Is this PS3 already shot?

February 19, 2009 7:22 PM

Is there something wrong with this PS3 controller? Or possibly something wrong with the system?

Ok, so for my significant other's birthday, I bought him a used Playstation 3. I tried out everything in the store, and it all seemed to work (but then again, I know very little about gaming consoles).

When playing a game, the controller says that the battery is low and to plug it in, and then shortly after that, it says the USB Device is charged and to remove it. The only light that is lit is the #1 light, we have never seen any other lights lit up. This happens a couple of times per hour. The system is under warrenty, so is this a controller issue, or a system issue? Does anyone have any experience with this?

posted by TheArpenter to technology (7 comments total)

I have not had this problem.
At a guess, I'd say it is a problem with the controller. Mine need to be on charge for at least thirty minutes to reach recharged state. I'm not sure if the batteries in PS3 controllers have a "memory" or not, if they do, try using the controller till completely dead, then recharge. That is what I do anyway.
Good luck!
posted by Duke999R at 7:33 PM on February 19

When it's fully charged - do all the lights light up?
posted by TheArpenter at 7:39 PM on February 19

The PS3 controller uses Lithium-ion batteries, which means that you do not need to drain the battery completely before recharging it.

The numbered lights correspond to the number of the virtual "port" assigned to the controller. This helps you keep track of which controller is assigned to which player since the PS3 controllers connect wirelessly rather than plugging in physically as in earlier generations.

When you plug in the controller to the console, all four lights on the controller should flash to indicate charging.

Do you have the manual for the PS3? There should be some details about the controller in there.

Since you're under warranty, you should call up Sony and see if they have any clue what is going on. My guess is that the controller is not holding a charge any longer.
posted by roomwithaview at 7:58 PM on February 19

When it's fully charged - do all the lights light up?

No.


Also, you can check the battery charge level at any time by pressing the PS button on the controller. The indicator should then show up on your television.
posted by roomwithaview at 7:59 PM on February 19

My guess is that it's the controller as well... probably an issue with the battery (as roomwithaview said, it's probably not holding its charge anymore).

Can you borrow another controller from somewhere and see if it happens with that one as well?
posted by Effigy2000 at 9:24 PM on February 19

I'm with the others. I think this is a battery that's lost its zap.

It sounds like a perfect excuse to get a DualSock 3 to replace the SixAxis that probably came with a used system. The DS3 has rumble (which, as silly as it sounds, is a big factor in immersion, imo).
posted by Netzapper at 10:42 PM on February 19

Yeah check the battery charge level with the PS button to make sure it's charged all the way up. If the battery really is shot you can still use the controller while it's plugged in to the system, you just need a long USB cable. That's cheaper than a new controller at least.
posted by Who_Am_I at 6:27 AM on February 20