

Insert a paperclip, pin, or thin nail into the reset button access hole to push the reset button. Hold it down for at least two seconds.

When the reset button is depressed, you should feel a click. If you do not feel a click, you may have missed the button.

Remove the paperclip and attempt to sync the controller again.

If your controller still won’t sync or turn on, it may be defective or the battery may be dead.

The following frameworks, packages, and runtimes are required:

While SCP ToolKit is no longer in development, it works with Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Runtime
  • Microsoft DirectX Runtime
  • SCP ToolKit

If you have Windows 7, you also need to download and install the Xbox 360 controller driver.

You will also need a mini USB controller to connect the controller to your computer.

  • If your PlayStation 3 is located anywhere near your computer, unplug it so your controller doesn’t accidentally connect to it.
  • Reset your PS3 controller by inserting a paperclip into the reset button hole located on the back of the controller.
  • Press the PlayStation button on your controller to turn it on.
  • Using a mini USB cable, connect the controller to your computer.
  • Download and install the Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5, Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package, Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Runtime, Microsoft DirectX Runtime, and the Xbox 360 controller driver if you have Windows 7.
  • Download and install the SCP Toolkit.
  • Launch the SCP Toolkit Driver installer program.
  • Select Next.
  • Wait for your controller to show up, select Initialize all connected devices, then select Next.
  • Select initialize all connected devices, then select Next.
  • Select Install virtual Xbox 360 controller driver, then select Next.
  • Select Install Windows Service, then select Next.
  • Select Finish. Once the installation procedure is complete, your PS3 controller will be ready to use with your Windows computer.
  • PS3 controllers are old, and the SCP Toolkit program is no longer in active development. If it does not work with your particular configuration, there may be a compatibility issue that is unlikely to be fixed due to the age of the hardware.

How to Connect a PS3 Controller to a Mac

You can also use a PS3 controller with your Mac. You must be running macOS Snow Leopard or later and have Bluetooth enabled. You do not need any additional software or drivers, but you do need a mini USB cable to connect your PS3 controller to your Mac.

Using the SCP ToolKit to connect a PS3 controller to a Windows computer takes over the Bluetooth connection. You will be unable to connect any other Bluetooth devices. If you use other Bluetooth devices, you should consider buying a separate Bluetooth dongle for your PS3 controller to use.

If your PlayStation 3 is located anywhere near your computer, unplug it so your controller doesn’t accidentally connect to it.

Reset your PS3 controller by inserting a paperclip into the reset button hole located on the back of the controller.

Press the PlayStation button on your controller to turn it on.

Using a mini USB cable, connect the controller to your computer.

Download and install the Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5, Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package, Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Runtime, Microsoft DirectX Runtime, and the Xbox 360 controller driver if you have Windows 7.

Download and install the SCP Toolkit.

Launch the SCP Toolkit Driver installer program.

Select Next.

Wait for your controller to show up, select Initialize all connected devices, then select Next.

Select initialize all connected devices, then select Next.

Select Install virtual Xbox 360 controller driver, then select Next.

Select Install Windows Service, then select Next.

Select Finish. Once the installation procedure is complete, your PS3 controller will be ready to use with your Windows computer.

PS3 controllers are old, and the SCP Toolkit program is no longer in active development. If it does not work with your particular configuration, there may be a compatibility issue that is unlikely to be fixed due to the age of the hardware.

Here’s how to connect a PS3 controller to a Mac:

  • If your PlayStation 3 is located anywhere near your Mac, unplug it to prevent your controller from accidentally connecting to it.
  • Reset your PS3 controller by inserting a paperclip into the reset button hole located on the back of the controller.
  • Make sure that your Mac has Bluetooth turned on. If you are not sure how to do this, consult our guide to using and fixing Bluetooth on a Mac.
  • Connect your PS3 controller to your Mac with a mini USB cable.
  • If your controller isn’t charged, leave it plugged in for a while to charge before you proceed.
  • Press the PlayStation button on the controller to turn it on.
  • Unplug the controller.
  • Look for your PS3 controller in the list of Bluetooth devices on your Mac.
  • When prompted, enter the code 0000 and select Pair or Accept. Your PS3 controller is now connected and ready to use.

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If your PlayStation 3 is located anywhere near your Mac, unplug it to prevent your controller from accidentally connecting to it.

Make sure that your Mac has Bluetooth turned on. If you are not sure how to do this, consult our guide to using and fixing Bluetooth on a Mac.

Connect your PS3 controller to your Mac with a mini USB cable.

If your controller isn’t charged, leave it plugged in for a while to charge before you proceed.

Press the PlayStation button on the controller to turn it on.

Unplug the controller.

Look for your PS3 controller in the list of Bluetooth devices on your Mac.

When prompted, enter the code 0000 and select Pair or Accept. Your PS3 controller is now connected and ready to use.

  • How do I connect a PS3 controller to my Android?
  • To connect a PS3 controller to your Android, connect an OTG cable to your Android, then connect the controller’s USB charging cable to the other end of the OTG cable. If you rooted your Android device, install the Sixaxis controller app to use your PS3 controller wirelessly via Bluetooth.
  • Why won’t my PS3 controller connect?
  • If your PS3 controller won’t connect, it could be due to a syncing error, problems with the controller’s battery, or issues with the controller’s internal hardware.
  • How do I connect a PS3 controller to my PS4?
  • To connect a PS3 controller to a PS4, you need a special controller converter for using a PS3 controller with the PS4 such as the Cronusmax Plus.
  • How do I change the parental controls on my PS3?
  • Go to Settings > Security Settings > Parental Controls. To change your parental controls password, go Settings > Security Settings > Change Password.

To connect a PS3 controller to your Android, connect an OTG cable to your Android, then connect the controller’s USB charging cable to the other end of the OTG cable. If you rooted your Android device, install the Sixaxis controller app to use your PS3 controller wirelessly via Bluetooth.

If your PS3 controller won’t connect, it could be due to a syncing error, problems with the controller’s battery, or issues with the controller’s internal hardware.

To connect a PS3 controller to a PS4, you need a special controller converter for using a PS3 controller with the PS4 such as the Cronusmax Plus.

Go to Settings > Security Settings > Parental Controls. To change your parental controls password, go Settings > Security Settings > Change Password.

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