ps3 controller problem

donnajunkie

hi, last night i charged up my ps3 controller and after it had finished and was disconnected from the usb cable it did not work. if i press the ps button the 4 red lights flash for a couple of seconds and then go off altogether instead of it connecting to the ps3 and 1 red light staying on. everytime i press the ps button the same happens the 4 lights flash for a couple of seconds and then it goes off. if i reconnect the usb cable it works again.
i have only had the ps3 for 8 months. surely the controller should last longer than 8 months.
is it as i fear and the battery has gone? or is it a fault?
how long are controllers expected to last?
would i be able to take the controller back and get it replaced with it being less than 12 months?

ps i am not exactly a hardcore gamer. the console gets used on average 5 to 10 hours a week.

dehaani

Tried waiting 'til the controller powers down then switching the PS3 on using the controller? That's what I had to do a couple of times.

I can't remember if I had it connected with USB at the time, I probably did. YMMV.

donnajunkie

dehaani wrote: »

Tried waiting 'til the controller powers down then switching the PS3 on using the controller? That's what I had to do a couple of times.

I can't remember if I had it connected with USB at the time, I probably did. YMMV.

i have always waited until the power has been fully used to get the most life out of it before i recharge it. i always ignore the on screen warnings saying the power is low.
you say yours was connected via the usb when you did this? it is impossible to power down the controller while it is connected with the usb cable isnt it?

gaming_guy

there is a reset button on the controller on the right (when you have the label on the underside facing you).

you may need to resync the controller if you use the reset button

donnajunkie

gaming_guy wrote: »

there is a reset button on the controller on the right (when you have the label on the underside facing you).

you may need to resync the controller if you use the reset button

thanks i will try that later. i just need to find something small enough to fit in the hole. i must a pin or needle somewhere.

dehaani

donnajunkie wrote: »

it is impossible to power down the controller while it is connected with the usb cable isnt it?

My controller powered down, then I plugged it into the PS3 (whilst it was off). Press the PS button and it syncs? That's the way I remember it but like I say, I'm not 100%.

donnajunkie

dehaani wrote: »

My controller powered down, then I plugged it into the PS3 (whilst it was off). Press the PS button and it syncs? That's the way I remember it but like I say, I'm not 100%.

i see. i said that it works when it is connected to the usb. what happened is it fully charged. i then disconnected the cable and it went off. i then pressed the ps button and the 4 lights flashed and then went off. i then reconnected the cable and it worked and also started charging again. that is why it seems like the battery has gone. although the odd thing is when the power has gone nothing happens at all when you press the ps button but now when i press the ps button the lights flash but that is all it will do without the cable connected.
so while it seems like the battery has gone it is still possible that it is a fault as i am no expert.
assuming the battery has gone do i have any rights as i only bought the ps3 8 months ago. should a controller not last longer than 8 months? i dont want to have to spend £35 on a new controller every 8 months. i also dont really want to have to play with the cable connected all the time. even with the cable connected the battery may still go altogether eventually, am i right thinking that?

ps i tried the reset thing and it made no difference. it is connecting fine when the cable is in. i just get the flashing lights for 2 seconds and then nothing when the cable is not connected.

donnajunkie

update!
it has just been charging for about 10 minutes. when it stopped flashing and therefore was saying its fully charged i unplugged the cable and amazingly it stayed on.
now i am left wondering what the hell went wrong and why it is suddenly working properly again. of course i am also wondering how long it will keep working for as well now.

dehaani

Good stuff! I hope it keeps going for you, mine had that problem about 8 months ago and it's been fine since.

kaya

mine does it now and again, i turn the ps3 off manually with the on-off button, wait for the controller to turn itself off then turn the system on using the controller

rammy007

Try resetting the controller theres a reset button/hole on the controller found this out when my sons controller stopped working and i called sony