How to fix Joy-Con controller drift on the Switch and Switch Lite

If you’re like me, you love the Nintendo Switch and the Switch Lite. They’re convenient, can go anywhere, and have plenty of awesome games for you to play. However, playing on these systems can become incredibly frustrating when your on-screen characters start moving around without you even touching your joysticks. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to fix controller drift. Check out our list of fixes below.

Products used in this guide

Controller Drift Solutions

But why is this happening?

There are at least two main reasons why Joy-Con drift occurs: 1.) After some frequent use, dust and grime can build up inside the sticks, which can then hurt the contacts within. This isn’t surprising considering that the Switch devices are portable and therefore get subjected to more contaminants both indoors and outdoors. 2.) After taking their Switch apart, some gamers have discovered that the joystick contacts get worn down over time, causing them to work improperly.

Many other controllers with analog sticks can be subject to the same problem, but it seems as if the Switch is uniquely vulnerable to drifting. Aside from the two reasons listed above, there could be other reasons why your joysticks are doing this. Whatever the reason, it’s something that nearly everyone is going to want to fix when it starts happening to them.

How to fix it with compressed air

OK, enough chitter-chatter! You have a drifting analog stick, and you want to fix it. Here’s what you should try!

1. Identify the analog stick that is giving you problems.

2. Follow the instructions on the compressed air can. This usually means you’ll need to shake the can thoroughly before using it.

   

   

3. Place your thumb on the joystick and pull it to one side.

4. Gently use the straw to lift the rubber skirt of the joystick.

   

   

5. Give your stick several quick cleansing blasts from different angles.

6. Leave the Switch Lite, or the Joy-Con tilted to one side and allow any debris to run down the side.

   

   

7. Wipe up any debris that got dislodged onto the Switch Lite or Joy-Cons.

8. Let the joysticks dry thoroughly before using them.

   

   

Hopefully, that dislodged any debris or dust that was causing problems for your joysticks. If controller drift continues after cleaning, try the next thing on this list.

How to conduct a system update on the controllers

It’s possible your controllers just need an update. Here’s how to make that happen:

1. From the main menu, go to System Settings.

2. Click on Controllers and Sensors.

   

   

3. Scroll down to Update Controllers.

4. If the controllers are already up to date a message will pop up saying so. Click OK. If you didn’t get this message continue to the next step.

   

   

5. Wait until the controllers finish updating with the latest firmware.

6. A message will pop up reading Update Complete. Click OK.

   

   

How to recalibrate your Joy-Cons and joysticks through software

You can recalibrate your analog sticks through the software if the canned air did not work. Here’s how to do that:

1. From the main menu, click on System Settings.

2. Scroll down to Controllers and Sensors.

   

   

3. Select Calibrate Control Sticks.

4. Press down on the stick that you want to calibrate.

   

   

5. If your joystick is behaving normally, you should see a green cross in the middle of the crosshair. If it shows a circle or if the cross isn’t in the center, click the X button to calibrate.

6. A message pops up warning you to only recalibrate if something is wrong with your joystick. Click Calibrate.

   

   

7. What follows are several instructions for you to complete. First maneuver the joystick towards the green triangle and release it when it changes color. This will repeat a few times. It can be tricky if there is something wrong with your joystick. If it proves too difficult, exit by pressing the B button.

8. Next, it will ask you to rotate the sick. Follow the direction it indicates.

   

   

9. A message will pop up stating Calibration complete. Click OK.

   

DIY fix by replacing the analog stick

If you’re still having drift issues after using the canned air method and recalibrating the Joy-Cons, you may need to replace the analog sticks. There are some cheap options available on Amazon, such as this one from Veanic, but keep in mind that this may void your warranty.

We’d recommend checking out this video from TronicsFix on how to replace your Joy-Con analog sticks.

How to prevent it from happening!

If you haven’t had this issue yet and you would like to try to avoid it, or if you had it and don’t want it again, there are a few things you can do to try to keep it from happening.

1. One suggestion is to make sure that you are using your Switch with clean hands. This may seem obvious, but if you have young ones playing on your Switch, they don’t always wash off Cheetos crumbs before they start playing.
2. If you are taking your Switch on the go, I would recommend a case. If you are just tossing your Switch into a backpack without a protective case, your sticks may be subject to collecting some particulates or getting smashed against various surfaces. For the best options, check out these articles on the best Nintendo Switch cases or the best Nintendo Switch Lite cases.

Little issues like this can be incredibly frustrating. There have been times when I had a controller stopped working as it was intended and I sure did want to toss it across the room. Hopefully, these tips will help keep you in the game and frustration-free!

Nintendo warranties and sending them back for repairs

Joy-Con drift has been an issue for many Switch fans since launch, and we’ve already had a few reported cases of drift on the Switch Lite. The problem has gotten worse affecting a wider number of gamers, which resulted in lawsuits against Nintendo. With so much attention brought to the issue, the gaming company has made it much easier to start a ticket for repairing your Joy-Cons on its customer support page.

“At Nintendo, we take great pride in creating quality products, and we are continuously making improvements to them,” a representative from Nintendo told Kotaku in response questions about Joy-Con drift. “We are aware of recent reports that some Joy-Con controllers are not responding correctly. We want our consumers to have fun with Nintendo Switch, and if anything falls short of this goal, we always encourage them to visit http://support.nintendo.com so we can help.”

According to Vice, Nintendo’s customer support reps have been instructed to aid anyone who contacts them about Joy-Con drift by first going through troubleshooting steps. If that doesn’t fix the problem, Nintendo will make repairs at no charge without requiring proof of purchase. What’s more, anyone who contacted Nintendo previously and paid to get their Joy-Cons fixed will be issued a refund.

Of course, some people find this process too time-consuming and prefer to purchase a new pair of Joy-Cons. It’s more expensive, but that’s another route owners of the larger Switch can take. Unfortunately, Switch Lites don’t have removable controllers so you won’t be able to disengage the problematic joysticks this easily.

Additional products to help with controller issues

If you need more than one replacement joystick or if you’d prefer a new controller altogether, here are the products we recommend most.

Veanic 2-Pack Replacement Joysticks
($15 at Amazon)

If you need to replace both of your joysticks or if you’d prefer to have an extra joystick handy, consider purchasing this 2-pack. It comes with four thumbstick caps, a cross screwdriver, a “Y” screwdriver, a prying tool, and tweezers to help make the replacement process easier.

PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller
($45 at Amazon)

This wireless controller is a perfect replacement for defective Joy-Cons. It features motion controls and additional buttons on the backside to enhance your gaming sessions. Choose from one of six different colors and themes to get the look you like best.

Pro Controller
($63 at Amazon)

This is the mother of all Nintendo Switch controllers. In addition to having a battery that lasts up to 40 hours, it features motion controls, HD rumble, and built-in amiibo functionality. Should the battery get low, you can plug in a USB cable and keep playing. Its joysticks and buttons are larger than the ones on the Joy-Cons, making them easier to use.

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