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06 Numbers and Powers

Poké Ball Plus Not Working? Check Power, Pairing and Reset

Card No. 06·25641 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

If your Poké Ball Plus will not work, first charge it and check that it is paired with the correct game or phone; then reset it and pair it again if needed. The steps below cover a blank or unresponsive controller, connection failures, and cases where it connects but does not behave as expected.

Check power and basic signs

A low battery can look like a pairing problem. Connect the Poké Ball Plus to a powered USB port with a suitable USB cable and allow it to charge before troubleshooting further. The accessory has an indicator light, but its color or behavior can vary with what it is doing; consult the instructions for your model and situation rather than assuming one blink pattern always means the same thing.

After charging, press the control stick or the top button to wake the accessory. If it remains unresponsive, try a different cable and USB power source. Check that the cable is firmly connected at both ends. A charging cable that is damaged or intended only for a particular device may not work as expected.

  • Look for visible damage, dirt, or moisture around the USB-C port and buttons. Do not insert metal objects or liquid into the port.
  • Try waking the Poké Ball Plus again after charging, and note whether its light or sound changes.
  • If the controller has been stored for a long time, leave it charging longer before deciding the battery or controller has failed.

If it still will not power on after trying a known-working cable and power source, the issue may be a worn battery, a damaged port, or another hardware fault. A reset cannot repair a physical failure.

Pair it with the game you are using

Poké Ball Plus connects through a supported game’s controller or accessory connection process. It is not necessarily paired for every game simply because it worked with one before. Keep the ball close to the Nintendo Switch or phone, wake it, and begin the connection from the game’s relevant accessory or controller screen.

  1. Close or leave the game’s connection screen ready, and make sure the Poké Ball Plus is awake.
  2. On Nintendo Switch, open the game’s instructions for connecting a Poké Ball Plus. The exact on-screen wording depends on the game; follow its prompt to register or connect the accessory.
  3. When prompted, press the control stick or the top button as directed. If the game does not detect it, wake the accessory once more and repeat the game’s connection process.
  4. On a compatible phone game, use that game’s settings or accessory menu. Confirm Bluetooth is enabled on the phone and grant any requested nearby-device or Bluetooth permission.

Do not rely only on the console’s general controller menu: the connection procedure can be initiated inside the game, and support differs by title. Also check that the game itself supports Poké Ball Plus; a controller cannot connect to a game that does not offer support.

Reset and reconnect

A reset is useful when the accessory seems stuck or a fresh connection attempt fails. It does not erase game progress or repair a broken device. The Poké Ball Plus has a small reset button on its back, near the USB-C port. Press it gently with a narrow, non-metallic object, such as the tip of a paper clip with care, or follow the product manual’s instructions. Do not force the button or probe the port.

  1. Wake the Poké Ball Plus and disconnect it from USB charging.
  2. Locate the recessed reset button on the back and press it briefly. If you are unsure which opening is the reset button, check the device manual before pressing anything.
  3. Return to the game’s accessory connection screen and start pairing from the beginning.
  4. Wake the ball and press the requested button or control stick when the game asks. Keep it close until the game confirms the connection.

If a brief reset does not help, avoid repeatedly holding or poking at the button. Restart the game and the console or phone, then try the pairing process again. On a phone, you can also remove an old Poké Ball Plus entry from Bluetooth settings if it appears there, then reconnect through the game. Menu labels differ across phone operating systems, so look for the device’s Bluetooth details rather than relying on a particular label.

When it connects but still does not work

A successful connection does not mean every feature is available in every game or mode. Some functions depend on the game’s settings, the current activity, or whether the accessory is registered to that game. Check the game’s accessory instructions and confirm the intended feature is enabled. For example, a controller connection used to play a supported game is different from carrying a compatible game’s companion activity while away from the console.

If the Poké Ball Plus disconnects repeatedly, charge it, keep it near the device, and reduce obstacles or interference between them. Disconnect it from another game or device before trying to use it elsewhere. A single accessory may not behave as though it is connected to two games at once.

For Pokémon GO, pairing is managed from the game’s settings for connected devices or accessories, not simply by opening the phone’s Bluetooth page. The available features and supported accessory behavior can change with game updates. Follow the current in-game prompts and make sure the game and phone operating system are up to date.

Common causes and what to avoid

  • Insufficient charge: Charge it before repeating connection attempts; a nearly empty battery may prevent reliable operation.
  • Wrong connection route: Start the process in the game that supports the accessory, rather than assuming the console’s system settings are enough.
  • Another active connection: Close the other game or disconnect the accessory from the previous device before pairing again.
  • Permissions or Bluetooth disabled: On a phone, check Bluetooth and any permission request shown by the game.
  • Unsupported title or feature: Verify compatibility in the specific game’s instructions.
  • Physical or battery fault: If charging, waking, and resetting make no difference, seek repair or support instead of forcing the port or opening the controller.

A reset is not the same as charging, and forgetting a Bluetooth device is not always necessary. Start with power and the correct game-specific connection flow; use the reset only when a fresh attempt is warranted. Avoid unofficial disassembly or battery replacement instructions, since damage to the rechargeable battery or enclosure can create further problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my Poké Ball Plus is charging?
Connect it to a working USB power source and check for the indicator behavior described in its manual. If there is no response, try another suitable cable and port before concluding that the accessory is defective.

Where is the Poké Ball Plus reset button?
The recessed reset button is on the back, near the USB-C charging port. Press it briefly and gently; check the manual if you are not certain which opening is the button.

Why does Poké Ball Plus connect to my phone but not Pokémon GO?
Pairing should be started through Pokémon GO’s accessory settings. Check that Bluetooth is on, the game has the requested permissions, the ball is charged, and it is not currently connected to another game or device.

Can I use Poké Ball Plus with any Nintendo Switch game?
No. A game must support the accessory and provide a connection process for it. Check that specific game’s instructions rather than assuming it works as a general Switch controller.

Will resetting Poké Ball Plus delete my Pokémon or game save?
A controller reset is intended to restart the accessory, not erase saved game progress. Save data is managed by the game and console or account, not by the reset button on the ball.

What if it still will not turn on after charging and resetting?
Try a known-working cable and power source, then consult Nintendo support or the product’s service guidance. A failed battery, damaged charging port, or other hardware issue may need professional service.

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