Buzz
This guide from Mytour will walk you through the steps to charge your PlayStation 3 controller using the provided charging cable.
Steps
Charging the PS3 Game Controller
Press the power button on the PlayStation 3. This button is located on the right side of the front panel of the PS3 console. However, some older PS3 models may have the power button located at the back of the console. Pressing this button will turn on your PS3.
Locate the charging cable for the game controller. The PS3 typically comes with a USB cable for charging the controller. One end of the cable connects to the USB port, and the other end connects to the PS3 controller.
- If you don't have the PS3 charging cable, you can purchase a new one on Amazon.
- Make sure you use the original Sony charging cable, not a third-party one, as third-party cables may cause unreliable performance.
- If the USB end doesn't fit, try flipping it 180 degrees and plugging it back in.
- The plastic piece inside the USB cable should align beneath the plastic part inside the PS3's USB port.
Insert the flat end of the charging cable into the PS3 controller. You'll find a small slot on the front of the controller; this is where the cable connects.
Press the round power button with the PlayStation logo on it. A red light will appear on the top edge of the front of the controller.
Wait for the light on the controller to start blinking. The blinking light indicates that the PlayStation 3 controller is charging.
- You should charge the controller for at least 1 hour before disconnecting it from the charging cable.
Troubleshooting PS3 Controller
Reset the PS3 controller. To do this, you’ll need a paperclip or pin to press the small hole on the bottom of the controller, just below the L2 button.
Connect the controller to a USB port on the PS3. If the controller isn't charging, it may indicate an issue with the USB port itself.
Connect the controller to your computer’s USB port and power it on. While you cannot charge the PS3 controller on a computer, the controller will still light up when you press the power button while it’s connected. If the controller doesn’t light up, the issue may be with the cable.
Try using a different charging cable. Sometimes, the issue could be a faulty or damaged USB cable.
- Third-party USB cables often don't work well with PlayStation devices, so be sure to use a genuine Sony cable if you purchase a replacement.
Tips
- You can play games while charging your PS3 controller, but it needs to be connected to the console via the USB cable to continue charging until the battery is full.
- To check the current battery level of your PS3 controller, press and hold the PlayStation logo button on the controller for at least two seconds. The battery status will briefly appear on your TV or computer screen.
Warnings
- The PS3 controller will only charge if the PS3 is connected to a power source. If the controller is plugged into the PS3 but the console itself is not powered on, the controller will not charge.
