Update: SCPtoolkit is a continuation of the SCP server program since the original developer stopped supporting the software. Unfortunately, as of now, SCPToolkit is also abandoned and didn’t receive any new update since Windows 11 came out. Because of this, you might run into issues while using it with the latest Windows build. The most common reason why you will see the ‘Couldn’t Open Device’ error is a scenario in which there’s an inconsistency affecting the DualShock 3 or DualShock 4 controller. Other potential causes included a misconfigured SCPP DSx Service or an incorrectly installed Bluetooth adapter. In some cases, it’s also likely to see this error if the connected DS2 or DS3 controller shows up in the wrong tab under Device Manager and needs to be converted into an HID-compliant device.
1. Reset the DualShock 3 / DualShock 4 Controller
One of the most common reasons why you will see the ‘Couldn’t Open Device’ error when connecting both DualShock 3 and DualShock 4 controllers is a firmware inconsistency. Note: This is to be respected if you are using your DualShock controller on both a Playstation console and on PC. Fortunately, you can fix this issue easily by resetting your controller. This procedure will wipe out all temporary data from the controller and return the controller to the factory defaults. Resetting will also make the device ‘forget’ any saved connections, so you will need to redo the connection if you’re also using a console. The reset button is located on the back of the controller (on both the DualShock 3 and DualShock 4), but you will need a sharp object to press it long enough to initiate the reset procedure. Here’s a quick guide that will walk you through the process of resetting your DualShock controller: Note: The instructions below will work on both DualShock 3 and DualShock 4.
2. Manually start the SCP DSx Service & Change the behavior type (if applicable)
Another scenario where you might expect to see the ‘Couldn’t Open Device’ error when attempting to use the SCPToolkit software is if the main service (SCP DSX Service) is incorrectly configured or it’s inhibited by a system optimization tool. Note: Resource optimization tools like Razer Cortex, CleanMyPC or System Mechanic are typically too aggressive with 3rd party service and might end up stopping the main SCPToolkit service and cause this issue. If you use a tool of this kind, the first thing you should do is access the Services screen and ensure that the SCP DSX Service is started and that its startup type is set to Automatic. If you discover that this service is stopped and incorrectly configured, rectify the issue and ensure that the resource optimization program is not allowed to produce this behavior once again. Here’s a quick guide that will guide you through this process:
3. Revert the controller to a HID-compliant device
If you’re experiencing this issue on Windows 10 or Windows 11, the most common reason why the SCP toolkit program is not detecting your controller and triggering the ‘Couldn’t Open Device’ is that Device Manager didn’t label it as an HID-compliant device. Most likely, the controller doesn’t show under Human Interface Devices as it should and is displayed under Sound or another sub-category. Fortunately, you can fix this issue by using Device Manager to update the current driver software with the local driver for USB Input Device. Note: A lot of users have used this fix successfully on Windows 10 and Windows 11 and have confirmed that once the controller was reclassified as a HUD-compliant device, the ‘Couldn’t Open Device’ error went away completely. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this:
4. Run the SCPCleanWipe Utility & Reinstall Bluetooth Adapter
If you get this issue on and off, but it’s mostly occurring when you try to use the controller in Bluetooth mode. You should retry the connection AFTER running the SCPCleanWipe utility and reinstalling the main SCP driver while checking only the compatible DualShock controller (either DualShock 3 or DualShock 4). Note: If you care about playing on a Bluetooth connection, you will also need to ensure that you select the correct Bluetooth dongle after you run the SCPDriverInstall utility. If you don’t use the Bluetooth connection, uncheck the Bluetooth Driver option. Here’s a quick guide on running the SCPCleanWipe utility before reinstalling the program:
