How to Use a PS3 Controller on a Computer

In this article, wikiHow will show you how to connect a PS3 controller to a Windows computer with the help of the SCP program.

Table of Contents

Steps

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Start the handle. Press the “PS” button in the center of the handle.

If the PS3 controller is connected to the PS3, you must unplug the PS3 from the power source first.

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Connect the controller to the computer. Plug the narrow end of the USB charging cable into the handle, the large end into the USB port on the computer.

The location of the USB port depends on the model of the computer you are using. If the USB port cannot be found, check the side or back of the CPU (desktop) or behind the case (laptop).
If connecting the controller via a wireless dongle, you must install the dongle driver first. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver after plugging in the dongle.

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Visit the SCP Topkit website . SCP Topkit provides a friendly desktop interface for connecting to a PS3 controller, you can use the PS3 controller with computer game services such as Steam.

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Click on the “ScpTopkit_Setup.exe” link. This is the first link under the “Downloads” heading on this page. This is the operation to download topkit to the computer’s default download directory (for example, the desktop).

Remember to download the latest version of the software. If you visit the old version’s page, you won’t see the “Latest Release” sticker on the left side of the screen.

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Double click on the topkit installation file. The file has an icon that resembles a black PS3 controller.

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Follow the instructions on the screen. In most cases, you just need to click Install after reading the terms of use. You need to install some elements of topkit so you will have to click Install several times.

If topkit mentions that you lack a “prerequisite” to run the program, click Next until the prerequisite installation begins. If you don’t see the message, just click the Finish button in the first window.
You may have to click the Yes button in the pop-up window asking if the computer should trust the installation file.

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Click on the program “ScpTopkit Driver Installer”. This program is located in the SCP Topkit installation file.

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Uncheck the “Install DualShock 4 Controller” dialog box. The option is on the left hand side of the driver installation window. Since you install a PS3 controller (e.g. a DualShock 3 controller), you do not need to install the PS4 driver.

Also uncheck the “Bluetooth” dialog if the controller is wired (you don’t use a dongle, for example).
There’s a good rule of thumb at this step: uncheck all dialogs you don’t use.
If you are using Windows Vista, you need to check the “Force Driver Installation” dialog box in the middle left part of the window.

READ More: Terry Bradshaw

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Click on the dialog box under “Choose DualShock 3 Contrplers to Install”. This option is on the right side of the window. You will be given a handle at this step.

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Click on the “Wireless Controller” option. You will see a list of devices connected to the computer (eg keyboard, mouse, webcam, etc.). The PS3 controller is an option marked “Wireless Contrpler (Interface [number])” the number associated with the USB port that connects the controller.

If you’re using a wireless controller, you’ll need to select the USB device you’re using to facilitate the connection under the “Bluetooth” section above the “DualShock 3 Controllers” drop-down menu.

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Click on Install . This button is on the right side of the driver installation window. This is an operation that requires SCP Topkit to install the controller driver. The installation will take about 5 minutes.

Once installed, you will hear a confirmation sound.
In this step, the controller’s driver has been installed, you can now use the controller to play games on your computer.

Advice

You can apply the same steps to connect a PS4 controller, although you must disconnect the controller from the PS4 in the device’s Settings. Also, you need to install the DualShock 4 driver and choose a DualShock 4 controller instead of a DualShock 3.
If an error occurs, try uninstalling and reinstalling SCP topkit. When reinstalling, remember to install the prerequisites first (regardless of whether you need them or not) and check the “Force Driver Installation” dialog box when installing the driver no matter what operating system you use.
When you open the “Devices” manager on your computer (accessed by typing “joy.cpl” into the “Run” application), the PS3 controller will appear as an Xbox 360 controller. because the Xbox 360 controller is supported by Windows and the PS3 controller is not.

Steps

Advice

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