Controller won't sync with PS3

Whenever I try to turn my PS3 on and turn the controller on, the 4 red lights will start flashing the light on the USB Dongle will stay lit. The PS3 will display a message telling me to plug the controller in and press the PS button but there is no port to plug anything into the controller. The controller works fine if I plug the dongle into my laptop just won’t work when i try to use it on the PS3.

My controller isnt the exact model shown in the picture it has the normal sony analog stick placement.