PS2 - My multitap isn't working
xavi94 Posted messages 38 Registration date Status Member Last intervention -
Hello,
Having recently taken my PlayStation 2 out of the closet to have some game nights with my friends on multiplayer games, I'm having trouble getting the multitap to work.
Controller 1 is properly detected by the multitap, but the memory card and other controllers, which work when directly connected to a port on the console, are not detected when they are connected to the multitap.
I followed the procedure below, but it didn't change anything.
https://528506.com/T%C3%A9l%C3%A9phones-cellulaires-et-accessoires/T%C3%A9l%C3%A9phones-Portables/Comment-utiliser-un-Multitap-PS2-.html
Any ideas on the issue or a solution?
Thanks in advance.
1 answer
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Hello,
It seems that your problem is quite common with PS2 Multitaps, especially if it's a third-party or older model. According to the procedure you followed (plugging into port A, connecting controllers in order, etc.), it should work in theory, but here are a few suggestions to diagnose and potentially solve the issue, based on user feedback and specialized forums.
Basic Checks
Model of your PS2 and the Multitap: "Fat" PS2s (models SCPH-30000 to 50000) use an official Sony Multitap SCPH-10090, while "slim" PS2s (SCPH-70000 and above) require SCPH-70110 since the ports are closer together. An incompatible Multitap (e.g., one for fat on slim) can cause exactly this: only the controller in slot 1 is detected. If it's a third-party Multitap (non-Sony), they are often defective or incompatible with memory cards and multiple controllers. Check the model number on the Multitap and your console.
Try in port B of the console: Plug the Multitap into port 2 (B) instead of port 1 (A). Sometimes this reverses detections: memory cards may work, but controllers have issues, or vice versa. This can help isolate if the Multitap is partially faulty. Note: for 5-8 players, a second Multitap is needed in the other port, but start by testing alone.
Test without memory cards: Disconnect all memory cards and keep only the controllers connected. Some Multitaps glitch when everything is plugged in at once (e.g., controllers B/D acting up with full cards). If the controllers work, reinstate the cards one by one to see where it hangs.
Cleaning the contacts: PS2 ports get dirty over time. Use compressed air or a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol (no water!) to clean the ports of the Multitap, the controllers, the memory cards, and the console. Avoid forcing anything, and let it dry before testing.Additional Tests:
In the PS2 menu: Turn on the console without a disc, go to the "Browser" (the screen with the icons). Check if the memory cards appear when connected via the Multitap. If not, it’s a hardware issue. Controllers, on the other hand, can be tested in-game (e.g., a multiplayer game like TimeSplitters or Buzz).
Accessory compatibility: Make sure your controllers are official DualShock 2 or PS2 compatible (not PS1 or low-end third-party). The memory cards must be official Sony 8MB; third-party ones often cause detection issues. Test by swapping the controllers (e.g., put one that works directly in slot 1 of the Multitap, and vice-versa).
Insertion order: Turn everything off, plug the empty Multitap into port A, turn on the console, then insert the controllers and cards one by one without turning off. Some games or setups require this instead of plugging everything in at once.If nothing works
Defective Multitap: This is often the case; ports B/C/D tend to fail first, only detecting A as "player 2." You can buy an official used one on eBay or retro sites (about €10-20), checking the model.
Console issue: Rare, but if the direct ports occasionally glitch, check out a video on repairing PS2 ports.
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Hello and thank you for your help,
I had put the issue aside a bit, but I hadn't fully investigated it.
To start with the equipment:
- PS2 Fat SCPH-39004
- Multitap Bigben PSX2BB2
- 3 official Dualshock 2 controllers + 1 official PSOne controller
- Official PS2 memory card
Problem identified after testing all my multiplayer games:
In the PS2 menus and commercial version games, all controllers work correctly and the memory card is detected, whether the multitap is plugged into port 1 or 2. The only game that causes a problem is a promotional version game where absolutely nothing is detected if I use the multitap, even when trying the different proposed solutions.
I simply have a minor issue with a PS2 controller where the UP directional arrow doesn't work. Not being handy at all, do you have a tip to attempt to fix the problem without risking breaking my controller?
Hello, I hadn't seen your response. The issue with the controller's up arrow is quite common. It's always tricky to disassemble a controller. It's a contact problem. If the fault is due to dust, you can always, after unplugging the controller, try putting two or three drops of isopropyl alcohol, which is easily found in stores, into the gap of the button with a syringe. Make sure to let it dry well before plugging it back in. It's a powerful degreaser, so it might be enough.
If that doesn't work, you'll need to do the same thing with a cotton swab, but from the inside by disassembling the controller to clean the contact. But be careful if you try this because the contact wire is very fragile. If your controller is dead, you won't risk much by trying it as a last resort.
Good luck.
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