Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

This wikiHow teaches you how to charge your PlayStation 3 controller using the charging cable that came with the console.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Charge your PS3 gaming console

1. 

   Press the power switch of PlayStation 3. This button is on the right side of the front of the PS3, however, some older PS3 models have the power switch located on the back of the console. When you press this button, the PS3 will pop up.

2. 

   
   
   Find the gaming controller's charging cable. PS3 usually comes with a USB cable to charge the controller, this cable has one large end plugs into the USB port, the other end plugs into the PS3 controller.
   • If you don't have a PS3 charging cable, you can buy it new on Amazon.
   • Make sure you use the original Sony charging cable and not a third party, as cables from other manufacturers provide unstable performance.

3. 

   
   
   Plug the USB end of the charging cable into your PS3. The USB end will plug into one of the narrow rectangular ports on the front of your PS3.
   • If the USB connector does not fit the port of the PS3, turn the connector 180 degrees and try again.
   • The piece of plastic inside the USB cable should be under the upper plastic piece inside the PS3 slot of your PS3.

4. 

   
   
   Plug the flat end of the charging cable into your PS3 console. There will be a small slot in front of the PS3 controller; This is the port for plugging in the cable.

5. 

   Press the circular power button with the PlayStation logo above. A red light will appear at the top edge of the console.

6. 

   Wait for the lights on the gaming controller to start flashing. When the light blinks, the PlayStation 3 controller is charging.
   • You need to charge the gaming console for at least 1 hour before disconnecting from the charging cable.
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Part 2 of 2: Troubleshooting PS3 controllers

1. 

   Reset PS3 controller. To do this, you need to insert the pin or paper clip straight into the small hole on the underside of the gaming handle, just below the button. L2.

2. 

   Connect the gaming console to the USB port on the PS3. If the controller is not charging, we will identify the problem with the USB port.

3. 

   Connect the gaming console to your computer's USB port and turn it on. Although the PS3 controller cannot be charged on the computer, the controller will still light up if you press the power button while the device is connected to the computer. If the controller does not light up then the problem is with the cable.

4. 

   Use a different charging cable. In some cases, the problem may be caused by a damaged or faulty USB cord.
   • Third-party USB cables usually don't work with PlayStation technology, so if you buy a new cable you need to buy the correct Sony cable.
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Advice

• You can play games while charging the PS3 controller, but the controller needs to be connected to the console via a USB cable to maintain the charging process until the battery is fully charged.
• To check the PS3 controller's current battery level, hold down the PlayStation logo button on the console for at least two seconds. The current battery level is displayed quickly on the TV or computer screen.

Warning

• The PS3 controller will only charge if the PS3 is connected to a power source. If the controller is connected to the PS3 but the game console itself has no power source, the controller will not be charged.