What to Do About Joy Con Drift? - A Complete Guide

If you're experiencing Joy Con drift on your Nintendo Switch, don't worry! In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about what causes it, how to fix it, and how to prevent it from happening again in the future.

Introduction:

The Nintendo Switch has taken the world by storm since its release in 2017. It's a versatile console that you can use both at home and on the go, and its Joy Con controllers are one of its standout features. However, one problem that many Switch owners have faced is Joy Con drift.

Joy Con drift is when your Joy Con controller registers movement even when you're not touching the joystick. This can make playing games frustrating and can even cause your character to move in unintended directions. But don't worry, there are ways to fix this issue.

In this article, we'll take a deep dive into what causes Joy Con drift and provide you with a complete guide on what to do about it. We'll cover everything from DIY fixes to sending your Joy Con in for repair. So, let's get started.

What Causes Joy Con Drift?

Before we dive into the solutions, let's first take a look at what causes Joy Con drift. There are a few reasons why your Joy Con might start drifting:

Wear and Tear: Over time, the joystick on your Joy Con controller can become worn down, causing it to register movement even when you're not touching it.

Dirt and Debris: Dust, dirt, and other debris can get lodged in the joystick mechanism, causing it to malfunction.

Moisture: If your Joy Con gets wet, it can cause the joystick mechanism to short out and start drifting.

Now that we know what causes Joy Con drift let's take a look at what you can do to fix it.

How to Fix Joy Con Drift:

There are a few DIY fixes that you can try before sending your Joy Con in for repair. Here are some solutions that have worked for other Nintendo Switch owners:

Calibrate Your Joy Con: Sometimes recalibrating your Joy Con can fix the issue. Go to System Settings on your Switch, select Controllers and Sensors, and then select Calibrate Control Sticks.

Clean Your Joy Con: Use a can of compressed air to blow out any debris that might be stuck in your Joy Con joystick. You can also use a toothbrush and rubbing alcohol to clean the joystick mechanism.

Replace the Joystick: If your Joy Con is out of warranty, you can replace the joystick yourself by purchasing a replacement kit online. There are plenty of tutorials online that will show you how to do this.

If none of these DIY fixes work, you might need to send your Joy Con in for repair. Nintendo offers a free repair service for Joy Con drift, even if your Joy Con is out of warranty.

Preventing Joy Con Drift:

Now that you've fixed your Joy Con drift, you might be wondering how you can prevent it from happening again in the future.

Keep Your Joy Con Clean: Regularly clean your Joy Con joystick to prevent dirt and debris from getting lodged in the mechanism.Don't Use Your Joy Con Roughly.