[Solution] How to Fix a Joy con Drift
- Recalibrate Your Thumbsticks. It's possible that you just need to recalibrate your controller. This only works if it's a...
- Update Your Joy-Con. Joy-con firmware can be updated. Now, your Switch may prompt you to do that, but just in case,...
- Clean the Joy-Con with Compressed Air. Sometimes, debris can get lodged underneath the thumbstick, causing some blockage.
- Replace the Thumbstick. If you're handy, you can replace the thumbstick yourself. But it's more risky than sending it in...
Full Answer
What are the ways to prevent Joy Con drift?
To calibrate the joysticks, go to :
- System Settings
- Controllers and Sensors
- Calibrate Control Sticks. Follow the instructions by pressing down on the affected Joy-con (usually the left one) and see if that addresses the issue.
How to permanently fix Joycon drift?
How to fix Joy-Con drift
- Update your system software. Before doing anything else, make sure your system and Joy-Con firmware are up to date. ...
- Calibrate the thumbstick. If you have a minor drifting problem or the issue is intermittent, you can fix your Joy-Con by recalibrating it.
- Clean your Joy-Con. A common cause of Joy-Con drift is a dirty thumbstick. ...
- Replace the thumbstick. ...
How to get joycons repaired?
- Deal Value: Drift repair for Joy-Con controllers is now free; customers who previously paid for drift repair can receive a refund.
- Time Frame: Until further notice.
- Things to Remember: To receive a repair refund, you’ll need to provide proof of the transaction. You can only claim this deal if you live in North America.
How to recalibrate JoyCon?
How to Fix Joy-Con drift
- Send it to Nintendo For Repair/Refund. Since the issue is widespread, Nintendo actually offers to fix Joy-Con drift for free (and has allegedly fixed the issue on newer Joy-Cons).
- Recalibrate Your Thumbsticks. It's possible that you just need to recalibrate your controller. ...
- Update Your Joy-Con. ...
- Clean the Joy-Con with Compressed Air. ...
Do it yourself fix Joy-Con drift?
9 Ways to Fix Joy-Con Drift on Your Nintendo SwitchReset Any Button Remapping. ... Check Your Controllers Are Connected Correctly. ... Update Your Switch System. ... Update Your Joy-Con Firmware. ... Recalibrate Your Control Sticks. ... Check for Game Software Update. ... Remove Any Skins or Covers. ... Clean the Joy-Con Control Sticks.More items...•
Is Nintendo still fixing joy-cons for Free 2021?
As a reminder, Nintendo is still offering free Joy-Con repairs in North America. All you need to do is fill out an easy form, and live in the USA or Canada, and you're good.
How do you fix Joy-Con drift without tools?
Calibrate or recalibrate your Switch Joy-Cons. The first thing you should do if you notice Joy-Con drift (especially on the left Joy-Con) is calibrate your controllers. ... Clean your Joy-Con's joystick. ... Nintendo will fix Joy-Con drift for you. ... Buy a new Joy-Con for your Switch. ... Replace the joystick yourself.
Is Joy-Con drift repair free?
Ever since a report by Kotaku from July 2019 shined a light on the Joy-Con drift issue, Nintendo has changed its policies significantly. The company will now repair drifting Joy-Con controllers for free, even if your controllers are outside the regular warranty.
What causes controller drift?
Causes of PS4 Controller Drift If your character or the camera keeps moving when you're not touching the controller, the problem's source is likely analog stick drift. PS4 controller drift can be due to one of two things: The analog stick is dirty. The analog stick or the potentiometer is damaged.
What causes joy drift?
It's unclear what the cause of Joy-Con drift is but one Joy-Con teardown published on Reddit by user u/rainbopython in April 2019 claims that the drift problem could be caused by wear-and-tear over time while other theories point towards build-up of dust inside the casing around the stick.
How do I stop my drift from sticking?
Don't grip your controller with excessive strength when playing competitive games, but try to put as little force as necessary. Don't push your analog stick too hard: plastic debris can wear off of it, fall down into the module, and cause drift.
Can you fix stick drift?
It's called controller drift, or analog stick drift, because one or both thumbsticks will drift, or move, in an undesired direction even when you aren't touching them. To fix Xbox One controller drift, you need to take the controller apart and repair or replace one or more components related to the analog sticks.
How do I stop my controller from drifting?
The best way to prevent stick drift is to make sure the controller isn't passively exposed to stuff that might be floating in the air. Put it inside a clean cupboard to that it's basically living in a quarantine zone from The Last Of Us. While inarguably tempting, snack time should not coincide with game time, either.
Is Joy-Con drift still a problem 2021?
Best answer: Unfortunately, it is possible for the Switch OLED to experience drift issues. Nintendo has made minor updates to Joy-Cons over the years, but the ones in the Switch OLED are the same as the controllers that came with the Switch V2, so they're still susceptible to drift.
How long do Joy-Cons last before drifting?
The real question is how long do these Nintendo switch controllers last before they break? Most Joy Cons will last 2–4 years depending upon how often they are used before they break. If they are dropped often or thrown around, it is possible that they will not even last a year before breaking.
How long do Joy-Cons last?
approximately 20 hoursThe Joy-Con controllers take approximately three and a half hours to fully charge. When fully charged, the battery for the Joy-Con controllers can last approximately 20 hours. This may be shorter depending on the software application and functions being used.
What is Joy Con drift?
Joy-Con drift is when Joy-Con register input where there is none. This means your character, or a reticle, could move in a direction without your input. This problem was first reported early on in the Nintendo Switch's lifecycle.
Does Nintendo fix Joy Con drift?
Since the issue is widespread, Nintendo actually offers to fix Joy-Con drift for free (and has allegedly fixed the issue on newer Joy-Cons). This is currently the only "official" method of dealing with drift, though check below for some ways you can address the issue yourself. There is a catch, though.
How long does it take to update controllers on a switch?
Now, your Switch may prompt you to do that, but just in case, check in the Settings, Controllers menu for the "Update Controllers" option. It takes only a few minutes and addresses some connectivity issues with earlier Joy-con.
When will the Nintendo Switch Lite be released?
The Nintendo Switch Lite comes out on September 20, 2019 for $199.99. Once it's out, we will keep up to date on any reported issues. Table of Contents. Table of Contents.
Can you replace a thumbstick yourself?
If you want to go further, you can replace the entire thumbstick yourself. But it's more risky than sending it in for repair. However, if you have previously opened the Joy-con, changed the shell, or have a rare color variant (eg: Tsum Tsum or Dragon Quest edition), this may be your best bet.
Can you use paper for Joy Con drift?
This, surprisingly, is the critical component to preventing Joy-Con Drift, so our recommendation is not to use traditional printer paper or anything without a little heft to it. You'll want to avoid any paper that may shred over time or flake, such as glitter-coated or laminated paper.
Can you blast air under a thumbstick?
Get yourself a a compressed air can/cleaner -- available at any electronics store. You can then blast air right at the seam under the thumbstick to dislodge debris.
1. Calibrate or recalibrate your Switch Joy-Cons
The first thing you should do if you notice Joy-Con drift (especially on the left Joy-Con) is calibrate your controllers. This is the most straightforward way to bring things back to normal. It's worth knowing how to do this because you'll end up checking the calibration at some point for pretty much all these tips.
2. Clean your Joy-Con's joystick
If you still experience Joy-Con drift after calibrating and recalibrating, the next thing you should do is clean the control stick. In the body of the Joy-Con at the base of the control stick is a sensor. Cleaning that sensor will resolve the problem of Joy-Con drift for most people.
3. Nintendo will fix Joy-Con drift for you
If calibrating and cleaning don't help, get Nintendo to fix it. The company has a Joy-Con repair program for hardware within its one-year warranty. However Nintendo has been fixing Joy-Cons with drifting issues for free even if they're out of warranty.
4. Buy a new Joy-Con for your Switch
Another option (possibly the most costly on this list) is to buy a new single Joy-Con for around $50. However, single Joy-Cons are often out of-stock. Even if you find one to buy, it might not be the side or color you want.
5. Replace the joystick yourself
This last tip is the most drastic. You can remove the problematic joystick and put a new one into the housing. There are numerous kits online. I got one on Amazon for $14 which comes with two new analog stick modules, and tools.
How to recalibrate joysticks?
Here's how to recalibrate your analog sticks through the software: From the main menu, click on System Settings. Scroll down to Controllers and Sensors.
How many thumbstick caps does a Joystick 2 pack come with?
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 make the replacement process easier.
How long does a Nintendo Switch battery last?
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.
What tool do you use to replace a joystick?
This replacement joystick comes with a "Y" Tri-wing screwdriver, a cross screwdriver, tweezers, and pry tools to help you make replacing the part easier. It also comes with two analog caps that you can place on your joysticks to make them respond faster during gaming sessions.
How to clean a switch lite?
Place your thumb on the joystick and pull it to one side. Gently use the straw to lift the rubber skirt of the joystick. Give your stick several quick cleansing blasts from different angles. Leave the Switch Lite, or the Joy-Con tilted to one side and allow any debris to run down the side.
What games are coming to the Switch in July?
If you're in the market for new Nintendo Switch games, here are the ones being released in July. Highlights include Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, and Cris Tales.
What is a wireless controller?
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.
Personal Information
Your repair instructions and shipping label will be emailed to you. Please enter your Nintendo Account email or primary email address below and ensure it is accurate.
Shipping Details
The address you provide will be used to ship the Joy-Con back to you. If you live outside of the US or Canada, you must use a repair center in your area.
Repair Terms (required)
Please carefully read and check each one of the repair terms below before submitting your Joy-Con repair.
How to disconnect ribbon cable?
You’ll see that the connector has a little black latch. To disconnect the cable just flip this latch up and gently pull out the cable. This is easier with tweezers, especially if you have large hands.
Why is my Joy Cons drifting?
You see the reason Joy Cons generally start drifting in the first place is because dust and grime gets into the controller mechanism and starts making it put out false inputs. Ninety percent (90%) of the time, if you clean out the mechanism, you’ll totally fix the problem. First thing’s first: You’ll want to lift up the rubber guard at the base of the stick exposing the white mechanism beneath.
What are failure modes in VK?
Other failure modes include sensor wear —the erosion of the resistive material used to measure movement—centering-spring fatigue, and grime.
Do joysticks wear out?
Yet the fact remains, that joystick will wear out too. All joysticks are consumables with a limited lifespan. Nintendo, Sony, and every other console maker expects you to shell out for their controllers rather than taking the fix into your own hands.