How to fix joy con drift

Who doesn't love their Nintendo Switch®? The latest gaming device from Nintendo™ combines all the amazing things about portable gaming and a home console. However, there's one downside that seems to be common amongst users: Joy-Con® drift. But no worries, we can help you fix the issue so you can get your head—and controller—back in the game.

Here at Asurion, we help millions of people troubleshoot, fix, and maximize their tech—whether you have a Nintendo Switch that won't charge or want to speed up your phone. Here's our guide to helping you understand what causes Joy-Con drift and how to fix it, plus other ways to keep your Nintendo Switch controller performing at its best.

What is Joy-Con drift?

Have you ever set your Switch down to go grab a quick drink only to come back and find your character on the wrong side of the map, wandering around aimlessly? That's Joy-Con drift. Simply put, it's when a Nintendo Switch controller seemingly moves around without the player touching the thumb sticks. Besides characters moving around on their own, it can also lead to the camera randomly panning in different directions.

What causes Joy-Con drift?

Joy-Con drift can often be attributed to one of two major factors: software/hardware issues or buildup of dirt and grime under or around the thumb sticks.

Whether it's a software issue or just dirt, try these easy fixes to solve Nintendo Joy-Con drift issues.

Update your controllers

Sometimes controller drift can be due to a minor software issue. Thankfully, this can be addressed through a simple update. On your Switch, go to the Home menu. Then select System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Update Controllers.

Recalibrate the Joy-Con thumb sticks

Another way to correct Joy-Con drift is to recalibrate the thumb sticks themselves. NOTE: In order to calibrate motion controls, the controller must be detached from the Switch console.

Clean your Joy-Con controllers

The drift in your Joy-Con could be due to natural buildup of dirt and grime inside the thumb sticks. To clean your controller, we recommend using a can of compressed air. Move the thumb sticks around while spraying compressed air at different angles to loosen any buildup, then use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe them clean. We do not recommend trying to take your controller apart to clean it—that's a job best left to a game console repair expert.

Can Joy-Con drift be fixed for free?

If you've followed the steps outlined above and ruled out minor software problems or dirt and grime as the cause of your Joy-Con drift, then you may be dealing with a hardware issue instead. If so, you can send in your Joy-Con controllers to Nintendo to be considered for a free repair. To learn more about the Nintendo Joy-Con Repair program, visit https://joyconrepair.nintendo.com/ .

How long does a Joy-Con repair take?

The general consensus indicates that Joy-Con repairs by Nintendo can take anywhere from 3 days to a month.

If it turns out your Joy-Con issues aren't covered by Nintendo or you need it faster, we can help. Schedule a repair at the nearest uBreakiFix® by Asurion or Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions™ store and our certified experts can get your device back up and running as soon as the same day.

The Asurion Home+ protection plan offers peace of mind for all of your eligible home tech, including your favorite gaming systems, for less than $1 per day. From graphical glitches to faulty drives, we cover your video game console and original controller from the unexpected breakdown—no matter where or when you purchased it. Learn more at asurion.com/homeplus.

*The Asurion® trademarks and logos are the property of Asurion, LLC. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Asurion is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any of the respective owners of the other trademarks appearing herein.*

Nintendo Switch Joy-Con stick drift is a problem that has plagued the platform since its release. Though Nintendo claims to have made changes to newer Joy-Con to mitigate the problem, many people will come across this issue over the course of their console’s lifespan.

What Is Stick Drift?

Stick drift refers to a problem where an analog control stick registers input without being actuated. The stick may drift in a particular direction (for example, to the left), or it may drift in multiple directions depending on the last direction used. Drift may appear suddenly, over time, or seemingly disappear for a while before coming back again.

The Nintendo Switch has a well-documented history with this problem that isn’t necessarily caused by misuse. The Nintendo Switch Pro controller seems to have avoided the issue on a wide-scale basis, unlike Nintendo’s detachable Joy-Con.

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You may notice stick drift while playing, but you can also test for the problem using your console’s System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Calibrate Control Sticks menu. In this menu you’ll be asked to hold a direction on the stick you want to calibrate, then you’ll see a crosshair with either a plus or a dot in it.

If the plus icon isn’t in the center or there’s a dot that seems to move erratically or “lean” in a particular direction, your Joy-Con is exhibiting signs of stick drift.

RELATED: How to Decide Which Nintendo Switch Is Right for You

What Causes Stick Drift?

The main cause of stick drift of any kind, including controllers from Microsoft and Sony, is wear and tear. Since the analog stick is a moving part, it’s bound to wear out eventually like any similar mechanism.

Controllers make use of a component called a potentiometer to gauge the current position of the stick. Damage to the controller can affect the “neutral” position that the stick is meant to return to when it’s not being tilted in a particular position. This can cause the potentiometer to register constant or erratic movements.

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This is often due to dust and debris building up within the mechanism, something that’s likely to affect all controllers with enough use over time. In the case of the Nintendo Switch, this threshold was hit a lot sooner than many expected. Some owners have opened up their Joy-Con to find worn-down contacts inside. Nintendo has never clarified why the issue is so prevalent.

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Damage in general to any sort of analog stick may also trigger the problem. This could include spilling liquid on your controller, dropping the controller, or applying excessive downward force on the analog sticks.

Fix 1: Calibrate Your Controller and Dead Zones

If your controller is showing signs of controller drift, it might be worth investigating a proper repair. It is also possible to make the problem better with your console’s calibration tool though. This is especially effective if you have a controller that appears to be pulling in one direction all of the time, but is unlikely to help with erratic movements in all directions.

Head to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Calibrate Control Sticks and hold down the analog stick you wish to calibrate. Hit the “X” button on your controller then select “Calibrate” in the warning that appears to proceed. You can then follow the on-screen instructions to fully calibrate your Joy-Con controller.

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You can also potentially help the problem by calibrating controller dead zones in certain titles. This will need to be done on a game-by-game basis and won’t fix the issue at a system level, but by increasing the dead zone (the threshold by which an input is registered) you may be able to play some titles without drift appearing at all.

Fix 2: Use Nintendo’s Joy-Con Repair Program

The Joy-Con stick drift issue is so widespread that Nintendo now runs a repair program purely to address issues with the controller. Technically the program allows for any Joy-Con issues to be addressed and doesn’t mention stick drift specifically, so you may be able to use it to repair non-functioning buttons, motion controls, or infrared sensors too.

Head to joyconrepair.nintendo.com and fill out the form with your name, email, address, and phone number. You can also provide a reason for repair, though Nintendo presumably tests each incoming Joy-Con for problems anyway. You’ll need to specify the number of Joy-Con you are returning, with a maximum of five possible due to lithium-ion battery regulations.

The main caveat to the service is that you may not get the same color Joy-Con back in the mail. Nintendo requires that you tick a box that states you are happy to receive a “standard color Joy-Con” that’s gray, neon blue, or neon red. Do not include your Switch console or any accessories with your repair request.

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Repairs are free for US and Canadian residents. If you live outside of the US or Canada you’ll need to apply for a repair using Nintendo’s local repair hub in your country, and you may be charged for the service. We recommend looking at your country’s warranty and consumer laws to understand your rights concerning this widespread issue.

Fix 3: Repair It Yourself with Spare Parts

If you have a special edition Switch and you don’t fancy taking a chance on Nintendo sending a gray Joy-Con in its place or you’re feeling handy and up to the task, you can try repairing your Joy-Con by yourself. iFixit sells Nintendo Switch Joy-Con replacement joysticks either as a kit (with the tools required) or individually.

You can then follow iFixit’s own handy guide to fixing the right Joy-Con or left Joy-Con. If you have a Switch Lite with integrated Joy-Con then there are separate guides to follow for replacing the right analog stick and left analog stick. You can also use these guides with parts you find for sale elsewhere on the web.

RELATED: What Are “Right to Repair” Laws, and What Do They Mean for You?

Alternatively, Buy a New Set

Sometimes you need something right away, and if waiting for repairs to arrive or spare parts in the mail doesn’t sound particularly appealing, you can always throw money at the problem instead. You can get a single Joy-Con for $39.99, or get the full set for $79.99.

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You may be able to find a deal at a major retailer, or wait for a sale or promotional event to save even more money. You’ll also have access to new color combinations that Nintendo has introduced since your console first went on sale, including Neon Pink and Neon Green.

Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Set

First-party Nintendo Joy-Con controllers in neon pink and neon green. Use the full range of features including motion controls, infrared sensor, and internal batteries to play however you want.

There’s also the possibility to go for third-party Joy-Con, which may be cheaper or have additional features like expanded grips. Unfortunately, many of these options cut corners either in terms of build quality or features and may lack things like internal batteries or motion controls. For best results, we’d recommend buying first-party instead.

Avoiding Stick Drift in Future

The easiest way to avoid stick drift is to never use your Switch, but this isn’t a particularly practical solution, to say the least. Instead, keep a copy of your proof of purchase for any warranty claims you may need to make in the future and have fun with your console.

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One practical step you can take if you use your Switch in portable mode is to invest in a hard case. This will prevent crushing pressure from damaging the analog sticks while in a bag, which may cause them to age prematurely.

You can also buy a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller for use in docked mode, which is a much more comfortable playing experience when set up in front of a TV (or when using your console on a static surface like a table).

RELATED: Should You Buy Extended Warranties?