I would say that it’s likely that this is a sweat ingress problem. So after a month of use, sweat has damaged the controllers internally and is causing these problems.
You need to go back to Zwift support.
Thanks Steve,
I am in touch with Zwift support. One thing for sure, sweat is very, very common in Zwift - controllers are advertised to be super “water” proof. Will be very disappointing if I have had two sets of controllers fail with sweat ingress.
Do they really advertise them as being „waterproof“? The sticker on the Plays identify them as being IP33:
That is far from being waterproof.
This tiny gap seems to be the problem:
That’s where sweat can get in and cause trouble on the steering/braking/vshifting circuit board. There‘s even a little drainage gap at the bottom to allow sweat to escape (can’t think of another reason for this gap):
You are absolutely right @Kerstin. Thank you. I was fooled by a review video by GPLama (who I have great respect for.) Check out the video at about 2:33. He pours water from his water bottle over the controller and says it is perfectly waterproof. DC Rainmaker also talks about them being water proof and even says the USB charging ports are “internally waterproofed.”
You are absolutely correct about IP33. I see IP33 states "protected against sprays of water up to 60 degrees from the vertical - Limited ingress permitted for 3 minutes! I sweat all over these things and the sweat pools around the buttons - no wonder there is a problem. Seems crazy to have something that is not sweat-proof.
As mine are still working intermittently I am going to hope there is not permanent damage and I am going to try to keep them dry!
Thanks
Hello again, Everyone,
I have a solution that seems to work for me. I have had no issues for the past month or so.
I do not use the Zwift Companion Bridge. I connect directly to my MacBook Air.
I make sure my smart trainer is disconnected from the power before I start Zwift.
I make sure my play controllers are switched on before I start Zwift.
I start Zwift and the Play Controllers connect immediately. I know this because they vibrate and the flashing lights go solid blue. (The Zwift screen still shows nothing connected.)
I then plug in my Kickr Core - it connects immediately and then I can see the play controllers are also connected.
I then ride and I have had no issues for many weeks now.
I do keep some paper towel handy and I occasionally dab the excess sweat off the controllers (sounds like a huge hassle but actually it is ok.)
So far this works for me. Probably 4 to 5 rides a week for several weeks (4 or 5) with no issues.
Hope this is helpful to someone else.
Cheers
Adrian