Bluetooth controllers do not reconnect after disconnected

[mihaimdinca]

Batocera build version

40 2024/07/31 14:27

Your architecture

X86_X64

Your Graphic Processor Unit(s) (GPU)

AMD Vega 11

Issue description

I installed Batocera 40 stable (also tried all 41 butterfly so far, currently on 09 dec version) on my HP elitedesk 705 g4. Tried using an pcie Intel ax wifi + bt adapter and also an usb tp-link bt400 adapter both having the same behavior: I am able to pair a Bluetooth controller but after the controller is disconnected (pc is rebooted or controller goes to sleep or is powered down) it does not automatically reconnect on power on. I have tried using 2 types of controllers: a (what I believe is an original) PS3 Dualshock 3 controller and a Dualshock 4. Pairing is a bit different but both pair and work until they are disconnected. I also tried them on a separate installation on a raspberry pi 5 and the ps3 controller reconnects every time. The ps4 does not. Any suggestions?

Detailed reproduction steps

Batocera is installed on the internal ssd

Details of any attempts to fix this yourself

No response

Details of any modifications you have made to Batocera.

Batocera has not been modified

Logs and data

No response

[DubaiShark]

Generate and post a support file
https://wiki.batocera.org/troubleshooting?s[]=support&s[]=file#create_a_batocera_support_file

[mihaimdinca]

I was able to generate the file (.tar, 52 MB), I am unable to post is due to its size and format, or am I missing something?

[mihaimdinca]

batocera-support-20250102212638.tar(1).gz
I removed the sway.log file from the archive (it had an uncompressed size of about 1 Gb)

[mihaimdinca]

The problem extends to other devices as well eg. Bluetooth Keyboard. Long story short - I cannot connect to any device automatically or manually unless I redo the pairing procedure every time.

[anthony0030]

This problem was fixed for me in V41. I have this problem with the tp-link bt400 but not the tp-link bt500

[mihaimdinca]

Thank you! It's good to know.

[mihaimdinca]

Question: are you referring to tp link ub500?

[anthony0030]

Sorry for the confusion, the two adapters that I was referring to are:

1. TP-LINK UB500 v1 USB Bluetooth 5.0 Adapter

2. TP-LINK UB400 v1 USB Bluetooth 4.0 Adapter

Thanks for the understanding (Dyslexia ).

[mihaimdinca]

No problem. I thought this was the case. Unfortunately for me, UB500 seems to behave the same as UB400. Dualshock 3 does not reconnect to the dongle after pairing and disconnecting. That does not happen on the raspberry pi 5 with built-in Bluetooth.

[anthony0030]

I needed to change the DS3 BT driver to bluez.

Are the DS3 official or copy?

Try resetting the controller with the hole on the bottom.

[mihaimdinca]

I honestly do not know if it is original or not. I believe it is as on RetroPie it works without the need for gasia or shanwan drivers. In the past I did buy some clones and I could tell the difference (first of all if I long press the ps button the pad does go into pairing mode and it gets discovered, unlike the clone). I was unsuccessful with the bluez on rpi, it would only work with official or shanwan. I will give it a try though. Currently I am on Batocera 42 butterfly

[anthony0030]

The first step on pairing DS3 is not pressing the round center button but to plug it in with a usb data cable to the computer.

[anthony0030]

You can also pair manually via the terminal. I did this for debugging to get everything perfect.

I suggested SSH

[mihaimdinca]

I read that on the wiki. My process that gets it working at least until It gets disconnected is the following:
Dualshock 3 is off
I long press the PS button until the 4 leds flash rapidly
I start bt scanning in batocera
When it finds PlayStation (R)3 controller It will say pairing to PlayStation (R)3 controller
I connect the controller through cable
It will say connecting to PlayStation (R)3 controller
I leave it like this a few seconds and then I disconnect the cable
Batocera will say connection failed
One led will be solid on the controller and will work
After the controller is turned of or enters standby or you reset Batocera it will stop working

[mihaimdinca]

I tried SSH a few days ago but was not successful

[anthony0030]

What version of the usb adapter do you have? Depending on the version it might have a compatibility different chipset inside.

[mihaimdinca]

I am sure I am doing something wrong but it worked like this on the rpi5 and it is the only way I managed to get it working so far

[mihaimdinca]

If you can link a step by step ssh pairing procedure it would be useful

[mihaimdinca]

I tried SSH a few days ago but was not successful

This is what I mean

[anthony0030]

when you tried the usb adapter, did you disable or remove the onboard adapter? If not how do you know you were using the usb?

I had similar output when I was on the official driver. I don’t see the ps3 controller showing as new.

Also is the MAC address for the DS3 correct?

[mihaimdinca]

I did disable the bt/wifi adapter from the bios. I will physically remove it from the slot to be sure. Since I am always pairing the ps3 controller in order for it to connect it did not occur to me to remove it before trying to pair through ssh. Even if Batocera says pairing failed it will still be in the list of paired devices

[anthony0030]

I would definitely reset the controller with the hidden button on the back and forget all Bluetooth devices on batocera, and try again. Also when you turn on the controller the sound time you press the button not press and hold.

[mihaimdinca]

I will try. Thank you

[anthony0030]

You are very welcome, Best of luck!