A Joy-Con that keeps disconnecting or sticks has an ordered fix from Nintendo: attach the Joy-Con to the console and check they register, install the latest system update, restart, then update the controller firmware under System Settings, Controllers and Sensors, Update Controllers, and detach and test them in a game. For stick trouble, first make sure the sticks are on their standard configuration (a wrench icon means they are remapped), remove any skins, and calibrate. If they cannot be calibrated, the Joy-Con is serviced, not the console.
Differential
Likely causes of “Nintendo Switch controller will not connect or keeps disconnecting”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A Joy-Con that is not registered or seated
What separates it It loses sync and resyncs, or is not recognized when attached
How to confirm Slide it fully onto the rail until it clicks and check it registers on the Controllers screen
- 2
Outdated console or controller firmware
What separates it Problems began after a game or system update because of outdated console or controller firmware
How to confirm Update the console, restart it and run Controllers and Sensors, Update Controllers
- 3
Wireless interference
What separates it It drops only in one room or near other wireless gear
How to confirm Move away from routers, speakers, power strips and other wireless devices and keep the Joy-Con within range
- 4
Remapped sticks or in-game tilt controls
What separates it A wrench icon appears beside the controller, or a game behaves as if sticks are off
How to confirm Reset the controller inputs to standard, and turn off in-game tilt controls if a game uses them
- 5
A worn stick or a damaged Joy-Con
What separates it The sticks drift after calibration and a skin or cover is off
How to confirm Remove any skin, calibrate the sticks; if they cannot be calibrated, service the Joy-Con
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which Joy-Con or controller is affected and whether it fails attached, detached or both
- Whether a wrench icon appears beside the controller
- Whether the problem is in one game or every game
- The console model and system version
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedAttach the Joy-Con and confirm they register
ReversibleRemove the console from the dock, face the screen towards you and slide the left Joy-Con (the one with the minus button) and the right Joy-Con (plus) down the rails until each clicks. Open Controllers on the HOME Menu to see whether each registers as attached.
Update the system and restart
ReversibleOpen System Settings, System, System Update, then restart by holding POWER for three seconds and choosing Power Options, Restart.
Update the controller firmware
ReversibleOpen System Settings, Controllers and Sensors, Update Controllers. Nintendo lists this as the step before further troubleshooting.
Detach and test
ReversibleSlide the Joy-Con off while pressing the release button at the back, then start a game or move through menus to see whether they stay connected.
Reduce interference
ReversibleMove metal objects and other wireless devices such as speakers, power strips or cordless phones away from the console and the router, and stay close to the console.
Check for remapping
ReversibleA wrench icon at the bottom left beside the controller means custom inputs are set. Put the system to sleep and, on waking, choose to reset the controller inputs if you do not remember the configuration.
Calibrate the sticks
ReversibleRemove any skins or covers from the Joy-Con and calibrate the control sticks. If the problem is in one game, update the game and check its manual for tilt controls.
Request service for the controller
ReversibleIf the sticks cannot be calibrated or the Joy-Con registers but misbehaves, the Joy-Con needs service. Do not send in the console.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Attach and detach
- Slide the Joy-Con down the rails on each side of the console until you hear a click; to detach, press the release button at the back while sliding it up. The OLED, launch and revised models use the same rails.
- Pro Controller
- Nintendo has separate articles for the Pro Controller's sticks and buttons; they follow the same firmware, restart and calibration order.
- Tools and supplies
- A soft cloth to clean the controller, no skin on the stick and a second Joy-Con to compare. No screwdriver is needed; Nintendo does not ask you to open a controller.
- Serial number
- A Joy-Con service request asks for the controller's serial number, not a part number, and is for the controller only.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the sticks cannot be calibrated, start a service request for the Joy-Con only, not the console
- !If a Joy-Con still disconnects after firmware, restart and a move away from interference, request service
- !If a controller is hot or swollen, stop using it
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Nintendo writes them for the Switch family and marks Lite-only steps separately. The service request is Nintendo's own and is limited to the U.S. and Canada.
Battery repair steps and Nintendo's out-of-warranty cost table.
Attach, update, restart, firmware and interference steps.
Remapping, calibration and service.
Pro Controller steps.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my Joy-Con keep disconnecting?+
Attach it and check it registers, update the console and controller firmware, restart and reduce wireless interference, following Nintendo's order.
How do I update Joy-Con firmware?+
Open System Settings, Controllers and Sensors, then Update Controllers.
What is the wrench icon next to my controller?+
Nintendo says it shows the controller's inputs have been remapped. Reset them to the standard configuration before troubleshooting.
Why do my Joy-Con sticks drift?+
Calibrate them after removing any skin or cover. If they cannot be calibrated, Nintendo says the Joy-Con needs service.
Do I send the console in for a Joy-Con problem?+
No. Nintendo says to send in the non-working Joy-Con only; the console is not needed.
Can a game make sticks look broken?+
Yes. Some games have tilt controls, such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which can make sticks seem unresponsive; check the electronic manual.
Where do I find a Joy-Con service request?+
Nintendo's service request for a Joy-Con is available in the U.S. and Canada; elsewhere contact your nearest authorized service center.
Does the model matter?+
The Joy-Con steps are the same for the launch, revised and OLED models. The Switch Lite has no detachable Joy-Con and has its own page.