Can not connect DualSense no matter what

[JohnNile]

I've tried connecting my DualSense now for the past couple days, and nothing I do at all will cause it to connect. The MiSTer does not even detect the controller at all (the USB port doesn't have a green light at all when I try to plug in a DualSense) and no inputs do anything.

I've tested multiple other (non-DualSense) controllers in every USB port of the MiSTer and they all work totally fine as expected, with the green light on and inputs functioning normally. Also all my DualSense controllers and cables work totally fine on PC/Steam as well as PS5, just not on the MiSTer.

What I've tried (none of which worked):

• a half dozen different DualSenses, including older models and newer models, and even a brand new DualSense fresh from the box

• updating my DualSense to latest firmware using PS5

• Updating my MiSTer using update_all script

• Disabling/enabling fast polling in MiSTer settings

• double checked ini settings for anything that could have any impact on a DualSense connecting (couldn't find anything)

• Disabling bluetooth on my PS5 and also powered off and unplugged my PS5

• a half dozen different USB-C cables of different brands

• every single USB port on the MiSTer multiple times

• rechecking all my connections, power connections, moving the cable around to make sure it's connected properly

Note that I have not tested Bluetooth, nor do I have any plans to since don't plan on using the controller with BT, and would like to it wired only.

I'm really at a loss as to what could be causing this, and it seems like I'm like the only person on earth having this issue; I did find one other person on reddit with a similar issue, but he never solved it wired, could only use bluetooth.

[AngelicLiver]

• Which USB hub are you using?

• Is it powered?

• Which power supply are you using (both for DE10-Nano and USB hub)?

The DualSense can draw quite a bit of current over USB, if you're not using a decent power supply you can run into issues like this.

[JohnNile]

It's this one right here from misteraddons, it's the analog IO version. If I recall, it did work with the DualSense when I first got it a year ago, but for unknown reasons it stopped working.

The power cable is the default 5v cable that misteraddons included, along with the included top/bottom splitter to provide power to both the MiSTer and the usb hub.

[AngelicLiver]

Are you using a decent PD power supply?

(I have no idea about the MiSTerAddons bundles, you may have an older model with barrel plugs for power.)

[JohnNile]

This is the power cable and it's connected to the barrel plugs splitter so it can power the MiSTer and the USB hub. It's all the default build and default cables that come with the misteraddons preconfigured build (I think they changed it slightly now, I bought it like a year ago maybe)

[AngelicLiver]

5V 2A really won't cut it, this is probably your issue. Consider getting a 4A+ power supply,

[JohnNile]

Was this changed in an update or something? I recall it worked when I got it and I can't find anywhere online that people were having power issues specifically with DualSense, especially given these misteraddons are one of the most popular preconfigured builds, so I would imagine that a large chunk of the userbase has similar cables.

I can even connected multiple controllers but a single DualSense with nothing else connected and it acts like I have nothing plugged in. I will try to use a totally fresh microSD with default settings and if that doesn't fix it I guess I will have to try some more power.

Also, the pages says

using a USB Hub addon board and have a lot of power hungry peripherals attached to it (wifi, bluetooth, multiple controllers, a mechanical hard drive), it might be a good idea to upgrade to a similar 5v power supply, but with more amps (4A-5A). Typically this is only needed if you have a mechanical hard drive, are heavily using the charging port, or have an MT32-Pi powered by the serial IO user port as these draw a good amount of amps.

I'm not using any other peripherals, no wi-fi, no bluetooth, no hard drive, or any of that, so I'm surprised it would be a power issue.

[AngelicLiver]

Nope, nothing to do with updates. Those power supplies are just notoriously anaemic, you'll find plenty of threads here with people with similar symptoms that were resolved by upgrading their power supplies or removing y splitters/inline power switches.

As I said; DualSense controllers can try to draw a lot of current.

[JohnNile]

Well my 5A 5V power supply came in, tried it out, no difference. Still the same issue. Doesn't detect any of my Dualsense controllers, all other controllers work fine.

I just don't get it.

[JohnNile]

Actually just found the issue. Apparently it was the splitter cable. I connected my old and new power cables into the mister and usb hub and now it lights up green when I plug in my DualSense (didn't have any other power cable before to test).

Is there a limit to how much load certain splitter cables can hold? Could I just buy a better splitter cable that would work fine? Or do I have to use an individual power cable for both the MiSTer and usb hub

[AngelicLiver]

Anything inline to the supply adds resistance and can, in turn cause a voltage drop. The DE10-Nano is quite sensitive to voltages below 5v.

That said, which power supply did you buy?

[JohnNile]

Says "2A 250V AC 2A/120V AC" on it and looks just like this image. It was the cable that was bundled default with the mister addons pre-builts about a year ago (I think the cable might have changed now, not 100% sure)

[AngelicLiver]

Ah ok, I see it has an inline switch (which can be a point of further resistance!). Maybe just try a straight y-splitter without an inline switch. MiSTer Addons has long since sold a solid bracket style power bridge.

Still curious which power supply you have purchased. Many of the "5A" supplies I've seen have been fake, the recommended is the Meanwell 4A supply as they are rock solid.

[JohnNile]

This is the power supply I bought

https://misteraddons.com/products/5v-5a-dc-power-supply

So I'm a little confused. So if I use the DC power jumper ( https://misteraddons.com/products/dc-jumper ) that would fill both of the DC slots that I'm currently using for power, so there is also a USB-A slot marked "POWER ONLY", so I would just use that to power the whole thing? And since they're both linked with the DC power jumper, a single on-off switch would control everything? So now I would just need a USB-A to USB-A cable with a 5v 5a power brick to power the whole thing then?

Does that sound right? Am I missing anything? Is there any benefit or downside to using the USB power vs. the other two connections?

[AngelicLiver]

This is the power supply I bought

https://misteraddons.com/products/5v-5a-dc-power-supply

So I'm a little confused. So if I use the DC power jumper ( https://misteraddons.com/products/dc-jumper ) that would fill both of the DC slots that I'm currently using for power, so there is also a USB-A slot marked "POWER ONLY", so I would just use that to power the whole thing? And since they're both linked with the DC power jumper, a single on-off switch would control everything? So now I would just need a USB-A to USB-A cable with a 5v 5a power brick to power the whole thing then?

Does that sound right? Am I missing anything? Is there any benefit or downside to using the USB power vs. the other two connections?

I'll let the other thread you started wrap this up.

[JohnNile]

I'll let the other thread you started wrap this up.

Probably for the best, you already made me waste a week and $25 on a power supply that I didn't need when it should have been obvious it wasn't an issue with the power supply, since you only need that for multiple peripherals and hard drives. It's okay to not know the solution to every problem. If you don't know the answer, you don't need to just make a bunch of shit up, just don't say anything.

[FPGA64]

I'll let the other thread you started wrap this up.

Probably for the best, you already made me waste a week and $25 on a power supply that I didn't need when it should have been obvious it wasn't an issue with the power supply, since you only need that for multiple peripherals and hard drives. It's okay to not know the solution to every problem. If you don't know the answer, you don't need to just make a bunch of shit up, just don't say anything.

Thats very disrespectful to someone who was trying to help you. I hope you reflect on your attitude to people who are offering assistance

[AngelicLiver]

I'll let the other thread you started wrap this up.

Probably for the best, you already made me waste a week and $25 on a power supply that I didn't need when it should have been obvious it wasn't an issue with the power supply, since you only need that for multiple peripherals and hard drives. It's okay to not know the solution to every problem. If you don't know the answer, you don't need to just make a bunch of shit up, just don't say anything.

I'm sorry you feel that way.

[bankshot]

Probably for the best, you already made me waste a week and $25 on a power supply that I didn't need when it should have been obvious it wasn't an issue with the power supply, since you only need that for multiple peripherals and hard drives. It's okay to not know the solution to every problem. If you don't know the answer, you don't need to just make a bunch of shit up, just don't say anything.

Or, how about you be grateful that you spent $25 on a backup power supply now, so that if/when the day comes when your original power supply bites the dust, you can continue to enjoy playing games on your MiSTer with no delays instead of having to just look at it sit on your desk acting as a $400 paperweight.

Angelic provided sound advice about the inadequate stock power supply of the DE10-Nano, and if you cannot comprehend the display of kindness and the time he took out of his own personal time/life to help you solve your problem, then please just do us all a favor next time and don't ask for help at all.

[JohnNile]

Ok, the problem has been solved. If anyone is having a similar issue and has found this thread, the solution (at least for me and this MiSTer setup I have) was:

5v 5a power supply cable (the one sold on Mister addons website) AND a splitter cable WITHOUT power switch. Now it is working as intended.