How to Charge a PS3 Controller & Troubleshoot Charging Problems

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Tech specialist Luigi Oppido explains how to charge a PS3 controller and where to buy chargers

Written by Luigi Oppido | Edited by Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: February 18, 2026 Fact Checked

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Charging the Controller

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Troubleshooting

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Where to Buy Chargers

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Charging your PlayStation 3 controller is super simple if you have the original charging cable or a USB-to-Mini-B cable. Luckily, a tech specialist partnered with wikiHow to walk you through how to charge a PS3 controller and where to buy a charger if you don’t have the original cable. We’ll also cover common troubleshooting issues if your controller isn’t charging quickly or at all, so read on to get your controller back in action!

How do you charge a PlayStation 3 controller?

Tech specialist Luigi Oppido says you charge a PS3 controller using the mini-USB port on the front of the controller. Here’s an overview of how to do it:

Turn on your console by pressing the power switch.
Locate the charging cable and plug the USB end into your PS#.
Plug the smaller end of your charging cable into your controller.
Press the controller’s power button and wait for it to start blinking.

Section 1 of 3:

Charging Your PS3 Controller

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You'll find it on the right side of the PS3's front, though early PS3 models may have the power switch on the back of the console instead. Doing this will turn on your PS3. Your controller can’t be charged when your console is off, so this step is essential.

Meet the wikiHow Expert

Luigi Oppido is a computer & tech specialist and the owner of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. He has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades.
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Locate your controller's charger cable. Your PS3 should have come with a USB cable to charge your controller; it has a large end, which is the USB plug, and a small end, which plugs into your PS3 controller.
- If you don't have a PS3 charger cable, you can purchase a new one from Amazon.
- Make sure you're using an original Sony charger and not a third-party charger, since non-Sony cables have been proven to be inconsistent.
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Plug the USB end of the charger into your PS3. This is the standard USB-A end, says Oppido.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Luigi Oppido
Tech Specialist

Expert Interview} It should slide into one of the narrow, rectangular slots on the front of your PS3.
- If the USB end isn't fitting into the PS3's port, rotate the USB end 180 degrees and try it again.
- The piece of plastic inside the USB cable needs to fit below the piece of plastic at the top of the USB slot on your PS3.
- Alternatively, you can use a USB wall charger that provides enough power, though the console is easiest, according to Oppido.^{[2]
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Luigi Oppido
Tech Specialist

Expert Interview} There is a small slot on the front of the PS3 controller; this is where the cable plugs into.
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Press the controller's power button and wait for the blinking light. The power button is a circular button with the PlayStation logo on it. Once you press it, you should see a red light appear on the front of your controller. The light should start blinking soon after clicking the power button. Once it does, your PlayStation 3 controller is charging!^{[4]
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Research source} It should charge while the PS3 is on or in standby mode, not when it's off, notes Oppido.^{[5]
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Luigi Oppido
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Expert Interview}
- Leave your controller on the charger cable for at least an hour before disconnecting it.
- You can use your controller while it’s charging, so once it’s plugged in, you’re ready to play.
- Charge your controller in environments with temperatures between 50℉ - 86℉ (10℃ - 30℃).
- Even if you don’t use your controller anymore or it’s in storage, try to charge it at least once a year to maintain its battery’s health.
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Check the charge level by looking at the blinking lights on the controller. Once your PS3 controller is charging, you can check the charge level by looking at the four blinking lights on the front of the controller. You can also check the battery level of your controller by holding the PS button when your device is on. The number of blinking lights determines how much more you need to charge your controller, making for a simple-to-understand system for all players.^{[6]
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- If only the first light is blinking, your controller is on low battery and needs to stay plugged in.
- If the first and second lights are blinking, it’s halfway charged.
- If the first, second, and third lights are blinking, it’s 75% charged.
- If all four lights are blinking, your controller is fully charged.

Section 2 of 3:

Troubleshooting Charging Issues with Your PS3 Controller

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Reset your PS3 controller if it doesn’t charge. To do so, insert a pin or a paperclip into the small hole on the bottom of the controller, just below the L2 button. Use the paper clip to press and hold the reset button inside the hole for at least 5 seconds.^{[7]
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- Depending on the age of your controller, your battery may be going out if it doesn’t hold a charge for long. Battery charge duration gradually decreases as your controller ages.
If your controller isn’t charging, plugging it into a different port will help determine whether or not the USB port is causing problems. If you plug it into a different port and it starts charging, cover the broken port until you’re able to get it fixed (or just keep it covered permanently, your choice).
While you can't charge a PS3 controller on a computer, your controller will still light up if you press its power button while it is attached to a computer. If the controller doesn't light up, the problem is with the cable.
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Use a different charger cable. In some cases, the problem may lie with a faulty or defective USB cord.
- Third-party USB cables often don't work with PlayStation technology, so if you buy a new cable, make sure it's from Sony.

Section 3 of 3:

Where to Buy Chargers for Your PS3 Controller

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Buy chargers from reseller websites like eBay. Since the PS3 is older, official chargers are hard to find new, says Oppido. He says your best bet is looking at online marketplaces, such as eBay, for either official Sony-brand chargers or reputable third-party mini-USB cables.^{[8]
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Luigi Oppido
Tech Specialist

Expert Interview} Buying official Sony products eliminates the risks associated with secondhand chargers, such as incompatibility or damage to your controller.
- That said, any standard mini-USB cable that supports charging will work, as long as it's not just a data cable that can't handle power, notes Oppido.^{[9]
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- Reseller websites also have the AC adapter charging pads, which can be used for your PS3 controller.
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Buy a USB-to-Mini-B cable at local tech retailers like Target or Best Buy. PlayStation 3 controllers use USB to Mini-B cables to charge, which are sold by technology retailers like Target, Best Buy, Walmart, and Micro Center. So, if you’ve got a dead controller on your hands but don’t have the means to charge it, take a trip to your local tech retailer and grab a USB to Mini-B charger to get back in the game.
- USB to Mini-B chargers are also known as Mini USB cables.
- Alternatively, you can check retro gaming stores or local electronics repair shops, though they might be hit-or-miss, says Oppido.^{[10]
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  Expert Interview}

Community Q&A

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Question

I don't see a red light on my controller. How do I know when it's done charging?

Community Answer

If your PS3 Dual-Shock 3 is plugged in with the provided cord, you will know it is fully charged when there is no flashing of the red lights at all; there will either be a solid light or no light at all. If you're not seeing a light on, it's probably charged.

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Question

I lost my PS3 controller cable. How can I charge it?

Community Answer

The PS3 controller is compatible with all mini USB cables. You need to buy a new mini USB cable in order to charge it.

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Question

Why did the buttons on my controller stop working after I restarted the controller?

Community Answer

Did you re-sync your controller to your system? It's possible that the connection was lost.

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Tips

You can continue to play games and use the PS3 controller while it charges, but you will need to keep the controller plugged into the console via the USB cable to maintain a charge until the controller is fully charged.

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To check the current battery level on your PS3 controller, press and hold down the PlayStation logo button on the controller for at least two seconds. The current battery charge level will display briefly on your television or computer screen.

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Warnings

The PS3 controller will only charge if the PS3 console is powered on. If the controller is plugged into the console, but the console is powered off, your controller will not charge.

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