Arcade2TV-XR Gen2 Dongle: Wireless Mode, Pairing, and Pinball FX VR Checklist

Use this checklist if your Arcade2TV-XR / Tankstick VR works in some modes but does not respond correctly in Pinball FX VR, or if the Gen2 wireless dongle blinks slowly and does not control the game.

Useful links:

Original XR: Williams upper flippers moved to joystick buttons after a Pinball FX VR update

Scope: original Arcade2TV-XR / Tankstick VR playing Williams tables in Pinball FX VR on Meta Quest. This is not a wiring guide for Tankstick MAX, integrated XR MAX or the Pinball FX Edition, and not the separate Xbox Back-button mapping issue.

If lower flippers and other controls work but the upper left/right flippers now activate from joystick buttons instead of the original side buttons after the game update, support identified this in October 2026 as a known game-side mapping change, not a controller or controller-firmware fault. Support stated that no controller update changes this behavior. Do not prescribe a firmware flash, PCB replacement, repeated pairing or an Xbox adapter/profile change as a fix for this exact symptom.

  1. Confirm the exact controller, Quest game/build and affected Williams table; distinguish upper-only mapping changes from complete input loss or physically sticking buttons.
  2. Report which joystick and side buttons activate each flipper, and when the change began. Keep existing mappings and firmware details for support rather than making unrelated hardware changes.
  3. Ask support for the current game-side status if this branch matches. A customer proposed a legacy option allowing side buttons to fire upper and lower flippers together, but it was a suggestion, not an available setting or confirmed workaround.

Support reported that Zen Studios was investigating. No released fix, delivery date or customer-confirmed restored side-button operation was established in the reviewed reply. Do not promise an update, tell customers to buy new hardware, or assume all game versions/platforms are affected. For total input loss instead, use the model-specific connection, pairing and mode checks below.

Short answer

For wireless VR use, the Arcade2TV-XR should be powered by USB-C wall power only. Do not connect the USB-B printer-style cable during wireless play. The Gen2 dongle must be paired to the controller and set to the correct mode before launching the game.

Step 1: Put the controller in wireless mode

  1. Unplug the USB-B printer-style cable from the Arcade2TV-XR.
  2. Power the Arcade2TV-XR from the rear USB-C port using wall power.
  3. Plug the Gen2 dongle into your Meta Quest headset, PC, or Steam Deck.

If USB-B is connected, the controller may prioritize the wired data path. That can make wireless button input fail even though the dongle is powered.

Step 2: Pair the Gen2 dongle

  1. With the Arcade2TV-XR powered by USB-C wall power, plug in the Gen2 dongle.
  2. Hold the button on the dongle for about 5 seconds, then release.
  3. Watch for the dongle LED to change from slow blinking to fast blinking.
  4. Move the trackball and check whether a cursor appears.

A slow blink usually means the dongle is powered but not paired. A fast blink indicates that pairing or connection is active.

Step 3: Set the dongle mode before opening Pinball FX VR

Set the Gen2 dongle to the required mode before launching Pinball FX VR. If the game is already open, close it, set the dongle mode, then launch the game again.

For Pinball FX VR, use the mode specified in the current Arcade2TV-XR / Gen2 dongle support article:

<https://support.xgaming.com/support/solutions/articles/12000106968-gen2-wireless-upgrade-for-arcade2tv-xr-tankstick-vr->

Step 4: Reboot the headset if input still does not register

If the dongle is paired but the game does not respond:

  1. Remove the dongle from the headset.
  2. Fully power off the headset.
  3. Power the headset back on.
  4. Plug the dongle back in.
  5. Launch Pinball FX VR only after the dongle is recognized.

This can clear a stale USB device state on the headset.

Step 5: PC VR / SteamVR note

If the game is running on a PC, plug the Gen2 dongle into that PC.

The dongle sends input to the device it is plugged into. If the dongle is plugged into a Quest headset, PC VR software running on a separate computer will not receive that input through Steam Link, Virtual Desktop, Meta Remote Desktop, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet.

Step 6: Firmware note

Use the current official firmware guide before updating anything:

<https://support.xgaming.com/support/solutions/articles/12000101199-arcade2tv-xr-tankstick-vr-software-and-firmware-usage-guide>

Important:

Recommended firmware/remapping tool: Start with the Arcade2TV-XR Web Configurator for controller remapping and supported firmware upgrades for the Arcade2TV-XR controller, Gen2 wireless dongle, and Haptics PCB. It runs in a browser on Mac and Windows PC. If the web app is unavailable, use the downloadable software fallback from the main software and firmware guide. Always choose the firmware for the correct component; Gen1 dongles are not firmware-upgradable.

If it still does not work after these steps

Please send:

Source article: <https://support.xgaming.com/support/solutions/articles/12000108456-arcade2tv-xr-gen2-dongle-wireless-mode-pairing-and-pinball-fx-vr-checklist>