[KB-031] How do I pair a lost or replacement Bluetooth dongle with my Arcade2TV-XR?

Product: Bluetooth Dongle / Arcade2TV-XR | Platform: Quest VR | Confidence: High Answer:

If you've lost your Bluetooth dongle or received a replacement, follow these steps to pair it with your Arcade2TV-XR:

Pairing Steps:

Power on your Arcade2TV-XR unit using only the USB-C port at the back (using a wall adapter). The wireless adapter (dongle) is essential for VR to ensure optimal responsiveness. To ensure a successful wireless handshake, only one controller should be powered on at a time during the pairing process to prevent the dongle from attempting to connect to the wrong unit.

Make sure your Meta headset is powered on

Follow the pairing process for your specific dongle version: Important Note on Multiple Dongles: If a user owns two wireless dongles, only one should be connected and powered at a time, as having both simultaneously connected can confuse the controller.

Gen 1 Wireless Dongle

Power on the Arcade2TV-XR unit using only the USB-C port for power.

Press and hold the button on the dongle, then plug it into the Meta Quest headset.

Release the button after 1 second to start pairing.

A fast blinking green LED indicates successful pairing.

Gen 2 Wireless Dongle

Note for Firmware v3.x: Re-pairing the Gen 2 dongle with the Arcade2TV-XR unit is required after any firmware updates are made to the controller with v3.x firmware (including v3.62). This process necessitates powering the Arcade2TV-XR solely through its USB-C port (as described in Step 1) to ensure wireless mode.

To pair the Gen 2 wireless dongle with the controller, press and hold the button on the dongle, then while holding the button, plug the dongle into your Meta Quest headset, and then release the button.

For the Gen 2 wireless dongle, once successfully paired, the LED will blink rapidly.

Important Note on Wireless Modes: When using the Gen 2 wireless dongle wirelessly, the Arcade2TV-XR controller's internal operating modes (such as Keyboard, D-Input, or X-Input) are ignored by the system, as these modes only apply to wired connections via the USB-B port.

Note: For standard daily operation, the Gen 2 dongle should be plugged into the Meta Quest headset without pressing or holding any buttons. The button is only used for initial pairing or firmware recovery; holding the button during a normal connection will accidentally trigger firmware mode instead of standard operation.

The green LED light on the wireless dongle indicates connection status: Fast blinking means connected wirelessly, and slow blinking means not connected. A solid green light means it is malfunctioning.

Once paired, roll the trackball on your Arcade2TV unit - the mouse cursor should appear on your Quest display. If no input (keystrokes or movement) registers in an empty text field within the Meta Quest interface when pressing buttons or moving the joystick on the X-Arcade, it indicates the issue is occurring before the game even comes into play. Note: Seeing the wireless dongle detected inside a game does not necessarily mean it is properly paired to the controller. Because the wireless dongle is powered directly by the VR headset, it remains active and detectable by the system even if the main Arcade2TV-XR controller unit is unpowered. Important Note: Connecting Dongle and Wired Audio to Quest 2 For users needing to connect both the wireless dongle and a wired audio device (like headphones) simultaneously to a Meta Quest 2 headset, Xgaming provides a specific video guide for this configuration: https://youtu.be/cuK0s52LeEA?si=ZdA0gbNH2e529g6i&t=601. Due to the USB-C port placement on the Meta Quest 2, physical clearance issues may occur when attempting to plug in both the Gen 2 wireless dongle and a 3.5mm audio cable at the same time; using a short USB-C extender is recommended to resolve this. When using a USB-C hub with a Meta Quest 2 headset, the X-Arcade wireless dongle should be connected to the hub's USB-A port using the USB-C to USB-A adapter included in the X-Arcade accessory kit to ensure the headset recognizes the device. Important Note for Zen Pinball Titles (Wireless Use) When using the Gen 2 dongle to play Zen pinball titles wirelessly:

The controller must NOT be connected to a PC or console via the USB-B port.

When the Arcade2TV-XR controller detects a connection on the USB-B port, it prioritizes the wired data path, which specifically disables wireless push-button inputs while potentially allowing the trackball to remain functional via the wireless dongle; for wireless operation, the USB-B port must remain disconnected and the unit should be powered only via the USB-C port using the supplied adapter.

Wireless gameplay using the Gen2 dongle is expected to consume the Meta headset's battery faster than standard headset operation.

The wireless dongle should be removed from the VR headset when not in use, as it continues to draw power and will drain the headset battery over time.

On the Gen 2 wireless dongle, a blinking red LED indicates the unit is in Pinball FX VR mode, which is the correct mode for that game; a slow blink indicates it is not paired, while a fast blink confirms a successful connection. A slow blinking light on the internal Arcade2TV-XR controller-side PCB indicates that the Gen 2 wireless dongle is not currently paired with the controller. For wireless play, disconnect all USB data connections and use the Gen 2 dongle exclusively. To prevent visual flashing or performance issues in VR headsets, wireless dongle modes should be switched only while outside of active gameplay. Gen 2 Firmware & Recovery: The firmware version of the Gen 2 wireless dongle can be checked by plugging the dongle into a PC and opening the Firmware Update Tool. The firmware version of the X-Force Haptics Kit PCB can be checked by plugging the PCB into a PC and opening the Firmware Update Tool. The internal wireless antenna on the Arcade2TV-XR controller PCB uses a snap-on (push-fit) connector. If a Gen 2 wireless dongle shows no lights, it may have been incorrectly flashed with controller firmware; functionality can be restored by performing a force firmware upgrade using firmware version v3.41V2. It is also very important to make sure the controller firmware is flashed to 3.64 in order for this disconnection issue to be fully resolved with the dongle firmware 3.43 v2. If pressing the button on the wireless dongle fails to change the LED color or switch modes, a firmware update for the dongle is the required troubleshooting step to restore functionality. When the button on a gen2 dongle is held during power-up, it enters firmware upgrade mode (bootloader mode), which prevents it from functioning for gameplay or pairing until it is reflashed. If a Gen2 wireless dongle shows no lights and is not recognized by a PC, it can be forced into update mode by launching the Arcade2TV software, holding the side button on the dongle, and then plugging it into a USB port. Once the dongle is plugged into a USB port, the user can release the button; it does not need to be held down further. During a force firmware upgrade, users must wait for the Arcade2TV software to display 'Initiated,' 'Init Complete,' or 'Handshake Complete' before clicking the Upgrade Firmware button. To recover a Gen2 wireless dongle from bootloader mode (indicated by a solid red light), first attempt to unplug the device and plug it back in without pressing any buttons; if the red light persists, the firmware must be reflashed. A persistent solid red light on a Gen2 dongle that cannot be resolved through power cycling or reflashing may indicate that the push-button is physically stuck or jammed, preventing the device from exiting bootloader mode. Common Location for Lost Dongles: The VR dongle for the Arcade2TV-XR is packaged inside a small accessory box located in the bottom-left corner of the controller packaging, rather than being loose in the main package. The small accessory box included inside the Arcade2TV-XR controller package contains RGB lighting components, cables, restrictor gates, bat tops, the 2.4G wireless dongle, and the DB9 adapter. A functioning Gen 1 wireless dongle should display a blinking green LED when connected to a PC or Meta Quest headset. When connecting the Gen 1 wireless dongle, ensure the USB-C cable is connected straight and not bent, as this could potentially damage the USB port on the dongle. When a Gen 1 wireless dongle is bricked by flashing firmware, its LED will not light up at all.

Trying to flash firmware on the Gen 1 dongle

A breakage of the USB port The dongle can fall through the hole at the bottom of the VR controller slot down into the back of the deck. If you think you've lost your dongle, try opening the controller case to check inside. Replacement Dongle: Xgaming no longer carries Gen 1 wireless dongles in stock for replacements; Gen 2 dongles are provided as replacements for lost or defective units. Xgaming offers to upgrade a defective Gen 1 dongle to a Gen 2 dongle as a courtesy. If a customer has already purchased a Gen 2 wireless dongle as an upgrade, Xgaming can refund that order and process it as a warranty replacement if their original Gen 1 dongle is found to be defective. A wireless dongle is considered defective if it displays a constant solid light, or is unable to enter bootloader mode for a firmware upgrade after troubleshooting. A malfunctioning wireless dongle typically causes all controller inputs, including the trackball, to stop working; if the trackball remains functional while buttons do not, it suggests a problem other than a standard dongle failure. If a wireless dongle shows no light when powered, users should first attempt to carefully clean the USB-C port on the dongle using a dry toothbrush to remove dust or debris; if it still shows no light after this, the unit is considered defective. Persistent connectivity issues that cannot be resolved through standard troubleshooting may be caused by a physically damaged USB-C port on the wireless dongle, which qualifies the unit for replacement. Successful recognition and firmware flashing of a dongle via the Arcade2TV software on a PC confirms that the dongle's internal hardware and USB connection are functional. To ensure the Arcade2TV-XR is correctly recognized by the headset in VR mode, the wireless dongle should be plugged in before launching the game. The Gen 2 wireless dongle must be set to the correct operating mode (such as Red/Keyboard mode for Pinball FX VR) prior to launching the game to ensure that the software correctly recognizes and responds to button inputs. To verify the hardware functionality of the Gen 2 wireless dongle button, perform a short click while the device is powered; the LED should cycle between Red, Green, and Purple. To confirm if the controller and Gen 2 wireless dongle are communicating correctly, plug the Gen 2 dongle into a PC, press the flipper buttons, and check if they produce any keystrokes/input. If input registers, the communication is correct, suggesting a Meta Quest-side issue. If no input registers, it further confirms the controller PCB as the root cause. To access 'Xinput (Pinball)' mode for full analog features, the dongle mode button must be pressed twice to cycle through the sequence: Pinball FX VR -> Xinput (Dual Player) -> Xinput (Pinball). Xgaming support may request a video demonstrating the wireless dongle's light behavior to diagnose pairing or connection issues. When troubleshooting unresponsive wireless dongles, Xgaming support also requires a photograph of the hardware to verify the version (Gen 1 vs. Gen 2) before providing specific firmware or binding guidance. If the LED color does not change upon pressing, the button is defective and requires a replacement. Xgaming provides replacement wireless dongles for units that fail after initial successful operation, in addition to those that are dead on arrival. Wireless dongles for customers in the UK and Europe can be fulfilled and shipped directly from the regional UK warehouse. The Arcade2TV-XR utilizes 2.4G wireless technology for its wireless dongle to ensure minimal latency, rather than standard Bluetooth. The internal 2.4G wireless antenna for the Arcade2TV-XR is an IPEX1 2.4G 5dB antenna. Xgaming does not stock this part directly but can facilitate a shipment from the manufacturer at the customer's expense for the part and shipping; these replacement internal 2.4G wireless antennas typically cost approximately $15, which includes the cost of the part and international shipping. Evidence: Support thread 2025-03, keywords: Bluetooth dongle, pairing, lost dongle, replacement, USB-C, wireless mode, dead on arrival