My PS3 is possibly......

haunted, I'm running out of other feasible options. It didn't used to do this but now it seems to periodically switch itself on for no reason whatsoever.

It may (or may not) be coincident with using a new TV but it seems to happen even when the TV is switched off (TV is Android and as such never fully switches off if that is relevant). I think that I've tried every menu option going regarding HDMI control/auto update and Bravia sync (the TV is also Sony) however I am willing to go through these again if anyone has any bright ideas.

For tonight I've resorted to unplugging the HDMI cable from the TV to see if it still decides to switch on. It also may be a red herring but one thing that isn't working with the PS3 at the moment is that it seems unable to get an IP address from my router. The only other thing that has changed is that one of the controllers is new as the original died.

Heeelp! (preferably before Happy Valley starts!)

I have a TomTom which does exactly the same.

It will suddenly wake up after having been switched off for weeks and continue with whatever route it was last running.

A week ago it suddenly woke up and told me to turn left in 100 metres to get to the car hire place in Malaga airport.

I returned that car in mid February.

Mine always has done, but only if I switch it off using the on/off button on the machine. If I use the menu to switch it off, it appears to accept I want it off!

I have tried switching off both ways but mostly when it randomly switches on I just use the button on the machine as seems silly to have to switch on the TV, switch to the relevant HDMI port and switch on a controller in order to turn off the system.
However last night I switched it off using the menu and unplugged the HDMI cable. It still switched itself on overnight and I switched it off again (button this time as I'd have to add plugging the HDMI cable to the procedure above) to have it switch back on within an hour. I suppose that means it isn't related to the new TV.

/me scratches chin
Could a faulty cable (HDMI or RJ45) be causing this?

Software issue? Have you done an update recently?

Have you got it set to auto update? Mine turns on at 3am to update stuff.

It’s most likely to be auto-update. You say you checked that in your settings already though?

Auto-update doesn’t just do big system updates, it does small ones daily. It’s updating things like your saved games, trophies, and any patches to individual games etc. Even if there’s nothing to update, it’s switching on to check for any.

If you’ve signed up for PS Plus, that kicks in even more auto-updates (which could even override any settings you specify).

Another possibility is your controllers. If you leave any plugged in to the USB ports for charging, that can cause your PS3 to switch on whenever the controller decides it needs a small top-up.

Finally, network traffic. If something else on your network wakes up, that can cause your PS3 to switch on as well, as it checks whether it’s needed.

Or you’re right and it’s haunted.

Some food for thought there thanks.

I did an update a few weeks ago but not since as network connectivity has gone down for some as yet undetermined reason, I'll double check the settings as I did turn off auto update last week. One strange thing is that my router can see the PS3 as connected but IP address assignment is failing. The PS3 shares a media access point with a TV and a Raspberry Pi which are both fine for connectivity.

I'm not signed up for PS plus. The controllers are plugged into a charging station but this is connected the TVs USB port not the Playstations.

On the network are a desktop, two laptops, two tablets, three mobile phones, one iPod, three raspberry Pis (two of which are always on), two smart TVs and a rack server which is always on. There is a pile of possibilities there so I think I'll unplug the LAN cable to see if that makes a difference.

Edited to add note to self
I should double check the remote play settings.

Aye, Remote Play is a possible culprit too. I’ve heard of entirely unrelated devices on a network being mistaken for Remote Play signals by the PS3, causing it to switch on.

I've double checked and remote play and auto update were off although I've found an option to connect to a PS Vita which was on so I've switched that off too. Have now disconnected the LAN cable to see what happens.

The software I have is version 4.78 whic... is the latest.

With the LAN cable disconnected it still does it so I tried no LAN or HDMI cable. Still does it!


Soooooo either...
Something wireless on the network is causing it.

The latest update is a bit dodgy (plenty of hate against it on the PS3 website but nothing relating to my issue)

Power supply fault

It's haunted (haven't managed to rule this out yet).

Just remembered that I also have a remote that possibly isn't paired but has batteries in the same cabinet the PS3 lives in. Will check this tonight.

Bizarre. You’re looking at it the right way though – eliminate one possible cause at a time.

Wishy, it's not something wrong with the controller is it? I know when you press the PS button on there, that turns on the PS3.

When the PS3 is turning on, is the red light on the controller coming on too?

Yes, the red light is working on the controllers (two dual shock and two move, all genuine Sony parts).

One possible workaround is to change the order of power cables so that the PS3 is powered by a wall socket that can be switched off when not in use (it's the slim version so doesn't have the power switch at the back). At the moment it shares a 4 way adaptor inside the cabinet with the raspberry pi and media access point.

I'll try and move the controllers to the back of the house overnight (which should be out of Bluetooth range) to see if one of them is the culprit.

So when you notice that the PS3 has turned on, do you then look at the controller and without pressing any of the buttons yourself, notice that the controller's red light is on too?

I've never noticed it on the dual shock controllers but haven't looked at the move controllers or the remote as they are inside the TV cabinet. I'll check next time thanks, that would point to a specific controller pretty quickly if that's happening.

When it turns on is it actually doing something? Update etc?

I'd suggest controller too.
A friend had the exact same problem and it turned out to be a faulty switch or whatever within the controller that would stick. Then, just like yourself,it would randomly turn his on too.

No, it's just at the main screen doing nothing, exactly the same as it would be if I'd just switched it on myself.

And we have a prime suspect. One of the controllers has a red light after the latest random switch on. It's been quarantined in the back bedroom for now.

One other thing - is your PS3 an early one with a touch power switch? (Later ones have physical push buttons). If it's a touch button it might have gone a bit mental. I'm only suggesting this because my ps4 refused to turn on once, and was only cured by unplugging the power and touching the power switch to discharge static.

It clicks so it's a physical switch.

Wishy is that one of the dual shock controllers?

Yes, I'd never noticed the light being on previously (but neither had I been looking for it). I moved the offending item into another room overnight and there have been no random turnings on. I've also had it downstairs today without being on charge and nothing has happened.

I had a dual shock controller that had been dropped quite a bit and it would randomly select things and go through menus. Funnily it never actually turned on by itself!

So problem sorted now Wishy? It was definitely the controller?

Yes, the controller thanks. I've had a faff around with it over the last couple of days and it appears to send a "switch on" signal at the point it becomes fully charged. It only happens when it's on charge and not immediately. This is of course my best guess but take the offending controller off charge and the fault never happens.

Now herein lies the possible lesson, The problem controller was bought from Ebay (cheap, yes I can hear you all laughing at me) as a genuine Sony part in full retail packaging. If I go through the "if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it is a duck" test then it appears to be a genuine part but I'm suspecting it's either a very good fake or it's substandard stock being sold in the hope that people won't notice. Typically it came with a 1 month guarantee that expired last month.

Now I can either try Ebay/Amazon again with the knowledge of what to look for or just go to Game and pay full retail. Not an urgent decision as we have two spare wired ones (as well as the other wireless one) to use in the meantime.

Again, thanks everyone for all your suggestions as this was completely driving me round the bend.

I'm just to put an PS3 for sale with four pads. If you want an used original replacement cheaply drop us a message.

Don't think eBay will make much difference with 3 vs 4 pads to be honest.

I dare touch a remote, keyboard, controller in our house as everything seems to wake up..

And the forum comes to the rescue yet again, PM sent.

Wishy,

I have one for sale. 500gb slimline, 2 controllers and Gran Turismo 6.

I'm back in Darlington this weekend too if you want it? PM me if interested!

Hello Nick,
I'm sorted thanks, I'm buying a spare controller from coupedummy and that's methe kids all fixed up.