Issues with VEX V5 Controller: Screen flashing red, turning off, battery fluctuating

[Shinkokyu777]

Hi all,

One of our V5 Controllers appears to have begun malfunctioning in recent weeks despite hardly having been used.

Upon connecting the Controller in question to a PC using a USB-microUSB cable, the Controller seems to boot correctly, but then its screen begins flashing red at regular 3-to-4-second intervals even when a wireless connection has been established with the corresponding V5 Brain that it has been paired with. After a minute or so, the Controller suddenly turns off, and pressing the power button does not turn it back on - only uplugging and re-plugging the cable connection to the PC turns the Controller back on.

Also, the V5 Controller’s battery level varies randomly between 0% and around 50% each time it is powered on. Leaving the Controller charging via PC connection or mains power outlet does not appear to fix this behaviour.

This forum post describes similar issues with the V5 Controller, but the suggestions generated by that post did not resolve our issues. This includes pressing the Controller’s reset button, which did not fix the problem.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix these V5 Controller issues? Has anyone else had similar problems, and, if so, how did you resolve these?

Many thanks in advance for the assist

[Daveisarobot]

We had this happen to us once-in the middle of a match. If you are unable to reset it, it might unfortunately be gone for good.

[Shinkokyu777]

I’ve run a some more tests and, strangely enough, it looks like the V5 Controller in question can still be used to wirelessly upload code to its corresponding V5 Brain (using PROS in VS Code).
For now we’ve unpaired the defective Controller from its Brain and are reaching out to our supplier to see if we can get a replacement/repair under warranty.

[jpearman]

Flashing red is usually a sign of discharged controller battery. How old is the controller ?

[Shinkokyu777]

The Controller was bought at the start of 2023, but wasn’t used until the start of this year. It’s only been used for around 20-30 hours, during which it has worked just fine.