I'm having a very similar problem.
I have an old official PS3 headset (truly a headset even though some call this a microphone). It looks just like the Bluetooth devices that people use for their phones (which it essentially is). I can't get it to pair correctly with either of my two PS3s. I can get it "discovered" through scanning, but it still won't work properly. First, it doesn't really work. No one can hear me in the game. Then there are smaller issues. There is no option shown to turn the HQ mode on or off. Also, when I turn the headset on or off, the PS3 does not give the corresponding little message in the top, right corner of the screen. Simply put, I cannot get the older official PS3 headset to work anymore.
I have a new official PS3 headset. That one works just fine. I just connect it with the USB cable, it pairs automatically, and everything works.
I think that something got missed as they updated the PS3 operating system. The older PS3 headsets did not pair automatically when connected by the USB cable. I vaguely remember some complicated way to pair them (NOT through scanning). I'm not sure those steps are even in the menus anymore.
This really sucks. It effectively means that those of use with older official PS3 headsets have to go out and buy new ones. Not good, not fair.
I've been checking the forums and have found nothing (other than others with the same problem). I'm going to try calling Sony next.
I just got off the phone with Sony support, and my headset is working again!
Here are the steps they gave me. Again, this was with a much older PS3 headset (looks like the Bluetooth devices that many use with their cell phones). While "headset" is the technically correct term for these, some people call them a microphone or mic for short. These older PS3 headsets do NOT automatically register when you connect them to the PS3 with a USB cable.
1) Make sure you headset is off.
2) Hold down the on/off button (this is the small square button at the top) until the headset flashes green and red. The top light will flash green. The bottom light (the "MIC MUTE" button) will flash red. These two will alternate flashing (top green, bottom red, top green, bottom red, and so on). When you see this, the headset is in discovery mode.
3) On your PS3, go to "Settings", then "Accessory Settings", and then "Manage Bluetooth® Devices".
4) If your PS3 has no Bluetooth devices currently registered to it, you will be asked "Do you want to register a device?". Click on "Yes". If your PS3 already has Bluetooth devices registered to it, they will be listed. In this case, click on "Register New Device".
5) Now click on "Start Scanning".
6) You should now see "Select the Bluetooth® device to register". You should see "Wireless Headset" listed. Select and click on "Wireless Headset".
7) A box will come up asking for a "Pass Key". Enter "0000" for this box and click on OK. That is four zeros there. QUESTION: Does anyone know a more optimal pass key to enter? While this works, some of the functionality of the my headset has been lost (see further below). Perhaps another pass key would work better?
8) You should see a "Register completed" message. Now press the "O" button on your controller to go back.
9) You should now see "Wireless Headset" listed as a registered device for your PS3. Press the "O" button on your controller to go back.
10) Now go to "Audio Device Settings". This is also under "Settings" and then "Acessory Settings", so you should just have to go down two places in the menu.
11) Highlight the listing next to "Input Device", which will probably be "Do Not Use", and press "X" on your controller.
12) Now use the left control stick to change this to "Wireless Headset" and then press "X" on your controller.
13) The listing next to "Output Device" should have automatically changed to "Wireless Headset". Click on "OK". You're headset should now work!
Some Functionality Still Doesn't Work
I can now use my headset. People hear me in games, and I can hear them (through my headset). With that said, I have noticed three small discrepancies.
1) I used to be able to turn the HQ mode on and off. This option no longer appears in the menus.
2) When I would turn the headset on, a small message would appear in the top, right corner of the screen telling me that. This message no longer appears.
3) When I would turn the headset off, a small message would appear in the top, right corner of the screen telling me that. This message no longer appears.
Perhaps a different pass key, other than "0000", would correct this. Regardless of these three small discrepancies, my headset is working again.
I hope this helps!
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