Nintendo Switch Controller Not Working? Try These Fixes.
Whether using the usual Joy-Con or the Pro controller, having your Switch controller not working is an actual ache that may forestall you from getting probably the most out of your console. Switch controllers can fall sufferer to so many potential issues, from connection to charging points – however you may in all probability discover the answer even faster than you suppose. Most issues with a Switch will be fastened at dwelling, which incorporates points with controllers.
Why Won’t My Controllers Work?
There are many the explanation why Switch controllers may cease working – however most don’t imply they’re lifeless. Don’t attain for a backup controller till you’ve tried the whole lot doable to repair those you favor.
- The controller is lifeless and isn’t charging. Switch controllers are rechargeable – just like the traditional Joy-Con controllers, for instance. They don’t at all times cost in the event that they aren’t positioned accurately. Even in case you suppose it ought to have charged when it was on the console, it might not if the alignment was off.
- The Switch isn’t detecting the controller. For the console to reply to instructions enter on the controllers, it has to make that connection. You can rapidly examine to see whether or not it’s detected however do not forget that seems to be will be deceiving. Even when the console says it acknowledges the controller, it may not.
- The controllers themselves are broken or damaged and unable to begin. Usually, in case you’re using the Joy-Cons in order that there are two lively controllers, that is fairly straightforward to identify. It’s uncommon for each to interrupt on the identical time. If you’re using a solo controller fashion, it is likely to be tougher to pinpoint a break as the issue.
Understanding why your controllers aren’t working may assist provide you with an concept of the place to begin. If not, there’s nothing flawed with attempting each answer accessible.
How to Troubleshoot the Switch Without a Controller?

Unfortunately, it’s troublesome to do any significant troubleshooting on the Switch itself and not using a controller. There are steps you are able to do in case you don’t have a controller linked, however a lot of the advised troubleshooting steps require with the ability to enter instructions with a controller.
You can at all times pair a alternative controller to the Switch in the course of troubleshooting. If you don’t have entry to at least one, attempt to borrow one from a buddy or see whether or not you will get one in every of your controllers to work, even when each don’t. Sometimes with Joy-Cons, one will proceed to operate even when the opposite is broken or damaged.
How to Fix My Switch Controllers?
Most fixes for the Joy-Con controllers can even work for the Pro mannequin. However, you might wish to skip round just a little and check out totally different options relying on what particular points you’re experiencing, what you may have accessible, and what you’ve already tried.
Inspect for Damage
A visible inspection of the controllers to search for harm may assist save a while. If you share the Switch with others or the controllers have been lately dropped or in any other case jolted, there could also be an issue you haven’t observed but. If you see indicators of bodily harm, that signifies an issue which may require restore.

To do an intensive visible inspection, run your eyes alongside the controller segments, following the curve of the sides. You also needs to take a look at the buttons to make sure they seem even and correctly positioned. Touch them to really feel whether or not they give the identical tactile suggestions they’ve up to now.
Look on the charging ports to examine that they appear regular. If they’re broken, the controller might not be capable of cost.
Once you’ve accomplished the inspection and are certain the controllers at the least seem undamaged, you’re able to attempt a number of different issues.
Recharge the Controllers

Sometimes the controllers merely don’t cost for no matter motive. I believed my Pro controller was plugged in to cost greater than as soon as, solely to find that I by accident pulled the other finish out of the charger when pushing back the desk chair. In these circumstances, I may not discover immediately as a result of the tip that costs the controller continues to be plugged in.
Joy-Cons ought to cost once they’re plugged into the console. If you suppose they aren’t charging, make sure the Switch is charging, take away them from the console, after which slide them back in. They should be positioned accurately to get charged.
Reset the Control Stick Configuration
One factor Nintendo recommends that Switch customers do when their Joy-Cons are experiencing points is confirm that they’re set to the usual management stick configuration. You can inform whether or not they’re in an alternate association once you see a wrench icon in menus next to the lively controller button.
This might not work in case you don’t have an lively controller, but it surely’s a wonderful strategy to get your controllers to reply once more. You may also use an alternate controller if in case you have one.
- Press and maintain the Power button to activate the Power choices menu.
- Choose Power Options.
- Select Sleep Mode.
- Press the Power button to wake the Switch. You’ll be met with a pop-up asking whether or not you wish to reset the controller mapping.
- Choose Reset the Button Mapping.
You ought to try to do that with the disconnected controllers first. If that doesn’t work, use the alternate controller. Once you’re performed, shut down the Switch and attempt to use the non-working controllers once more in case this fixes the problem.
Check the Connection
It’s doable that your Switch acknowledges the controllers however isn’t capable of do something with them. Check to see whether or not it registers a controller earlier than continuing.
- Press the Home button to open its menu.
- Choose Controllers. You ought to be capable of see what controllers are linked if any. If they’re linked, skip to a different troubleshooting methodology. If they aren’t, proceed.
- Detach the controllers from the console.
- Press the Sync button on the controller.
- Press one other button on the controller.
- Attach the Joy-Con to the console in case you’re using Joy-Cons.
- If the controller isn’t detected, attempt to detach and fix it a number of more occasions. You may also attempt turning the console on and off a number of occasions. Keep checking to see whether or not it’s linked.
If your controller isn’t detected at this level, you’ll in all probability must contact Nintendo for assist choices or use a special controller.
Update Your Console and Controllers
Keeping the software program up to date in your Switch may also help keep away from issues affecting the unit and its equipment operate. This is inconceivable and not using a working controller, so you’ll have to make use of an alternate one to carry out the steps.
- Press the Home button.
- Choose System Settings, which has an icon resembling a cog wheel.
- Choose System, after which choose System Update.
- Wait for the console to obtain and set up the update if one is detected.
- Try to connect the Joy-Cons or alternate controller once more as soon as the system update is full.
- Reopen the Home menu.
- Choose System Settings.
- Select Controllers and Sensors.
- Choose Update Controllers. The system should detect the controllers to get the firmware update.
- Watch the update to verify it completes. If it doesn’t work for some motive, attempt the steps once more to push the update to the controllers.
Once the updates are full, attempt restarting your system to see whether or not the controllers will join as soon as it comes back up.
Calibrate the Sticks
Calibrating the management sticks might assist remedy points with the Switch not registering a controller even when it detects the connection. The controllers can’t be instantly linked to the console throughout this course of.
- Press the Home button.
- Choose System Settings.
- Select Controllers and Sensors.
- Choose the Calibrate Control Sticks possibility.
- Move the management stick all the way in which in a single path and maintain it there.
- Watch the display screen and observe the prompts. If your controller isn’t working accurately, you may press X to calibrate it.
Calibrating your management sticks occasionally is a good way to control the well being of your controllers.
Other Solutions When the Controllers Are Detected however Do Not Respond
If the controllers are seen however aren’t responding, you may take a number of extra steps to attempt fixing them.
- Start by taking off any skins or different ornamental ephemera from the controller. It could also be interfering with it not directly.
- Try an alternate cable or charger in case you’re using an alternate controller. Sometimes the charging strategies are broken, making it inconceivable for the controller to get a cost. You might not even know the cables are broken from a visible inspection.
- Disconnect all of the controllers connected to the system within the Controllers and Sensors menu. Sometimes, the disconnect with the software program will assist it detect the controllers anew.
Unfortunately, one thing must be repaired if the controllers nonetheless aren’t responding or the Switch can’t detect them in any respect. You can open a ticket with Nintendo and work by way of the steps to ship in what’s broken for repairs.
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