Ok, I was able to get it to work. I was using an inexpensive clone controller (in an attempt to keep costs down). It was not wireless.
I then purchased an brand name PS4 Dualshock wireless controller. It worked.
My theory is that the system was trying to pair with the wireless controller and could not. Once I got a wireless controller, it was able to pair and the PS button either started sending its signal via bluetooth, or once paired the PS button was able to work via the cable.
Anyway the solution was to use a brand name PS4 Dualshock controller.